Will Apple go plastic for a low-cost iPhone? Video

To play this video, you need Javascript enabled and the latest version of Flash installed. Install Flash now
Will Apple go plastic for a low-cost iPhone?
Created: 01/30/2013
Video description: The rumored less-expensive iPhone will be a cross between the iPhone 5, the iPod Touch, and the iPod Classic. Wait, isn't that what all iPhones are like anyway?

Will Apple go plastic for a low-cost iPhone? Video Transcript

KARYNE: Hey, I?m Karyne Levy EMILY: And I'm Emily Dreyfuss. KARYNE: Welcome to Rumor Has It! The show where we round up the week's biggest tech rumors. EMILY: And vote on what sounds legit, and what seems like it'll never ever happen. KARYNE: And remember: you can vote on all the rumors! Keep your eye out for the poll in the interactive player, if you're watching on CNET. EMILY: First up, is this a weird mysterious 5th-generation iPad, as 9 to 5 Mac claims it is? Is your NEW new ipad already obsolete again? KARYNE: Of course it?s obsolete! It always will be, as Apple will release a new version every year, but you knew that. My first-gen iPad has been obsolete since a month after I bought it. EMILY: Is this slightly scuffed and taped up backpiece an actual part for the new device? No one knows. If it is, the new iPad is going to have a thinner bezel than the 4 -- something akin to the iPad Mini?s. However, that?s an obvious change. If you can eliminate a bezel, you do, and Apple is definitely trending toward edge-to- edge screens, so this could just be a very well-executed and not particularly insightful guess by an accessory maker. KARYNE: Next, according to the site AdAge, YouTube is aiming to offer paid channel subscriptions this year. The paid channels would likely be created by large media companies that already have channels and lots of subscribers. The channels would cost between $1 and $5 a month. A YouTube rep told CNET they've been looking into a subscription model for years. EMILY: YouTube is supposedly also eyeing a plan to charge for other items, including entire libraries of videos, live events, and advice shows. KARYNE: The paid channels, which are rumored to launch next quarter, would still have ads in them -- so now you'd be paying to watch videos, plus you'd get ads. Sooo... sounds exactly like cable TV. Only cheaper. EMILY: This is upsetting news--no one wants to pay for YouTube, but the one good thing is it would encourage higher-end, better-produced content. EMILY: Mooving on, the rumored low-cost new iPhone will be a cross between the iPhone 5, the fifth-generation iPod Touch, and the classic iPod, says Apple news site iLounge. I can feel your eyes rolling from here. You?re thinking what I?m thinking: aren?t all iPhones a cross between a phone and an iPod? And what does throwing the Classic in there even mean, that it?ll be thick and plasticky? KARYNE: Yep, that?s exactly what the rumor alleges. By going plastic, Apple would achieve that cheap price we?ve been asking for. And that cheap look, too. EMILY: This is one of those ?we have no information but want to add something to the story rumors.? KARYNE: Credibility? zilch. Desireability: 100 -- who doesn't want a $99 iPhone? Don't you guys want a cheaper new iPhone? Will it be made of plastic? Don't forget to vote in our poll while we see what the CNET Council thinks... EMILY: And the CNET verdict is... KARYNE: We have some sad news! Emily's time on Rumor Has it is coming to an end -- after this, she'll only be with us for two more episodes, as she's moving across the country to live in Harvard Yard. Sad faces for everyone. EMILY: Guys, this is truly sad for me. I am so proud of this show, and I?m going to miss talking to you every week. But it?s not over yet! Let us know what you want to see me do in my last two shows: Juggle? Talk in my old lady voice? Juggle while talking in my old lady voice? KARYNE: Send us your suggestions and share your rumors at rumorhasit@cnet.com or call us at 1-800-750-CNET. And tweet us! EMILY: Tune in next week for more tech rumors.

Related Videos

The Return of Steve Jobs and an iPod refresh

Steve Jobs is back for Apple's annual music event showcasing an all-new iPod Nano with a video camera, an updated iPod Touch, iPod Classic, and Shuffle, the revamped iTunes 9, and iPhone OS 3.1.

Samsung Instinct vs. Apple iPhone 3G

It's a battle between the two touch-screen titans of cell phones! Brian Tong brings you an instant Prizefight classic: the Samsung Instinct vs. the Apple iPhone 3G.

iPhone 5S details and delays

WWDC is official, but Apple fans will have to wait until fall for new hardware. Good luck holding out. Plus, we take a peek at the alleged low-cost iPhone and iPad 5.

ThinkGeek 8-bitty's retro iOS/Android game controller is cute, but quirky

It looks like it escaped from a mutant NES, but the 8-Bitty works with a variety of old-school games on the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and even Android a little bit. This isn't the true game controller of our dreams, but it has its charms.

Jobs introduces the iPod Touch

At the Apple event in San Francisco on September 5, CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iPod Touch, an iPod with almost all the same features of an iPhone, but without the phone.

Skip the iTunes Backup Process

Tired of waiting for iTunes to back up your iPhone or iPod Touch? Brian Tong shows you how to skip the iTunes backup on a Mac and PC.

Samsung Galaxy Player 3.6 hands-on

Samsung's low-cost alternative to the Apple iPod Touch has plenty going for it, but the mediocre screen quality spoils the experience.

First look: iPod Touch (fifth generation, 2012)

Apple's latest Touch has a brand-new design, a new camera, and that same fancy four-inch Retina Display that's on the iPhone 5. Is it the best iPod Touch ever? Scott Stein looks at it compared to the iPhone 5, and iPods of the past.

Palm Pre vs. iPhone 3GS

It's the Prizefight you have all been waiting for between the titans of touch-screen phones. Does the Palm Pre have what it takes to beat out the iPhone 3GS in its first bout? This one goes down the wire!

First Look at the iPod Touch

CNET's Donald Bell takes a look at Apple's latest iPod offering, the iPod Touch, which has many of the features found in the iPhone.