New Apple Innovations and Steve Jobs’ Leave of Absence

Apple is allegedly in the works for the release of a new iPhone model, the “iPhone Nano.” After much rumored buzz of a new, smaller iPhone, it seems that this model might be released this summer.

According to a recently published Wall Street Journal article by Ethan Smith the company is “working on the first of a new line of less-expensive iPhones and an overhaul of software services for the devices… moving to accelerate sales of its smartphones amid growing competition.”

Apple’s new innovative iPhone would be about half the size and price of the iPhone 4 and weigh less as well. The lower cost of this “iPhone Nano” would allow retailers to subsidize most of the phone’s cost and make it more competitive with other smartphones on the market. According to the International Data Corporation, “the iPhone’s industry-wide global market share was just 3.4% last year, in part because of the device’s higher cost compared with other phones.”

While, it is no surprise that Apple has done extremely well with the iPhone – as phone sales generated $26.7 billion dollars this past year, the company is looking to be more competitive with other devices in the markets, and this clearly seems like one way to go.

The company is also working on improving the MobileMe application. This feature is a part of the industry called “cloud computing,” which is the next wave of mobile storage. The application currently allows for central storage and synchronization of information from the iPhone to personal computers, and costs an annual fee of $99. However, the new revamped version of the application would provide more personal storage for music, photos, and videos without having to take up as much mobile storage on users’ phones. The company is also considering diminishing the cost of the application and making it free to users.

Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple.

While Apple is busy with new advances, the company’s CEO, Steve Jobs, is taking a medical leave of absence. Jobs has given no explanation as to why as of yet, however he is still going to be “involved in major strategic decisions for the company.” Even with Jobs’ absence we’re sure to see great things from Apple which, after last year surpassed Microsoft as the world’s most valuable tech company.

Photos by Jonathan Naumann and Marco Paköeningrat via Flickr