Evidence of new iPhone discovered?
Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:02AM EST
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Curious bloggers poking around the latest iPhone firmware update stumbled upon something pretty interesting Wednesday: An innocuous line of code that might—just might—indicate that a major new iPhone model is in the works. Let the speculation begin!
As the MacRumors post explains, Apple's firmware code uses different identifiers for specific iPhone and iPod Touch models; for example, the original iPhone was "iPhone 1,1", while the iPhone 3G is "iPhone1,2".
OK, but maybe we're just talking a new iPhone 3G with, say, 32GB of storage, right? No, says MacRumors: Historically, model numbers in the iPhone/iPod Touch firmware code only change for full-on hardware revisions, not storage updates.
Interesting … so, what does it all mean? Well, the timing makes sense; the first iPhone came out in June 2007, the iPhone 3G arrived in July 2008, so it stands to reason that a new iPhone should be ready by this summer. And that means … yup, it's time (yet again) to rev up the iPhone guessing game.
For now, of course, there's precious little to go on; as AppleInsider notes, there's been some idle chatter about multi-core graphics, pumped-up ARM processors, and faster 3G communication chips. Another lingering rumor—the iPhone Nano—was pretty much scotched by acting CEO Tim Cook during Apple's earnings call last week.
So, given that there's no real hard evidence besides the MacRumors find, we might as well just start by pulling out our favorite iPhone wish-list items (and remember, think hardware features, not software additions like cut-and-paste or Flash support that could arrive via a firmware update).
VentureBeat has a couple of good guesses, including better battery life (perhaps borrowing the technology behind the "adaptive charging" battery in the new 17-inch MacBook Pro), and (at long last) a better camera. Personally, I'd love to see a 5MP snapper with autofocus and a decent LED flash.
Let's see, what else … stereo speakers, maybe? (Nice, but not really a necessity.) A slide-out keypad? Nah. Thinner and lighter? Perhaps, although I'd rather have better battery life than a thinner iPhone.
What do you think? Also—what should we call this thing (assuming it exists)? The "iPhone 3" is confusing, since we already have the iPhone 3G, and "iPhone 4G" implies either "fourth-gen" iPhone (wrong) or 4G wireless networks (which, in AT&T's case, won't be anywhere near ready by this summer). I'm open to suggestions.
Related:
Next Generation iPhone Model Revealed in Firmware [MacRumors]
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Comments on Evidence of new iPhone discovered?
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27 Posted by tsunny_king on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:23PM EDT Report Abuse
iPhone with video capability! Please .... Some showed me their blackberry storm and I got pissed! Wait my ipoon doesn't do that ! Yes I said I poon.
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28 Posted by tvbman on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:25PM EDT Report Abuse
It is mind-boggling that with the advances in flash technology, that they don't consider producing a high-capacity flash-based storage iPhone.
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29 Posted by keithmegna on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:48PM EDT Report Abuse
The iphone is terrible for speaking. Voices sound really muffled and calls get dropped constantly. Fix that first, worry about all the fancy upgrades later. It's great for everything else but talking. What's the point in calling it a phone?
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30 Posted by iwillbeherman on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:26PM EDT Report Abuse
What I heard was that apple is working on a " Up-link" which is a folding note-book that the iphone connects 2, which circumvents having to purchase another plan with AT&T Mobility.... Gee I hope so!!!!
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31 Posted by avgvstvs on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:59PM EDT Report Abuse
iPhone hybrid. Apple patented a solar cell that could be placed below the screen (to allow it to recharge in natural light). Not sure how practical it would be, but that's one possibility.
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32 Posted by brendan_bellina on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:12PM EDT Report Abuse
Jeez. I lot of iPhone envy out there. Apple will of course continue to release new versions, just as they have the iPods. People aren't "screwed" by newer versions being made available. The phone they bought still works. Phones are tools, not status symbols. Copy and paste would be useful, but that could be done in firmware without a new phone, so I doubt that is justification. A better camera with software capable of allowing video capture and zooming would be nice. More memory and longer battery life is always good. As for hands-free, I personally don't care. Lack of hands-free isn't a safety concern because studies have shown it is talking on the phone that is the major distraction, not holding it. Talking on a phone while driving should be banned, period, hands-free or no. And having an ear-piece in your ear while driving should also be banned. Too dangerous.
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33 Posted by robinjoe61 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:46PM EDT Report Abuse
Like the iMacs, allow them to dual boot to the Windows Mobile operating system.
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34 Posted by alphy_quintos on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:51PM EDT Report Abuse
Dual camera eyes. One in the back and one in the front. The eye in the back will be used for snapping pictures. The eye in front will be used for two-way viewable communication - ICUUCME (I see you, you see me). Alphy Q.
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35 Posted by skimigee on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:26PM EDT Report Abuse
The new phone will be called the DiPhone - Because I will die if I spend $500 for the same phone every year.
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36 Posted by ldehaan9 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:58PM EDT Report Abuse
Okay, so it showed up as 2,1 while the current model is 1,2. How about a simple typo or someone with dyslexia :-)?
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37 Posted by mykalmorton on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:31PM EDT Report Abuse
should put the camara in front also, so we can write apps for video conferencing.
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38 Posted by mutterwolf on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:30PM EDT Report Abuse
Whiners: all tech upgrades within 6 months to 1 year and whatever you buy is old as soon as you have it. Computers, cell phones, digital cameras, etc. Deal with it. Good tech remains useful for 5+ years. Features needed: Notes more like the Newton had - ability to organize them into folders and groups. Copy & paste globally (clipboard). SDHD card exchangeable storage. Now that DRM is dead you could swap in or out an SDHD for photos, apps, different Itunes playlists or library collections or files.
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39 Posted by bbonds2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:03PM EDT Report Abuse
ATT' s exclusive should run out soon. I guessing that any new iphone might be compatible with say, Verizon.
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40 Posted by hidingfromspam on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:18PM EDT Report Abuse
Mini computer. Larger touch screen (say 5"x10") makes 4 things possible. 1. Makes real (instead of two finger) typing possible 2. Makes watching a movie a less ridiculous idea. 3. Gives a bigger overall package which fits more power and memory.. 4. No longer fits in our pocket so we have to carry it in a trendy iMessenger bag that lets everyone know by sight that we're carrying the new iPhone/MiniComputer..
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41 Posted by coolstud1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:29PM EDT Report Abuse
It is basically identical to the previous model however it also has a built in rain gauge.
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42 Posted by johnllyman@rocketmail.com on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:39PM EDT Report Abuse
An iPhone that lets you pick and choose what carrier to use. That would be a novel idea.
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43 Posted by womanphoenix on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:49PM EDT Report Abuse
Cut and paste, better battery, slide-out screen for keyboard or double-wide picture (or reading books online) -- and a nice 128GB solid-state HD. That would not only be a smartphone killer, it'd be a laptop killer, especially for frequent fliers seeking a device small enough to avoid getting a $50 carry-on charge yet big enough to replace your home computer.
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44 Posted by rickumus on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:40PM EDT Report Abuse
Apple has jumped the shark. Who really cares what CrapRumors says?
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45 Posted by sjagannivas on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:25PM EDT Report Abuse
Integrated GPS device makes full sense. If not, Apple should be thinking along these lines
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26 Posted by peterthethinker on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:08PM EDT Report Abuse
why dont they fix the currrent shortfalls . EG BT keyboard ,, copy paste .. ablity to save files from web and play them ... FTP access .VIDEO recording .. oh and price!! I had a EDGE and a 3G iphone took both back the next day .. my Palm centro does every thing a iphone can do and more .. but it has no WiFi .. and $49 with 2 year .. on most networks not just ma-bell.... I LOVE apple but the iphone is a stunted device .. FIX the software apple !!! apple is putting 67 test gas in a F22..