What does Steve know about the iPhone 4G but isn't saying?
Update: Be sure to check out the latest news on the new iPhone 3GS by clicking on this link.
While myriads of business users breathlessly await the release of iPhone OS 3.0, leaks have begun to surface indicating that Apple may be busily working on releasing the next generation iPhone. For purposes of this column we’ll call it iPhone 4G—although it may or may not work on 4G networks and that may or may not be the real name of this next gen device.
Since rumors are so near and dear to my heart, as evidenced by my recent missive on the Palm Pre, let’s see what rumors are circulating around this newest iPhone.
According to rumor central, an anonymous poster on a Chinese website has published what claims to be the specs for Apple's next iPhone. If these rumors become fact, iPhone users who upgrade will enjoy the following new features:
- A 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus: The current iPhone camera is 2 megapixels and fixed focus, so autofocus will be a nice addition. But please, the world of digital photography has long since bid sayonara to sub 6 megapixel cameras.
- An increase to a maximum storage of 32 GB: That’s twice the current storage for those 3.2 megapixel photo works of art, tons of iTunes music, myriads of apps, etc.
- Digital compass: Just in case you get lost and the built-in GPS can’t help you find your way home. (This is a built-in magnetometer for those who have a technical bend.)
- FM radio: This one is hard to believe, although it would be nice—especially if it’s an HD FM radio with digital display. But an FM radio would be direct competition to the iTunes store, so we’ll have to see whether this feature sees the light of day.
- A CPU speed increase to 600MHz: This is 1.5 times faster than the current 400MHz iPhone CPU: Could this mean multitasking is in the cards?
Now what’s missing or not rumored?
- Where’s the real physical keyboard? If Palm can do this on the Pre, why can’t Apple do the same for the iPhone?
- Will we see videoconferencing on the iPhone? Apple has hinted at this in the past, and this would seem to be a slam-dunk app for the iPhone. The iPhone has almost everything you need for a video call except that the camera would need to be moved to the front from the rear end of the iPhone.
- How about an OLED screen? If Sony can do it, why not Apple? Price maybe the reason.
- Wireless charging is a neat new option for the Pre. Does Apple plan to offer this on the next iPhone?
With Apple's WWDC only a few weeks away, it may not be long until we find out more. If Apple releases the iPhone 4G—or whatever they call it—and do it in short order, you can bet that this will steal some of the Palm Pre’s thunder.
Comments
Why on earth would they call it 4G when AT&T is years away from 4G? Or do you even know what that means?
iPhone 4G 2009 is rumoured to incorporate multi core graphics too.
Epic fail from Apple. Microsoft's Zune HD has OLED, HD radio and HD output.
Why do you need a physical keyboard? The beauty about the iphone is the touch screen and no physical keyboard.
/point and laugh and SharonW
//Trolling the I-phone Rumor Pages
What is the big deal about a physical keyboard???? I made just as many typos when I had the moto q as I do with my iPhone. Plus, did u see how small the keyboard is on the palm pre?? Better have small fingers....
The author doesn't understand what "4G" means.
You don't call it a "4G phone" "just in case" it (might) do 4G.
What does anyone gain by "guessing" what the phone will be? You won't know... nor will you be able to buy one... until after Apple tells you about it.
"Guessing" doesn't get you a thing.
Sprint has 4G now, AT&T only needs to catch up.
When it comes to Smartphones, some users prefer the tactile feel of a physical keyboard. Others do just fine with a soft or virtual keyboard. It really depends on what works best for you.
Although the iPhone's virtual keyboard is one of the best of its kind, some people still like the ability to type with a physical keyboard. It would be nice for the next gen iPhone to offer both--that would allow users the "best of both worlds."
Jeff
@metromediasquare.com
I must have missed the part where the Zune was also a phone... wait, it's not. My bad. How can you begin to compare the iPhone to a Zune?
Dean your out of line. you owe SharonW an appology. how rude
It would help if you did a tiny bit of research. The Iphone 3G is named that because it incorporates the 3G network. The new Iphone 3G will not incorporate a 4G network so it won't be the Iphone 4G. Oh, It's the 3rd Iphone not the 4th, so how did you come up with 4G anyways?
The virtual keyboard and apple's "closed" architecture are my only reasons for not owning an iPhone.
Not sure why you would want a keyboard. the apple keyboard is great. regardless what rumors are true or false, the next gen iPhone will not disappoint as Apple will be on number 3 while the rest of the comp is working on number 2 or 1...
Here's one thing that I didn't mention in my column: It is entirely possible (dare we say even feasible) that iPhone OS 3.0 and the next gen iPhone (whatever it's called) are tied together in terms of their release date. This wouldn't be the first time that Apple coupled an OS upgrade with the release of new hardware. And the timing of the two appears to be fairly close. (A July release date for the next gen iPhone is the rumor I've heard.)
Jeff
Wow can't wait to have that new iphone i just wanna know if we will be able to upgrade our iphones!!!
y not just have both keyboards... touch keypad or the real keyboard that like slides out of the middle... i think that would be so much better.. as well as vchat .. and more space, and better camera
If you want a physical keyboard, go out and get yourself a phone with one. The iPhone is above and beyond the old fashioned keyboard. Come on people!!
apple fan, the reason why its the 4th g is because they named the first one 2G the second 3G and so the 3rd will be call the 4G
the iphone4g is the iphone3gs
Of course, it is entirely possible that we may yet one day see a Smartphone from Apple called the Apple 4G.
I have no inside information, but the product number progression would follow Apple's past naming practices and it could coincide with the implementation of a 4G network by AT&T or Verizon. (just as the iPhone 3G corresponded to AT&T's 3G network.)
It's just a thought...
Jeff
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