The next iPhone: What's likely, what's not, what's random?

April 5, 10:04 PMApple Gear ExaminerChad Bonin

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The current iPhone 3G

Apple may try to keep things tight-lipped, but the next generation of the iPhone is taking shape. We're going to peer into the future and just take our best guesses at what people will be buying this summer.

The iPhone 3.0 OS has already been seeded to developers, and we've already covered it's information here. Most likely, this will be the default OS for the new generation of iPhone, and would severely imply that the next iPhone will keep the same screen size and resolution. It would be unlikely for Apple for want to segment the App Store and iPhone OS market with different resolutions.

Smile for the cameras!

• Electronista reports that Apple has been ordering 3.2 and 5 megapixel cameras, with the 3.2 megapixel being designated for future iPhones. We'll take the logical route and say that Apple will make the jump (skip?) from 2 megapixel to 3.2 megapixel, but we'll even throw out another potential: The oft-rumored front camera on the iPhone could be 3.2 megapixels, and a camera on the back could be 5 megapixels. They'd be following in the lines of Nintendo's new DSi, which features both a camera on the back of the screen and one between the two LCD screens. The 3.2 megapixel would be more than sufficient for video chat recording, and a 5 megapixel camera would be a significant increase in quality of camera pics. Apple could release iChat for the iPhone, bringing their IM/video chat service to the iPhone.

Forget the Flip

• Heavily rumored, and hinted at in iPhone 3.0 OS code, is the addition of video recording. New cameras (and the obvious, but likely not advertised feature of more RAM and computing capabilities) would allow the iPhone to record and save video features, and an iMovie app would allow simple editing tasks on the fly. Users could then upload their videos to Mobile Me, YouTube, and the like.

Quicker speeds on the Information Superhighway

• Since mobile devices are heavily dependent on connectivity speed, as they are expected to be used in any and all environments, Apple is apparently planning a host of upgrades to this category. Much like the second generation was focused on 3G, the third generation may be focused on AT&T's network upgrades and Apple's hardware upgrades. Currently capable of 2.4GHz 802.11b/g wireless networking, Apple is poised to add 802.11n networking, much like their Macbooks. At the same time, AT&T appears to be testing out a 7.2Mps 3G network, twice the 3G speed currently available, and boosting it's spread for a likely summer iPhone refresh.

Play it loud

• Focusing on the iPod and media capabilities of the new generation, rumors swirl about a new "iTunes Replay" feature, allowing users to stream media content from their iTunes account to the iPhone. This would negate the need for massive flash increases, and would take advantage of enhanced internet speeds. At the same time, Apple could potentially include the new "Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic" as the default headset, currently bundled with the new, third generation of iPod Shuffle. Similar to the current headphones, they add volume capabilities and are generally noted for their song-switching capabilities, a feature in the current iPhone earphones. A simple OS update could include the feature in the iPod Shuffle of announcing the song title.

Jailbreaking takes on a new meaning

• The new iPhone would definitely be tempting to steal, and Apple is looking into ways to discourage and defeat theivery. The current iPhone OS has a basic numerical keycode option to block unauthorized users available. A biometric sensor embedded in the screen, under the swipe button as displayed, would negate the need for this. An owner could register his biometric fingerprint to the device, and the thumb (or whatever finger, but who swipes with a finger other than the thumb?), passing along the sensor as they swipe, would automatically pass verification. An unauthorized user could be locked out of the system. In case the iPhone had been stolen, Apple has looked into capabilities that would allow the iPhone to "phone home", or at least the police, with GPS location.

Keep it simple, stupid.

• Finally, we end up at the features that have no real basis other than "logic." The next generation of iPhone would likely continue to improve on speaker quality, hopefully improve on battery life, and could possibly either stay at the 8 gig and 16 gig flash drives, or make a jump to the 16 gig and 32 gig standards. The current iPod Touch has all three options. The framework will likely stay the same, with the home, sleep/wake, volume up/down, and ring/silent buttons remaining the bare amount of aesthetic controls. The battery will still not be user-servicible, the SIM card tray will still be accessibly via a MacGuyver-like paperclip, and the 3.5-mm stereo headphone minijack will continue to thankfully not be recessed. Same dock connector, same cable, same USB power adapter, same cleaning/polishing cloth.

Some things you just can't change.