Apple Starts Field Testing Next Generation iPhone (3,1)

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/11/28/apple-starts-field-testing-next-generation-iphone-31/)

iPhone developer Pandav (http://pandav.us/Pandav/iBART.html) has informed MacRumors that they have spotted usage records for an unreleased iPhone in their app's analytics. The app in question is iBART [Free (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibart-free/id288656960?mt=8) / Paid (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibart-live/id313651922?mt=8)], a public transportation guide for the San Francisco train system.

PinchMedia (http://www.pinchmedia.com/) who provides the analytics for the application breaks down customer usage including what specific devices are being used. This list of devices is reported to developers using internal device identification numbers assigned by Apple. In this case, "iPhone3,1" was first spotted in Pandav's usage logs in November. This "iPhone3,1" identifier does not match up with any shipping iPhones. The last iPhone released to the public was the iPhone 3GS which carries the identification string "iPhone2,1".

References to "iPhone3,1" was first discovered (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/08/04/new-iprod11-reference-found-in-iphone-os-3-1-beta-configuration-file/) in the iPhone firmware files back in August, but this seems to be the first time that it has been spotted "in the wild". Apple similarly began testing (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/01/29/a-few-more-details-about-iphone-21/) the iPhone 3GS (iPhone2,1) back in October of 2008 about 8 months ahead of its launch. At the time, the usage was similarly focused in the San Francisco Bay Area where Apple is located.

There have been few details about what the next generation iPhone might include, though early rumors had pegged a multi-core processor that could enhance performance significantly. There have also been rumors of Verizon compatibility as early as mid 2010.

Article Link: Apple Starts Field Testing Next Generation iPhone (3,1) (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/11/28/apple-starts-field-testing-next-generation-iphone-31/)

[basesloaded190]

not shocking, but always exciting to see that they are testing new phones already!

[ouimetnick]

This means clueless people will not want an iPhone and claim a ew one is coming out in a few.

[solipsism]

Outside of a faster processor and finally getting a higher resolution display what else might we expect in the way of new hardware? Any new sensors making their way to portable devices?

[bbplayer5]

Please come to verizon.. PLEASE

[ipoppy]

Good. My contract with O2 is about to expired anyway. Please this time bring iChat in :D .That would complete my requests lists for now.

[topmounter]

This new iPhone thing better not be taking resources away from the Newton II :eek:

[trip1ex]

I call BS. Sounds far-fetched.

[jnc]

Multi-core? Good lord, just give me a camera with flash and a removable battery!

[solipsism]

Good. My contract with O2 is about to expired anyway. Please this time bring iChat in :D .That would complete my requests lists for now.
If Apple didn’t include an IM app before the App Store was live it doesn’t seem logical to expect one now. There are plenty of apps that do IM apps better than Apple could.

[ImNoSuperMan]

Outside of a faster processor and finally getting a higher resolution display what else might we expect in the way of new hardware? Any new sensors making their way to portable devices?

My guess would be the same hardware in a smaller 2.8inch screen size. Dont really think they`ll upgrade the processor anytime soon.

[ziggyonice]

Let's hope it's a REAL revision of the iPhone and not just a rehash like the 3GS was. I want something NEW.

[RazHyena]

I will not care until:

A.) AT&T's coverage covers my area

or

B.) The AT&T exclusivity bind ends.

[nfl46]

This isn't surprising. We all know a new iPhone comes out every year and they typically start testing around this time. This happens every year, lol.

[nfl46]

Let's hope it's a REAL revision of the iPhone and not just a rehash like the 3GS was. I want something NEW.

Basically, you a NEW design. Lol. Unlike you, I care more about whats inside than outside. :p

[alphaod]

Please come to verizon.. PLEASE

And forgo the rest of the world? I find that highly unlikely.

[gibbz]

par for course.

[solipsism]

My guess would be the same hardware in a smaller 2.8inch screen size. Dont expect them to upgrade the processor anytime soon.

You think Apple will update the iPhone 3GS by putting in significantly smaller display? One that make usability more difficult without having to rewrite programs. Don’t mention vectoring or resolution because that is a moot point when all your buttons and your keyboard are smaller and harder to use.

I think it’s safe to say that the 3.5” display was well thought out as the ideal display size for a mobile well before Apple ever announced the first iPhone.

[meagain]

I just want a front-facing camera. iChat.

[solipsism]

Multi-core? Good lord, just give me a camera with flash and a removable battery!

The iPod has never had a removable battery, the iPhone has never had a removable battery, all Mac notebooks have gotten rid of removable batteries and yet you expect a removable battery in the next iPhone yet question the Cortex-A9 as a possible CPU in the next iPhone. :rolleyes:

[MecPro]

For me:

-Phone redesign
-Slightly larger screen
-iChat
-Better camera
-Flash (camera)
-Cheaper/free docking station
-3GS as standard

Probably some more, but none I can think of!

[inkswamp]

Outside of a faster processor and finally getting a higher resolution display what else might we expect in the way of new hardware? Any new sensors making their way to portable devices?

* Better battery life/energy consumption
* Redial button (I mean... come on. I can't believe that's missing.)
* Limited third-party multi-tasking. (I understand and agree with the benefits of limiting MT to built-in functionality, but there's no reason not to have some kind of "white list" preference setting where you can list apps that are allowed to run in the background.)
* Allow javascript bookmarks in Safari (you can hack them in but I don't see why Safari blocks that.)

[jav6454]

Not shocking, and yet it is still on AT&T's network. Also, that means Apple is nearing final production details on the new iPhone.

The whole 3,1 monicker makes me think this iPhone will be very different internally. A whole tick in the front numbers means new hardware revision (1,1 v 2,1 v 3,1).

I hope Apple goes back to the Aluminum finish it gave the 1st Gen iPhone.

[MecPro]

The iPod has never had a removable battery, the iPhone has never had a removable battery, all Mac notebooks have gotten rid of removable batteries and yet you expect a removable battery in the next iPhone yet question the Cortex-A9 as a possible CPU in the next iPhone. :rolleyes:

But that's just Apple though, I can barely think of one phone company who has made a phone without a removable battery

[appleguy123]

I bet among other features this iPhones voice control will span over text messaging and safari ( just imagine saying Google... pure awesomeness).

[topmounter]

The iPod has never had a removable battery, the iPhone has never had a removable battery, all Mac notebooks have gotten rid of removable batteries and yet you expect a removable battery in the next iPhone yet question the Cortex-A9 as a possible CPU in the next iPhone. :rolleyes:

Besides, if you take the battery out the phone isn't going to work.

[raygungirl]

I hope so much that they come out with iPhone Nanos or something like that. I'd like a phone just a smidge smaller than the iPhone, and I also wouldn't have a problem with different color choices. Just sayin'.

It'd sure be nice if the outsides were just like the current Nanos. Same color, same materials. *drool*

Well, I can dream, anyway.

[appleguy123]

Not shocking, and yet it is still on AT&T's network. Also, that means Apple is nearing final production details on the new iPhone.

The whole 3,1 monicker makes me think this iPhone will be very different internally. A whole tick in the front numbers means new hardware revision (1,1 v 2,1 v 3,1).

I hope Apple goes back to the Aluminum finish it gave the 1st Gen iPhone.

I would love a unibody iPhone but I think that the metal back didn't receive a good signal.

[!¡ V ¡!]

You think Apple will update the iPhone 3GS by putting in significantly smaller display? One that make usability more difficult without having to rewrite programs. Don’t mention vectoring or resolution because that is a moot point when all your buttons and your keyboard are smaller and harder to use.

I think it’s safe to say that the 3.5” display was well thought out as the ideal display size for a mobile well before Apple ever announced the first iPhone.

How about a Screen-Zoom feature or Resolution Independence. I wish :apple: would and could use the proximity sensor while typing to increase or zoom the keys nearest to your thumb or finger when reaching to press it. That would be a million dollar feature right there. At present the virtual keyboard only pop-up when you press it and defeats the purpose in usage, not to mention that others can see what key you have pressed when it pop-up.


New of new hardware and software being testing in the wild, now that is new. :eek::p;):D

[MecPro]

* Better battery life/energy consumption
* Redial button (I mean... come on. I can't believe that's missing.)
* Limited third-party multi-tasking. (I understand and agree with the benefits of limiting MT to built-in functionality, but there's no reason not to have some kind of "white list" preference setting where you can list apps that are allowed to run in the background.)
* Allow javascript bookmarks in Safari (you can hack them in but I don't see why Safari blocks that.)

What's wrong with:

Phone> Recents

or

Phone> Keypad> Call button (brings up last called number)

[!¡ V ¡!]

I would love a unibody iPhone but I think that the metal back didn't receive a good signal.

How about a microSD slot for once?

[eastercat]

not shocking, but always exciting to see that they are testing new phones already!
+1 Unlike jebus, at least we know we'll get to finally see the iPhone in the flesh.

[DipDog3]

Could just be a fake jailbroken phone too.

You never know really.

[Warbrain]

Multi-core? Good lord, just give me a camera with flash and a removable battery!

Camera flash is more likely than a removable battery. Do you really think that Apple is going to reverse course on all their current designs and include a battery?

Please come to verizon.. PLEASE

Not going to happen. I don't think Verizon would be positioning their Android devices as they are right now if they knew it was coming.

Let's hope it's a REAL revision of the iPhone and not just a rehash like the 3GS was. I want something NEW.

How little you know...

I just want a front-facing camera. iChat.

Not going to happen. Networks would come crashing down.

[appleguy123]

+1 Unlike jebus, at least we know we'll get to finally see the iPhone in the flesh.

I once saw the 3g iPhone in the wild before it was released. Didn't know it was the iphone. But if I were to have snapped a pic of it and uploaded it here what do you think Apple would do?

[DipDog3]

Seems like more of a marketing gimmick to get people to buy their iBART app.

I guess it is working since MacRumors & others have given them the free publicity they were seeking.


:rolleyes:

[ma2ha3]

iphone 3GS is the fastest phone in the world, the new one is even faster???
OMG. who need such power?

There have been few details about what the next generation iPhone might include, though early rumors had pegged a multi-core processor that could enhance performance significantly.

[arn]

Seems like more of a marketing gimmick to get people to buy their iBART app.

Not really. same developer had reported iPhone2,1 usage back a year ago, confirmed by PinchMedia.

arn

[Bevz]

You think Apple will update the iPhone 3GS by putting in significantly smaller display? One that make usability more difficult without having to rewrite programs. Don’t mention vectoring or resolution because that is a moot point when all your buttons and your keyboard are smaller and harder to use.

I think it’s safe to say that the 3.5” display was well thought out as the ideal display size for a mobile well before Apple ever announced the first iPhone.

I agree. As far as i'm concerned the only thing that is certain to stay the same in the long term is the physical screen size (resolution is a different issue).

[M87]

I bet among other features this iPhones voice control will span over text messaging and safari ( just imagine saying Google... pure awesomeness).

You know, you can already search google with your voice using Google's app.

[DHagan4755]

I would switch from AT&T to Verizon in a heartbeat if Apple opened up the iPhone to Verizon.

[appleguy123]

You know, you can already search google with your voice using Google's app.

Not as cool as just holding the home button and saying Google...

[kdarling]

And forgo the rest of the world? I find that highly unlikely.

They don't have to remove GSM to add CDMA. Verizon has about a half dozen phones now with dual mode.

Not shocking, and yet it is still on AT&T's network.

Where does the report say that? (Not disagreeing, just don't see that anywhere.)

iphone 3GS is the fastest phone in the world, the new one is even faster???

There are several 1GHz phones out there already.

[Erwin-Br]

Seems like more of a marketing gimmick to get people to buy their iBART app.

I guess it is working since MacRumors & others have given them the free publicity they were seeking.


:rolleyes:

Yeah, since I read the rumor, I suddenly want to buy iBart too. It doesn't matter that the Bay area is 6,301 miles from where I live. :rolleyes:

[ghostface147]

So how would y'all design a brand new exterior? Would it be based off the current one or make it a flip?

[Shasterball]

The most exciting part of this story is the fact that there is a reminder that Verizon may compete in 2010. :)

[maveness]

Here's my theory:

iPhone OS 3,1 is the emulation version of the iPhone that runs on the Mac OSX-based tablet.

They are not field testing the next-gen phone. They are testing the new tablet. To leverage the incredible strengths of the App Store, the tablet will be able to run all iPhone apps (plus new ones yet to be created to take advantage of the tablet form-factor), as well as regular Mac OSX applications.

[C8XY]

No iPhone2,2? Must be a major hardware upgrade

[mungler]

But that's just Apple though, I can barely think of one phone company who has made a phone without a removable battery

Dude, if Apple just did what every other phone company did, they would never have come up with the iPhone. Think Different. ly. ;)

[swajames]

Here's my theory:

iPhone OS 3,1 is the emulation version of the iPhone that runs on the Mac OSX-based tablet.

They are not field testing the next-gen phone. They are testing the new tablet. To leverage the incredible strengths of the App Store, the tablet will be able to run all iPhone apps (plus new ones yet to be created to take advantage of the tablet form-factor), as well as regular Mac OSX applications.

You may well have hit the nail on the head here.

[gianly1985]

So are they gonna break the tick-tock sequence?

http://img.skitch.com/20091128-frrs8trj49fhtrwyh7rx8htit8.jpg

[barkomatic]

Here's my theory:

iPhone OS 3,1 is the emulation version of the iPhone that runs on the Mac OSX-based tablet.

They are not field testing the next-gen phone. They are testing the new tablet. To leverage the incredible strengths of the App Store, the tablet will be able to run all iPhone apps (plus new ones yet to be created to take advantage of the tablet form-factor), as well as regular Mac OSX applications.

.

[zunairryk]

Better battery life please, and maybe make it a little bit thinner :P.
Front facing camera and/or camera flash, although unlikely, would be a bonus.

[ARF900]

So are they gonna break the tick-tock sequence?

http://img.skitch.com/20091128-frrs8trj49fhtrwyh7rx8htit8.jpg


I hope they make a tick and a tock, i refused to buy the 3Gs as i didnt see it as a worthy upgrade. but my 3g will celebrate its second birthday in july and it is in need of replacement already. Im much looking forward to the next iphone.

[na1577]

Here's my theory:

iPhone OS 3,1 is the emulation version of the iPhone that runs on the Mac OSX-based tablet.

They are not field testing the next-gen phone. They are testing the new tablet. To leverage the incredible strengths of the App Store, the tablet will be able to run all iPhone apps (plus new ones yet to be created to take advantage of the tablet form-factor), as well as regular Mac OSX applications.

No.

The iPod touches are labeled as "iPodx,x" because they are iPods and iPhones are labeled as "iPhonex,x" because they are iPhones.

If a tablet exists it will be labeled as such. There is another identifier in the iPhone OS which is "iProd0,1" indicating an unreleased product that is neither an iPhone nor an iPod.

So are they gonna break the tick-tock sequence?

It seems they might begin the iPod touch sequence of 1,1 -> 2,1 -> 3,1. (2,2 was discovered but never used)

[powers74]

I really like the look of the new iMacs; the aluminum with the black glass apple for... receptivity?

Looks pretty nice Apple, good job...


:apple:

[appleguy123]

I hope they make a tick and a tock, i refused to buy the 3Gs as i didnt see it as a worthy upgrade. but my 3g will celebrate its second birthday in july and it is in need of replacement already. Im much looking forward to the next iphone.

WHy is the 3gs not a good update? The iphone 3g only added:
3g
New design
GPS
The iphone 3gS added:
Compass
Voice control
speed ( really can be counted as 2 processor and ram)
faster 3g
Video camera with auto focus
Also this is a concept for the new iPhone I found on another thread:
http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss174/fhasser/ip4.jpg

[gianly1985]

I hope they make a tick and a tock, i refused to buy the 3Gs as i didnt see it as a worthy upgrade. but my 3g will celebrate its second birthday in july and it is in need of replacement already. Im much looking forward to the next iphone.

I disagree about the tock, I hope they stick with the same design, I don't want to buy a new set of accessories...I see no reason to change design, leave that behaviour to nokia, Apple don't make design changes just to make a product look "new"...if it is good ERGONOMICALLY, there's no reason to change it...even making it slimmier would pointless as far as I'm concerned, if you can slim the internals I prefer a thickier battery...

And I disagree about the 3GS being a worthless upgrade...it's way faster, it's a whole new hw inside, double RAM,etc. if I find a good deal I buy it tomorrow (I own a 3G)....

For the next upgrade I'd like to see FM Radio with RDS...

[ChazUK]

iphone 3GS is the fastest phone in the world.....
ROFL!

Does anyone actually think that? :eek:

[adjones]

Video calls would be great and to get social network push notification. Am gettin fed up with deleting a million facebook and Twitter notifications from my email!

Multicore would be cool but it'll be a while before we get apps to take advantage.

Finally, a bit of multiple app action would be nice.

There, I have said my bit!

[gianly1985]

It seems they might begin the iPod touch sequence of 1,1 -> 2,1 -> 3,1. (2,2 was discovered but never used)
iPod touch already uses the same "rules" of iphone, remember that:
- 2,1 (iPod touch 2G) had a slightly faster CPU than 1,1 (and iPhone 1,1 and 1,2)
- 3,1 (iPod touch 3G) has a whole new hardware (the same hw of iPhone 2,1)

So the rule was never broken: X,1 always meant and means NEW HARDWARE. Maybe a slightly overclocked CPU, maybe a whole new hw.

[ntrigue]

I am so very pleased with iPhone 3GS on 3.1.2 and AT&T. That doesn't stop me from upgrading one of my lines and giving me this iPhone come July :)

[crees!]

Here in DC service in the metro is Verizon only and not AT&T. If iBART goes underground maybe there are some dots to connect here.

[SBik2]

Snip:
Also this is a concept for the new iPhone I found on another thread:
http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss174/fhasser/ip4.jpg

decent looking concept. :)
My 3g's ability to get a signal is decreasing and am ready to replace it already, can't wait to see what the new one will have. But if its not that great of an update, I might be considering switching to android because I've been using it on my old at&t tilt and its pretty good imo.

Hopefully this revision will be great, putting money aside for it already.

[Nermal]

So are they gonna break the tick-tock sequence?

That graphic lists the 3G as having the same hardware as the 2G. That, of course, is far from true due to the addition of 3G hardware :)

[yetanotherdave]

Not going to happen. Networks would come crashing down.

We've had front facing cameras for video calling in europe, pretty much standard for about 5 years or so now. Our networks are still up.

I've never actually used it, or seen anyone use it, but that's not the point, it was always tied to expensive video calling, if apple used it as a webcam for ichat, that'd be amazing, people might use it then.

[ntrigue]

I'd like to turn all services on and make it through a 9am to 11pm day. I hope it's time for OLED.

[Gav2k]

iPod touch already uses the same "rules" of iphone, remember that:
- 2,1 (iPod touch 2G) had a slightly faster CPU than 1,1 (and iPhone 1,1 and 1,2)
- 3,1 (iPod touch 3G) has a whole new hardware (the same hw of iPhone 2,1)

So the rule was never broken: X,1 always meant and means NEW HARDWARE. Maybe a slightly overclocked CPU, maybe a whole new hw.


Why would they oc the 3gs chip when they had to underclock it already. A dual core processor makes sense. They could stick with a lower clock sucking less juice then when a app is launched or background process it fired up then the second core is assigned that task.

[corrado7]

My guess would be the same hardware in a smaller 2.8inch screen size. Dont really think they`ll upgrade the processor anytime soon.

why get a smaller screen? thats irrational.

[EasyRider]

Multi-core? Good lord, just give me a camera with flash and a removable battery!

Can people stop with this removable battery thing? It is obvious apple is moving away from this, it is not going to happen.

Plus, most people don't ever remove their battery in their phone or laptop. By the time the battery is in need of a replacement apple knows you are ready for a new phone/laptop.

I rather have a built in battery and longer battery life then the ability to replace it. Most people are ok with this... look at the sales of the iPhone or MacBooks.

[gianly1985]

That graphic lists the 3G as having the same hardware as the 2G. That, of course, is far from true due to the addition of 3G hardware :)

Fixed:

http://img.skitch.com/20091128-1k7k4hiif9hehs2t1sr7t1xme5.jpg

[JonHimself]

I still want iChat to come out to rival the BBM on Blackberrys though I guess that would be hard because they'd have to limit it to just iPhones.

[Frosties]

I hope they intro micro usb charger in the next release.

[patsfan83]

Here in DC service in the metro is Verizon only and not AT&T. If iBART goes underground maybe there are some dots to connect here.

Not sure where in DC you live but in all of the major downtown stations, cell service has been opened up to other providers.

http://dcist.com/2009/10/expanded_metro_cell_phone_service_s.php

[jav6454]

I would love a unibody iPhone but I think that the metal back didn't receive a good signal.

The signal was fine with my old 1st Gen (never had a problem).

Fixed:

....



I'm assuming that the 3,1 moniker might be for a new Baseband chip that supports higher HSDPA (more than 7.2Mb/s; I'm guessing 21Mb/s) speeds and that finally has HSUPA (1.8Mb/s Uploads).

I might also mean a faster System Bus. Currently all iPhones have a 100MHz bus, so something faster is a huge plus (more than 25MHz increase is good).

[patsfan83]

We've had front facing cameras for video calling in europe, pretty much standard for about 5 years or so now. Our networks are still up.

I've never actually used it, or seen anyone use it, but that's not the point, it was always tied to expensive video calling, if apple used it as a webcam for ichat, that'd be amazing, people might use it then.

That's what ATT is afraid of. They've already fallen for the iPhone trick once before.

[hobbbz]

* Better battery life/energy consumption
* Redial button (I mean... come on. I can't believe that's missing.)
* Limited third-party multi-tasking. (I understand and agree with the benefits of limiting MT to built-in functionality, but there's no reason not to have some kind of "white list" preference setting where you can list apps that are allowed to run in the background.)
* Allow javascript bookmarks in Safari (you can hack them in but I don't see why Safari blocks that.)

RE: REdial - hit the call button again after the call ends.

[gianly1985]

Why would they oc the 3gs chip when they had to underclock it already.

Maybe "underclock LESS"? It already happened in the transition from "iPod1,1" (Touch 1G) to "iPod2,1" (Touch 2G)....


A dual core processor makes sense. They could stick with a lower clock sucking less juice then when a app is launched or background process it fired up then the second core is assigned that task.

I don't know...the 3GS feels already powerful enough....and AppStore-wise it's not a good thing to change hardware so quickly...that's why other platforms in the last 10 years FAILED at standardizing the use of good applications.....for me, changing hardware every 2 years was a good thing for the iphone platform...

[shoulin333]

oh this is good news :) hopfully it will be out by the time my 3G contract is up.

[hobbbz]

How about a Screen-Zoom feature or Resolution Independence. I wish :apple: would and could use the proximity sensor while typing to increase or zoom the keys nearest to your thumb or finger when reaching to press it. That would be a million dollar feature right there. At present the virtual keyboard only pop-up when you press it and defeats the purpose in usage, not to mention that others can see what key you have pressed when it pop-up.


New of new hardware and software being testing in the wild, now that is new. :eek::p;):D

Screen zoom is already there, check accessibility in the settings

[patsfan83]

No.

The iPod touches are labeled as "iPodx,x" because they are iPods and iPhones are labeled as "iPhonex,x" because they are iPhones.

If a tablet exists it will be labeled as such. There is another identifier in the iPhone OS which is "iProd0,1" indicating an unreleased product that is neither an iPhone nor an iPod.

You speak as if you have first hand knowledge of this fact, if you do, speak up. Or you can speculate, and since the iProd0,1 is still in development, they could use the iPhone3,1 designation to trick Apple followers like you, and then switch it back when it's headed to production. Find & replace all.

I have absolutely no knowledge of this, but if I was Apple, I wouldn't be using a device on the subway that was called iProd0,1, unless they wanted to leak it. But no one on this site really knows.

[Ubuntu]

The iPod has never had a removable battery, the iPhone has never had a removable battery, all Mac notebooks have gotten rid of removable batteries and yet you expect a removable battery in the next iPhone yet question the Cortex-A9 as a possible CPU in the next iPhone. :rolleyes:

But with that logic, the iPhone is a smartphone. It should be able to cover the features even my old nokia can do. Give me a decent camera, removable battery and real bluetooth. The iPhone is the only phone I've had so far that does not allow file transfer, that's pretty weak.

EDIT: Oh, and folders too, please. Seriously.

[ChazUK]

But with that logic, the iPhone is a smartphone. It should be able to cover the features even my old nokia can do. Give me a decent camera, removable battery and real bluetooth. The iPhone is the only phone I've had so far that does not allow file transfer, that's pretty weak.

EDIT: Oh, and folders too, please. Seriously.

But with that logic.... Why don't you get a Nokia?

We all know the iPhone's limitations before we buy them and if we don't, there is plenty of material out there to educate oneself.

I highly doubt that Apple would allow OBEX file transfers on the stock firmware as that would open up a whole can of worms with people transferring their recently bought, DRM free music from iTunes with other phone owners.

If the iPhone is missing something you want, get another handset (i did) but if the iPhone offers something you really want then it's time to compromise on what they don't offer.

[From Win to Mac]

might be the Tablet, if they're also running App Store apps.

[Notopi]

I'd like to see this new iPhone come to the Verizon network. There is really nothing wrong with the current iPhone. I believe the iPhone is a great photo but there's only one thing blocking it from being a phone of all time and that is AT&T. AT&T is the one bogging down the iPhone from being the best phone. AT&T just is so lazy and won't invest money in fixing there networks, adding more towers, and covering user demand. Verizon how ever is spend spend spend and look they cover almost ALL of North America in 3G and AT&T is just here and there 3G. So AT&T = MAJOR FAIL!

[appleguy123]

I'd like to see this new iPhone come to the Verizon network. There is really nothing wrong with the current iPhone. I believe the iPhone is a great photo but there's only one thing blocking it from being a phone of all time and that is AT&T. AT&T is the one bogging down the iPhone from being the best phone. AT&T just is so lazy and won't invest money in fixing there networks, adding more towers, and covering user demand. Verizon how ever is spend spend spend and look they cover almost ALL of North America in 3G and AT&T is just here and there 3G. So AT&T = MAJOR FAIL!

or the 1,000,000,000,000th time Verizon would have just as much trouble as AT&T if they had as many data consuming iPhone users!

[jnc]

Can people stop with this removable battery thing?

"Can people stop with this "it'll never happen" thing?" I say, as I open Safari on Windows XP and make this comment on my Mac with SD card reader and Intel processor.... having just played Gears of War. Shh.

[iansilv]

I just want a front-facing camera. iChat.

I'll second that! :)

[macwh0re]

I'd like to see this new iPhone come to the Verizon network. There is really nothing wrong with the current iPhone. I believe the iPhone is a great photo but there's only one thing blocking it from being a phone of all time and that is AT&T. AT&T is the one bogging down the iPhone from being the best phone. AT&T just is so lazy and won't invest money in fixing there networks, adding more towers, and covering user demand. Verizon how ever is spend spend spend and look they cover almost ALL of North America in 3G and AT&T is just here and there 3G. So AT&T = MAJOR FAIL!

Didn't at&t invest $18,000,000,000 in their network this year alone? While they might not be "meeting demand", could any carrier?

[crees!]

Not sure where in DC you live but in all of the major downtown stations, cell service has been opened up to other providers.

http://dcist.com/2009/10/expanded_metro_cell_phone_service_s.php

It's been like that (only Verizon) for many, many years. Nice to know it's been opened up - though it started just a month ago.

[str1f3]

You speak as if you have first hand knowledge of this fact, if you do, speak up. Or you can speculate, and since the iProd0,1 is still in development, they could use the iPhone3,1 designation to trick Apple followers like you, and then switch it back when it's headed to production. Find & replace all.

I have absolutely no knowledge of this, but if I was Apple, I wouldn't be using a device on the subway that was called iProd0,1, unless they wanted to leak it. But no one on this site really knows.

No offense but that makes no sense. Apple would just be confusing themselves. We already know from a myriad of sources that there will be a tablet of some kind so Apple wouldn't be fooling anyone. Apple has never used these codes for any sort of trickery before.

It is not particularly suprising that Apple is testing a new iPhone as they would need to undergo extensive testing before they would make millions of iPhones. We've had these rumors every year for the past two years. It is not even a surprise they are using the 3,1 designation as it will be the first model whose chip will be influenced by PA Semi and could be a dual core processor.

[flooce]

Can somebody PLEASE explain?!?

HOW ON EARTH is the producer of the app or Pinchmedia able to tell when and where (location) individual people are using the app?

Are the GPS data always sent to the app producer or Pinchmedia when somebody just simply USES the app?

This is rather shocking to me.

[yetanotherdave]

Can somebody PLEASE explain?!?

HOW ON EARTH is the producer of the app or Pinchmedia able to tell when and where (location) individual people are using the app?

Are the GPS data always sent to the app producer or Pinchmedia when somebody just simply USES the app?

This is rather shocking to me.

I haven't used the app, but doesn't it send a request for data based on location (nearest transit station) to their server? that would include all the data needed, including GPS co-ordinates

[na1577]

You speak as if you have first hand knowledge of this fact, if you do, speak up. Or you can speculate, and since the iProd0,1 is still in development, they could use the iPhone3,1 designation to trick Apple followers like you, and then switch it back when it's headed to production. Find & replace all.

I have absolutely no knowledge of this, but if I was Apple, I wouldn't be using a device on the subway that was called iProd0,1, unless they wanted to leak it. But no one on this site really knows.

All of my information comes from (credible) sites like MacRumors. Any speculation of mine is labeled as such.

I don't have any insider knowledge; iProd0,1 was discovered by other people looking through the betas for iPhone OS 3.0. We have no idea what it is, other than the fact that it is not an iPhone or iPod touch but still runs the iPhone OS. It has not been spotted on any networks yet.

http://www.macrumors.com/2009/03/19/iphone-os-3-0-beta-references-four-unknown-products/

[flooce]

that would include all the data needed, including GPS co-ordinates

Maybe, but the way pinch media describes their service sounds as if they could provide this service for every app:

http://www.pinchmedia.com/#features

[twoodcc]

nice! but i doubt it's going to version this early. i'm thinking maybe 2011 now. looking forward to this new iphone though

[BlizzardBomb]

So are they gonna break the tick-tock sequence?


You can't get a trend like that from just 3 models, so it doesn't really make sense.

My wishlist:
1) 3.8" 800x480 (or 720x480 if they want to keep 15:10).
2) Improved battery life
3) Flash on camera (5 MP would be nice too)
4) Improved performance

"Luxuries" that would make it even better but is just wishful thinking:
5) FM transmitter
6) 720p recording

nice! but i doubt it's going to version this early. i'm thinking maybe 2011 now. looking forward to this new iphone though

The iPhone 3GS would definitely look stale compared to competition if they leave it out for over 1 and a half years. Summer (most likely June) will be the new model launch I think.

[ameeps]

You can't get a trend from just 3 models, so it doesn't really make sense.

Exactly what I was thinking.

[dasein]

Not shocking, and yet it is still on AT&T's network. Also, that means Apple is nearing final production details on the new iPhone.

The whole 3,1 monicker makes me think this iPhone will be very different internally. A whole tick in the front numbers means new hardware revision (1,1 v 2,1 v 3,1).

I hope Apple goes back to the Aluminum finish it gave the 1st Gen iPhone.

Don't you think it would have to include LTE and the 700 MHz frequency?

[nite41]

Multi-core processor sounds awesome! May be they could use GCD (Grand Central Dispatch) to manage the processing.

The iPhone hardware has been pretty good. What I want is a bit more freedom to the consumer regarding the OS. I mean, I cannot even change message tones! That's just lame.

Oh and Unibody would be awesome! And yeah, longer battery life. And a 5mp camera will flash :)

[brightlights]

So are they gonna break the tick-tock sequence?

http://img.skitch.com/20091128-frrs8trj49fhtrwyh7rx8htit8.jpg

???

One partial-iteration does not make a sequence. Just because it went 1,1 ; 1,2 the first time does not imply they would do the same the second time.

[goobot]

i dont think version will get the iphone. and thats good

[Rocketman]

My comment is Apple is less careful and anal about secrecy than they used to be. That is a good thing, but over time may reduce the popularity of rumor sites.

Rocketman

[E3BK]

Here's my theory:

iPhone OS 3,1 is the emulation version of the iPhone that runs on the Mac OSX-based tablet.

They are not field testing the next-gen phone. They are testing the new tablet. To leverage the incredible strengths of the App Store, the tablet will be able to run all iPhone apps (plus new ones yet to be created to take advantage of the tablet form-factor), as well as regular Mac OSX applications.

I'd rather have this than a new iPhone, hands down! My 3GS is fine. The camera is fine. Takes decent pictures to be honest. Everyone looks bad in flash anyway. I don't want a front facing camera.The mp's are fine also but SHARPER lens would be cool with me. More mp's does not = sharper images, just a bigger file so you can blow it up bigger. And really...when have you ever wanted to actually print an iPhone photo.

I would, however, like AT&T to legally unlock the darn thing. That's all I want. And this magical tablet. And better battery life...but borrowing iPhone cables for charging when you forget yours is such a thing to do these days. It's like bumming a cigarette. All the cool kids are doing it. lol.

[kdarling]

(F)or the 1,000,000,000,000th time Verizon would have just as much trouble as AT&T if they had as many data consuming iPhone users!

That claim doesn't have any technical reasoning behind it.

The only common failing they might've have is lack of backhaul bandwidth, and Verizon's been updating theirs hugely for coming 4G.

Otherwise, there are three major differences between the two networks:

1) Verizon has far greater coverage to prevent drops, especially from 3G to 2G.

2) Verizon designed their cells for CDMA from the start. This is critical. ATT did not, and now suffers from droppage because of having GSM-planned cells backfitted to WCDMA 3G.

3) Verizon keeps 3G and voice networks separate, which means a heavy user load on one does not affect the other. ATT combines voice+data on 3G and will drop (and/or block) users of either kind when the cell gets loaded. (see also #2)

[will-mitch-123]

From hearing about 'the cellular phone carrier group' all smart phones will be adopting the micro-USB as the standard connector for data and power on mobile devices, as of January 30, 2009.
So i personally think apple will drop their standard 30 pin connector and replace it with the more widely used mini-USB.

[MarlboroLite]

From hearing about 'the cellular phone carrier group' all smart phones will be adopting the micro-USB as the standard connector for data and power on mobile devices, as of January 30, 2009.
So i personally think apple will drop their standard 30 pin connector and replace it with the more widely used mini-USB.

sounds like that could wreak havoc with peripherals and accessories that use that connector. Unless they plan to add a separate microUSB connector in addition to the 30 pin so the phone can continue to work with old peripherals.

[spaceballl]

Looking forward to this device. As always, I'll go with my typical move... keep my current phone jailbroken / unlocked, buy the new one the day it comes out, sell the old one on eBay, make a small to medium profit, and enjoy the new phone! Great success!

[spaceballl]

???

One partial-iteration does not make a sequence. Just because it went 1,1 ; 1,2 the first time does not imply they would do the same the second time.
I agree - it isn't really a tick-tock at all.

First version - new everything
3G - slightly changed clockspeed, 3G, new design
3Gs - exact same outside, new CPU / memory
next - ?

This has not been a tick/tock pattern. I think you're thinking of Intel's tick-tock pattern, and they actually use the term themselves! (http://www.intel.com/technology/tick-tock/index.htm)

[jav6454]

Don't you think it would have to include LTE and the 700 MHz frequency?

LTE radio would not be included. LTE is not even out for mayor carriers, hence, no need for it. HSPA+ radio is a more likely choice.

That claim doesn't have any technical reasoning behind it.

The only common failing they might've have is lack of backhaul bandwidth, and Verizon's been updating theirs hugely for coming 4G.

Otherwise, there are three major differences between the two networks:

1) Verizon has far greater coverage to prevent drops, especially from 3G to 2G.

2) Verizon designed their cells for CDMA from the start. This is critical. ATT did not, and now suffers from droppage because of having GSM-planned cells backfitted to WCDMA 3G.

3) Verizon keeps 3G and voice networks separate, which means a heavy user load on one does not affect the other. ATT combines voice+data on 3G and will drop (and/or block) users of either kind when the cell gets loaded. (see also #2)

You've got to be kidding me. So you are claiming that if the pressure AT&T's network is under (a 2000% percent increase) is never going to bring Verizon's network down? So the pressure of having the equivalent of 90M blackberries will never bring Verizon done? Boy, that's one hell of a claim I don't see any evidence for. You have to back it up somehow. Saying stuff like that doesn't make it so. Also, Verizon will have faired no better. Remember, no one, not even Apple, saw this explosion in mobile data/browsing coming. Everyone thought it'd be a slow thing, but guess what, it wasn't so.

Sure AT&T is having problems. However, recall well that AT&T is setting up new hardware to develop 3G signal, where as Verizon has it easy with the software upgrades. There is a big difference in cost. That however, will change once Verizon goes LTE. Verizon will have to buy new hardware and infrastructure for LTE radios while AT&T will happily just software update the existing hardware.....

To address your points:

1. Coverage are the same. As far as hand off from 3G to 2G, GSM has an inherent disadvantage because while CDMA does a soft-hand off, GSM does a hard hand off (actually disconnect and reconnect). In the GSM environment, it's easier to loose a call like that, specially if the tower is being hammered.

2. So? Verizon will have the same problem with EV-DO and LTE.

3. Again, so? Their data network would be down while calls work. People will bitch at not having data or slow data speeds. Remember, EV-DO is much slower than UMTS. EDGE beat EV-DO Rev0.

[kiljoy616]

My 3G is doing just fine, and there is an App for everything, haha. Love that commercial also.

I could see multicore and maybe even better video card but what I am really wondering is LED or OLED for the next incarnation of the iphone, Love to see more resolution but hope they keep the same size which is perfect for me.

[kiljoy616]

Not shocking, and yet it is still on AT&T's network. Also, that means Apple is nearing final production details on the new iPhone.

The whole 3,1 monicker makes me think this iPhone will be very different internally. A whole tick in the front numbers means new hardware revision (1,1 v 2,1 v 3,1).

I hope Apple goes back to the Aluminum finish it gave the 1st Gen iPhone.

Unibody iphone, now that be interesting to see, but metal my understanding makes it harder for connections, unless this is a resolved issue.

[whatever]

But that's just Apple though, I can barely think of one phone company who has made a phone without a removable battery

I for one thing that Apple's stance on not having a removable battery to dead on.

I can't tell you the number of times that I've dropped non-iPhones and the battery goes flying off on the floor and the phone itself needs to be taped together.

I've dropped my iPhone several times (the first day I had my iPhone I had it on my desk and walked away, forgetting that I had headphones connected and it hit the floor hard and guess what, no damage!) and it's no worst for wear. I've been using a 1st generation iPhone since they came out and it's still perfect. I don't even carry it in a case any more (hoping that it would break and give me an excuse to upgrade to a 3Gs).

The next iPhone will be coming out in early Summer. Expect a better display and better camera.

[Glideslope]

Here's my theory:

iPhone OS 3,1 is the emulation version of the iPhone that runs on the Mac OSX-based tablet.

They are not field testing the next-gen phone. They are testing the new tablet. To leverage the incredible strengths of the App Store, the tablet will be able to run all iPhone apps (plus new ones yet to be created to take advantage of the tablet form-factor), as well as regular Mac OSX applications.

Bingo. :apple:

[whatever]

From hearing about 'the cellular phone carrier group' all smart phones will be adopting the micro-USB as the standard connector for data and power on mobile devices, as of January 30, 2009.
So i personally think apple will drop their standard 30 pin connector and replace it with the more widely used mini-USB.

Nope Apple will be using a special doggle.

[jav6454]

Unibody iphone, now that be interesting to see, but metal my understanding makes it harder for connections, unless this is a resolved issue.

The 1st Gen iPhone was unibody. In fact I think it was the iPhone and MacBook Air that inspired the unibody machines.

[Yelmurc]

Since we are all posting our wish list for the next iphone.
I'd love to see...

A better screen
Improvements to the camera.
Google Voice
Larger hard drive size
Any increase in speed and performance with the processor is always nice.
Tethering
NFC payment support

I'd also like them to announce more 3rd party developers that have created hardware for the iphone.

[kiljoy616]

I've never actually used it, or seen anyone use it, but that's not the point, it was always tied to expensive video calling, if apple used it as a webcam for ichat, that'd be amazing, people might use it then.

Considering we pay a whole lot more to att for an iphone imagine the :eek: that att would have if the data been moved with the iphone was now 300% :D

That one expensive toy, rather have more GPU, CPU, and memory. Less complicated extra that add no real value to what I use the iphone for, same for the camera 3Gs is fine from what I have seen, need more, real camera real video is better every time, though catching that cop smacking some guy on the street, priceless.

[kiljoy616]

sounds like that could wreak havoc with peripherals and accessories that use that connector. Unless they plan to add a separate microUSB connector in addition to the 30 pin so the phone can continue to work with old peripherals.

Not going to happen, when do we care what others do, and apple cares even less, look how they are trying to move away from even using USB to the new fiber, its only a matter of time before apple climbs on a new horse and says goodbye to others.

[appleguy123]

The 1st Gen iPhone was unibody. In fact I think it was the iPhone and MacBook Air that inspired the unibody machines.

I think(emphasis on that!) that the black part(the antenna) was detachable so that would make it not unibody. However I do love its design the most.

[solipsism]

But that's just Apple though, I can barely think of one phone company who has made a phone without a removable battery
Are we not talking about the iPhone and not any other phone? If you don’t like it you can choose a different brand but it seems there are plenty of people that don’t mind having an internal battery. How many spare batteries do you carry with you and why is the iPhone’s options for additional juice not sufficient?


How about a Screen-Zoom feature or Resolution Independence. I wish :apple: would and could use the proximity sensor while typing to increase or zoom the keys nearest to your thumb or finger when reaching to press it. That would be a million dollar feature right there. At present the virtual keyboard only pop-up when you press it and defeats the purpose in usage, not to mention that others can see what key you have pressed when it pop-up.
RI doesn’t resolve any problem. It’s still trying to cram everything that was on a 3.5” display into a 2.8” display.


But with that logic, the iPhone is a smartphone. It should be able to cover the features even my old nokia can do. Give me a decent camera, removable battery and real bluetooth. The iPhone is the only phone I've had so far that does not allow file transfer, that's pretty weak.

EDIT: Oh, and folders too, please. Seriously.
Since when has Apple ever tried to copy others to enter a market. Let’s leave that to the Chinese knock offs.

Note that it’s Apple that now generates more profit than any other handset vendor in the world while Nokia keeps dropping huge amounts of marketshare each quarter. Perhaps the rationale of “someone else has this or that so every other product should have it” isn’t a great way to do business.

[whats.the.story]

I think that the most logical thing apple could do, in terms of gaming, and without changing the appearance of the iPhone/iTouch dramatically is to make the areas on the front of the device, on either side of the home button and the speaker touch sensitive.
This would give developers another four "buttons" that they could use for gaming, leaving the screen for player movement, and the "buttons" for example, firing a gun or something among those lines.
The developers cloud then, instead of having to rewrite whole games for a new version, just make a menu setting for moving specific functions to the new "buttons".

This could possibly allow apple to create a function for changing songs while the touch/iPhone is in your pocket... tap the bezel on the right of the home button to go to the next song, left to backwards... either one twice to pause/play.

I personally cannot justify paying that amount of money for a device that isn't completely different to the cheap phone and old iPod i have at the moment.

[appleguy123]

I think that the most logical thing apple could do, in terms of gaming, and without changing the appearance of the iPhone/iTouch dramatically is to make the areas on the front of the device, on either side of the home button and the speaker touch sensitive.
This would give developers another four "buttons" that they could use for gaming, leaving the screen for player movement, and the "buttons" for example, firing a gun or something among those lines.
The developers cloud then, instead of having to rewrite whole games for a new version, just make a menu setting for moving specific functions to the new "buttons".

This could possibly allow apple to create a function for changing songs while the touch/iPhone is in your pocket... tap the bezel on the right of the home button to go to the next song, left to backwards... either one twice to pause/play.

I personally cannot justify paying that amount of money for a device that isn't completely different to the cheap phone and old iPod i have at the moment.

How would you hold the thing w/o setting off secret "features"?

[iWork]

That however, will change once Verizon goes LTE. Verizon will have to buy new hardware and infrastructure for LTE radios while AT&T will happily just software update the existing hardware.....


Incorrect. LTE is not a simple "software update". LTE will require a new IP based core, fiber/metro-ethernet backhaul, VOIP protocols, new mobile chipsets, cell-site reconfiguration and tweaking (a lengthy process seeing that new frequencies, using new propagation techniques, are required), etc.

The only advantage AT&T will have over Verizon is a fallback in to its HSPA network. Verizon's advantages are its head start in R&D, deployment, and its fiber-to-cell site program.

Also, the forum member you rail against actually has some valid points. You simply regurgitate marketing speak terms such as "software update" without any technical understanding.

[powers74]

The 1st Gen iPhone was unibody. In fact I think it was the iPhone and MacBook Air that inspired the unibody machines.

Looks stamped (http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone-1st-Generation/599/2) to me. I think it'd be pretty common knowledge if it were milled. Like the fact that some parts of the air were milled out of solid aluminum. Besides, what's unibody about gen1? it's two separate parts. The current iPhone is more unibody than that.

[Prom1]

This new iPhone thing better not be taking resources away from the Newton II :eek:

PS: the iPhone IS the Newton II!
Having expandable memory and adapters like Newton had is no longer useful/feasable - however its possible the rumored tablet is the Newton II. For now, the iPhone does EVERYTHING that the Newton could today.

I will not care until:

A.) AT&T's coverage covers my area

or

B.) The AT&T exclusivity bind ends.

Oh this will happen with regulatory approval of Ericsson's purchase of GSM/GSM-R technologies of Nortel Networks (which AT&T's core backbone is built on).

For me:

-Phone redesign
-Slightly larger screen
-iChat
-Better camera
-Flash (camera)
-Cheaper/free docking station
-3GS as standard

Probably some more, but none I can think of!

I'd rather the following:
- Phone redesign (more design queues)
- marginally larger screen, but I prefer higher resolution XVGA or WVGA. This would break quite a few apps in the process though. Games would grow increasingly though.
- IMPROVED Battery capacity: 1500mAh- 2100mAh
- More frugal battery consumption
- iChat along with iSight camera (seperate from main equaling 1MP)
- Main Camera 5MP +AF, Touch Focus, Video Focus, and dual-LED FLASH!!!
- Docking station included!
- HSPA+ bandwidth 15+Mbps down/5Mbps UP.
- iPod: ability to adjust playlists on iPhone, create new playlists & titles (not the lead song)
- Safari - built-in search!!! I wish to search a specific word within a webpage.
- ability to install add-ons (I'd like the alternative to Flash for flash sites OR Apple proxy that implements HTML5 alternative to render in iPhone).
- so many more software adjustments, features needed BEYOND multitasking.


There are several 1GHz phones out there already.

It's not about the cpu speed, especially in the cellphone/smartphone computing space. Its about computational power and battery management!! Snapdragon is still using something similar to Cortex A8 [The Snapdragon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snapdragon_%28processor%29) application processor core is called Scorpion and is similar to the ARM Cortex-A8 core.[1]

I prefer the TI OMAP4340 using Cortex A9 with SMP (or Dual-Core cpu, not multi-core cpu's which most smartphones on the market currently use. This means 2 or more applications processor seperate from baseband/DSP core cpu's). Much more powerful than 1Ghz along. Btw, to make you all feel better, both TI or Samsung has 1Ghz Cortex A9 based cpu's in the pipeline if not in production already.

[SactoGuy18]

By the way, that "iPhone 3,1" identifier could also possibly be a way to test the cellphone functionality through HSDPA downloading of data to the much-rumored Apple tablet computer without disclosing what device is actually using this identifier.

[Prom1]

I still want iChat to come out to rival the BBM on Blackberrys though I guess that would be hard because they'd have to limit it to just iPhones.

NOW we're talking!

I'd like an iChat API that allows us to use TXT, Media (pictures/small video), send Map locations & routes (due to using Google we may have issues with Apple utilizing this with licensing), Group chat and management, ability to verify message communications where received (with iChat on Mac OS X via Update), privacy feature, groups managed by central server admins (for corporate implementation); ALL without a NOC!

THEN we'll see some serious BlackBerry competition.

Better features with Exchange Active Sync or Lotus Notes Traveler implementation - with focus of Exhange Server 2010 being implemented across many corporations by end of 2010. Many are STILL on last legs of Exchange 2003.

Its time iPhone engineers at Apple begin to think of Unified Collaboration!!

Don't you think it would have to include LTE and the 700 MHz frequency?

With Verizon planning on going LTE by end of 2010, along with Bell Mobility & Telus Mobility (the latter here in Canada) I feel the Dual-Mode (HSPA/EDGE + CDMA EVDO) radio chipset just adds needless weight and mobo complexity. There is STILL not a lot of handsets offering both in the smartphone space. Then again Apple could do this for 2010 release and then offer LTE iPhone in 2011.

Right now Verizon going with 700Mhz WhiteSpace frequency is the only carrier I'm aware of doing that. So get ready for all kinds of multiple band support in 2011, yet again.

[David29]

For the love of God ..... Please ... Apple .... get the iPhone on Verizon already. Don't make me sign up with AT&T...

[jav6454]

Looks stamped (http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone-1st-Generation/599/2) to me. I think it'd be pretty common knowledge if it were milled. Like the fact that some parts of the air were milled out of solid aluminum. Besides, what's unibody about gen1? it's two separate parts. The current iPhone is more unibody than that.

Um no.... The iPhone is two exterior pieces, just like a MacBook Pro.

Incorrect. LTE is not a simple "software update". LTE will require a new IP based core, fiber/metro-ethernet backhaul, VOIP protocols, new mobile chipsets, cell-site reconfiguration and tweaking (a lengthy process seeing that new frequencies, using new propagation techniques, are required), etc.

The only advantage AT&T will have over Verizon is a fallback in to its HSPA network. Verizon's advantages are its head start in R&D, deployment, and its fiber-to-cell site program.

Also, the forum member you rail against actually has some valid points. You simply regurgitate marketing speak terms such as "software update" without any technical understanding.

Keep trying again. HSPA+ (which is the standard AT&T will use a bridge) is what is going to be software updated. No, it's not a marketing BS. I know, I am EE. There is going to be changes to the core GPRS network in order to make all IP (AIPN). That is the only hardware update AT&T will need to set-up (on a large scale note). Oh, that's the backhaul BTW.

Mobile chipsets is up to the phone sellers, so carriers have no say on that. VOIP protocols are built into AIPN, so that's another down. Fiber is already in place (see: U-Verse), all AT&T needs to do is connect to it.

All AT&t needs to really do is do the essential Cell tower tweaking as you say which is new 700MHz Block A (or B) radio waves and software upgrading the units to allow LTE to HSPA+ systems.

Also, take into account LTE is an enhancement to the 3GPP's (3rd Generation Partnership Project) UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System). It's being set as Release 8 but being named as LTE (Long Term Evolution).

[nyboilermaker]

What about UMA? It's the best secret out there.

Off load 60% of the data problems and enable UMA on the iPhone, why everyone hasn't caught on to this yet amazes me.

[Drag'nGT]

I'll add to the list of wants. :D

These are needed for this to be a successor to the 3GS:
> 4.3" screen (see HTC HD2)
> 5mp or better camera with xenon flash
> faster processor
> multitasking running more than one app at a time
> better battery
> Google's new map/GPS app

Anything else they add is just icing on the cake. I would like to see and plan on seeing a new design. I think it's hard to improve when they set the bar so damn high in the first place and since it's just a screen I have to really ask "how do you improve that?"

Even with Google this is all I found that looks good.
http://www.toxel.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/iphoneconcept06.jpg

[dmelgar]

Didn't at&t invest $18,000,000,000 in their network this year alone? While they might not be "meeting demand", could any carrier?
Amazed to see people defending AT&T.
I don't care how much AT&T spends. The fact is they cover very little area in the US with 3G vs. Verizon. In the 2+ years I've had them I have seen ZERO improvement in coverage, which pretty much stinks in my metro area and is non-existent outside the metro area for 3G in 90% of the state.

Verizon covers every inch of this state and everywhere I've been with 3G.
There is no comparison.
Not even close.
Pick a different battle.

[jav6454]

Amazed to see people defending AT&T.
I don't care how much AT&T spends. The fact is they cover very little area in the US with 3G vs. Verizon. In the 2+ years I've had them I have seen ZERO improvement in coverage, which pretty much stinks in my metro area and is non-existent outside the metro area for 3G in 90% of the state.

Verizon covers every inch of this state and everywhere I've been with 3G.
There is no comparison.
Not even close.
Pick a different battle.

Your experience =/= everyone's experience.

Also, Verizon's 3G is much slower than AT&T's and can't handle data/voice connections at the same time. That's a fact given by the ITU and any CDMA carrier.

That's +2 AT&T. -2 Verizon

Also, Verizon's network is empty with respect to the amount of data and usage going thru AT&T's.

[powers74]

Um no.... The iPhone is two exterior pieces, just like a MacBook Pro.

ok. Obviously, all these machines are comprised of multiple parts. When Apple says unibody, they are talking about the entire upper section being milled from a block of aluminum. That's also how I am defining unibody. The MBA is not a unibody in that only part of the main body of machine is milled. Same for the new MBs. Polycarbonate unibody. The entire upper section is milled of one chunk of plastic.

I mean, I really don't understand what you're talking about. Which iPhone original/3G? original iPhone 2 exterior pieces. 3G 1 exterior piece. Unless you're counting the screen. Still, that's why I say 3G is more unibody than the original...

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!

[jav6454]

ok. Obviously, all these machines are comprised of multiple parts. When Apple says unibody, they are talking about the entire upper section being milled from a block of aluminum. That's also how I am defining unibody. The MBA is not a unibody in that only part of the main body of machine is milled. Same for the new MBs. Polycarbonate unibody. The entire upper section is milled of one chunk of plastic.

I mean, I really don't understand what you're talking about. Which iPhone original/3G? original iPhone 2 exterior pieces. 3G 1 exterior piece. Unless you're counting the screen. Still, that's why I say 3G is more unibody than the original...

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!

Lol crazy pills. The 1st Gen iPhone (the one back in June 07) was unibody. True it had a plastic piece, but you could say that was the cover to what 2009 MacBook's battery cover was to the whole design.

In that sense, the iPhone is unibody. One whole Aluminum body. The 3G and 3GS are one plastic piece which I hate. A close unibody style, but not quite to match the Aluminum unibody Apple taunts in their laptops.

[kdarling]

You've got to be kidding me. So you are claiming that if the pressure AT&T's network is under (a 2000% percent increase) is never going to bring Verizon's network down?

Eh? My response was directly to the claim that "Verizon would have just as much trouble as AT&T if they had as many data consuming iPhone users"

For the clear technical reasons that I gave, they simply would not have had as much trouble handling the extra 3G load. (It doesn't mean, and I didn't say, that they wouldn't have had any trouble.)

Verizon will have to buy new hardware and infrastructure for LTE radios while AT&T will happily just software update the existing hardware.....

That is absolutely incorrect. You seem to mistakenly believe that LTE is based on GSM. It is not. It is something new and different.

ATT will have to add just as much, if not more, new hardware and infrastructure for LTE.

(re: cell planning) 2. So? Verizon will have the same problem with EV-DO ...

Again, incorrect.

Both Verizon and ATT use a CDMA air protocol for 3G.

When Verizon planned their cells, they took into account such CDMA-specific factors such as cell breathing. ATT did not, since they started with TDMA radios.

The consequence is that, as the number of voice and data users rose on many of ATT's 3G cells, users could fall outside of shrinking cell coverage and/or be blocked from falling over to cells overloaded by data.

Remember, EV-DO is much slower than UMTS. EDGE beat EV-DO Rev0.

Verizon's entire EVDO network was upgraded to Rev A back in mid 2007.

[dmelgar]

Your experience =/= everyone's experience.

Also, Verizon's 3G is much slower than AT&T's and can't handle data/voice connections at the same time. That's a fact given by the ITU and any CDMA carrier.

That's +2 AT&T. -2 Verizon

Also, Verizon's network is empty with respect to the amount of data and usage going thru AT&T's.
BS.
Is not just "experience". Look at a map. Regarding coverage, its not even close. No room for debate.

Verizon's 3G is NOT slower than AT&Ts. AT&T may have one tower somewhere running supposed 7.2mbps. Users tests show Verizon as fast or faster. Boy genius had user reported tests. AT&T did not fair well.

AT&T can't do data and voice at the same time with EDGE which is what covers the majority of the area of the US.

[powers74]

Lol crazy pills. The 1st Gen iPhone (the one back in June 07) was unibody. True it had a plastic piece, but you could say that was the cover to what 2009 MacBook's battery cover was to the whole design.

In that sense, the iPhone is unibody. One whole Aluminum body. The 3G and 3GS are one plastic piece which I hate. A close unibody style, but not quite to match the Aluminum unibody Apple taunts in their laptops.

Ok, I see where you're coming from, I guess I just don't completely agree. At least we can agree to hate the plastic!

[Ronlap]

Multi-core? Good lord, just give me a camera with flash and a removable battery!
Last year I lost my passport in Germany and had to go to the US consulate. Visitors are required to remove the batteries in their cameras and mobile phones before they are allowed to enter the consulate.

I had to miss my appointment and make another one so that I could go all the way back to my hotel to drop off my iPhone because i couldn't remove the *&^%#$@ battery.

[trajen]

I'd like to see a water proof iPhone with shatter resistant glass. Too many people drop their iPhone and are screwed out of their warranty.

[jav6454]

Eh? My response was directly to the claim that "Verizon would have just as much trouble as AT&T if they had as many data consuming iPhone users"

Something we agree on. :)


For the clear technical reasons that I gave, they simply would not have had as much trouble handling the extra 3G load. (It doesn't mean, and I didn't say, that they wouldn't have had any trouble.)

Agree again


That is absolutely incorrect. You seem to mistakenly believe that LTE is based on GSM. It is not. It is something new and different.

ATT will have to add just as much, if not more, new hardware and infrastructure for LTE.



You are right, LTE is not GSM based, it's UMTS based, which AT&T is currently rolling out, hence when LTE comes around software update to LTE.


Again, incorrect.

Both Verizon and ATT use a CDMA air protocol for 3G.

When Verizon planned their cells, they took into account such CDMA-specific factors such as cell breathing. ATT did not, since they started with TDMA radios.

The consequence is that, as the number of voice and data users rose on many of ATT's 3G cells, users could fall outside of shrinking cell coverage and/or be blocked from falling over to cells overloaded by data.


W-CDMA =/= CDMA =/= TDMA

Very different protocols, similar name.


Verizon's entire EVDO network was upgraded to Rev A back in mid 2007.

Yet Verizon displays areas covered by Rev 0 as 3G speeds, blatant lie that is.

BS.
Is not just "experience". Look at a map. Regarding coverage, its not even close. No room for debate.

Verizon's 3G is NOT slower than AT&Ts. AT&T may have one tower somewhere running supposed 7.2mbps. Users tests show Verizon as fast or faster. Boy genius had user reported tests. AT&T did not fair well.

AT&T can't do data and voice at the same time with EDGE which is what covers the majority of the area of the US.

I am not debating coverage, you are. I am debating speeds. Also, yes, Verizon's 3G is slower than AT&T's. Difference in HSDPA and EV-DO make it so. EDGE is not marketed as 3G (even though technically it's 3G)

BTW, I can cite Gizmodo's results where all test where done cross nation and Verizon did not beat a single one. Bare in mind, this was done with AT&T's 1.8Mb/s network, not the new 3.6Mb/s or 7.2Mb/s

[appleguy123]

I'll add to the list of wants. :D

These are needed for this to be a successor to the 3GS:
> 4.3" screen (see HTC HD2)
> 5mp or better camera with xenon flash
> faster processor
> multitasking running more than one app at a time
> better battery
> Google's new map/GPS app

Anything else they add is just icing on the cake. I would like to see and plan on seeing a new design. I think it's hard to improve when they set the bar so damn high in the first place and since it's just a screen I have to really ask "how do you improve that?"

Even with Google this is all I found that looks good.
http://www.toxel.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/iphoneconcept06.jpg

That concept is ugly!

[sonnyjames]

I want to see front facing camera and the ability to make/receive video calls.

[andrei.barbuta]

1. Regarding the new design that was posted with what seemed to be edge-to-edge glass I believe it's not a good idea. The metal bevel around the screen, although i don't find it especially pleasing visually but necessary to protect the screen.

2. The screen resolution....we would all prefer to be bigger. Yet think about when the iPhone was first made. Take into consideration it;s resolution and more importantly it's DPI. It was the most gorgeous screen on any mobile communication device. The problem is that we have gotten used to it and we saw what kind of apps we can have on this kind of screen and hardware...and now we want more. Like someone said earlier they have to take into account the 100.000 apps already created that would be immediately obsolete on the new iPhone. This will come with screen resolution...2 years, after OSX 10.7 introduces it and then will be integrated in iPhone OS and of course find a solution to zoom the old apps on the new screen automatically. Or dare I say it...dynamic resolution screen? :)

3. I use the 3G Phone and played a little with the 3GS. Most importantly i think it is a better battery life. This is crucial. Next I would really like front facing camera. Although this wasn't a commercially successful features of modern phones i think it was because of poor implementation. Apple can do here what they do best, take good ideas with bad rep and make them commercially viable and consumer friendly....and if it f... up the mobile networks that's there problem. :)

Keep on posting.

[onfire4g05]

Please come to verizon.. PLEASE

I'm not begging, but if they want my business that's what they're going to have to do. No way I'm switching to AT&T. They don't even have 3G anywhere but in parts of the major city around here. My coworkers have to go outside to make a phone call that isn't dropped or filled with static on AT&T. haha

So, come to Verizon and then I'll say the new multiprocessor feature is nifty. Until then, *yawn*. :)

[valanchan]

Every carrier will be begging Apple not to include a video iChat on the iPhone.

It is on other phones but it is not used and that is why the networks are still up.

Can you imagine iPhone users not using it?

[ThunderSkunk]

Jah.

1. Make it out of metal (the plastic has serious durability issues)
2. AT&T OR Verizon compatibility (or... both? tight squeeze...)
3. Front Facing Video Cam + iChat (even if only enabled on wifi)
4. Include a damn dock!

If AT&T lost of percentage of pissed off customers to Verizon, think of all the bandwidth you guys would be available for everyone, and how much longer AT&T could go without spending any money upgrading their ruddy network. And those of us who switched would then fully realize just how miserable the state of cellular networks in the US really is.

[richd5481]

* Better battery life/energy consumption
* Redial button (I mean... come on. I can't believe that's missing.)
* Limited third-party multi-tasking. (I understand and agree with the benefits of limiting MT to built-in functionality, but there's no reason not to have some kind of "white list" preference setting where you can list apps that are allowed to run in the background.)
* Allow javascript bookmarks in Safari (you can hack them in but I don't see why Safari blocks that.)


hit call twice and it will redial last number:cool:

[oldwatery]

Wow a new i-Phone is coming....sometime!!
Let's all get soooooo excited :rolleyes:

Meanwhile......every time I use an App someone knows about it?
That is downright scary :eek:
Am I the only one to pick up on this bit of Big Brotherhood?

[HawaiiMacAddict]

Verizon how ever is spend spend spend and look they cover almost ALL of North America in 3G and AT&T is just here and there 3G. So AT&T = MAJOR FAIL!

You have to know that AT&T uses the GSM version of 3G while Verizon uses CDMA2000 (NOTE: NOT the same as the CDMA technology used in Asia) version. While voice and data can be used simultaneously with the GSM version, you can ONLY use one of the other at a time while on the CDMA200 version.

While I was on vacation, I was able to talk to one of my brothers while simultaneously entering in a new cell number for one of my brothers-in-law. I would NOT have been able to do that on a Verizon phone, which is ONLY voice OR data, and not both at the same time, while on their crippled version of 3G.

I'll take AT&T's GSM version of 3G, thank you very much, although I would like to see them cover more of the US with their 3G.

[str1f3]

Wow a new i-Phone is coming....sometime!!
Let's all get soooooo excited :rolleyes:

Meanwhile......every time I use an App someone knows about it?
That is downright scary :eek:
Am I the only one to pick up on this bit of Big Brotherhood?

Not a big deal since it asks you beforehand. Only problem is it always asks you.

[valanchan]

The iPhone has one of the worst hardware feature list of the smart phones. People are attracted to the iPhone because they can finally do on a phone.

I hope the next iPhone brings:

iLife for iPhone
iWork for iPhone

Screens

App store subscription

eBook creator

[richd5481]

Your experience =/= everyone's experience.

Also, Verizon's 3G is much slower than AT&T's and can't handle data/voice connections at the same time. That's a fact given by the ITU and any CDMA carrier.

That's +2 AT&T. -2 Verizon

Also, Verizon's network is empty with respect to the amount of data and usage going thru AT&T's.

i think AT&T is doing well, especially with the amount of data being used. i live in Massachusetts and had Verizon, yes they have good reception but i couldn't use the phone they why i can with AT&T, (they do have great coverage in my area).

Look what happened when the motorola razr came out. Verizon locked it down and AT&T kept it the way it was meant to be.

[joesixgig]

I'm hoping to see a fingerprint reader for alternate login method in addition to the numerical password.

[rjtyork]

All I really want in my next iPhone is app backgrounding, google voice application, and maybe a hardware refresh. I don't like the plastic on my 3GS. I would rather something like aluminum like the first iPhone or something tougher. I hate scratches.

As for iPhones 5 years from now... THAT'S interesting to think about. I'm sure iPhones 5 years from now WILL have front facing cameras, they won't be used on a cell network, it will all be data, and it wouldn't surprise me if they were to be water resistant and drop resistant to a certain extent.

[dizzymg]

i think AT&T is doing well, especially with the amount of data being used. i live in Massachusetts and had Verizon, yes they have good reception but i couldn't use the phone they why i can with AT&T, (they do have great coverage in my area).

Look what happened when the motorola razr came out. Verizon locked it down and AT&T kept it the way it was meant to be.

I was trying to do some research on who may have the "edge" on the upcoming 4G network release in 2010-2012 and came upon a similar thing. This article points out many of the holes in the Verizon vs. AT&T debate: http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/20/it-must-be-nice-to-be-verizon/

I have alway's been an AT&T (then Cingular, then AT&T again) wireless user, and had very spotty service until the 3G network rolled out last year in my area. Now, I have had excellent service. I have a Verizon phone for work (a blackberry 8830) and I can tell you that I have done benchmark tests comparing the load time of websites and AT&T wins hands down every time.

The only problem that I have right now is that I bought a home with concrete walls, and neither network works well. Verizon and AT&T have "FemtoCell" options, but Verizon's seems to be a better deal since it is a one time fee vs. AT&T's monthly service charge...

However, back to my original point: AT&T and the rest of the world is on GSM already and has been. Verizon will have to abandon CDMA when it rolls out it's 4G network. So, yeah, Verizon will begin rolling out it's 4G network a year before AT&T and TMobile, but AT&T's transition will be a whole lot smoother. In 2011, I can't wait to see the updated "There's a Map for That" showing AT&T's superior 4G network.

But if you are in an area that has both AT&T and Verizon, why would you go with Verizon today? 3G data on CDMA networks is by definition slower than 3G on GSM networks.

[zeromeus]

You think Apple will update the iPhone 3GS by putting in significantly smaller display? One that make usability more difficult without having to rewrite programs. Don’t mention vectoring or resolution because that is a moot point when all your buttons and your keyboard are smaller and harder to use.

I think it’s safe to say that the 3.5” display was well thought out as the ideal display size for a mobile well before Apple ever announced the first iPhone.

He said the SAME resolution in a smaller screen. There is no need to rewrite any program or shrink anything if the resolution remains the same. It's simply shrinking the size of the pixel without having to reduce the number of pixels. For example: a 1920x1080 resolution would look much better in a 40" TV than it does on a 50" TV since the same resolution has to cover more area, making each pixel bigger. That's why Samsung has to start making TVs that are at 3840x2160 resolution, which is 4X fullHD in larger TVs that will come out in the near future.

I'm looking forward to an iPhone that is NOT locked to any particular carrier here in the U.S. with multi-core and higher resolution screen as well as dual camera. BRING IT ON APPLE!

[powers74]

That concept is ugly!

No joke!

[jav6454]

3G comparison...

Warning! If you don't read it completely, I'll know. There nothing like copy/paste bits and pieces to make an argument when they were not meant that way in the first place.

Gizmodo 3G Test (http://gizmodo.com/5111989/the-definitive-coast+to+coast-3g-data-test)

AT&T clearly has the fastest network out there. Although results show differently, the argument of network congestions holds it's truth. (see: Upload v Download)

Sprint has a fast network due to people abandoning/bailing Sprint and hence less people on it. Verizon holds well, but never really wins anything. AT&T wins 3 cities hands down and beats the crap out of everyone in Uploads. (we download more than we upload)

Conclusion, AT&T's network is powerful, it's just too many iPhones and upgrades to it are way too slow paced.

[donlphi]

Multi-core? Good lord, just give me a camera with flash and a removable battery!

Maybe you don't need a flash?

http://gizmodo.com/5376271/giz-explains-when-not-to-use-your-cameras-flash

[solipsism]

He said the SAME resolution in a smaller screen.

Yeah, that is the problem. The buttons would all be smaller to fit on a smaller screen. That is feasible for a large screen TV but not for a display that is also your input method. Unless you can devise a way for your fingers to shrink in accordance to the display shrinking it’s not a viable idea. Why is this concept so hard to understand?

[macnerd93]

for me I'd really want a HD camera on the back a front facing camera and the ability to have a chat application, lets called it FaceTime built properly built into iOS so you can do video chatting to multiple iPhones :D

[powers74]

I'm hoping to see a fingerprint reader for alternate login method in addition to the numerical password. And I'm ready for a matte back - enough with the slippery back surface already! And throw in a copy of the WebOS multitasking approach while you're at it, thanks!

Fingerprint scanning would be very smart, tucked neatly into the home button would be perfect, thank you. How 'bout that bottom surface of the new BM?


I hope the next iPhone brings:

iLife for iPhone
iWork for iPhone



That would be a welcome advance, though aren't there some apps that do some sort of iWork integration?

[ski1ski1]

While I was on vacation, I was able to talk to one of my brothers while simultaneously entering in a new cell number for one of my brothers-in-law. I would NOT have been able to do that on a Verizon phone, which is ONLY voice OR data, and not both at the same time, while on their crippled version of 3G.

Entering a phone number on your phone while on a call has absolutely nothing to do with handling voice & data at the same time. Most any modern phone on ANY network can handle that task. Entering a phone number is not using data on the network.

[greygray]

The whole 3,1 monicker makes me think this iPhone will be very different internally. A whole tick in the front numbers means new hardware revision (1,1 v 2,1 v 3,1).

I hope Apple goes back to the Aluminum finish it gave the 1st Gen iPhone.

Exactly. I thought the aluminium back gave the 1st gen a much poorer reception and call quality compared to the 3G and 3GS?

[aucl]

I'll second that! :)

apropos iChat:
what about moving to XMPP as default protocol,
provide sufficient transports to other networks (for mobile me)
make it also a SIP softphone (on iPhone and MacOS)

enable push notifications for ordinary macs!
why having the clients running at all if the infrastructure is standing already to avoid it.
would be a quite cool feature for the platform

[aumnevergiveup]

just give me 5 MP camera with flash and more memory, i sell my 3GS :cool:

[keitak]

I was just reading through some of these comments and they are completely ridiculous.

The next revision of the iPhone will not have:

Verizon CDMA/CDMA2000 compatibility (despite rumors about the new Qualcomm WCDMA/CDMA hybrid chip)
Any major design changes
OLED screen (anyone who has used an OLED screen in bright sunlight knows exactly why)
Removable battery


The next revision of the iPhone will probably have:

4G/LTE support (the next iPhone will be released around the beginning of Verizon's initial rollout of their 4G service - although that means nothing if there's still the exclusivity contract)
Larger capacity battery
Slightly more powerful processor, unless the battery capacity is dramatically increased. In that case, dual core.
64GB option


I would really like to see infrared - but I guess that's just because I live in Japan and everyone else uses infrared to transfer contact cards, I feel old fashioned, having to ask for the number and the mail address.

[ski1ski1]

I was just reading through some of these comments and they are completely ridiculous.

The next revision of the iPhone will not have:

Verizon CDMA/CDMA2000 compatibility (despite rumors about the new Qualcomm WCDMA/CDMA hybrid chip)

The next revision of the iPhone will probably have:

4G/LTE support (the next iPhone will be released around the beginning of Verizon's initial rollout of their 4G service - although that means nothing if there's still the exclusivity contract)


The above two items on your list completely contradict each other and is also ridiculous. If the new iPhone moves to Verizon next year, it will have to support EVDO (CDMA). Verizon's 4G rollout will take years. There would be no way Verizon or Apple would release a phone that will only work in a handful of cities. And if the next iPhone stays with AT&T, there will be no reason to release an iPhone in 2010 that supports 4G. AT&T's 4G rollout will not even start until sometime in 2011. And that will be a slow rollout. Why use an immature and probably costly 4G chipset that might only be useful for a few months, in a handful of cities, before its time for the next generation of the iPhone (2011) to be released. So in other words, IF the next iPhone has 4G, then it will be on Verizon and it will also support EVDO (CDMA). IF the iPhone stays on AT&T, it will not support 4G.

[Goona]

The iPhone has one of the worst hardware feature list of the smart phones. People are attracted to the iPhone because they can finally do on a phone.

I hope the next iPhone brings:

iLife for iPhone
iWork for iPhone

Screens

App store subscription

eBook creator

Too bad most people don't share your view.

[greygray]

just give me 5 MP camera with flash and more memory, i sell my 3GS :cool:

I certainly hope that the next iPhone will have a 5 mp camera. It's almost certain with the 64GB! :p

[kallisti]

I'm always intrigued by comments that the camera on the iPhone needs to be "improved."

The comments always seem to fall into two groups: either it needs to have higher megapixels or it needs a flash. Both comments always seem to stem from a comparison to other phones. "My God, phone x has this camera feature, what is Apple thinking by not including it on the iPhone? How can the iPhone be considered a modern phone when its camera lacks y specs?"

The iPhone camera is actually pretty amazing given its limitations. I think people expect far too much from a phone camera. If you are expecting to get print quality shots from your phone then you are being a bit silly. Never going to happen (though there is a published book with shots taken from an iPhone).

The most common complaint about the iPhone camera is that it is "only" 3MP. "Why isn't it 5MP like the cameras on other phones?"

The answer is that boosting the MP would not actually result in better images. In fact, it would result in worse images. The sensor on the iPhone (and all phone cameras) is tiny. While it sounds good to have a higher MP count, this doesn't translate into better images. In fact it can result in worse images. Higher MP counts DON'T mean better sharpness. What they end up producing is more noise. And thus WORSE looking images.

The limitations on the image quality of iPhone pictures relates to the lens and the image sensor. The lens is tiny--it's hard to imagine significant improvements regardless of technological advances. The image sensor is tiny--it is also hard to imagine significant improvements in image quality given current tech.

Increased pixel density on a sensor (i.e. higher MP count) degrades image quality by increasing noise. This is a fact of life. One that is being realized by vendors. The "best" point and shoots currently available are actually going for lower MP counts in an attempt to reduce noise and improve image quality.

While having a higher MP count on a phone may look better on a spec sheet, it actually results in worse images that are easily visible even to non-photographers. So you have to ask yourself: do you want better looking images from your phone or do you want "bragging rights"? You can't have both.

Regarding flash, I'm always puzzled why people would want a flash on their phone. On-camera flash looks crappy on point-and-shoots and DSLRs. It will look crappy on a phone. Why is this a "feature" one would want? Not only will it take up space on the phone that could be better utilized with "real" features (and thus result in a bulkier phone), but it won't help the iPhone camera create better images. Do you really like the washed-out crap images created by "idiot mode" auto flash on your point-and-shoot? Really? Do you really think the images created qualify as "keepers?" I guess if all you want is Facebook images, then auto flash could serve a role. Personally though I'd rather the physical space in my iPhone was occupied by something that is actually worth-while and useful. That is my own prejudice however....

[andyhargreaves]

* Redial button (I mean... come on. I can't believe that's missing.)

Do you mean, redial the last number you called? Go into Phone.app, then Keypad. Pressing the green Call button with no other numbers dialled brings up the last number I called. Press Call again to call that number.

[ThE.MeSsEnGeR]

So, of course some of these are too far-fetched and some of them are imminent to happen, but some are very welcome updates that would make the iPhone a One-In-All device even better than it is now! And who knows, Apple might add all of those with some renovation from their part!
here's what I would love to see in the 4th Gen. iPhone:

Hardware:
- 64 GB Capacity
- 2x Processor
- 2x RAM
- 2x VGA
- 5-Megapixel Cam w/ Flash & Zoom (anything more than that would be too much)
- 3-Megapixel Front-Facing Cam w/ Video iChat
- Built-In FM Radio w/ Live-Pause & Song-Tagging
- Built-In FM Radio Car Transmitter
- Built-In Pedometer
- Full HD Support
- Stronger Cellular Connection: HSPA+
- Stronger WiFi: 802.11n
- Two Stronger Speakers
- Even Better Battery
- Revamped Exterior

And here's a list of all the software improvements that i would also love to see from now until iPhone OS 4.0

Software:
- Native iPhone 2 iPhone iChat (à la BB)
- Total text messages count in the Usage menu
- Character count while typing new text messages
- Split total Call Time into 'Dialed' & 'Received'
- More Movie Editing Options (cut, copy & paste clips from one movie to another to another, and in the same one)
- Better home screen/app organization
- Better Support for Codecs and Add-ons
- Integrated File Sharing Support via Bluetooth w/ other cellphones
- Integrated Download Manager
- True Background Apps
- Compass Integration w Google Street View (à la G1)
- Lock/Unlock Landscape Mode
- Wireless Syncing (over WiFi & Bluetooth)
- Landscape mode for Week View in Calendar
- Optional single Inbox containing all Inboxes
- Ability to delete Songs & Pics directly from iPhone (we can already delete contacts, events, movies, apps, etc)
- Options to sort Notes alphabetically or by Date Created & NOT by Date Modified
- Option to save original Voice Memos when trimming
- 'Answer' Button in Calculator (it saves the last answer u had)
- Ability to assign Tags on Pictures, Movies & Notes
- File Browser w/ folders and smart folders, and integrated w/ Cut, Copy & Paste, Rename, etc (à la Finder)
- Integrated iWork Apps
- Ability to access MobileMe from within the iPhone


Posted from my iPhone

[butterfly0fdoom]

The above two items on your list completely contradict each other and is also ridiculous. If the new iPhone moves to Verizon next year, it will have to support EVDO (CDMA). Verizon's 4G rollout will take time (years). There would be no way Verizon or Apple would release a phone that will only work in a handful of cities. And if the next iPhone stays with AT&T, there will be no reason to release an iPhone in 2010 that supports 4G. AT&T's 4G rollout will not even start until sometime in 2011. And that will be a slow rollout. Why use an immature and probably costly 4G chipset that might only be useful for a few months, in a handful of cities, before its time for the next generation of the iPhone (2011) to be released. So in other words, IF the next iPhone has 4G, then it will be on Verizon and it will also support EVDO (CDMA). IF the iPhone stays on AT&T, it will not support 4G.

Ah, but alas AT&T is also going to be rolling out 4G LTE, albeit later than Verizon will. If the next iPhone supports 4G and isn't locked to AT&T, it's just including a new technology slightly preemptively and offering the option to people that are within Verizon's LTE network.

[ski1ski1]

Ah, but alas AT&T is also going to be rolling out 4G LTE, albeit later than Verizon will. If the next iPhone supports 4G and isn't locked to AT&T, it's just including a new technology slightly preemptively and offering the option to people that are within Verizon's LTE network.

Apple will not be selling a phone that can work on multiple networks unless it will also be sold on those multiple networks. So if Apple releases an iPhone in 2010 that supports 4G, then it will be sold by Verizon (in addition to maybe AT&T). And if Verizon is going to sell a 4G iPhone, it will have to be dual-mode and support its older 3G EVDO network. Which contradicts the other post's ridiculous prediction that said it will not support CDMA. Verizon will not sell a phone that only works in a handful of cities. And if the next iPhone stays exclusively with AT&T, it will not support 4G because of the reasons I gave in my last post. My previous post was only to show the illogical prediction of the previous poster. Where he/she said that the next iPhone will not support CDMA and it will support 4G. Both of those predictions cannot simultaneously come true.

[jon08]

Meh, whatever they do, just PLEASE don't reduce the screens to 2.8"!!!! That's quite a drastic change, and for the worse!

[Techhie]

Meh, whatever they do, just PLEASE don't reduce the screens to 2.8"!!!! That's quite a drastic change, and for the worse!

+1, they are the perfect size as it stands

[Compile 'em all]

This means clueless people will not want an iPhone and claim a ew one is coming out in a few.

Clueless people don't read Apple rumor sites.

[iphones4evry1]

YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D

I saw that news posting today about the $49 refurbished 3GS phones, and I decided to pass and wait for the new one this summer to replace my original 3G. I am glad I waited one more day. This is good news. I hope the next iPhone is revolutionary and puts the current 3GS to shame. :) :apple:

[Thex1138]

Christmas in July 2010.
My next iPhone
:rolleyes:

[str1f3]

YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D

I saw that news posting today about the $49 refurbished 3GS phones, and I decided to pass and wait for the new one this summer to replace my original 3G. I am glad I waited one more day. This is good news. I hope the next iPhone is revolutionary and puts the current 3GS to shame. :) :apple:

This really shouldn't change anything considering they are always testing the a new model. No matter what you'll be waiting til next June. The only interesting part is the 3,1 designation which would signify a somewhat significant jump like the 3G to 3GS.

[yegon]

Just give me 64gb and enough ram so Safari doesn't have to reload pages when you've got multiple tabs open and I'll be happy.

Held off upgrading my 3G simply because the leap from 3G to 3GS wasn't that much - an upgrade every other year is the best way to go imo, in July/August I'll be poised :)

[00146CB58122]

Last year I lost my passport in Germany and had to go to the US consulate. Visitors are required to remove the batteries in their cameras and mobile phones before they are allowed to enter the consulate.

I had to miss my appointment and make another one so that I could go all the way back to my hotel to drop off my iPhone because i couldn't remove the *&^%#$@ battery.

Well Apple can't always account for the stupidity of the US Government http://www.flyertalk.com/rolleyes.gif If for some reason they think that your phone is a threat to their precious consulate then why don't they just have a secure drop off point where you collect your phone when you finish?

Even with a phone with removable batteries you might not want to take them out. My old Nokia used to clear the list of recent numbers called when the battery was removed, many older phones reset the clock when the battery was removed.

Any idea why they have this stupid rule? Is it to prevent you taking photos of the inside of the building or do they think you can use it to detonate a bomb?

[Winni]

iPhone developer Pandav has informed MacRumors ...

Well, I guess we won't be seeing anymore Pandav apps for the iPhone once Steve's Thought Police took care of them...

[NetScheduler]

The signal was fine with my old 1st Gen (never had a problem).



Your old 1st Gen didn't have GPS, which I doubt would ever work through an Aluminum back..

[NetScheduler]

The thing needs a better a battery or a replaceable one. I'm not sure how fast the technology is moving, but to me, this is the most important thing.

When I leave the house at 5AM, I drive 1 1/2 to work, the whole drive the phone is mostly plugged into the cig lighter charger. Get out of car at 6:30 and start the day. When I get back in car at 5 PM, we've already had the 20% warning - and I run my 3GS (and 3G before that) with 3G shut off - The phone would die about 3 PM otherwise.

I have no music on my iPhone, No Videos, No Games and use it only to make/receive calls and check and send emails (Gmail, MobileMe, and corporate mail through exchange).... I do use the camera from time to time (stills only) if I'm at a job site.

IMO, there is something lacking about a phone that runs out of steam in 10 1/2 hours of basic use..

[peterdevries]

This means clueless people will not want an iPhone and claim a ew one is coming out in a few.

So, what's your point?

[peterdevries]

The iPhone has one of the worst hardware feature list of the smart phones. People are attracted to the iPhone because they can finally do on a phone.

Hardware doesn't mean squat for most of the iPhone users.. A usable low spec phone will beat a top spec phone with mediocre usability any day.

Many manufacturers are forgetting this. Just look at Nokia, LG or Samsung. They make some decent phones with better specs than the iPhone 3G, but I didn't see that many people walking around with these phones while I was in NYC this week. Why? Just ask some of the people that own these things:

Bad menu's and ****** or lacking third party software availibility..

[Ammo]

The only way the iPhone gets my business is if it comes to Verizon.

Kind of tired of people saying the iPhone would be crippled on Verizon's network. That isn't happening with recent phones (see: new Blackberries and the Droid).

[flottenheimer]

I'd love some iPhone multitasking. At the very least between the mail app and safari. Summer 2010... or sooner - I hope...

[alent1234]

* Better battery life/energy consumption
* Redial button (I mean... come on. I can't believe that's missing.)
* Limited third-party multi-tasking. (I understand and agree with the benefits of limiting MT to built-in functionality, but there's no reason not to have some kind of "white list" preference setting where you can list apps that are allowed to run in the background.)
* Allow javascript bookmarks in Safari (you can hack them in but I don't see why Safari blocks that.)



Javascript is a security nightmare

[Hey Jude]

Change the case, preferably back to aluminum, please:)

If the casing isn't changed, I am afraid I am going to have to chuck the iPhone in favor of another cell phone, which I would hate to do. However, I absolutely hate the current crack-prone case, and will be left with no choice than to make the switch.

Jude

[CoreyMac]

The new iPhone changes will greatly influence my purchase. I currently have the 3G and see the 3Gs as almost pointless. If its only another minor update, then I may be inclined to get the HTC HD2.

[kallisti]

Change the case, preferably back to aluminum, please:)

If the casing isn't changed, I am afraid I am going to have to chuck the iPhone in favor of another cell phone, which I would hate to do. However, I absolutely hate the current crack-prone case, and will be left with no choice than to make the switch.

Jude

I'm a bit shocked that you would dump the iPhone based solely on the case. So nothing else matters to you? Not the UI? Not the built in apps? Not the app store?

[pmz]

No offense but where do some of you come from?

Verizon? No thank you.
Smaller screen? What? Bigger, or the same. This thing already suffers from too small a screen for what it does. How do you expect anyone over 40 to use one? Not that I expect 14 year olds to think about that, but still.
Removable battery? No thank you. Unnecessary headache. Charge your phone.

How about some improvements, instead of ideas that would ruin the iPhone:
PA Semi/Apple designed chip clocking over 1GHz.
1 GB RAM
802.11N
32/64 gb standard storage at $199/299.
5 MP camera w/ better lens (if they can't do it, then no biggie)
640x480 resolution on a 3.5 x 2.5" screen.

HD video output via mini display port.** This one is a wish, and I label it as such, so that people understand that its completely unreasonable (as long as this thing called :apple: TV exists)

[pmz]

Change the case, preferably back to aluminum, please:)

If the casing isn't changed, I am afraid I am going to have to chuck the iPhone in favor of another cell phone, which I would hate to do. However, I absolutely hate the current crack-prone case, and will be left with no choice than to make the switch.

Jude

I can't even begin to wrap my head around how this matters. They changed the case because the original design was flawed. Yeah it looked pretty. It didn't work nearly as well as the second or third gen. Keeping the same case does a lot for third party accessories. This is a huge benefit for consumers. How is this not understood?

Why would I be happy if next year's iPhone doesn't fit in my car mount or my dock as the last two have? I'm sorry, but the physical case is the LEAST important aspect of the entire device. If it ranks near the top for you, then I can't say you have anyone's best interest at heart.

[pmz]

The new iPhone changes will greatly influence my purchase. I currently have the 3G and see the 3Gs as almost pointless. If its only another minor update, then I may be inclined to get the HTC HD2.

And yet, as someone who has owned all 3 generations of iPhone, I can undoubtedly say that 3GS is the best phone purchase I've ever made, AND, is much more substantial upgrade over the 3G, than the 3G was over the 1st gen.

Not kidding. The performance alone is worth every penny. Then again, many people don't use their iPhone anywhere near its intended purpose, and more still believe aesthetics to somehow contribute to the features of the device.

If thats the case, I'll trade you my 3 bedroom house with no furniture for your 3 bedroom with all of its furniture. By your logic, and others, its essentially the same thing so why not.

[dagamer34]

I was just reading through some of these comments and they are completely ridiculous.

The next revision of the iPhone will not have:

Verizon CDMA/CDMA2000 compatibility (despite rumors about the new Qualcomm WCDMA/CDMA hybrid chip)
Any major design changes
OLED screen (anyone who has used an OLED screen in bright sunlight knows exactly why)
Removable battery


The next revision of the iPhone will probably have:

4G/LTE support (the next iPhone will be released around the beginning of Verizon's initial rollout of their 4G service - although that means nothing if there's still the exclusivity contract)
Larger capacity battery
Slightly more powerful processor, unless the battery capacity is dramatically increased. In that case, dual core.
64GB option


I would really like to see infrared - but I guess that's just because I live in Japan and everyone else uses infrared to transfer contact cards, I feel old fashioned, having to ask for the number and the mail address.

I disagree with the reasoning for the lack of Verizon CDMA support. There are plenty of CDMA/HSDPA hybrid chips in production now. However, there are NO LTE chips in production now. And field testing for such a chip takes months to years. The chips would have to be ready right NOW, lots of testing done to take out the bugs, and be ready for mass production all by mid-2010. From what I've read, Qualcomm has announced chips, but none are ready for mass-production (and remember this stuff is ordered months in advance, Apple doesn't want delays). Plus, we also have to realize that Apple has shied away from new network technology in the past, simply because they chipsets weren't mature (3G chips).

Plus, the number of LTE networks that will exist in 2010 are few and far between. Which means that those chips will be expensive. I don't see LTE support until 2011 when more carriers are on board. More carriers means more phones, more phones means more chips, and more chips means decreased cost.

Lastly, battery capacity is a function of space. Battery technology hasn't advanced that much in the last few years (certainly not at the cell phone level). If Apple intends on keeping the same size phone, then battery capacity will not drastically increase.

[dagamer34]

No offense but where do some of you come from?

Verizon? No thank you.
Smaller screen? What? Bigger, or the same. This thing already suffers from too small a screen for what it does. How do you expect anyone over 40 to use one? Not that I expect 14 year olds to think about that, but still.
Removable battery? No thank you. Unnecessary headache. Charge your phone.

How about some improvements, instead of ideas that would ruin the iPhone:
PA Semi/Apple designed chip clocking over 1GHz.
1 GB RAM
802.11N
32/64 gb standard storage at $199/299.
5 MP camera w/ better lens (if they can't do it, then no biggie)
640x480 resolution on a 3.5 x 2.5" screen.

HD video output via mini display port.** This one is a wish, and I label it as such, so that people understand that its completely unreasonable (as long as this thing called :apple: TV exists)

1) Competition between AT&T and Verizon means cheaper prices for you
2) 1GB RAM - RAM in computers is made up of several chips, not one. There isn't space for that much.
3) 802.11n - probably not for the speed, but just so that you can connect to a 802.11n only network.
4) Capacity has doubled for the last 4 years, we'll see if it keeps up again.
5) Megapixels != quality. More megapixels = more noise if the sensor size isn't increased.
6) They'd probably keep the same aspect ratio as previous iPhones and iPod Touches, so it would probably be 720x480 (DVD resolution). It would be interested to see if Apple was forward thinking enough to make the new iTunes extras scalable enough that they would work with a higher resolution screen.
7) Any video output would be through the 30-pin dock connector, and probably only when it is attached to a dock (similar to the Zune HD)

[lazyrighteye]

Yeah yeah -bigger this, faster that...

I'm a big fan of connecting my iPhone to a TV/projector for movie viewing. Nifty. But why stop there? Give me the same capabilities used during Apple's keynotes: where anything seen/heard on the iPhone is also seen/heard on an external monitor. Games/apps, web, Mail, Camera - anything.
And while I'd be happy with a 30-pin option, wireless is preferred (for gaming, especially).

[cvaldes]

I call BS. Sounds far-fetched.
Apparently, you know nothing about hardware engineering.

For a device such as a smartphone, it is logical that field testing would commence around this timeframe given an expected June launch.

Apple engineering would need time to test, rework and retest prototype hardware before submitting the device for FCC approval and then ramping up manufacturing.

Based on previous rumors of new hardware identification tags being seen in the wild, plus the fact that Apple had to announce the original iPhone about six months before delivery date, this is a very plausible story.

This also matches the hardware testing schedule of many other technology companies. Most other companies pre-announce or give sneak previews into the upcoming hardware. Apple usually does not, so one is forced to guess at what they are up to. Still, the time is completely in line with what one would expect for a hardware development and release cycle.

[Ammo]

Honestly...some of the venom over Verizon is amazing.

Why do some people NOT want the iPhone on Verizon? Makes no sense to me.

For crying out loud...consumer choice is a good thing.

[dasein]

Why use an immature and probably costly 4G chipset that might only be useful for a few months, in a handful of cities, before its time for the next generation of the iPhone (2011) to be released.

Think like a consumer. Would you purchase a new smart phone sometime in 2010 on a 2 year contract knowing full well that both carriers within 1 year will be rolling out their LTE systems? This will be particularly true in larger metro areas that will come into service first. If you wait until the system in built out even half way, you risk losing new smart phone purchases. That's why you're really rolling this new system out. The old handles voice comm fine.

[ski1ski1]

Think like a consumer. Would you purchase a new smart phone sometime in 2010 on a 2 year contract knowing full well that both carriers within 1 year will be rolling out their LTE systems? This will be particularly true in larger metro areas that will come into service first. If you wait until the system in built out even half way, you risk losing new smart phone purchases. That's why you're really rolling this new system out. The old handles voice comm fine.

Think like a business. This is all the more reason for Apple to wait until 2011 before supporting 4G, if the iPhone remains exclusive to AT&T. What a better reason for customers to want upgrade again in 2011. So they can have a phone that supports 4G. Think back on the iPhone history. The first one didn't support 3G, and 3G was way more widespread at that time then 4G will be in the first year or two. Then when the iPhone 3G came out, many people wanted to upgrade. There is no risk to losing smart phone purchases. Why support a technology that won't even begin to arrive until 2011 (if the iPhone remains exclusive to AT&T). What a perfect reason to upsell your customers the new 2011 iPhone with the highlight feature of supporting 4G. Most people who buy an iPhone in 2010 (on AT&T) will not see 4G until 2011 best case scenario (and that will be very limited), and probably on average not until 2013. Way past the 2 year life cycle of an iPhone bought in 2010.

But this is all if the iPhone remains exclusive to AT&T. If the iPhone moves to Verizon next year, then I can see the possibility of the next iPhone supporting 4G (in addition to supporting EVDO) since they are at least 1 year ahead of AT&T in the 4G rollout.

[Caralvarez24]

Please come to verizon.. PLEASE

THIS!!!!!!

[jav6454]

THIS!!!!!!

It ain't happennening people. Carry on.

Your old 1st Gen didn't have GPS, which I doubt would ever work through an Aluminum back..

It would have worked fine. Remember the plastic cover on the 1st Gen, that's where the antenna for GPRS, EDGE and GSM radio was under. The GPS chip could easily fit there.

[Ddyracer]

My guess would be the same hardware in a smaller 2.8inch screen size. Dont really think they`ll upgrade the processor anytime soon.

lol! smaller screen? I DON'T THINK SO! hardware upgrades? YES!:)

[onoble]

I can't believe no one has mentioned this yet: wireless synching!

It doesn't even have to be bluetooth, just the ability to sync with your computer through your wifi would be amazing. I really don't understand why they don't have this yet ... they do it with time machine.

[jav6454]

I can't believe no one has mentioned this yet: wireless synching!

It doesn't even have to be bluetooth, just the ability to sync with your computer through your wifi would be amazing. I really don't understand why they don't have this yet ... they do it with time machine.

Illogical. There is a benefit, but the huge con is battery usage while not being plugged. So, not the greatest thing if you plan to charge your phone.

[skellener]

Next gen iPhone? Not until June 2010. Let's see...my guess is:

- faster chip
- sharper screen
- possibly a 64GB version
- better camera

I think the next gen iPhone will have more to do with new software than radically new hardware. Faster speeds, yes. But really, how many more radios can they realistically put in the iPhone at this point? Apple will most likely implement new features from faster processing power. I think one obvious one will be the facial recognition feature from iPhoto. The instant/easy WiFi network connection feature talked about earlier this year will most likely be new to the iPhone (that removes the need for a router). I think that maps will also play a large part now that Apple owns a map company. Also expect to see more MobileMe features to try and get you to pay for the $99 per year service.

I'm not really sure we'll see the iPhone on the non-GSM carriers. If Apple becomes non-exclusive with AT&T the only other choice is T-Mobile. They haven't exactly been slamming the iPhone like Verizon has. I don't think we'll see it on other carriers until 4G. It'll be AT&T and T-Mobile until then.

People keep saying they want iChat. If they mean two way video, I think that will have to wait until 4G as well. The carriers seem to have a hard time delivering video content right now in one direction. I think more bandwidth is needed for two way for millions of people to actually use. As far as iChat for typing/texting, check out Beejive on the app store. Probably the closest thing to iChat you are going to find for the iPhone.

[ImNoSuperMan]

You think Apple will update the iPhone 3GS by putting in significantly smaller display? One that make usability more difficult without having to rewrite programs. Don’t mention vectoring or resolution because that is a moot point when all your buttons and your keyboard are smaller and harder to use.

I think it’s safe to say that the 3.5” display was well thought out as the ideal display size for a mobile well before Apple ever announced the first iPhone.

I was talking about this specific model only. Didnt imply that it`ll replace the current 3GS. About time Apple had more than 1 iPhone model available.

why get a smaller screen? thats irrational.
lol! smaller screen? I DON'T THINK SO! hardware upgrades? YES!:)
2.8 has been in the rumors for quite a while. So there`s a good chance it could be that smaller model only.

[butterfly0fdoom]

Kind of tired of people saying the iPhone would be crippled on Verizon's network. That isn't happening with recent phones (see: new Blackberries and the Droid).

Note the "recent". As in "After the iPhone was released". Guess what? Bad reputations are harder to get rid of.

[SpinThis!]

Based on previous rumors of new hardware identification tags being seen in the wild, plus the fact that Apple had to announce the original iPhone about six months before delivery date, this is a very plausible story.
You do realize hardware identification tags can be spoofed? Apple creates the tags—they can use anything they want, even a previous generation tag to test a new device. Or it could be anyone just messing around. Those stats are hardly reliable sources.

But I generally agree with the rest of your post. Apple probably has been testing new hardware prototypes "in the wild" long before the 3GS even starting shipping. Really nothing new to see here. This is really just Apple's hype machine at work. Apple certainly knows how to get the rumor community talking about new products.

[kdarling]

Keep trying again. HSPA+ (which is the standard AT&T will use a bridge) is what is going to be software updated.

The only relationship that HSPA+ has to LTE, is that it can optionally use an all-IP backend.

That does not remove the need to add new radios for LTE.

All AT&t needs to really do is do the essential Cell tower tweaking as you say which is new 700MHz Block A (or B) radio waves and software upgrading the units to allow LTE to HSPA+ systems.
You are right, LTE is not GSM based, it's UMTS based, which AT&T is currently rolling out, hence when LTE comes around software update to LTE.

No, LTE is NOT just a software update for ATT.


UMTS (aka 3G) is currently based on WCDMA radios.
LTE requires totally different OFDMA radios.


Yet Verizon displays areas covered by Rev 0 as 3G speeds, blatant lie that is.

You are mistaken. They haven't even had any Rev 0 areas for over two years.

[vngannxx]

Here we go again

[freddiecable]

agree with you! they really need to and should release alternative screen size WITH the same resolution so that the apps will still function.

some people ridicule an iphone nano simply because they cant understand that some people has got smaller fingers than themselves. and there are some of us that dont need a texas size tablet to bang their forehead against but rather use our small sized fingers (sorry for being harsh)

I was talking about this specific model only. Didnt imply that it`ll replace the current 3GS. About time Apple had more than 1 iPhone model available.



2.8 has been in the rumors for quite a while. So there`s a good chance it could be that smaller model only.

[ski1ski1]

2.8 has been in the rumors for quite a while. So there`s a good chance it could be that smaller model only.

The same 2.8 rumor (and I believe from the same source) was also around for the iPhone 3GS. And we all know how that rumor proved to be wrong. A 2.8 only iPhone is highly doubtful.

[cvaldes]

You do realize hardware identification tags can be spoofed? Apple creates the tags—they can use anything they want, even a previous generation tag to test a new device. Or it could be anyone just messing around. Those stats are hardly reliable sources.
Of course I realize that someone could be playing a trick on the rest of the world.

However, I'm using Occam's razor. The easiest explanation is that there is a new device in the wild. There are people walking through Apple's hallways all the time holding devices draped in black cloth.

[heisetax]

For me:

-Phone redesign
-Slightly larger screen
-iChat
-Better camera
-Flash (camera)
-Cheaper/free docking station
-3GS as standard

Probably some more, but none I can think of!

I'd like to see a much larger screen as I am unable to see more than 1 ine in a spreadsheet when in landscape mode. I don't need to see the 129 lines I see in Excel, but a few more than 1 would really help. A hardware keyboard would help, but we know that will never happen from Apple.

[Rot'nApple]

Also this is a concept for the new iPhone I found on another thread:
http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss174/fhasser/ip4.jpg

As long as Apple keeps the same "candybar" design as was used for the iPhone, 3G, 3Gs, 4th phone... that image can also be applied to the following description: "this is a concept for the new iPhone I found on another thread"... for the fifth phone, six phone, seventh phone eighth phone... you get the point. Unless Apple adds a button to the front, changes screen size, adds a noticeable sensor, changes color scheme, makes a clamshell case etc... who would know the difference between the image of this model and a prior version? :cool: :apple:

[Maserati7200]

Yeah, since I read the rumor, I suddenly want to buy iBart too. It doesn't matter that the Bay area is 6,301 miles from where I live. :rolleyes:
Hahaha :D
I'd like to turn all services on and make it through a 9am to 11pm day. I hope it's time for OLED.
I have to say a resounding no for OLED. Sure, it has its advantages and whatnot, but the disadvantages are not worth it. OLED's have a very short life, and different colors die at different times and such. Just no. Lets just stick with LED backlit LCD's until something better comes.

I hope the next iPhone brings:
[...]
iLife for iPhone
iWork for iPhone
[...]

iWork for the iPhone makes sense. About iLife, don't we already have it? I mean we could trim clips, edit photos in the photo app. Garageband? That would be too processor intensive for such a small device, and even if it wasn't, it would be hard to get much work done with multiple tracks on that small screen. I think it's obvious why iDVD wouldn't work. And iWeb? Well, I guess it would be nice, but I never use it.
Apparently, you know nothing about hardware engineering.

For a device such as a smartphone, it is logical that field testing would commence around this timeframe given an expected June launch.

Apple engineering would need time to test, rework and retest prototype hardware before submitting the device for FCC approval and then ramping up manufacturing.

Based on previous rumors of new hardware identification tags being seen in the wild, plus the fact that Apple had to announce the original iPhone about six months before delivery date, this is a very plausible story.

This also matches the hardware testing schedule of many other technology companies. Most other companies pre-announce or give sneak previews into the upcoming hardware. Apple usually does not, so one is forced to guess at what they are up to. Still, the time is completely in line with what one would expect for a hardware development and release cycle.
I think he was being sarcastic...

[JoshBoy]

* Better battery life/energy consumption
* Redial button (I mean... come on. I can't believe that's missing.)
* Limited third-party multi-tasking. (I understand and agree with the benefits of limiting MT to built-in functionality, but there's no reason not to have some kind of "white list" preference setting where you can list apps that are allowed to run in the background.)
* Allow javascript bookmarks in Safari (you can hack them in but I don't see why Safari blocks that.)

try tapping the call button again, it has had redial from firmware 1.0 dude.

[richd5481]

I was trying to do some research on who may have the "edge" on the upcoming 4G network release in 2010-2012 and came upon a similar thing. This article points out many of the holes in the Verizon vs. AT&T debate: http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/20/it-must-be-nice-to-be-verizon/

I have alway's been an AT&T (then Cingular, then AT&T again) wireless user, and had very spotty service until the 3G network rolled out last year in my area. Now, I have had excellent service. I have a Verizon phone for work (a blackberry 8830) and I can tell you that I have done benchmark tests comparing the load time of websites and AT&T wins hands down every time.

The only problem that I have right now is that I bought a home with concrete walls, and neither network works well. Verizon and AT&T have "FemtoCell" options, but Verizon's seems to be a better deal since it is a one time fee vs. AT&T's monthly service charge...

However, back to my original point: AT&T and the rest of the world is on GSM already and has been. Verizon will have to abandon CDMA when it rolls out it's 4G network. So, yeah, Verizon will begin rolling out it's 4G network a year before AT&T and TMobile, but AT&T's transition will be a whole lot smoother. In 2011, I can't wait to see the updated "There's a Map for That" showing AT&T's superior 4G network.

But if you are in an area that has both AT&T and Verizon, why would you go with Verizon today? 3G data on CDMA networks is by definition slower than 3G on GSM networks.

i agree the data is slower with Verizon, plus you cant talk and send email at the same time like you can with AT&T. Now Verizon is just starting to enable wifi on the phones which AT&T allowed from some time.

First Verizon attacks AT&T because of the map, AT&T + Apple counter attack with being able to use voice + data at same time, and now Verizon is going after Sprint, saying they have the slowest network.

The kicker is Verizon is now charging $350 for early termination, they did this because too many people are abandoning ship to go elsewhere.

[kdarling]

Now Verizon is just starting to enable wifi on the phones which AT&T allowed from some time.

Verizon has had WiFi smartphones since 2005, the same as AT&T and Sprint.

RIM's CDMA phones did not have WiFi, partly because of battery usage, partly because of company security policies back then, and partly because it just wasn't needed as much on Verizon's wider 3G network.

We're beginning to see the same kind of comment coming from ATT users who are lucky enough to be in good, fast, solid 3G areas: that the need for WiFi pretty much drops to zero when you have good 3G.

First Verizon attacks AT&T because of the map, AT&T + Apple counter attack with being able to use voice + data at same time, and now Verizon is going after Sprint, saying they have the slowest network.

All I have to say is, thank goodness that, with the new ads, we don't have to listen to that dorky looking guy ask "Can you hear me now?". The relief is priceless.

The kicker is Verizon is now charging $350 for early termination, they did this because too many people are abandoning ship to go elsewhere.

Already discussed to death. They raised the ETF on certain devices to stop people from getting heavily subsidized units, then dropping the contract and making a profit selling them. The ETF on regular phones did not go up.

[jimmyjoemccrow]

We're beginning to see the same kind of comment coming from ATT users who are lucky enough to be in good, fast, solid 3G areas: that the need for WiFi pretty much drops to zero when you have good 3G.


Is broadband so bad in the States that its comparable to 3G? Surely its better to use wifi when possible because its on a fixed monthly contract whereas 3G can be charged per MB and tends to have much lower useage limits? Having said that, bandwidth useage on phones is very low in most cases because nobody is likely to download Linx distros or run torrents. Still, wifi has the edge in speed even on a non-graphic heavy site.

[cmaier]

Is broadband so bad in the States that its comparable to 3G? Surely its better to use wifi when possible because its on a fixed monthly contract whereas 3G can be charged per MB and tends to have much lower useage limits? Having said that, bandwidth useage on phones is very low in most cases because nobody is likely to download Linx distros or run torrents. Still, wifi has the edge in speed even on a non-graphic heavy site.

AT&T 3G is unlimited usage.

[captain kaos]

I call BS. Sounds far-fetched.

What do you mean BS and far fetched? The details appeared on their logs, it happened!

[str1f3]

AT&T 3G is unlimited usage.

That is for promotional purposes. The unofficial cap is 5 or 6GB.

[powers74]

Hahaha :D

I have to say a resounding no for OLED. Sure, it has its advantages and whatnot, but the disadvantages are not worth it. OLED's have a very short life, and different colors die at different times and such. Just no. Lets just stick with LED backlit LCD's until something better comes.


Or until OLED is improved. People whine about Apple not shipping this or that - video cards, hard drives, screens - but I go on new egg and amazon and look at the reviews for some of these things, like seagate 1.5 TBs. I'm squarely convinced Apple wants to ship the absolute most reliable products they can. And OLED, right now, is not a proven reliable technology and therefore, they will not put it in a product they sell. That simple.

I know this is going to wake the Apple-hating trolls and cause them to throw flaming lumps of dung my way, but that's what I think.

[jonnysods]

What do you mean BS and far fetched? The details appeared on their logs, it happened!

I think that he was joking...

[junior86]

remember that in the world of technology, a product's life cycle is really short. Since Apple updates its iMac, Macbook and iPhone/iPod hardware almost every year, i don't see why this news is of any surprise. it's about time they start developing and testing the next iPhone! Who doesn't want to remain king?:)

[BTW]

I hope this is a new form factor. I really would appreciate a flip phone with multi-screens. I suppose the candy bar iPhone is it for Apple. It'll be interesting to see what Apple can possibly add to the next iPhone to distance themselves from their competition.

[scottness]

That is for promotional purposes. The unofficial cap is 5 or 6GB.

What happens at 5 or 6GB?

[pixpixpix]

How about a better working antenna so we can actually get working PHONE service from AT&T's pitiful coverage.:mad:

[str1f3]

What happens at 5 or 6GB?

Either AT&T gives you a warning or terminate your contract.

[pixpixpix]

and please:

universal TV/DVD/VCR/TIVO remote
wireless EKG, EEG, Blood sugar monitor
128 language simultrans
Hairdryer attachment
Microwave and toaster
Ambient temperature humidity, barometric pressure and wind-gauge
Altimeter
Electric handwarmer
Jedi holovid
Find-my-keys
Wildflower and bird identifier
Portable US currency printer

:p


So, of course some of these are too far-fetched and some of them are imminent to happen, but some are very welcome updates that would make the iPhone a One-In-All device even better than it is now! And who knows, Apple might add all of those with some renovation from their part!
here's what I would love to see in the 4th Gen. iPhone:

Hardware:
- 64 GB Capacity..

[jnc]

and please:

universal TV/DVD/VCR/TIVO remote
wireless EKG, EEG, Blood sugar monitor
128 language simultrans
Hairdryer attachment
Microwave and toaster
Ambient temperature humidity, barometric pressure and wind-gauge
Altimeter
Electric handwarmer
Jedi holovid
Find-my-keys
Wildflower and bird identifier
Portable US currency printer

:p

...Most of those DO have an app! :eek:

[VenusianSky]

All I really want is 64GB capacity. I would even pay more for it.

[cmaier]

All I really want is 64GB capacity. I would even pay more for it.

Very high likelihood of 64.

[SpaceKitty]

What happens at 5 or 6GB?

Nothing. There has never been a %GB or 6GB soft cap. I have been asking people to provide proof of this so called soft cap for a year and there is never any proof.

[SpaceKitty]

Either AT&T gives you a warning or terminate your contract.

Proof please.

The 5GB bandwidth cap that AT&T has is for phones with tethering plans only and broadband cards, not iPhones or other smart phones.

[carlgo]

How about a better working antenna so we can actually get working PHONE service from AT&T's pitiful coverage.:mad:


You know, reception costs money what with the need for millions of towers that aren't going to be built, ever. So much easier to advertise, get exclusive rights, sue, etc.

Front facing porn camera for iChat!!! 64 bit whatever? Great, now I can...uh, have more bits. New size and colors. Wow!! Can hardly wait!!!!

[RBR2]

My guess would be the same hardware in a smaller 2.8inch screen size. Dont really think they`ll upgrade the processor anytime soon.

I think it depends on when they finish fiddling with their version of the ARM processor. Their variant of the dual-core Snapdragon (http://www.qctconnect.com/products/snapdragon.html) could improve power management (and battery life!) with sufficient processing power to run any number of things better than the present generation of iPhones and, potentially, run Flash (wake up Steve) without which you do NOT have access to "all of the web".

Without knowing exactly what Apple's design objectives are for the ARM chip one can only speculate as to when it should be available, but the actual ARM Snapdragon chips are becoming available now so Apple really should be getting theirs out next year. If Apple sticks to the sometime in the Summer release schedule I could see a completely new hardware architecture...and none too soon.

Lenovo (http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/26/lenovos-snapdragon-smartbook-gets-android-pictured-properly/) have shown a Snapdragon powered smartbook as have others (http://www.liliputing.com/2009/06/qualcomm-introduces-13ghz-snapdragon-cpu.html).

The new iPhone could move into the slightly larger than the present form factor which comprises the in between size Intel calls Mobile Internet Devices (MID).

[lilo777]

All I really want is 64GB capacity. I would even pay more for it.


No need to wait, just buy a second iPhone then ;)

[eat me]

As long as Apple keeps the same "candybar" design <...> who would know the difference between the image of this model and a prior version? :cool: :apple:

Anyone who has eyes.

[Kaibelf]

This new iPhone thing better not be taking resources away from the Newton II :eek:

LOL :D

[str1f3]

Proof please.

The 5GB bandwidth cap that AT&T has is for phones with tethering plans only and broadband cards, not iPhones or other smart phones.

Proof?

Yesterday i went to AT&T and talked to a sales rep explaining that i had an app for my iPhone 3G that could tether with my computer. She told me that tethering plans were 60$ a month and to be careful about what i use NetShare for. She explained that the Unlimited Data plan used to be unlimited until people started to figure out how to tether and AT&T was spending way too much money because of it. So now you have a limit of 5 Gb! She said you could go over but they would probably start to monitor your usage more closely! Who else thinks this is really stupid!

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Unlimited-ATT-Wireless-Data-Plans-About-To-Be-Capped-90892

'Unlimited' AT&T Wireless Data Plans About To Be Capped?'
Rumblings among insiders about implementing 5GB quiet cap, like Verizon...

An anonymous AT&T insider yesterday hinted to us that the company's wireless division would soon be implementing a 5GB monthly usage cap on some unlimited data plans. We contacted AT&T for official comment and were told that there's no changes in store that they're aware of, but they'd nudge us if anything official came along. Today we're seeing some discussion over at Howard's forums that would seemingly confirm there's some changes coming:

I just heard that the pda plans will no longer be unlimited but will be capped at 5 gigs. Users will not be billed overages but people with constant overages will be contacted to try to reassess the users needs. The new plans are nationwide so I'm not going to disclose my market but they are getting rid of the media bundles and M2M messaging. Text and data is now separate. PDA plans will be lowered to 30 bucks to match blackberry personal and media net unlimited is lowered to $15 bucks.
------

I could show you more but just head over to the Howard Forums to see the constant threads about this.

[solipsism]

agree with you! they really need to and should release alternative screen size WITH the same resolution so that the apps will still function.

some people ridicule an iphone nano simply because they cant understand that some people has got smaller fingers than themselves. and there are some of us that dont need a texas size tablet to bang their forehead against but rather use our small sized fingers (sorry for being harsh)

Changing the screen size but keeping the same resolution doesn’t mean the apps will be just as usable. Apple can easily scale what is displayed but if the display is smaller the buttons will be smaller. Why people think using the same resolution but with a higher dot pitch will make every the same size is idiotic.

The only way you’re going to see an iPhone mini is if Apple has a new UI for it which will limit the number of icons on the display. But even that is unlikely as Apple likely doesn’t want to fragment the app store for two device platforms.