Fourth-Generation iPhone: OLED Screen, Video Chat, 'Early' Launch?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/12/fourth-generation-iphone-oled-screen-video-chat-early-launch/)

A new report (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/tech/2010/01/133_58873.html) today from The Korea Times claims that Apple is preparing to launch the fourth-generation iPhone, with sources claiming that it could debut as early as April. The assertions apparently come from an executive of KT, the exclusive iPhone carrier in South Korea, who claims that the new iPhone will launch to large Korean corporate clients in April, with release to the general public occurring in June. Such a move would be odd for Apple, which has relied on the publicity and excitement of its iPhone launch events, a tactic that would be undermined by early availability of the handset to a limited customer base.

The executive also offered claims of an OLED screen and video chat capability for the next-generation iPhone, as well as a claim of a "highly likely" removable battery that would also be a surprising move from the company that has utilized a non-removable battery since the original iPhone and has transitioned to similar setups for its notebook computers.They said the coming 4G iPhones will be equipped with organic light emitting diode (OLED) screens on surface and live video chat functionalities, while removable battery is highly likely.

The new 4G iPhone is also going to be loaded with dual core processors and higher and powerful graphic chips that can deliver higher video resolutions and better "still" images when taking pictures.The report claims that Apple is planning for a relatively early introduction of the new iPhone compared to previous June or July launches in order to counter the stream of Android-based smartphones expected from Google in the wake of its launch of the Nexus One (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/05/google-launches-nexus-one-t-mobile-plan-available-now-verizon-and-vodafone-coming-soon/).

Reached for comment, a spokesperson in Apple's South Korean unit did offer confirmation that the company is in discussions regarding launch timing for the new iPhone."With KT, we've been in talks with other telecom carriers to gauge the launching timing of 4G iPhones in South Korea. More tech-oriented features will be added to the models," a representative of Apple's South Korean office said.Meanwhile, French magazine Challenges briefly reports (http://hightech.challenges.fr/actualites/20100111.CHA0466/apple_va_lancer_un_nouvel_iphone_en_mai.html) [Google translation (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http://hightech.challenges.fr/actualites/20100111.CHA0466/apple_va_lancer_un_nouvel_iphone_en_mai.html&hl=en&langpair=auto|en)] that Apple is planning to launch the next-generation iPhone in May.Apple will launch in early May 2010 a new version of its iPhone, it was learned from several mobile operators. . . . No information was leaked, however the characteristics of the new device.An iPhone launch ahead of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) would be something of a surprise, as Apple has consistently taken advantage of the conference to show off the forthcoming iPhone models and set the stage for their launches shortly after the conference. WWDC has been rumored (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/12/21/wwdc-2010-likely-from-june-28-july-2nd/) to be set for June 28th through July 2nd based on the appearance of a generic "Corporate Event" listing on the Moscone Conference Center's event calendar, a placeholder tactic used in the past for Apple's conferences there. That listing has, however, now been removed from the Moscone Center's calendar.

Due to the rather surprising and questionable nature of these reports, we have collected them on Page 2 for discussion.

Article Link: Fourth-Generation iPhone: OLED Screen, Video Chat, 'Early' Launch? (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/12/fourth-generation-iphone-oled-screen-video-chat-early-launch/)

[guzhogi]

This WOULD be surprising, but not unappreciated. Hopefully, the iPhone will finally be unlocked so people can go to T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint or whomever. Also, if it's unlocked, maybe even be able to go on Sprints 4G network. And if it does get an OLED screen, that means no more backlight. No backlight means extra space for either thinner iPhones (which I know a lot of people want) or maybe more storage (maybe up to the iPod Touch's, which some people would want, too). I don't know. Guess we'll see.

Also, aren't there rumors that say if Apple does release the tablet, & it runs a version of the iPhone OS, it'll be version 4.0? Maybe Apple will release version 4 & the new iPhone at the same time. I don't know, so please don't flame me. Just thinking out loud.

[kernkraft]

I am slightly more excited about the phone than the tablet. FM radio, perhaps?

For improved battery life, I would happily ditch my 3G.

My only fear is that jailbreaking will be difficult. I don't think that Apple can change so much to give us all the extra features that makes jailbreaking worthwhile.

[BlizzardBomb]

As long as the screen performs well in different lighting conditions then OLED is a good step forward. Early launch makes sense given the arrival of more heavily specced contenders, but let's hope early doesn't translate into rushed.

[Grimace]

So...video chat over Wi-Fi only? If AT&T etc. can't handle all the standard web browsing, video chat will be a disaster.

[AdeFowler]

With the competition hotting up and in some cases overtaking the iPhone, I think it would be prudent for Apple to consider more frequent updates. Cameras and processors could be updated as they become available.

[iDisk]

"April Launch"

April 1st maybe? on Apples birthday? or maybe I'm "fooling" myself much like the article :rolleyes:

Once we see what the iPhone 4.0 software will have then will have a better understanding on all this.

iDisk


:apple:

[Santabean2000]

For improved battery life, I would happily ditch my 3G.


I hear that; biggest downfall by far.

Bring next model before June and I'd be stoked!

[chris975d]

As long as the screen performs well in different lighting conditions then OLED is a good step forward. Early launch makes sense given the arrival of more heavily specced contenders, but let's hope early doesn't translate into rushed.

I also could see a SLIGHT possibility of Apple releasing the next gen iPhone earlier than usual, due to the increase of more serious competitors to the iPhone's throne. Even though it's behind in marketshare, the Android platform is making big advancements at a rapid pace, and by the time of the typical iPhone launch (June/July), there will be many very nice Android handsets on the market (look at how many have sprung up in the last few months or so). IF Apple is releasing it earlier, maybe it is to counteract some of this momentum Android is gaining?

[Kilamite]

OLED screen would be a big welcome. Thinner, allowing more space - maybe we can stack two memory chips on top like the iPod touch..?

Biggest improvements that would interest me are: higher quality camera with LED flash, dual-core CPU, better graphics chip and higher storage.

[hamis92]

As long as the screen performs well in different lighting conditions then OLED is a good step forward. Early launch makes sense given the arrival of more heavily specced contenders, but let's hope early doesn't translate into rushed.

I'm with you on this one. Zune HD photos in Engadget (to demonstrate the screen in bright light) were horrifying; I seriously hope Apple doesn't go OLED unless that problem is solved. After all, when you need to use your phone, you don't ask "what's the weather like" :P

[b1wils1]

there is no way they would release an iphone with removable battery. it doesn't fit with their sleek design model. they do need to ditch the plastic backing for the phones. i call fake on this rumor.

[Fiko]

^ ditto

[elppa]

If Apple don't use WWDC to show off the new iPhone, it could be because they are using WWDC to show off something else. What else could it be…

I’ve heard that Mac OS X 10.7 is on pace for a developer release at WWDC in June

[Ash3r100]

I think the removable battery is highly unlikely, but would love to see greatly improved battery life and as someone else said, early better not be rushed!

[anonymouz1828]

WOW .. removable battery will be awesome but like many mentioned above it is unlikely apple will do it. I have wish for removable battery and early launch too. It seems the oled screen is more resistant to drop which it would be great.

[rdowns]

Removable battery? - I'll believe it when I see it.

As for an earlier than expected launch, I buy it. Apple can't have a yearly update policy now that they have some real competition from Droid/Nexus and, to a lesser extent, Pre. Competition is good.

[slicecom]

This source lost all credibility when they said it will have a user removable battery. Nothing to see here folks.

[slicecom]

WOW .. removable battery will be awesome but like many mentioned above it is unlikely apple will do it. I have wish for removable battery and early launch too. It seems the oled screen is more resistant to drop which it would be great.

It's not the LCD screen that breaks, but the glass they have covered it in. The OLED screen will most likely be covered with glass too.

[guzhogi]

As much as I'd like a removable battery, I doubt it for 2 reasons.

1) It would be a step backwards considering they just moved their entire laptop line to built-in batteries

2) It takes away from the clean, smooth surface. Having tdoor latch or whatever will be very un-Apple like.

[macduke]

Haha, keep dreaming guys.

However, if hell did happen to freeze over, I'd take 3 extra removable batteries please.

[bbplayer5]

No chance in hell. It will be a June/July launch just like every year. The specs of the phone might be accurate, but lets face it, the iPhone is more about the OS than anything else. That needs some major revamps to keep up with the android phones and their features... Widgets for example.

[KindredMAC]

On my wish list:
• iChat AV with forward facing camera
• Flash on back in the Apple logo (which would subtly glow like a MacBook the rest of the time :D )
• More control over landscape rotation locking (app based)
• N-wireless chipset (Stop right there if you even have a glimmer of a thought about flaming me for wanting it for speed... I know that internet speeds are not as fast as the N standard. I don't want it for that!!! I DO want the N chip so that I can at least hop onto N "ONLY" networks. Our workplace has been set up like this for a couple years now and it is a royal PITA when needing to connect a G device for network usage.)

[Lightbrazer]

I wouldn't be suprised if it came out early for a few reasons.

1) the 3gs was more of an evolutionary release just to stay ahead of the then just released Pre. It had the same casing and almost everything inside was just the same as before but updated to the newest version. So things they may have wanted to release in that phone they've now had way more time than expected to work on and perfect so this years release is ready early.

2) more market competition is going to drive them to release something now or risk losing business to other devices.

3) if a tablet comes out and catches on which also uses the iPhone OS but is a much more powerful device then apps will start to split between the tablet and the phone. But if you update the phone to a multiprocessor one in line with the tablet release then you can have a more ubiquitous solution for people who may be looking to get both or people looking to skip one or the other but still have the ability to use all the apps.

4) kind of dubious but i wouldn't be suprised at all to learn they may have had some deal with At&t to release early this year to get as many people on contract with At&t before the exclusivity expires. Many people that use the early upgrade feature or other people coming to At&t will get locked in just before they could have gone to other providers.

[stockscalper]

It's funny that the "leaked" specs for the 4th generation iPhone happen to be identical to those of the mythical tablet.

[Mr. Gates]

Bogus .

[BRLawyer]

there is no way they would release an iphone with removable battery. it doesn't fit with their sleek design model. they do need to ditch the plastic backing for the phones. i call fake on this rumor.

Ditto here. The removable battery thing is absolute BS, as well as the OLED rumor, which is just wishful thinking by some. Move along, citizens...

[zed2]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7D11 Safari/528.16)

Total fake. No way they will have a removable battery it would make the iPhone much bigger which no one wants. Also note the laptops no longer have removable batteries so why would they switch back to having them.

[distortedloop]

I'll join the camp that says "removable battery" makes this extremely dubious.

That said, I think Apple really needs to get out of the annual release schedule. 6 months with a refresh would keep them much more competitive, even if the refresh isn't anything that substantial. It would also help break the overreaching expectations we all get when waiting for so long between a new model.

My only fear is that jailbreaking will be difficult. I don't think that Apple can change so much to give us all the extra features that makes jailbreaking worthwhile.

I agree. iPhone OS 4.0 would have to offer a substantial amount of jailbreak features to make it interesting to me:

multitasking
3G unrestricting
SBSettings like quick settings
thethering!
lockscreen widgets (less important, but still cool)

If they don't offer that stuff, there'll have to be something really really special that I can't think of to excite me - and video chat isn't it.

[Cousin Dirk]

I call shenanigans on this one.

Most of this sounds like the talk of the schoolyard. I can't see Apple doing any of this - not that I'd complain if they released the new iPhone early as the contract on my 3G is up in late February.

[Oman]

Most of this story sound fake, but the one thing I would not be suprised is an early than normal release of an iPhone. Apple has to change its business model as it relates to the phone business. This business does not operate on a cycle similar to the cycle of computers. The life of a Phone is about 6 months, and after that people get bored and look for the next best thing and this is why so many people are willing to leave the iPhone to try other phones. Some come back but some do not therefore I would not be the least bit suprised if Apple reve up its phone production to compete in the phone cycle and not use the model it use currently that is more alligned with a computer model.

[gibbz]

Didn't we hear tons of rumors about video chat last year?

And Apple doesn't really do removable battery.

[wizard]

Like it or not guys removable batteries are a requirement for many business users. So if Apple is specifically targetting business user then this rumor is very possible. In todays world cell phone availability can be far more important than having that laptop on line.

As to the screen, OLED or not, I totally agree it needs to be daylight readable. Readable is not the same thing as photographicable though. I don't see this as a problem with state of the art OLEDs but we will have to see.

As to better performance, more tech and whatever isn't that kinda expected? Especially of interest to me is raw performance which needs to be a lot better than my 3G.

The other reality is that I don't think the 4G will replace the current iPhone. That is this will be an additional model that they will use to in part round out the iPhone line up. If the device is focused on different markets it doesn't need to have the same features, rather it needs the features demanded in the targetted market. Let's face it Apple needs more than one model iPhone which is the current situation.


Dave

[showson1]

Unless the update the interface, it's not going to make a difference to me.

The reason I left the iPhone for the Nexus One is the horribly outdated interface and limited customization of the iPhone.. even with jailbreaking.

I'm by no means putting it down, in face I think it's a great device, just needs a major overhaul rather than adding more features on top.

[fabian9]

mhhhh unsubsidised iPhone Pro?

I really hope not - I'm looking forward to getting an iPhone 4G this summer to replace my 3G and don't want to increase my monthly cost.

Sounds like it might be a possibility though.

Fabian

[djdole]

there is no way they would release an iphone with removable battery. it doesn't fit with their sleek design model. they do need to ditch the plastic backing for the phones. i call fake on this rumor.

I agree. As far as fake rumors go, this one tipped it's hat with that removable battery assertion.
I mean, that would require :apple: actually listen to it's customers when it comes to what they want in a phone. ;)

[distortedloop]

Unless the update the interface, it's not going to make a difference to me.

The reason I left the iPhone for the Nexus One is the horribly outdated interface and limited customization of the iPhone.. even with jailbreaking.

I'm by no means putting it down, in face I think it's a great device, just needs a major overhaul rather than adding more features on top.

I agree the interface is getting stale. If fact I just started playing with Cydget this morning to see if I could spice up the lockscreen intelligently and functionally. I'm not interested in any of that Winterboard crap, though.

I'm not sure the Android interface is all that much better, but I don't have one. At least the Androids seem to be much more user customizable...and they tend to look more like our computers than a phone. Not sure that's good or bad. Only time will tell. I posted in another thread or forum about my friend who was all gaga over his Palm Pre he dumped his iPhone for...for about three weeks...then he couldn't take it any more and went back to the iPhone. I wonder how many Nexus One users will feel the same way.

I don't want to turn this into yet another iPhone vs Android thread, but I did want to agree with you that the iPhone needs more than just some hardware bumps to remain interesting for many people, they need to refresh the interface as well.

[wizard]

Ditto here. The removable battery thing is absolute BS,

What makes you say this? Several times last year rumors popped up that this is what Apple was in fact doing. That is designing an iPhone with a removable battery. Then you have push from your customers. Many demand easily swappable batteries.

If nothing else Apple has to respond to cutomers needs. Frankly for many businessman their cell phone and it's availability is far more important than a laptop or any other tool. Closely related is industrial use where a device might be used 24/7.

The problem you have is that you are looking at what the average consummer needs, there is nothing wrong with that, but there is a huge market for the capability of iPhone in different devices. It is not a one size fits all world. There are a lot of people out there gaze at iPhone with incredible lust but hold off because the current device doesn't meet certain needs.
as well as the OLED rumor,

OK what is wrong with OLED? Please don't bring up Zune which has an old low resolution OLED. In any event there is a good possibility that OLED is out of the running considering Apples patent on turnning an LCD into a touch screen. If that actually works with say an in plane switch LCD Apple could have a very nice high performance, thin screen without OLED
which is just wishful thinking by some. Move along, citizens...
As to wishful thinking, nothing expressed here is impossible. Things like OLED are the near term alternatives to LCDs and can give excellent performance. So can the attitude and at least acknowledge the possibility.


Dave

[daneoni]

...just sounds like a wish list than an actual rumour.

[wizard]

Unless the update the interface, it's not going to make a difference to me.

It doesn't make a difference because you left! Apple has updated the iPhine with every major revision, that should be obvious to anybody. Besides what you are asking for is specific features and not an update to the interface. The interface will be around for a long time.

The reason I left the iPhone for the Nexus One is the horribly outdated interface and limited customization of the iPhone.. even with jailbreaking.

The average person would read that as "I left iPhone for Nexus so that I can play with my cell phone". People value iPhone for a wide range of reasons and are seldom focused on constantly tweaking device. IPhone is a cell for users not players.


I'm by no means putting it down, in face I think it's a great device, just needs a major overhaul rather than adding more features on top.

No I think you are confused because you are asking for features. For example a more usable and tweakable lock screen is a feature. Mind you I don't think it is a bad idea at all but it is nothing more than a feature. Something Apple could easily add by the way.

The bulk of the interface isn't going away. It will certainly expand and improve in 4.0 but Apple has been doing that for awhile now. Some of the rumored tablet interface (3D) might migrate to newer iPhones but I'm not sure the old models have the required performance. In the end any thing is possible in the future, it just requires the right hardware and development time.


Dave

[distortedloop]

It doesn't make a difference because you left!

He may have left, but Apple would probably like to get him back, don't you think?

No I think you are confused because you are asking for features. For example a more usable and tweakable lock screen is a feature. Mind you I don't think it is a bad idea at all but it is nothing more than a feature. Something Apple could easily add by the way.


But will they add it? No matter how easy it is, doesn't mean they will. They're kind of anal about that sort of thing, ya know?

[rme]

I am slightly more excited about the phone than the tablet. FM radio, perhaps?
...


FM radio?? :confused:
Why would anyone want that when you can just get WunderRadio from the App store?

[nickXedge]

I have a very difficult time believing any of this, let alone all of it. I'm definitely a skeptic, however some rumors here seem plausible and these are usually the ones which come true. However, this seems like a bunch of crap. All parts of this rumor are either things Apple blatantly doesn't do, or perhaps at one time and are now moving away from them. I'll admit the switch from aluminum to plastic caught me off guard, but I think that was different than moving to a removable battery or releasing a product early to fight competitors.

Since when does Apple care what anyone else does?

[Cartoonkid]

FM radio?? :confused:
Why would anyone want that when you can just get WunderRadio from the App store?

No doubt! Talk about a waste of space in the iPhone. FM radio sucks.

They might as well throw in a free VCR with purchase.

[Cartoonkid]

Didn't we hear tons of rumors about video chat last year?

And Apple doesn't really do removable battery.

Yep.

And, yep.

[Bevz]

On my wish list:
• iChat AV with forward facing camera
• Flash on back in the Apple logo (which would subtly glow like a MacBook the rest of the time :D )
• More control over landscape rotation locking (app based)
• N-wireless chipset (Stop right there if you even have a glimmer of a thought about flaming me for wanting it for speed... I know that internet speeds are not as fast as the N standard. I don't want it for that!!! I DO want the N chip so that I can at least hop onto N "ONLY" networks. Our workplace has been set up like this for a couple years now and it is a royal PITA when needing to connect a G device for network usage.)

Don't care about the forward facing camera, but you're spot on with the rest...

OLED screen and early release sound good (my 3G contract is now over so i'm now officially in the market for a new phone), but like most others here, the removable battery just doesn't make sense with the direction apple is going...

[Bevz]

No doubt! Talk about a waste of space in the iPhone. FM radio sucks.

They might as well throw in a free VCR with purchase.

This made me LOL ;)

[iMacoo7]

I also could see a SLIGHT possibility of Apple releasing the next gen iPhone earlier than usual, due to the increase of more serious competitors to the iPhone's throne. Even though it's behind in marketshare, the Android platform is making big advancements at a rapid pace, and by the time of the typical iPhone launch (June/July), there will be many very nice Android handsets on the market (look at how many have sprung up in the last few months or so). IF Apple is releasing it earlier, maybe it is to counteract some of this momentum Android is gaining?
I agree totally with you. I honestly believe it will go down this way:
1. The even in 14 days will be the announcement of the new iPhone, possibly set to release mid February.
2. Announcement of the iProd @ Apples WWDC with a release time frame of August/September.
I really believe that Apple wants to have this iPhone hit sooner than later, seeing how Google has been spitting out phones like a little kid with a bad case of hiccups.
When I goto work It looks like iPhone free for all. Well here in the last month its been looking like Droid fever. I was also able to play with not 1 but more than 25 N1's . I have been seeing more and more as the days roll on....

[ichrisers]

Apple isnt predicable so i doubt this whole thing is just too hyped up.. they might state something iphone related but not the iphone.. apple is NOOOTT scared of loosing sales because they know that when they relase there new iphone their sales will go UPPPP so very unlikely

ps. the new iphone better have a wow-factor because an android is doesnt look like a bad switch :P

:apple: i-c

[bedifferent]

FM radio?? :confused:
Why would anyone want that when you can just get WunderRadio from the App store?

Does an FM transmitter do anything beyond music channeling?

[aucl]

This source lost all credibility when they said it will have a user removable battery. Nothing to see here folks.

Maybe they mean in-shop replaceable ? like the new MacBooks? that would make sense

[aucl]

actually i think iChat on the iPhone (based on XMMP please - :apple: you have that in you server product already, why are we stuck with AIM?) with full featured windows clients available could finally bring it a breakthrough. Especially if it includes voice and video. Cause the user base could grow quite steep.

FM-radio support like in the nano would be a nice add on too.

and an even longer lasting battery (using the same technology as the new macbooks maybe?)

My guess for the 26./27. (?) media event is that it includes announcement of iPhone OS 4.0 and beta release to developers.

[distortedloop]

ps. the new iphone better have a wow-factor because an android is doesnt look like a bad switch :P


Be careful. The total fanboy types might attack you for saying that publicly. :D

and an even longer lasting battery (using the same technology as the new macbooks maybe?)
.

Isn't just a bigger battery (due to increased room for one since there's no longer a door and it's associated space taking hardware) the bulk of the improved battery life? There was an Apple produced video floating around when they went to unibody design where an engineer discussed that. I don't recall if there was actually improvement in the cell design of the batteries...

[MWPULSE]

It's funny that the "leaked" specs for the 4th generation iPhone happen to be identical to those of the mythical tablet.

which is basically identical to the unibody macbook white's spec.. albeit in tablet form.. lol..

I doubt removable battery.. also OLED screen is doubtful.. unless they have found a reliable way of doing it in natural sunlight- see microsoft's Zune...

I wouldnt expect an iphone in april.. since when have any of the others been released in april? its always been june/july/august time ;)

PTP

[aucl]

Isn't just a bigger battery (due to increased room for one since there's no longer a door and it's associated space taking hardware) the bulk of the improved battery life? There was an Apple produced video floating around when they went to unibody design where an engineer discussed that. I don't recall if there was actually improvement in the cell design of the batteries...

Well there was also something, about more charge cycles, which would help a lot too, since the iPhone gets charged like every day.
With 1000 charges the phone would keep much better than with the 300-400 cycles the old battery type has.

[sneakyzeal]

I wouldnt expect an iphone in april.. since when have any of the others been released in april? its always been june/july/august time ;)
PTP

Can't patterns change? ;)

[hungrybeaver]

Totally bogus. The Korean news media has no credibility on iphone rumors whatsoever. They all posted articles almost every month since 2007 that the iphone was coming to Korea, and 2 1/2 years later it finally did. In the meantime, they seemed to work hand in hand with Samsung and LG trashing the iphone and skewing the facts as much as possible to steer the Korean public away from the iphone. I think the real reason for the Korean Times article was to make people think a new iphone is imminent, so they'll hold off on buying one, and when it doesn't come, they'll get frustrated and buy an Omnia.

[Maverick1337]

So about the video chat, are there going to be 2 cameras? one for the front and one for the back. Because if you only have 1, it doesnt make any sense. A camera just in the back would make video chat useless and 1 just in the front would be terrible for pictures, either way if you have 1 camera you wouldnt be able to see anything your taking a picture/video of.

[Chupa Chupa]

Can't patterns change? ;)

Sure, and Steve Jobs could start wearing yellow mock turtlenecks too. Possible, but highly unlikely. Apple has it's product launch periods locked in.

[goobot]

it will have apple maps
flash
5mp camera
possible metal back?
ichat camera
better speakers
BETER BATTERY
subcinized for june buyers of the 3gs
other 4.0 things
hd
720 p
more ram
multitasking
better push
dedicated camera button on phone
jailbreakable


this is what i want

[jmass777]

AT&T's exclusive iPhone contract for the US runs out in June - of course they would like a few months when they are the sole US sellers of the iPhone 4. And as some have pointed out, the 3GS was only an upgrade, not a new model.

[lamina]

This 'early launch' talk coincides with an article I found today on the Korea Times website:

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/tech/2010/01/133_58873.html

[SqB]

This source lost all credibility when they said it will have a user removable battery. Nothing to see here folks.

This did get me thinking that they could be going for some type of "radio-back" where the cell radio, antenna and battery are integrated. Go from Att to t-mo, just get a new t-mo pack with compatible radio. Go to sprint, get a sprint pack with cdma radio. Want an ipod touch, get a plain back with no radio.

Probably wouldn't be something you'd pop on and off regularly, but would require a tool of some sort like the sim tool. Probably something most folks would leave to the geeks at the phone stores.

Could use the same interchangeable radio module for the tablet.

Just thinking out loud here people.

[t0mat0]

KT is set to sell the devices to its bigger local corporate clients as a "litmus test" in April,

Uhuh...

[doubleohseven]

I'm assuming the back of the iPhone 4th Gen. is going to be totally different to the 3GS if Apple's going to include flash and a removable battery. Probably will have an easy, removable back as well so you could access the battery + SIM a lot easier, like my current Nokia phone...just a thought. This will make casing customisation a lot easier...something I'd like. :cool:

[MythicFrost]

You know, at least I know the part about it being released early may is false.
Obviously, Apple wouldn't make me wait that long before getting my iPhone 4G.

Seriously, could it take that long? I was hoping that Jan 27th it would be erased, or sometime in Feb? but May?!

[Brien]

With the competition hotting up and in some cases overtaking the iPhone, I think it would be prudent for Apple to consider more frequent updates. Cameras and processors could be updated as they become available.

If they move the iPhone away from a 12-month cycle to something shorter, especially the 8-10 month range, they're going to have to lower the unsubsidized price or something.

[Eso]

Total fake. No way they will have a removable battery it would make the iPhone much bigger which no one wants.

The Nexus One has a removable battery and it's thinner than the iPhone.

Just FYI.

[str1f3]

The Nexus One has a removable battery and it's thinner than the iPhone.

Just FYI.

It also has worse battery life. Apple's suddenly going to move to a removable battery when the just finished moving their whole laptop line to a non-removable battery? There is currently no mobile Apple product that has a removable battery.

[charltonx]

FM radio?? :confused:
Why would anyone want that when you can just get WunderRadio from the App store?

Maybe because some of us want to listen to the radio on our commute to work without it constantly buffering.

I know people that only pick phones that have FM radio.

Wasn't it rumoured that FM was already possible through the wireless card in the iPhone and all Apple need to do is activate it.

[vvebsta]

If you watch the unibody macbook videos you can see that Apple's idea of better battery life comes from eliminating all the casing around what a typical removable battery uses and filling that space with more battery. Thus more battery life.

Adding a removable battery to the iphone will in Apple's mind make the battery size smaller and less efficient because space will be taken up by casing.

I do see the OLED screens being used because the backlight could be turned completely off in daylight situations, thus saving more battery.

I am in favor of Apple releasing their iPhones sooner than later or else Google is going to crush them. In a matter of months they announced half a dozen android phones, the Hero, the Droid and now the Nexus which is their own phone. Apple needs to step it up if they want to continue to gain market share.

I'd say an iphone update every 8 months at least. :p

[iWoz]

OLED screen video chat duo processor, Improved Camera.. Sounds like too much bang for the buck!

Although very Nice :D

[Chupa Chupa]

I don't get why people want an OLED screen so badly. They are great for TVs where there isn't bright light -- kinda like plasma. But they are miserable in the sun. As of now, it's a horrible technology for a mobile product. It's NOT something Apple is going to adopt until it's usable outside. I'd never buy an iPhone or any portable device w/ and OLED screen.

[distortedloop]

It also has worse battery life. Apple's suddenly going to move to a removable battery when the just finished moving their whole laptop line to a non-removable battery? There is currently no mobile Apple product that has a removable battery.

Does the Nexus One have worse battery life? I saw a video review (CNET I think) last night, and as they ticked off the various battery life figures (talk time, standby, music playback, etc) compared to the iPhone's. the Nexus was better life than the iPhone in everything but standby time - and it wasn't a huge difference. I remember thinking that it was probably all those animated backgrounds chewing up some battery life even in standby.

That said, actual reviews I can find on the net are very mixed. Ars Technica says battery is great, TechCrunch says it's horrible...and there's everything in between to be found.

If you watch the unibody macbook videos you can see that Apple's idea of better battery life comes from eliminating all the casing around what a typical removable battery uses and filling that space with more battery. Thus more battery life.

Adding a removable battery to the iphone will in Apple's mind make the battery size smaller and less efficient because space will be taken up by casing.

You're correct about the larger battery.

It's pretty clear that this is one of those "religious" issues in tech that no one's going to convince non-believers in, no matter which side of the issue you are on.

In the end, if the "non-swappable" battery is such a deal killer, don't get an iPhone. Good thing there are now some serious contenders out there for those who want an AppPhone that isn't from Apple.

I am in favor of Apple releasing their iPhones sooner than later or else Google is going to crush them. In a matter of months they announced half a dozen android phones, the Hero, the Droid and now the Nexus which is their own phone. Apple needs to step it up if they want to continue to gain market share.


Google is going to crush Apple? Crush? Really?

I doubt they'll crush them, if ever, at least not for many years to come.

They will however, start to take some mind share and market share from Apple if Apple doesn't keep it's name in the news with some leap frogging iPhone tech or OS features.

Google (whom I really am not fond of on many levels) has managed to capture some of my mind share with what looks* to be an exciting new product.

(* looks to be because dammit, I can't go touch one prior to purchase. I looked at the Droid and the Eris last night. The Droid is just horrible, actually. That keyboard is terrible! What's the point? Hard to type on, flimsy, and forces you into landscape mode. The Eris is too small, and no iPhone in looks or feel (physically). It's got a few ugly extra buttons the Nexus One appears not to as well.)

[tomjleeds]

I am in favor of Apple releasing their iPhones sooner than later or else Google is going to crush them. In a matter of months they announced half a dozen android phones, the Hero, the Droid and now the Nexus which is their own phone. Apple needs to step it up if they want to continue to gain market share.

I'd say an iphone update every 8 months at least. :p

Disagree. Android doesn't seem to be making much impact to me - there's been a decent amount of hype around the Droid and Nexus One, but ever since the Hero didn't live up to everyone's expectations every Android phone which has come on the market has fallen rather flat. The Droid promised great things but turned out to be somewhat unremarkable, and the Nexus One did the same. There hasn't yet been an Android phone which has really blown people away.

Stepping up the release cycle would also be a negative IMO. Part of the reason the iPhone is so popular with consumers is that it's a brand in and of itself, and differentiation between models is so limited - and it's the same with the rest of Apple's product line. It's a key part of their marketing which differentiates them from every other manufacturer out there, and one they need to keep hold of IMO.

What Apple does need to do is innovate once again - not just copy the widgets seen in Android (and other platforms), and not just perform another specification upgrade as they did with the 3GS. If they have something decent up their sleeve (and, let's face it, they probably do) they don't really need to be worrying about Android too heavily for the time being.

[Fanboy-poker]

I love my Macs and Apples.. but to see all these people fighting over specs and things Apple hasn't even announced yet is funny.. just relax and see what they do instead of speculating.

Nuff said.

[tomjleeds]

I love my Macs and Apples.. but to see all these people fighting over specs and things Apple hasn't even announced yet is funny.. just relax and see what they do instead of speculating.

Nuff said.

I dont see anybody fighting, I see people discussing.

[Fanboy-poker]

I dont see anybody fighting, I see people discussing.


Trollin it up are we? Guess you didn't read through the comments then. maybe that came out wrong... instead of just speculating.. wait and see.

[tomjleeds]

Trollin it up are we? Guess you didn't read through the comments then. maybe that came out wrong... instead of just speculating.. wait and see.

No, I didn't read every comment on all four pages. If you don't want to speculate, don't. Some people do, what's the problem?

You're the one trollin', fella, not me.

[Maverick1337]

If the video chat rumor is true, will there be a camera on the front and back? because just one on one side makes no sense at all

[MWPULSE]

Can't patterns change? ;)

Maybe so, for dells etc.. lol.. but apples patterns are pretty rigid? give or take a coupla weeks here n there..

Im open to it if they do change.. but i doubt i will be buying this version yet anyways.. next time around, i only got my 3GS in june!! lol :-)

PTP

[Cartoonkid]

it will have apple maps
flash
5mp camera
possible metal back?
ichat camera
better speakers
BETER BATTERY
subcinized for june buyers of the 3gs
other 4.0 things
hd
720 p
more ram
multitasking
better push
dedicated camera button on phone
jailbreakable


this is what i want

LMAO! Is that all? What, you don't want a 32" screen, too?

[carlgo]

A lot of nice features mentioned here, but....


Will it be able to make phone calls? The ability to use actually available networks and pay for the services that are actually used is the only thing to even think about right now.

When that is sorted out, then worry about porn chat or whatever.

[iphonetester]

To me all these sounds more like a wishful thinking rather than specs of the phone. I agree with some that we need to wait for SDK 4.0 to know the hardware requirement in the next iPhone

[aucl]

A lot of nice features mentioned here, but....


Will it be able to make phone calls? The ability to use actually available networks and pay for the services that are actually used is the only thing to even think about right now.

When that is sorted out, then worry about porn chat or whatever.

As long they do not take SMS and Mail they can switch off phone calls.
voice chats with iChat would be nice on the other side :rolleyes:

[Burnsey]

dream iphone/ipod touch:

larger higher resolution better quality screen

That is all.

[LastName]

If Apple don't use WWDC to show off the new iPhone, it could be because they are using WWDC to show off something else. What else could it be…

The iRobot? It would be Steve's ultimate 'One last thing..."

[Gix1k]

damn i hope it's not April. I cant get upgrade price till Nov. I so dont wanna pay full price.

[combat]

To me all these sounds more like a wishful thinking rather than specs of the phone. I agree with some that we need to wait for SDK 4.0 to know the hardware requirement in the next iPhone

Very true, all of this is good speculation, but I'll just wait until Apple announces something.

[MikesGravity]

Things I really want in the next iPhone and 4.0 software!

- Status notifications in the top row. Or even a pull-down android like interface.

- The ability to turn OFF those annoying pop-up notifications.

- The HOME button to have an LED that flashes when you have a missed call, text, etc.

- Camera FLASH.

- 1ghz+ Processor.

- Multitasking and a more integrated OS.

- Thinner/Lighter iPhone with rubbery back instead of plastic.

[jetworkr]

I don't truck with rumors--all I know is my current contract with Verizon Wireless ends in June '10. And I'm going for an iPhone.

[zombitronic]

I just thought I'd share this fourth-gen aluminum iPhone mock-up that I came across. I like it.

http://images.pcworld.com/news/graphics/186885-iphone_4g_original.jpg

[Genghis Khan]

^lol @ unibody iPhone


and i call bogus on this one...koreans don't buy iPhones...they have other phones which allow them to download and watch HD movies in the subway (crazy technology they have over there :( )

[Brien]

I think that the 4th generation iPhone will look remarkably similar to the 3GS, but, obviously with Apple, thinner. Perhaps a switch back to aluminum (unlikely IMO).

[aucl]

I just thought I'd share this fourth-gen aluminum iPhone mock-up that I came across. I like it.

http://images.pcworld.com/news/graphics/186885-iphone_4g_original.jpg

i like it, especially if the aluminium edges are strong enough to open a bottle of beer or so :D

[johnnodee]

Don't know about the majority of people on this forum, but in Oz, most people are locked into plans with their carriers. Friends of mine paid AU$400 to upgrade to 3GS last year and would not be happy to pay again every 8 months for new hardware. I decided to wait till May/June 2010 when my 2 yr contract runs out. My son gets my old 3G.

Competition from Android etc has got to be good, to push Apple to make annual hardware upgrades as major changes and the ability to keep up with the opposition using firmware updates.

Ive managed for a year without a compass in my phone...:D

[laughingperson5]

Okay, removable battery? HELL NO. THAT IS SOOO NOT HAPPENING.

[indigo144]

could be true: only SJ could cripple innovation to please his ego.

[kdarling]

As much as I'd like a removable battery, I doubt it for 2 reasons. (snip)

2) It takes away from the clean, smooth surface. Having tdoor latch or whatever will be very un-Apple like.

Or... it could ship with a super-thin battery for stylish folk, and people who need more longevity snap in an optional larger battery... just as we do with other phones.

Also, PowerMat is soon going to be selling batteries with their induction charging circuitry built-in. Won't it be neat to be able to just replace your battery with one of theirs and immediately get Touchstone-style charging without a special case.

[jav6454]

I just thought I'd share this fourth-gen aluminum iPhone mock-up that I came across. I like it.

http://images.pcworld.com/news/graphics/186885-iphone_4g_original.jpg

I wish we would have the old Aluminum enclosure we used to have in the iPhone.

[Brien]

Don't know about the majority of people on this forum, but in Oz, most people are locked into plans with their carriers. Friends of mine paid AU$400 to upgrade to 3GS last year and would not be happy to pay again every 8 months for new hardware. I decided to wait till May/June 2010 when my 2 yr contract runs out. My son gets my old 3G.

Competition from Android etc has got to be good, to push Apple to make annual hardware upgrades as major changes and the ability to keep up with the opposition using firmware updates.

Ive managed for a year without a compass in my phone...:D

Same here, but I'm in the US. I think most people are going to probably just upgrade to whatever version of the iPhone is current when they're able to (for me, that'll be in October), and the people who CAN'T LIVE without the newest version will just pay the early upgrade fee (probably regardless of $).

[vvebsta]

What Apple does need to do is innovate once again - not just copy the widgets seen in Android (and other platforms), and not just perform another specification upgrade as they did with the 3GS. If they have something decent up their sleeve (and, let's face it, they probably do) they don't really need to be worrying about Android too heavily for the time being.

This was going to be my rebuttal to your argument. If you look at the 3GS update they didn't really innovate at all, they just souped up the specs. If they do this kind of update frequently enough you have to wait a whole nother year to maybe get some innovation. An update every 6 months or so at least I can handle a spec upgrade every other update but to do that every other year is nuts IMO.

[McDughf]

Bogus .

Naaa Waaay Dude, Excellent! ( Deeleeeleeeleelee )


X-D

Sorry, COMPLETELY Off Topic, Just The First Thing To Spring To Mind.

[ARF900]

I bet At & T is behind this. if the exclusive contract between apple and at & t doesnt expire until June. People buying the phones at release would have to sign a contract with at & t. Then towards the end of the summer we might see them come out with an unlocked version of the exact same phone they release in April.

[jhkim]

Recently, only recently, there has been a lot of Apple-related talks here in Korea. That credit may go to recent release of iPhone after many years of blockage by those Korean Telecom companies. iPhone has been seen as "anti-Korean company" product and you may see a signboard on the street which reads, "Let's buy Samsung Omnia II". And.... that signboard has the national flag of Korea even!!!!

Now, after all these, suddenly all the media want to talk about iPhone... whatever the content is! They talk, talk, and talk.... The problem is all the talk is based on the typical attitude of Korean media -- "well, some said so." What the hack? No one takes responsibility on any comment by that "someone". That is the attitude of the Korean media.

What I can see here is that they mentioned all the missing items in the current 3.0 iPhone compared to Samsung Omnia II. They just "say" what they "see" in other products. That is common here.

So don't bother.

Cheers,

[eastercat]

Hopefully, the iPhone will finally be unlocked so people can go to T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint or whomever.Even if the iPhone became unlocked, it wouldn't work on Verizon or Sprint. V and S don't use SIM cards (which people seem to forget). Apple would have to add hardware or develop new lines of iPhones to be compatible. However, unlocking would make the iPhone usable in other countries. That'd be awesome.

- The ability to turn OFF those annoying pop-up notifications.It's not that hard to turn those off. Start by exploring your settings icon.

I just thought I'd share this fourth-gen aluminum iPhone mock-up that I came across. I like it.I think that was called iPhone v1. It also did a great job of blocking the signal. Unless Apple can create a metallic casing that doesn't block the signal, I say hell no.

[powers74]

I just thought I'd share this fourth-gen aluminum iPhone mock-up that I came across. I like it.

http://images.pcworld.com/news/graphics/186885-iphone_4g_original.jpg


I'd love a return to aluminum too, but it looks horrible on the face like that! On the back is enough.


People who think iPhone will ever get a removable battery are living in La-la Land.

[carlgo]

Okay, removable battery? HELL NO. THAT IS SOOO NOT HAPPENING.

No, because it will have a fuel cell! It will run on diesel! A diesel iPhone. It will even have a faint diesel smell, the smell of power!

There will only be one ringtone, a booming truck air horn.

The wallpaper will also be mandatory, a slideshow of giant earthmovers and armored vehicles with diesel noises and explosions. This is one phone that won't get lost:)

[Yr Blues]

if it gets a higher resolution oled screen, there's going to be a mad scramble to adapt thousands of old resolution-sensitive apps

[jaysen]

People who think iPhone will ever get a removable battery are living in La-la Land.

Amen.

[t0mat0]

if it gets a higher resolution oled screen, there's going to be a mad scramble to adapt thousands of old resolution-sensitive apps

That's going to happen right about the time the new OS beta drops to developers anyhow. Those who didn't plan for increases in resolution weren't thinking much. Those who were still need to tweak things.

But that's the joy - Apple, and the customers would v. likely want their apps for their tablet to have been specifically designed to the specs, the screen size of it.

[kroeks]

there is no way they would release an iphone with removable battery. it doesn't fit with their sleek design model. they do need to ditch the plastic backing for the phones. i call fake on this rumor.

Who was talking about a sleek design model?
Most unlikely since all the new functions it's going to have.

[kroeks]

I just thought I'd share this fourth-gen aluminum iPhone mock-up that I came across. I like it.

http://images.pcworld.com/news/graphics/186885-iphone_4g_original.jpg

That would be a very cold handfreezing phone during winterdays :P

[macfem]

How about this one? http://smileyhosting.net/content/26/wink.gif

http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/wp-content/phoneimages/2010/01/new-iphone-4g-2010-visual-photo-release-date-and-specs.jpg

Just posted on this thread: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=850887 (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=850887)

[Preem Palver]

^lol @ unibody iPhone

and i call bogus on this one...koreans don't buy iPhones...they have other phones which allow them to download and watch HD movies in the subway (crazy technology they have over there :( )

Koreans are buying iPhone like crazy. Apple's sold something like 300,000 since Nov. 30, against an installed base of 400,000 smartphones in total. All the phone stores report their ONLY consumer interest is iPhone.

[GeekOFComedy]

What i Want on the 4th Gen iPhone

4G
HD Video Recording 720p on the back or on the back and "supposedly video chat camera on the front" ( I don't mind if the quality is VGA once the res it records at is 1280x720)

Video Chat @ 320x240 with a min upstream of 150KB because in ireland 02 isn't the fastest.

[nospeed411]

Nix the whole removable battery idea. I have had elentybillion "smart phones" over the years and trust me it's a bad idea. I work in a trade that is well lets say ...dirty. Every single phone I killed was due to dirt or intrusion of a foreign substance. Yeah yeah everybody wants a removable battery but what most people are too naive to realize its one of the contributing factors to phone failure. Most consumers are dumb...they all want something till they have it then they all they want to do is bitch about it when it is the weak point in a product.

I actually chose the iPhone for this very reason. One sealed package. I can't tell you how annoying it is when you drop your phone in someones car and then have to go digging around under the seat for the battery and the chincy plastic cover. The best idea yet is the "iPhone Pro" All aluminum enclosure , avail. in multiple colors and just a few little wiz bangy improvements to sell the product. IE..flash for camera and higher res camera. These will keep development costs low and bring real needed features to the product.