As we approach the expected summer release of a new iPhone, or at least a new version of iPhone software, the rumour mill is spinning faster than the wheels on a Brawn GP race car. Here’s my summary of the iPhone gossip.
The biggest clue to the launch of a new iPhone is a rumour from Mobile Today that O2′s move to reduce the price of the current iPhone 3G is intended to clear their warehouse ahead of the new phone’s expected launch in June or July. O2 did something similar last year so I wouldn’t be surprised if this was true.
I still expect new iPhone hardware to launch in the summer. Sticking my neck out I’m going to suggest the launch of two new iPhones; an iPhone Nano that’s around 30% smaller but built on the current iPhone’s feature list, and an update to the current iPhone that would feature a 3.2 megapixel camera, better battery life, upgraded bluetooth, a 32GB version and more processing power.
The same article also suggests that Orange could be set to release the next iPhone in the UK, presumably alongside O2. Orange already sell the iPhone in 27 countries but I would be very surprised if O2 would allow this to happen give their investment in the UK iPhone market and the success it has given them.
Most of the blog gossip (bloggoss??) has centred on predictions for what will be unveiled in tomorrow’s iPhone Software 3.0 announcment. Rumoured new features include:
Cut and Paste
Surprisingly the iPhone doesn’t currently enable you to cut and paste text from an email, text or web page and paste it into another message or application. This is particularly frustrating if someone sends you and email with an address in it but you can’t paste the postcode into Maps. I’m pretty certain this will be added in 3.0.
MMS
Mixed opinions on whether this will finally be included in iPhone 3.0 – I suspect not as Facebook Mobile, TwitPic and email are all replacing the need to rely on MMS and are all free.
Video capture
Some rumours suggest the iPhone will finally allow video capture. I really should be included already but I strongly suspect that it would only be added to a new, upgraded hardware iPhone, hopefully one that also includes a higher resolution, better quality camera.
‘Tethering’
I assume this is an American phrase, but it means using your phone as a mobile broadband modem for your PC instead of plugging in a separate usb modem. I’m not sure this is a legitimate goer from a user pespective – iPhone reception is not as strong as a dedicated modem in my experience and I doubt it would be of high enough priority to the majority of iPhone customers to warrant inclusion. That said, O2 would love to boost it’s mobile broadband subscriber numbers (it’s way behind in this market at the moment) so operator pressure may force it’s inclusion.
Running multiple applications
This is probably the most important feature addition that Apple could announce. At present you can only use one application at a time, third party apps cannot run in the background whilst you do other things. e.g. You cannot run Facebook, a Twitter app, and maps at the same time as other functions. So, if I’m chatting in Facebook and I get notification of an email or SMS I have to close my Facebook session to check it and respond. Communicating across multiple platforms becomes a tedious juggling act that no doubt frustrates your friend on the other end of an IM conversation. This is a major weakness that I hope Apple will remedy in 3.0, assuming the current iPhone hardware platform is capable.
Better Bluetooth
The current iPhone bluetooth is very basic, supporting only the use of a mono headset for phone calls. Most mobile phones in the market now support stereo bluetooth enabling you to listen to music wirelessly through compatible speakers, car stereos and headphones. You can also transfer data wirelessly making it easier to sync your mobile or share music, photos and any other file you choose. I’m fairly certain this would require a hardware update incorporating a new Bluetooth chip so at best it will feature in a new iPhone model.
For what it’s worth, my predictions on the iPhone software announcement tomorrow are that cut and paste, some new general user interface tweaks (e.g. the option to use a landscape keyboard for composing emails and texts) and the ability to run multiple apps will be announced in the iPhone software 3.0. Apple may also announce deeper integration of applications with the iPhones’ core features. For instance it may allow third party apps to integrate your Facebook or Twitter friend lists with your iPhone contacts so you can choose whether to call, text, tweet or ‘Facebook’ a friend from within your iPhone Contacts list, much like the fantastic INQ1.
But what do I know…
What do you think will be announced tomorrow? Add a comment to let me know.
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