Rumor Roundup: 3G iPhone

Rumor Roundup: 3G iPhone

With seven days to go before WWDC, the 3G iPhone rumor mill is pretty much on fire. Some of the rumors are pretty bonkers, but most of the more popular ones are pretty darn reasonable. In the name of science, we’ve pushed all of the rumors through our FCF (Fanboy Crap Filter), and rated the more likely rumors on the PKL (Pre-keynote Legitometer) scale. Lets take a look:

Rumor: It’ll be announced during the WWDC keynote
PKL Rating: 10/10 – With just about everyone expecting the announcement, Apple’s gotta do it. Not doing so would be a bad move for their stock.

Rumor: It’ll ship on the same day as the announcement
PKL Rating: 5/10 – As nice as this would be, I can’t imagine how they’d manage to keep the secret. Maybe if it were limited to Apple stores on launch day, but it’s crazy to think that the employees at some of the one-or-two-people-per-shift AT&T shops could fight the temptation to crack open the boxes and fire off pictures to everybody they know. People regularly risk being fired to leak info on much smaller news items. Giving it a full week to get shipped all over the country, I’d expect it to hit around June 16th.

More after the jump..

Rumor: Front-facing Camera
PKL Rating: 7/10 – One of the primary reasons for a front facing camera is video calling, which has been floundering around untapped for years now. It’s entirely feasible, and a number of handsets have it implemented to some degree – especially outside of the US. Unfortunately, it remains stunted by the absence of a handset not only popular enough to make it commonplace, but also technically capable on the hardware and network side. The 3G iPhone would be a mighty fine platform to pave the way – it’ll be plenty popular, be on a fast enough network, and Apple’s got plenty of proven experience with video communication after iChat AV.

Rumor: It’ll have GPS beyond the current Wi-Fi solution
PKL Rating: 8/10 – People’s view on this one tends to vary greatly based on where they live. Major city dwellers see no reason for it, with the Wi-Fi based GPS doing the job for them just fine. Talk to anyone who lives or travels where WiFi density is abysmal, and they’re hurtin’ for something else. My guess? It’ll be a combination of the current SkyHook WiFi solution and aGPS, falling back on the latter to boost accuracy when WiFi signals aren’t adequate.

Rumor: Stereo Bluetooth support.
PKL Rating: 9/10 – That stereo bluetooth (A2DP) support hasn’t been on the iPhone from day one is crazy. Sure – between random tempo changing and poor quality, it’s something that a good majority of handsets screw up – but come on, Apple. Music and wireless are your things, now. They go together well, so lets get this stupid wire out of my face while I’m running. With Leopard coming out of the box with A2DP support, Apple’s at least warming up to the idea.

Rumor: 3 megapixel Camera
PKL Rating: 10/10 – That is, it oughtta be at least 3 megapixels. The current iPhone rocks a 2 megapixel camera. The SGOLD3 chipset rumored to be in use on the 3G iPhone supports up to 5. Any thing less than a full megapixel bump would be underwhelming.

Rumor: It’ll be 22% slimmer
PKL Rating: 8/10 – Totally reasonable. 22% sounds like a whole lot, but it only shaves it down to around 9.1 mm – still a bit thicker than the iPod touch. Slimming things down between revisions is by no means a new addition to Apple’s bag of tricks.

(Via MobileCrunch.)

GPS, Video Conferencing, TV all in the 3G iPhone???

3G iPhone with GPS, Video Conferencing, TV?
LeMatin.ch (French) reports that based on a source in Swisscom, Switzerland will be getting the iPhone this summer.

By itself, this news is not that surprising, as there have been a growing number of reports of the iPhone being delivered internationally in the coming months. Unique to this source, however, is the report that the iPhone would come with GPS, Video Conferencing and Mobile TV functionality.

GPS and video conferencing (with front-sided camera) have both been rumored for the next generation iPhone, but the addition of mobile television is new.”

(Via macrumors.)

Apple Iphone 3G: Alleged 3G iPhone Looks Like Le Fake!

Apple Iphone 3G: Alleged 3G iPhone Looks Like Le Fake, Le Merde

Some frogsters* with no track record are claiming that this piece of scratched plastic—which in the photo looks like a cheapo LG cellphone clone wannabe—is the new iPhone 3G. Although it matches the rumored all-black and specs, we don’t believe it’s the real thing. The reason: these photos have been up since 12:04AM Central European Time and it’s now 4:04PM. That’s 16 hours up with no Cease and Desist order—and Apple Europe is as aggressive with leaks as Cupertino. In any case, check its back and tell us what you think after the jump.

Whatever it is, the back looks as bad as the front (including the deformed Apple logo), at least in these photos. We have a hard time imagining that anything like this could come out of Monssieur Jonathan Ive’s brain. Or better said, we have a hard time envisioning us buying what looks like a soulless piece of machinery, even while the true soul of the iPhone is its operating system.

We will see if we get a cease and desist email—now that Cupertino is waking up—but for now, remember our first rule of rumors: never, ever trust them.

(Via Engadget.)

iPhone Rumors keep on Coming!!! iPhone template hints at new design?

Leaked iPhone template hints at new design?
As the impending 3G iPhone release approaches, rumors of its potential design, specifications, and features are abound, but some theorize that people are confusing multiple devices which could indicate an “iPhone nano”.

iLounge writes that select launch partners have supposedly received design templates that point to a 3.5-inch screen on the new version, countering observations that put the screen size at 2.8-inches.

The templates show a slightly tapered design on the top and bottom, which contrasts the current model’s relatively consistent thickness. It also indicates additional sensor positions (potentially a second front-facing camera), a slightly rounded face, and several color options – white, black, and red.

The bottom of the potential iPhone design shows large cutouts where the speaker grills are located on the current model, with two additional holes and a rounded dock connector. “

(Via MacNN.)

Free Wi-Fi Access to iPhone Users???

AT&T Providing Free Wi-Fi Access to iPhone Users
A couple of readers (of MacRumors) have reported that AT&T hotspots are now offering free Wi-Fi access to iPhone users. AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots at Barnes and Noble as well as Starbucks are now offering iPhone users a custom portal to access free Wi-Fi. A special iPhone formatted page asks for your mobile phone number. Once entered, you can access the Wi-Fi access for free. MacRumors has been able to confirm this finding at a local Barnes and Noble. Blurry photo provided:

AT&T recently partnered with Starbucks to provide Wi-Fi access to Starbucks’ 7000 stores nationwide. This partnership allowed existing AT&T broadband customers free access and AT&T promised that it would “soon extend the benefits of Wi-Fi at Starbucks to its wireless customers”, but no official announcement has yet been made

(Via MacRumors.)

Foxconn wins 3G iPhone contract, 3 million units shipping in June?

Foxconn wins 3G iPhone contract, 3 million units shipping in June?
Need more unsubstantiated evidence that the 3G iPhone is near. Good, the Chinese language Commercial Times is quoting sources claiming that Foxconn (aka, Hon Hai) — the maker of the 1st gen iPhone — is ramping up 3G iPhone assembly by “the end of May” to ship 3 million units in June. It’s expected to produce some 24-25 million units before the product reaches end of life. If those numbers are true then Apple had better be prepared for a proper global launch without those pesky revenue sharing schemes seen holding back world-wide uptake.

(Via Engadget.)

100th “iPhone Killer” touchscreen BlackBerry?

RIM developing “Apple Killer” touchscreen BlackBerry?

The times has a verbose 2,000 word piece about the high stakes world of high-end cellphone manufacturers (no way!), specifically centered around RIM’s post-iPhone trials and tribulations. Besides a bit of vague lip service paid to the 9000 series, they’re claiming that two 3rd party developers — no sources cited — leaked that RIM has a skunkworks product dubbed “AK” (which stands for “Apple Killer”), and that apparently it’ll be touchscreen. And then comes the tub-thumping money shot from co-CEO Mike Lazaridis: “I couldn’t type on [the iPhone] and I still can’t type on it, and a lot of my friends can’t type on it. It’s hard to type on a piece of glass.” Right, until you guys decide to do one of your own — these executive types are so transparent they might as well just be up front.

(Via Engadget.)

Vibration feedback for iPhone – Apple rumor

Apple in rumored talks to license vibration feedback for iPhone
Apple has reportedly begun talks with Immersion to integrate haptic feedback into future touchscreen devices, addressing a complaint leveled against the iPhone by fans of physical buttons and keyboards.

An Apple worker has allegedly leaked to Palluxo that Immersion executives met twice with their Apple peers this week to discuss integrating Immersion’s vibration response technology into the cellphone.

The meetings are said to parallel a more publicized deepening of relations between the two companies through indirect means: Immersion this week hired Clent Richardson, a former Worldwide Solutions Marketing VP at Apple between 1997 and 2001.

What exactly would be implemented is unclear. However, Immersion’s most recent efforts have focused on using haptics to simulate physical button presses in an increasing number of touchscreen phones, including Sprint’s soon-to-be iPhone rival, the Samsung Instinct.

The technique most frequently involves sending short, concentrated pulses through all or specific locations of a phone as the user taps buttons in software. In effect, haptics not only restore some of the feel absent in touchscreens, but also give users a way of confirming that the phone has recognized a command through more than just visual output.

A frequently-cited complaint regarding the iPhone is its lack of tactile feedback for converts from BlackBerries and other smartphones, many of whom expect the relative certainty of physical responses while navigating the interface or typing.

Neither Apple nor Immersion has commented on the rumored discussions, which are still early and so aren’t expected to result in a finished product for some time.

(Via AppleInsider.)

Top Nine iPhone 2.0 Rumors

Want to know all about the next generation iPhone? Apple’s lips are sealed. But why should that stop iPhone prognosticators from spilling what they think are the beans.

As pent up excitement for the next-generation iPhone builds rumors are popping up everywhere. However, not until Steve Jobs pulls out the next-gen iPhone from his pocket at his keynote at Apple’s June World Wide Developers Conference will we really know what’s new for the Apple’s next iPhone.

Here is a rumor roundup of what is expected so far:

3G iPhone

Apple will release a faster iPhone capable of connecting to “3G” mobile networks. Sources for this rumor are varied. Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney Apple has placed an order of 10 million 3G iPhones from an undisclosed Asian manufacturer. Dulaney told the Web site iPodObserver he knows this because he was told by an “Asian source.”

3G iPhone rumors seem a bit more credible that come from those who have dissected Apple’s iPhone 2.0 software released to developers. Buried deep inside are “SGOLD3” references that indicate the use of a chipset made by Infineon that supports 3.5G – doubling current iPhone mobile data rates of to 7.2MBps.

Cost

How much will the next generation iPhone cost? Plan to fork over $599 for a new 32GB iPhone, according to speculators at TG Daily. The report continues stating an 8GB iPhone will run you $399 and a 16GB will be $499. Following the release of the 32GB iPhone will be the release of a 64GB iPod Touch.

Thinner, More Styling

Larger capacities won’t equal more heft. In fact the iPhone will be slimmed down 2.5 millimeters, according to IntoMobile. The slim down makes the iPhone new casing as thick as the current iPod Touch.

The slimmer body of the iPhone will also accompany a more upscale look according IntroMobile. Without explaining how, IntroMobile says, the next iPhone will have a “less ‘plasticy’ feel.”

Design Tweak

A report from iPodObserver contradicts IntroMobile claiming the next iPhone will have more plastic. iPod Observer says Apple will replace the satin nickel finish on the iPhone’s back with a glossy black plastic back.

Better Built-In Camera

Don’t like iPhone’s limited 2-megapixel camera? Well there is good news according to iPhone speculation found at Wired. According to Wired, thanks to the rumored introduction of the Infineon chipset, the iPhone will be able to handle a 5-megapixel iPhone camera.

Push E-Mail

Not only does the hardware reportedly get an update, but so do iPhone features, according to a variety of sources.

One addition found in the beta iPhone 2.0 firmware are business friendly features that support secure “push” email similar to BlackBerry, according to AppleInsider. AppleInsider reports that the next generation iPhone will support Microsoft’s business e-mail server software Microsoft Exchange.

Contact Search, Meeting Invitations

Support for Exchange increase the likelihood of rumors coming from Engadget that say Apple will introduce iPhone contacts search and meeting invites. The advanced contact and calendar management would make the iPhone more attractive to business users.

Nike iPhone

StuffTV is reporting that Apple’s standing relationship with Nike will be expanded to the iPhone and iPod Touch. Currently Nike sells a sneaker accessory that can communicate with an iPod Nano allowing you to keep a training schedule for running at the same time keep records of the pace and duration of your workouts. According to StuffTV the software required to display training information will be extended from the Nano to the iPhone and iPod Touch.

GPS iPhone

Thanks to O’Grady’s PowerPage, which translated a report from Greek technology site iPhone Hellas, we can now get the latest iPhone rumors in Greece. iPhone Hellas says “secret” documents reveal the next iPhone will have built in support for Bluetooth headsets and possibly even GPS navigation.

(Via PCworld)

We will just what and see…..

sobeTECH weekly update 4.8.08

BREAKING NEWS – Today Apple is FINALLY shipping the long awaited Final Cut Server. It has been a year since it was announced and I, along with countless others, are excited to see it ship.

Wal-Mart Abandons Windows DRM, Sony/BMG and Warner – As Wal-Mart switches to the MP3 music format and redesigns its music store, it leaves behind Microsoft's digital rights management technology, which prevented the songs it sold from being played on iPods. The company has also ditched Sony/BMG and Warner Music Group, for now anyway, probably due to licensing squabbles about the terms of the transition to unprotected music. Is there anyone out there using Wal-Marts music store? What do you like or dislike about it?

WEEKLY NEWS – Get all your news in one place. A new site called Alltop.com puts all your favorite web news sites on one page and lets you view the 5 latest stories. Alltop says, "sites are starting points — they are not destinations per se. The bottom line is that we are trying to enhance your online reading by both displaying stories from the sites that you’re already visiting and helping you discover sites that you didn’t know existed. In this way, our goal is the “cessation of Internet stagnation.” It's great to get a full view of your favorite info. Like, work, culture, people and of course geek news on one web page!

Amazon improves Latin Music Store – Amazon relaunched its Latin music store Friday, with video content from top artists, more bilingual product descriptions and a selection that's grown by at least 10% in less than a year. The online retailer will also shortly introduce blogs by Latin artists on their product pages, as well as partner with them for video debuts and possible event sponsorships, music category manager Craig Pape says. Check it out and let us know what you think!

RUMORS – The current MacBook and MacBook Pro designs will be retired and are expected to see “major design changes” in their next revision. The consumer MacBook line is expected to transition from plastic enclosures to aluminum and stainless steel, which are reportedly more “eco-friendly”.