iPhone Hardware v3

Also a cut and paste feature.

If they don't update and thoroughly come up to par with the far more advanced features of Japanese cell phones the iPhone, which is selling terribly in Japan, is going to fail miserably here. So I would think that the features you list above would be the least that will be included.

I don't think they're changing the hardware, just a new software/firmware release. Pretty sure you can already get compass apps that use the GPS function as well.

I only included a few of the features that Apple hasn’t announced yet. The GPS in the current iPhone does provide directions, but the magnetometer will provide an extra level of accuracy that applications (particularly a turn by turn car navigator) can use to tell which way the phone is facing. The iPhone software refers to the 1st iphone as “iphone 1,1” and the 3G as “iphone 1,2”. They have found a new identifier that refers to an “iphone 2,1”. There are also confirmed rumors about millions of 3 and 5 megapixel cameras that have been delivered to an Apple assembly contractor.

More info here and here

I don't think they're changing the hardware, just a new software/firmware release

Maybe not the chassis but internal components are expected to be upgraded and advanced.

From all my tech podcasts and RSS feeds I would expect new hardware at WDC (worldwide developers conference) june 8-12. Apple has an announcement planned. Also, AT&T is working like crazy to ramp up their network for some new advanced platform. Probably not 4G or LTE but it could at least bring them closer to Verizon's data coverage areas.

If Apple doesn't release new hardware with a couple more features (i.e. camera update and video), the Pre is going to kill them b/c all the first gen iPhone users will be up on contract and looking for the new hot phone.

JMHO but that's the buzz going on in the tech community.

– Dana

I looked at this when a bought an iphone last month. It looks like the major hardware change will be the camera/video stuff and maybe some enhancements to 3g (faster speed when you can actually get a 3g connection). Not really relevant to me as the camera as still going to suck and I'll carry a decent compact instead so I went ahead and bought.

The rest of the changes are likely to be in software and available to every version of the iphone hardware.

@Nia

Yep, from my POV you hit it on the head. Camera will still be inadequate for anything other than candid shots.

They will definitely be larger, low quality pictures.

There’s also a rumor about an Garmin Oregon 500 that will have a built in camera. I would guess it would be the same cellphone style (CMOS) sensor.

I haven't seen anything about new hardware but I quit following tech years ago since I got burnt out. Apple announced the new software version a few weeks ago with an expected summer release but made no mention of a hardware upgrade.

Second post from Justin:
They have found a new identifier that refers to an "iphone 2,1"

They have uncovered multiple identifiers in the new 3.0 OS that indicate they will in fact be updating the hardware. There are new touches reportedly with cameras and two new possible iphones, similarities/differences unknown. The four+ models were found in the code. They all have different referenced call names.

Coming from doing software dev, I take references in code with a grain of salt. I wouldn't be surprised to find references to hardware 69.xxx in the code.

One quick link

I agree that it’s pure speculation, BUT it’s been proven in the past that the identifiers used by apple have been in a format that dictates precise models. This is the same technique that was used to discover the iphone 3g before release last june.

Via Google Reader, I follow AppleInsider daily. Allegedly the new phone will have a 3 megapixel camera instead of the current 2 megapixel. A huge purchase of 8gb SSD drives has been made leading many to believe one of the new phones will be a budget Iphone too (with only 8gb of disk space).

I wish they'd boost the camera to at least 5 megapixel myself and add a flash so it becomes a real camera. Optical zoom would be really nice too. Removeable/replaceable battery would be super nice, super nice.

Roleigh,

I subscribe to AI too. Do you follow Engadget as well?

From what i've heard the 8gb SSD chips are to create 32gb iphones. From off the top of my head, i believe the breakdown of the iphone showed four chips soldered on the board. They were 2gb and 4gb chips (8gb and 16gb model phones respectively) used to create the total partition. Could be two 4gb chips and four 4gb chips, i'm not sure right now. No time to look it up.

My prediction is they'll end up with an 8gb, 16gb and 32gb model.