Next-gen iPhone evidence lurking in latest firmware?
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Jan 28th 2009 10:37PM
posted Jan 28th 2009 10:37PM
Could Apple possibly be working on another iPhone? Well, yes, of course -- but Mac Rumors may have stumbled upon the first solid evidence that there's a major hardware revision in the works (and no, we're not necessarily talking about the nano). Seems that the latest firmware revisions have some juicy metadata buried deep within that refers to a product code of "iPhone2,1" -- a decidedly higher number than the "iPhone1,2" representing the current iPhone 3G. What's more, an ad network is reporting web hits from an iPhone2,1, so it looks like this is very much the real deal; only question is, just what the heck is it?
Typo?
That's what I thought, especially since the iPhone now is 1,2.
Looks like they are trying to develop a Pre-killer.
@Engadget ... just wondering if you knew when the first iPhone 1,2 hits started appearing as opposed to when the 3G was announced? (just to give us an idea of when we will find out what this bad boy does)
typo was the first thing I thought of
I dont think its a typo. I think this thing is real, and i do hope they put a multi core CPU in it, (Quad-Core would be awesome.... like this
http://www.arm.com/products/CPUs/ARMCortex-A9_MPCore.html)
And a Multi-core GPU. And i do hope that they work on an HD screen, IF they at least give me those, I'm sold, and i almost forgot, 32GB at least.
Another Link:
http://www.macblogz.com/2009/01/08/iphone-firmware-30-and-future-multi-core-iphones/
copy & paste would be the cherry on the sunday for me =)
^^^What the hell is wrong with you?
larger screen and higher resolution like touch hd and hopefully thinner w/ better battery life and maybe a more decent camera
hope it has that stuff
These things are scheduled indeed, coming in 2012.
How are they going to make it with a bigger screen? The screen already takes up the size of most of the device. Any larger would have to increase the device itself, making it too large to be a cell. Any thinner, and it's going to snap. Battery life and HD, that's a good plan though.
@Saad Rabia
Ironically the year 2012 is when some people think the world will end... you could be waiting forever for your iphone update =)
@ Saad Rabia
Jeah, sure,in 2012, just after the end of the world.
Of course all Apple suckers can start to send their downpayment to Cupertino right now!
Ain't that great? (beside being the apex of coolness?)
Why the hell would you want HD on a 3"+ screen? It's already HD-like and nothing is wrong with the resolution. Everyone thinks more is better...
@GeStroup3939 I dunno, Apple's fondness for freaky resolutions aside, I really like the crispness of my 640x480 screen (TouchPro). It is noticeably sharper than the iPhone, but it is smaller, too. Everything just looks really crisp. Why WOULDN'T you want it? Or better yet, why not something 800x480, so you can do proper 480p on the device? If LCD screens are getting cheaper all the time (they are), why not? Or maybe a switch to OLED?
And 480x320 isn't "HD-like" at all. HD starts at 720p. Before that, it's called "Enhanced Definition", at least when you're talking video standards. HD doesn't just mean "sharper than old Palm Treos".
@Brad
I'm no videophile, but I would say that that 420X380 would be pretty HD-like on a 3 inch screen. It does not have to be a similar resolution to be HD-like, it just needs to look like HD to your eye when viewing. Which it does on the iphone when viewing high end content. You know you're eye can only resolve so much detail before resolution advances become worthless.
And to answer your other clearly short sighted question...Why would you not want it?
Heres a few easy ones:
Cost
Battery life
Smaller hard to read text
Having to reencode all the DVD videos I have coded at 420x380
Those videos taking up more HD space for little to no perceived improvement in image quality
Having to recode EVERY SINGLE app previously written for 420x380 iPhones
Having a screen that won't be backwards compatible with old apps and new apps not compatible with the old iPhones
More is not always better. You are falling for the same thing as people who buy 1080p 27 inch TV's or 15 megapixel point and shoots. Don't do it.
For you guys that think the resolution on the iPhone is sufficient, I agree, but higher resolutions DO make a difference. If you want to find out for yourselves, go to an AT&T store that has a BlackBerry Bold floor model you can try out. The Bolds have the same resolution screen as the iPhone, but the screen size is 2.75in on the Bold, and 3.5in on the iPhone, making the resolution on the Bold higher for its screen size. Scroll to the Media menu item, and find the video clip that comes preloaded on the Bolds. Give it a whirl, then come back and tell me what you think. I, for one, think the higher pixel density definitely makes a difference for the better. If I had to choose between the screens though, I would stick with the lower pixel density and bigger size of the iPhone's, because it is more enjoyable for internet browsing. The point is, though, that a higher resolution on the next iPhone should be welcome by all. :)
Haha that's probably what it is.
Maybe, it would be one of these....
tinyurl . com / cl478g
Wow, is it me or this kind of speculating seems really desperate and clingy.
Agreed.
Yes, absolutely.
Neverthless I will guess at the next iphones specs:
-everything of the current 3G model
-3.2 MP camera
-video calling (ohhh my god video calling coming to the masses it will seem like a revolution even though its been around for forever)
-and a capacity increase to 32 GB
-copy and paste
thats basically it though. Apple is known for their technology driping habit. i really cant see them throwing in anything fancy like an FM transmitter, radio, or A2DP, or camera flash (thats for the next next version).
I can't think of much to add that can't be done with software.
My guess is that it'll be just like the current iPhone, just with better specs (faster CPU, more RAM, that kind of thing). Nothing significant feature-wise. No video calling (it never caught on for three reasons: one - it's rubbish; two - telco companies charge you to death for using it; three - devices are rarely compatible with each other).
@KarlW
Except faster CPU = decrease in battery life, and without a user-replacable battery, Apple will probably continue to underclock the CPU to compensate. Also, video calling didn't catch on earlier because prior GSM networks simply couldn't handle it, but it's starting to catch on with UMTS (also thanks to VoIP and apps like Skype) -- at least it is in Europe/Asia where they have proper carrier competition, not like the US where AT&T continues to cripple its services.
Are you implying that iPhone users would ever deign to call someone who doesn't own an iPhone?
Apple is perfectly happy to give you features that only work with other Apple products.You'll be able to video-chat with someone using iChat or another iPhone.
I don't think it'll happen, because apple will never include two cameras, it'd be seen as "unnecessary". So you'd either have to give up seeing the person you're video-chatting with, or give up being able to see what your picture looks like when you take it - both unacceptable.
OR, Apple will include a small camera behind black plastic that is barely visible. And then it'll effectively be a TouchPro without a keyboard.
It's going to be the iPhone HD with 640 X 320 or 800 X 600................ and a video camera. It will probably be as thick as (or a tad thicker than) the iPhone 3G as it will need a beefier battery....
@fh
Faster CPU does not mean less battery. If the current chip is made in 90nm, which I think it is , they could switch to the same processor on a made in 60 or 45 nm process and jump the speed up without loosing any more battery power. When you switch smaller process, you get an automatic drop in power usage because, well I wont bore you solid state electronics details.
But either way most of the time companies choose to up the frequency ( in the embedded world, not really true for desktops) and keep the power drain the same when they switch to a smaller process for a core.
Tarex: I think the next jump in resolution for a widescreen device like this would be 800x480
Maybe it will have a slide-out keyboard, and a wireless charging dock...
Oh wait...
I know, you started typing then you realize that those features are already in plan for the iPhone G5, Right?
Oh yeah, that's definitely what I was thinking of!
It wasn't the Palm Pre or anything like that...
Definitely man, I mean iPhone is the future. They say that some parts of iPhone's hardware were used in building Darth Vader's Death Star.
That's why the death star was so small, right? /sarcasm
And also why it was destroyed by such a ridiculous vulnerability.
But... the Death Star was built 'a long time ago'...
a 'long time ago' in the future!
"A long time ago in the future"
So the death star is currently being built?
It wasn't built in the future, it was built in a Galaxy far far away.
Predictions:
Higher Res Screen, Screen will remain the same size. Possibly OLED backlighting.
Faster Processor and Slight increase in ram also a GPU increase: That's what Papermaster is for and their purchase of reccent companies.
Probably see 3 models, 8gb, 16gb, and 32gb
2 Cameras, One Front facing, one rear facing, new App in Firmware 3.0 called "iChat" conveniently enough.
With the Processor power and Ram increased we will see Copy/Paste thanks to the additional hardware specs, current models will not recieve copy/paste funtions when Firmware 3.0 is released, sorry.
Of Course Firmware 3.0: Codename: Baby Snow Leopard.
Other than that the rest will remain the same other than some software enhancments and bug fixes. Probably see some form of OpenCL implementation so the GPU power can be used in applications to help drive them, or maybe not :)
Oh yea, MMS will be included in Firmware 3.0.
do you watch apples keynotes? Theiy´ve a reasonable argument in favour of touchscreens compared to buttons...........! just watch it!
don't worry about it, the last time we saw a "mystery" new version of something from apple hidden in the firmware it never happened. New iMac and Mac Mini anyone?
Hasn't happened *yet*. Updates always happen when there's updated model numbers, else those numbers wouldn't exist. It's just a matter of when.
"Maybe it's a Tablet Mac." Seriously people, we have better things to do then speculate on minor differences in firmware revision name.
For instance, instead of speculating on what would happen at MacWorld, I took that time to make an eHarmony account and meet a lovely women named Ida.
Okay, fine, I think that it is an Nano with EDGE, 1.3 MP camera, and a suretype virtual keyboard.
An iPhone Nano... Ida thinks so too.
no... it's a iphone shuffle
http://www.humour.com/images/AffichageImage.asp?VIDImage=13906&VIDThemeImage=12
Well at least it's not another post about Steve Jobs' health...
Maybe Steve Jobs is due for a new firmware? Judging by the Apple software cycle he is overdue. I am guessing it will add improved battery life, faster loading times, and compatibility with more turtlenecks. One more thing, improved turtleneck contrast ratio.
He's already thinner and lighter than the competition (Ballmer is a bit bloated these days).
Yeah, after Balmer I downgraded to Gates. Hopefully Balmer SP2 will fix what SP1 didn't or I am definitely switching to Jobs 10.5, but I may just wait until 10.6 with GPU acceleration.
I tried Shuttleworth for a while, but the lack of wireless support really turned me off. Hopefully Shuttleworth's open source code will help it advance in the near future.
Q. How to save Engadget from a rescission?
A. More useless iPhone stories.
so crazy..... it JUST might work...... BRILLIANT!
"How to save Engadget from a rescission?" is not a question; it's not even a sentence
recession*
That comment was classic!
Q: How to make yourself look like a tool?
A: Look up.
Q. How to look like a monkey?
A. Imitate.
Thank you, Saad, for turning this entire comment board into an nonsensical Saad Rabia introspection.
What's worse than useless iPhone stories? Incessant, useless comments about useless iPhone stories.
Well if anything Quix, this proves my point even better.
Don't blame the player, blame the stupid game.
Yes they know all the hater anti-apple fanboys like you will click, read, and flame as fast as they possibly can. Actually maybe just click and flame.
The fact that the number 2 is attached to the name (iPhone2) suggests a different kind of iPhone entirely to be sold side by side with the regular iPhone (iPhone1). The second part would seem to be the model/version (the 3G is the second iPhone1, so it = iPhone1,2 and iPhone2,1 would = the first model of the new kind of iPhone).
Makes sense, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
A new iPhone might be a little too early.
I would expect the new hardware sometime near the end of '09 or beginning of '10.
I never knew that. The difference between iPhone1 and iPhone1,2 is small then, numerically.
To go from 1,2 to 2,1 is a pretty big leap then judging from the iPhone 3G which is a pretty nice leap in my opinion.
Updated iPhone Due In Summer; film at 11.
Incidentally, this is indeed how model numbers work. Major hardware revisions get a new number – my unibody MacBook is a "MacBook 5,1" for example. Having said that, these things aren't always obvious; the white MacBooks went from 3 to 4 when they changed from Merom to Penryn, as just one example.
I think it was always clear that the 3G was the 2G iPhone plus special features. Hopefully, assuming this isn't a mistake, we're talking better camera, screen, plus unexpected cool stuff...
What would be interesting is if it's significantly different, and requires a tweaked OS – maybe optimised apps, too? That seems unlikely but there's an outside chance.
@Hawkman
Yeah, they're probably just updating to the faster processor found in the new iPod Touch 2G which also went up in model number similar to this (it went from ipod1,1 to ipod2,1).
I'd have to disagree on the jump from 1st gen iPhone to 3G was a big one. It's the same phone, just 3G and with a GPS. They used a different LCD as well, or at least altered the color saturation of the previous screen. There was an article on it a while back. Though I would call that a small tweak as opposed to a new feature or upgrade. I was actually kind of disappointed by the changes they made with the 3G model, I thought they would do more with it.
Ooh a rescission sounds like it might hurt! Is that getting cut with scissors AGAIN? or ..............Please, your multiple smarmy posts and replies are easily outdone and overcooked.
"Could Apple possibly be working on another iPhone?"
Nope.
they're just gonna keep it the way it is right now....... fo sho.....
It'll look exactly like the iPhone 3G with all the same hardware, except now it'll have copy and paste functionality.
They'll definitely upgrade the processor. Right now the iPod Touch already has the faster one, so it'll be there for sure in the new iPhone.
I think it was confirmed to me that the iPhone would eventually have one of the higher-res screens by someone in the industry, but I have no idea how much credit that has. He said it would be the WVGA resolution (800x480, it think), but other than that, it could honestly be anything. Perhaps support for other carriers, increase in power and memory. Software wise, I don't think there will be much change, at least nothing drastic like copy/paste, lol.
Never going to happen. Apple specifically said in their conference call that one of their great strengths with the iPhone and software development is that you're developing for one device, with one screen size and format,as opposed to a million different resolutions.
Sorry that was supposed to be in response to the comments about higher resolution screens.
Means nothing. Jobs also once inferred people wouldn't want to watch video on an iPod.
palm is sweating this one out
I might include an "iSlide-out-keyboard"
LOL
Its just going to be the iPhone 3G with the newer processor from the second generation iPod Touch
back to the drawing board for jailbreaking then :(
What is it?.... It is gay that is for sure!
Verizon?
Please?
NEVER! VERIZON IS THE WORST!
oh, that must be why Consumer Reports rated them the top provider in terms of coverage, customer service, etc
in EVERY SINGLE DEMOGRAPHIC
verizon is the single best thing that has happened to my cell phone minus TF3D
Could just be little endian, minor, major.
What is it, slow news day?
One of my biggest pet peeves. We don't resort to reporting crap just because it's a "slow news day."
Right. When it comes to Apple, there's no real reason necessary to report crap.
Its starting again isnt it....
I know it probably won't happen for a long time but it would be cool if it was a CDMA iPhone, perhaps for verizon which is now the largest carrier. Then US Cellular, the only carrier that provides service in my hick town, would be able to get a decent phone besides a RAZR! They still think they are the hottest item out there! It's pathetic.
By the way, does anyone know if Apple plans to sell the iPhone to any other carriers? If so, when?
in for 4
why would they make a cdma iphone when verizon is just going to rollover to LTE anyways..
Where the hell is the 32GB iPhone?
Don't you think if Apple was planning a fall/Q110 release for a (significantly) refreshed iPhone, they would have shuffled out a 32GB (3G) version at Macworld to fill that gap?
Jobs is returning in the summer, and it wouldn't surprise me if there is some specific reasoning behind that.
Need I elaborate further?
Now I know where Hollywood gets its plot ideas for things like the Da Vinci code.
A book with the same name?
"Ironically the year 2012 is when some people think the world will end... you could be waiting forever for your iphone update =)"
Isn't that the year when the next US Presidential Election will be taking place? Maybe it WILL be the end of the world, lol
Angela from Aberdeen
Backlinks
I don't get it. If the iPhone is the ultimate phone, and Job's gift to man - how can there be another? You cannot improve on perfection; I thought having an iPhone was the same as looking into the eyes of G-d. Or at least J-bs.
It woudln't make sense to upgrade the processor. It would only make sense to upgrade the memory. Here comes 16gb and 32gb with 8gb dropped down to 99bucks. I think a new processor wont' come out until summer.
new firmware is 2.21 so 2.2.1- 2 is 2.1?
"One plus two plus two plus one."
"Nuh-uh, that's one plus two plus ONE plus one."
I really don't know what to call this, but if the is a hardware revision then I hope they improve on what is offered so far, as well as give iPhone owners the things they've been wishing to have since it first debuted.
Next-gen iPhone evidence lurking in latest firmware?...No.
Personally, I have been waiting my contract out. I didn't think the iPhone 3G was that much of an improvement over the original so I still have my slower version.
I know it won't happen but I would love some kind of physical keyboard. I am hoping either a slide out one that slides from the side and not from the bottom or one that is inside and the phone opens like the LG Voyager. I like a physical keyboard cause then I can feel the keys. I can type so much faster than on the virtual plus on a real one there is no lag. Jobs has gone on record as hating keyboards but it the key board was hidden then it would not be so bad I think. He showed phones that had keyboards that were always visible. A hidden keyboard would be perfect. Given how today's tech is getting smaller I don't see why this isn't a possibility in the Apple world. Basically my idea is to take the current model phone and have it open like the Voyager with a keyboard inside. After all the Voyager is about the same length and width. So it does seem feasible.
Just a simple thought from a simple person.
I don't understand how going from Edge to 3G isn't a good enough upgrade. You won't see another significant upgrade of such sorts until the iPhone 4G. I think Iphone is tricky because it's obvious every iphone user has a 2 year contract and I am sure Apple and AT&T wants to respect that so they'll probably come out with MAJOR hardware revisions every 2 years. More importantly, however, ever program written for the Iphone 3G needs to be backwards compatible for a given set of time and I believe that set of time would be the 2 year period . Meaning when will you feel liek your iphone is obsolete? Apple won't want you to feel that before your 2 year contract is up because it is not beneficial to them at all, they won't sell as many apps and they won't sell as many iphones.
Thus, in conclusion, any upgrade to anything but the storage will be minimal at best.
Hoping for a USB 3 support, Bluetooth support, and maybe even a 4G support. :D
Is clearly a comma not a decimal point.
I reckon it will be an HTC Touch HD killer?
naaa, probably not yet, but what would be nice are:
drag and drop music folders to load music without the dreaded iTunes
ability to use the phone as a modem
ability directly and immediately play generic divx movies downloaded from the web
a standard usb cable to drag and drop folders of music anywhere anytime
a decent screen (800x480 would do)
ability to copy and paste
view offline html pages
use proper GPS instead of triangulation
those would be great for me...