iPhone 3.0 – features and specifications; top iPhone 2009 rumors
By Gareth Powell
With speculation mounting that the iPhone 3.0 is coming in 2009, what can we expect in terms of specifications and features?
Update: Details of the 2009 iPhone 3.0 have been announced. For more information refer to the following stories: Apple introduces the 2009 iPhone 3GS,
iPhone OS 3.0 adds 100 new features, and New iPhone with OS 3.0 enters the enterprise.
What follows is based on conversations with my contacts in Shenzhen in Greater China, and my own clever suppositions (I was never one to be modest).
So what can we perhaps expect — note the weasel words for once bitten twice shy — and what will I hope for?
First someone in the marketing department will possibly push very hard for a camera flash to be added. Of all the machines on which I do not want flash the Apple iPhone is right at the top of the list. Will I win?
Probably not.
Massive increase in the megapixels. The suggestion is it may double from 2.1. My guess — and and it is purely a guess — is that it will go to 8.1 megapixels. It has been discussed in Greater China and using Google translation you can get an idea. Could be wrong. This is a guess — but an informed guess.
There will be a redesigned exterior so that people know you have got the latest and best and that is part of your flash. Having your name engraved on is cool but it does not let people know you are the coolest. Think iPod Touch improved. Something like that.
A replaceable battery. This is a bit daft for it is not a forecast, it is a devout hope. Yes, there are people who can change a battery. But that is not mainstream.
More storage. 64 gigs would make a lot of people happy. It is, at least, theoretically possible. But it may be the leap too far.
The possibility of plugging in a keyboard. Technically it is possible but it may go against purist Apple thinking.
To Do Today support in the Calendar app. To Do is one of the most widely used apps on a PC. We need it on the iPhone.
Will Apple go to clamshell design? It has taken out a patent, but I think not. Apple iPhone is unique. Clamshells are not.
There are suggestions people want their SMS messages sideways. To which the only possible response is their SMS messages are too long.
Faster machines. The argument is the Palm Pre has a faster processor therefore the iPhone must have one as well. This is a damn iffy argument. The Palm Pre is no competition for the iPhone and the market seems to be settling down to three markets: Blackberry (principal publicist Barack Obamba) iPhone in any form; the rest.
The rest of the market will be forced into claiming what they call Unique Selling Propositions such as faster processors, sharper cameras and what have you.
For them, the problem is that Apple was there first and fanged the market.
When will we see the new iPhone 3.0? Sticking by my earlier prediction, June at earliest, September at latest. Roll on September.
UPDATE MAY 2009
Veteran journalist Alex Zaharov-Reutt on the iPhone 3.0
UPDATE MARCH 2009
iPhone 3.0: What’s it got, what it’s not
iPhone OS 3.0 is for the developers first
Related:
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January 26th, 2009
Only one thing is certain, and that is whatever the iphone 3.0 looks like, it will make Apple a fortune.
January 29th, 2009
I think the user-replaceable battery is a given due to some EU standards that are [or will be] in place.
January 29th, 2009
That is most likely. Things can happen like that. The Chinese government wants to make it law that all mobile phones made in China can be charged by USB. Some companies going frantic saying it will spoil the suave lines. User-replaceable batteries are a good thing and your reasoning makes much sense.
February 2nd, 2009
8 mexapixel camera? no way…it’s just too bulky for the iPhone. 3.2 max, with improved image processing software. the upgrade on the camera front will be zoom and video.
February 2nd, 2009
I already have copy/past and portrait SMS but it would be nice to be able to get all these things on a phone that doesn’t have to be jailbroken every time a new firmware comes out. If Steve Jobs opens the framework up a little more people won’t have to go over his head. See what happens when you put things on lock down???
March 12th, 2009
is this really a new phone? I thought it was just a firmware upgrade to all iPhones.
April 8th, 2009
I agree with most of the posts, i.e., that based on technology, the likely pixel improvement for the camera will be up to about 3.4, perhaps as much as 24 gb, maybe 32, and the replaceable battery would be great.
However, that being said, I perceive a real problem for U.S. carrier AT&T in sales and possibly others due to proprietary rules of Apple, thereby resulting in reduced sales.
The reason is simple; AT&T and other carriers do not allow upgrades or rebates, especially on the iPhone prior to contract time limit, those with the current version iPhone will not be able to get the new version until their current phone upgrade contract is reached unless they are willing to pay full price for the phone – I’ve already been fighting them (AT&T) about this – they are not willing to budge. No exceptions on the iPhone – seems like a silly business policy since they could easily charge $100-200 more for replacement of your current phone and keep their customers happy. Face it, the iPhone is great, but in a poor economy, people will be thinking about personal budget.
Thus, given the current economy and carrier restrictions I simply don’t see the huge market/fortune Apple thinks they’ll get, but that may keep the phone in stores longer and the competition will appreciate that, especially Blackberry with the new Storm and Palm Pre.
April 8th, 2009
Honestly, I want them to put a new one out. And I want the contract with AT&T to expire. Then I will get the iphone. Believe it or not, my house is in a perfect place between two towers so it transfers between them often and cuts out. So I won’t pay for crappy phone service.
I don’t think it would smart for them to release a new phone this year because of the market. Other big companies aren’t releasing new products because they know they won’t sell; they are waiting until next year.
So who knows…
April 15th, 2009
I just want more storage memory and megapixels…!
Oh and of course a new design (maybe just more colors)
April 24th, 2009
Everyone wants more megapixels. What we need is a better quality 2.1 Mp. It is the noise that makes it a bad camera, not the size.
May 12th, 2009
i thought lg prada was there first
May 12th, 2009
Here is my take on the whole thing. The Apple conference is in June (I think the dates are the 8th-12th. I could be wrong). Apple updates their products every year, so an upgrade will be available. The release will probably be in July. I would venture middle of the month. I think the 3G was on the 17th.
I do not think that Apple would realease a totally revamped phone like they did when they released the 3G. The economy is in a far too big of a slump. They may make the phone itself faster. I can see Apple also putting in a bigger camera, but certaintly NOT 8.1megapixels. I would say 3.5, somewhere in that area. They may also have a new design and possibly a larger hard drive. I would say the max amount of storage they would upgrade to would be 32Gigs.
The 3.0 software will allow for sideways messaging, cut and paste, and MMS as opposed to the current phones. Apple has already announced this.
May 15th, 2009
I want Apple to do SOMETHING about the ring volume! If you’re outside and there is traffic or on a noisy bus, you can’t hear the damn phone ring! The problem is, there is only one external speaker. This expensive toy and they can’t seem or will NOT do anything about the number 1 complaint…THE RING VOLUME!
May 21st, 2009
To state that the PRE (a phone you have not even touched) is no comparison to the iPhone, is a sign of an ifanboy. Individuals who are versed in devices, know that the PRE can do things the iPhone cannot come June 6 – just as the iPhone has things it can do that the PRE may not. If you are versed in the devices, you respect both, iphone & PRE for what they both can do, because the reality is, the PRE does compare to the iphone. Maybe it doesnt compare to the 3rd party apps written for the iphone yet, but the device compares.
May 28th, 2009
The iphone set to be released this year in july is going to be awesome, have fun with the webcam feature!! i found tons of info here check it out
http://news4yourears.blogspot.com/2009/05/reviews-for-new-iphone-in-july.html
June 8th, 2009
Oh my god, 8 megapixels and flash!!! that what really people been waited for so long……!
June 8th, 2009
Oh my god, 8 megapixels and flash!!! that what really people been waited for so long……! I wish what i read in jason comment is true
October 13th, 2009
why so small it is just showing of an iphone size is fine the way it is. its become really unneccesary