Apple’s next-gen iPhone to have video camera

A little digging around inside iPhone OS 3.0 beta and information from a trusted source all point to the inclusion of video camera functionality, say sources. Another bread crumb leading us down this path is AT&T’s announced intention to upgrade its 3G network from 3.6 to 7.2 Mbps, which could make sharing via wireless a much more plausible option whilst out and about.

The first inkling, other than our collective angst for this feature, that Apple is baking video recording and sharing functionality into its next generation iPhone is a screencap dug by and then published by Engadget (below right, edited for size) that prominently pairs the words “publish video” with MobileMe—a natural tie in for Apple, especially considering how badly they need to resurrect the reputation of their pay-to-play online service.

From the “gee it’ll be nice” department, comes MacRumors’ reminder that AT&T has publicly stated its intention to roll 7.2Mbps 3G this year. The wireless carrier thinks it can accomplish much of the upgrade via software updates, making the doubling of the current 3.6Mbps throughput just a matter of flipping a switch.

Needless to say, if iPhone users will be schlepping grainy cellphone video around AT&T’s network, more speed can only help.

Another possibility vis-a-vis network speeds fast enough to move video comes is a new Broadcom 802.11n chip that Electronista also says provides stereo Bluetooth functionality, something we already know is part of iPhone 3.0.

Lastly, AppleInsider adds that one of its trusted sources has said that video
recording is part of the next generation iPhone:

Details are few and far between, but the information comes from a person who’s proven extremely reliable when predicting changes to the Cupertino-based company’s hardware offerings … At this time, there’s no information to suggest that video recording support will be available through anything other than a upgraded rear-facing camera that will, of course, also take still photos at a higher resolution.

Do any or all of these tidbits add up to a real feature shipping, one assumes, this Summer? I’m hopeful. Still, if wishing counted for anything, Apple’s next generation iPhone would capture, compress and stream high definition video in real time—I just haven’t started holding my breath just yet…

What’s your take?

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