iPhone 2.0: The Rumor Roundup

News Type: Event — Fri May 9, 2008 2:47 PM EDT

technology, apple, iphone, mac, computers, steve-jobs, phones, macrumors, tricorder, oh-my-god-i-want-one

Real photo or cruel joke?

I dunno.

Lately, the buzz surrounding Apple's fabled 3G iPhone has been increasing. Since you've got better things to do than wade through rumor blogs, let me summarize the latest and offer a few speculations.

The following information is coming from macrumors.com:

Late June Release - current models of the iPhone are already starting to be phased out

in Britain. AT&T Employees are being denied vacations during the period between June 15 and July 12, just as they were denied vacations a year ago for the original iphone launch. Finally, Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference is coming up in early June - an event known for huge product announcements. A good bet is that we can expect to see the next-gen iphone on or around June 27, 2008.

Mysterious Third Sensor - the current iPhone has both a proximity sensor and an ambient light sensor. According to leaked images (which may or may not be real), the next model of the iPhone is going to have a third sensor. The purpose of this sensor is of course unknown, but this columnist is sincerely hoping for some sort of super-powered iSight webcam: imagine being able to video chat from your iPhone, anywhere you have cell reception.
An End to Exclusivity? - In Italy, two different providers are set to offer iPhone services. Could this be signaling an early end to the provider-exclusivity currently in place? Probably not - but it'd be nice to get iPhone with my Verizon service.

So, what's it all mean? For one, it means I've got a bit of time on my hands and am excited about the uber-gadget. But the rumors themselves, if true, spell out one thing: if you're in the market for a new iphone, hold off until the end of June. Whatever the case, you're going to feel like a chump if your shiny new toy becomes "oh, it's the old model" after a few weeks.

All of these rumors are of course to be taken with a grain of salt - but I for one am expecting a pretty huge announcement at this year's WWDC.

That is all.

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4.1

{"commentId":1783768,"authorDomain":"darkside"}

Mykola Bilokonsky

The lack of 3G fused with the AT&T exclusivity are the main reasons I didn't break the bank to get an iPhone when they launched last year. With the rumored presence of 3G in the new model, combined with the possible prospect of a webcam, I'd be willing to sign on with AT&T this time around.

What features do you really want to see in the new one?

{"commentId":1783768,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"darkside"}

2 votes

#1 - Fri May 9, 2008 2:53 PM EDT

{"commentId":1783901,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

Tedd Riggs

but it'd be nice to get iPhone with my Verizon service.

Thats the one reason I don't have a iPhone. AT&T. If it is offered with anyone else, I would go for it, my first choice would be T-Mobile, but Verizon is fine also. AT&T has poor coverage of Redmond and many area's I travel to.

I am not sure on those photos. With the iMac, MacBook Pro and soon the MacBook all the product line is aluminum or iPod brighter colors, that white seems a step back in time almost.

3G is going to be a must for Europe. T-Mobile has it in New York. I think they are going to have to add it.
Garmins is finalizing carrier deals on the nüvifone, that has 3G and my guess will give the iPhone some competition (not a replacement, more a niche item, but a unique one)

The Webcam is a new one on me. Whoa..the YouTubers would like that, same with Soccermoms....and teens. I wonder what the data plan looks like ?

June 24th is my Birthday....Hope they decide by them. That is the deadline I am giving Apple...

{"commentId":1783901,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

3 votes

#2 - Fri May 9, 2008 3:28 PM EDT

{"commentId":1783987,"authorDomain":"darkside"}

Mykola Bilokonsky

Well, presumably we'll know by WWDC - which is what, June 6? I'm excited. :)

And yeah, I know the white isn't consistent with their more "cutting edge" designs but it still fits the Macbook. I bet they'll do black and white ones - the aluminum just doesn't seem like a good idea for a device that's going to be sitting in your pocket. Too likely to be damaged.

{"commentId":1783987,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"darkside"}

3 votes

#2.1 - Fri May 9, 2008 3:47 PM EDT

{"commentId":1784041,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

Tedd Riggs

WWDC is June 9-13th. My guess is that since June 10th is Tuesday.That will be the day we hear about the new iPhone and if not sooner the new MBP.

Are you going to WWDC ?

{"commentId":1784041,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

2 votes

#2.2 - Fri May 9, 2008 4:00 PM EDT

{"commentId":1784217,"authorDomain":"darkside"}

Mykola Bilokonsky

I wish, that's way beyond my means at the moment. Maybe next year. ;)

{"commentId":1784217,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"darkside"}

2 votes

#2.3 - Fri May 9, 2008 4:37 PM EDT

{"commentId":1784286,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

Tedd Riggs

But as CEO of the Community Modulator's group, you could not ask finance to cut you a check ?

{"commentId":1784286,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

1 vote

#2.4 - Fri May 9, 2008 4:51 PM EDT

{"commentId":1785920,"authorDomain":"russrenshaw"}

Russ R.

Don't Apple and AT&T have a 5 year exclusivity contract in the states? I know this article is a year old, but I've never heard of them negotiating out of this yet. And if Apple did want to wiggle out of this deal, I'm sure it wouldn't be cheap.

{"commentId":1785920,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"russrenshaw"}

2 votes

#2.5 - Sat May 10, 2008 9:15 AM EDT

{"commentId":1786022,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

Tedd Riggs

Russ,

As far as I am aware, that 5 year contract is still solid and locked in very tight. However there are plenty of people that are using iPhone's on other Networks, the problem is, that doing that, you cannot get the software updates as those come via AT&T. I have heard that some third party providers are somehow suppling them. I am not sure how.

{"commentId":1786022,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

2 votes

#2.6 - Sat May 10, 2008 10:15 AM EDT

{"commentId":1786401,"authorDomain":"kyleb"}

Kyle Baxter

Software updates come via iTunes, so you can get them with an unlocked iPhone, but you always run the risk that it will brick your phone.

{"commentId":1786401,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"kyleb"}

3 votes

#2.7 - Sat May 10, 2008 1:43 PM EDT

{"commentId":1786452,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

Tedd Riggs

Is that true for both the software and firmware updates ? My understanding from talking with the AT&T store and T-Mobile was iTunes supplies the software updates, but the final firmware had to by via the carrier at the RF level. That is fairly standard for most networks unless they are doing something very different on the iPhone. Do you know who actually makes the iPhone ? (The RF section )

{"commentId":1786452,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

2 votes

#2.8 - Sat May 10, 2008 2:10 PM EDT

{"commentId":1786913,"authorDomain":"kyleb"}

Kyle Baxter

I've never received an OTA update. All updates are coming through iTunes as far as I know.

{"commentId":1786913,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"kyleb"}

2 votes

#2.9 - Sat May 10, 2008 6:39 PM EDT

{"commentId":1786950,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

Tedd Riggs

It might be different on AT&T. In the past, most of the actual phone sections were all made either by Qualcomm or Motorola and they had standardized on a OTA sych. system for firmware changes. But that also was about 3 years ago. I have been away from that world recently.

{"commentId":1786950,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

1 vote

#2.10 - Sat May 10, 2008 7:00 PM EDT

{"commentId":1787049,"authorDomain":"DrJuice"}

Dr Juice

All iPhone updates come through iTunes, including firmware updates (which is most likely what started bricking phones around 1.1.1 or 1.1.2).

And yes, they announced a 5 year deal, and as far as I know it's still in effect. The only way that we could see an iPhone legitimately on another US network is if both parties abandon their agreement (is that possible?) or if there's some secret clause in there that says Apple can build a wholly different phone for another provider. Frankly I don't see Apple trying to wiggle out of it any time soon as they're getting a cut from AT&T's monthly subscriptions, and that would be difficult (more likely impossible) to negotiate with another carrier, and if they went to another carrier there would be no reason for AT&T to continue giving them that cut.

Additionally, an iPhone for Sprint or Verizon would require an entirely new handset, most likely one that would only be available in the US (unless other carriers in other countries use the same technology). That doesn't seem to be Apple's style, at least of late. The iPhone you buy here is the same hardware as the one you buy in the UK, it's just some software mojo that makes them exclusive to their countries. So to with their computers - they just localize them. The only hardware I could see being different is maybe the Apple TV to support PAL, unless that's also a software switch to flip.

Finally, if iPhone 2.0 is shipping in June per the rumors, why is Apple shutting down sales now? It seems way to soon, and in fact what they usually do is recall all of the current models that are in the channel when new models are released.

{"commentId":1787049,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"DrJuice"}

#2.11 - Sat May 10, 2008 7:49 PM EDT

{"commentId":1788493,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

Tedd Riggs

Whoa...Did you see this one !

3G iPhone Beta 5 Firmware Settings Leaked: On/Off Option

{"commentId":1788493,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

1 vote

#2.12 - Sun May 11, 2008 12:15 PM EDT

{"commentId":1791704,"authorDomain":"acidreflux"}

AdipicAcid

You were surprised?

{"commentId":1791704,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"acidreflux"}

#2.13 - Mon May 12, 2008 2:29 PM EDT

{"commentId":1797031,"authorDomain":"soundscape"}

SoundScape

The iPhone 2.0 will be coming to Australia when it is released, and we've already got two phone companies who have confirmed that they will be selling the iPhone - Optus and Vodafone. It has also been confirmed that the phone will be sold unlocked here. There was also rumour back when iPhone 1.0 was released in the US that Telstra would be a seller of the iPhone when it was eventually released here. However I think that was rejected by Telstra within a few weeks of the rumour coming to fruition.

I'm pretty excited for the iPhone. I work in an IT Department and my boss is a major tech head. He's already drooling over the iPhone and has already half-promised we'd be getting them as soon as they were available. That'll save me some money. :)

{"commentId":1797031,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"soundscape"}

2 votes

#2.14 - Tue May 13, 2008 7:33 PM EDT

{"commentId":1797967,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

Tedd Riggs

You were surprised?

With the nuviphone right around the corner and the WWDC
also in June and no iPhones to be had...

Not to surprised, a little bit to see the screen shot however.

Apple Design Awards
Wednesday, June 11, 2008

My guess is Tuesday June 11th we see the New Aluminum MacBooks, New MacBook Pro and maybe the new iPhone on Tuesday or Wednesday....just my guess.

{"commentId":1797967,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

2 votes

#2.15 - Wed May 14, 2008 1:24 AM EDT

{"commentId":1783937,"authorDomain":"Henryvii"}

Henry VII

I'm not sure I would get an iPhone, even if they were released in Japan. It would have to be significantly modified to suit the Japanese lifestyle - and I doubt Apple would be willing to make those changes. I would lose the ability to pay for my train rides with my phone. I would lose the dictionaries. I would lose the IR information exchange. I would lose navigation. I would lose 1seg TV and radio.

I don't know if I would be willing to give all of that up for a touch screen. If Apple wants the iPhone to be successful in Japan, they will need to modify the included software to suit the market.

{"commentId":1783937,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"Henryvii"}

3 votes

#3 - Fri May 9, 2008 3:36 PM EDT

{"commentId":1783978,"authorDomain":"darkside"}

Mykola Bilokonsky

Well the japanese market for cells is highly specialized - they have their own little proprietary cell-phone internet. We're talking about an entire infrastructure. I remember I used my cell phone to keep track of my Tekken 5 rankings in the arcades.

I'm sure that a third-party developer could make the iPhone a solid product for japan, but as it stands you're right. There's a lot of overhead involved.

{"commentId":1783978,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"darkside"}

3 votes

#3.1 - Fri May 9, 2008 3:45 PM EDT

{"commentId":1784183,"authorDomain":"prompt"}

prompt

Wow that sounds really nifty.

{"commentId":1784183,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"prompt"}

#3.2 - Fri May 9, 2008 4:32 PM EDT

{"commentId":1783974,"authorDomain":"greglujan"}

greck

any rumor on storage?

I'm not going Iphone till I can replace my Ipod with it (30ish gb minimum). Then and only then will the expense be worthwhile to me, when I can consolidate gadgets.

{"commentId":1783974,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"greglujan"}

1 vote

#4 - Fri May 9, 2008 3:44 PM EDT

{"commentId":1783991,"authorDomain":"darkside"}

Mykola Bilokonsky

Not that I've seen, but Apple did pull their 8gig iphones off the British market. I wonder if that means they're looking to expand in that direction, making the firstGen 16giggers the new baseline model and then offering iPhone2 in 16 and 32?

{"commentId":1783991,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"darkside"}

2 votes

#4.1 - Fri May 9, 2008 3:48 PM EDT

{"commentId":1784057,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

Tedd Riggs

Have you looked at the US Store ? First time since they came out with such long shipping time on both 8 & 16 GB versions,

Ships: 5-7 business days

Actually the UK has them in stock, both 8 & 16
Ready to ship: Within 24 hours

{"commentId":1784057,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

1 vote

#4.2 - Fri May 9, 2008 4:04 PM EDT

{"commentId":1784237,"authorDomain":"darkside"}

Mykola Bilokonsky

yeah, the out-of-stock is coming from O2 which I think is the carrier in the UK. Presumably the apple store is still selling them, I stand corrected.

{"commentId":1784237,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"darkside"}

1 vote

#4.3 - Fri May 9, 2008 4:40 PM EDT

{"commentId":1784302,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

Tedd Riggs

Thats strange to see the US versions so backlogged. I just called the local store and they have plenty in stock. Weird....

{"commentId":1784302,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

1 vote

#4.4 - Fri May 9, 2008 4:53 PM EDT

{"commentId":1786817,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

Tedd Riggs

apple store is still selling them

Actually that has now changed. All of the on-line stores are saying that it is out of stock. US, UK, Germany (via T-Mobile) but the local Apple Store's (The 2 in Seattle) have plenty, but also said they are getting tons of calls about it.

{"commentId":1786817,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

1 vote

#4.5 - Sat May 10, 2008 5:36 PM EDT

{"commentId":1784204,"authorDomain":"prompt"}

prompt

Another rumor going around is the iPhone coming to Canada. It has been a problem up until now because there is only one GSM provider, Rogers, and they couldn't come to an agreement with Apple.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some sort of unlimited data plan from Rogers. Right now it is something like $30 for 2MB.

{"commentId":1784204,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"prompt"}

2 votes

#5 - Fri May 9, 2008 4:34 PM EDT

{"commentId":1784438,"authorDomain":"nickford"}

Nick Ford

Rogers is by far the world's worst large corporation overall. I could not despise them more.

{"commentId":1784438,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"nickford"}

2 votes

#5.1 - Fri May 9, 2008 5:24 PM EDT

{"commentId":1784510,"authorDomain":"prompt"}

prompt

I do my part to bug them. Found out recently that we were 750% over our monthly bandwidth limit. 750GB transferred when our limit is 100GB and I think it was for 3 or 4 months straight (and probably still quite high these past few months).

{"commentId":1784510,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"prompt"}

1 vote

#5.2 - Fri May 9, 2008 5:42 PM EDT

{"commentId":1784601,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

Tedd Riggs

Since I cannot technically bash Rogers as it might sounds like "anti-Canada"...(however Rogers is the worst)

What is this Network Neutrality Protest May 27 ? is that a real thing in Ottawa or just talk ?

{"commentId":1784601,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

1 vote

#5.3 - Fri May 9, 2008 6:09 PM EDT

{"commentId":1784554,"authorDomain":"spiffie"}

spiffie

Here's hoping that's not the real case. I rather like the metal backing of the current iPhone.

{"commentId":1784554,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"spiffie"}

1 vote

#6 - Fri May 9, 2008 5:55 PM EDT

{"commentId":1785090,"authorDomain":"DrJuice"}

Dr Juice

I think I'm most excited about the rumored .Mac refresh that may appear with the iPhone 2.0 software. 3G, GPS, and a video camera (or two, so I can videoconference while driving and kill 30 people instead of 10) just aren't enough to get another $500 out of me.

At least not initially.

{"commentId":1785090,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"DrJuice"}

#7 - Fri May 9, 2008 10:00 PM EDT

{"commentId":1785171,"authorDomain":"kyleb"}

Kyle Baxter

.Mac update is what I am looking forward to, too -- I've been hoping for push .Mac email since the iPhone's release. If it gets it, I'll buy .Mac in a second.

{"commentId":1785171,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"kyleb"}

1 vote

#7.1 - Fri May 9, 2008 10:38 PM EDT

{"commentId":1786792,"authorDomain":"acidreflux"}

AdipicAcid

Push email I care neither here nor there for. Give me OTA synch, though!

{"commentId":1786792,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"acidreflux"}

#7.2 - Sat May 10, 2008 5:22 PM EDT

{"commentId":1786916,"authorDomain":"kyleb"}

Kyle Baxter

Yeah, definitely. Push email and OTA calendar and contacts synching would be great.

{"commentId":1786916,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"kyleb"}

1 vote

#7.3 - Sat May 10, 2008 6:40 PM EDT

{"commentId":1785095,"authorDomain":"barry-rutherford"}

Barry Rutherford

My current Nokia pre-paid flip top does very little other than text and take calls. I could bear to lose another expensive gadget phone with the usual expensive contracts.

{"commentId":1785095,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"barry-rutherford"}

#8 - Fri May 9, 2008 10:02 PM EDT

{"commentId":1785210,"authorDomain":"emix"}

Evan Mix

That is all.

A very artful conclusion, Myk.

{"commentId":1785210,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"emix"}

1 vote

#9 - Fri May 9, 2008 10:55 PM EDT

{"commentId":1787182,"authorDomain":"Kiser"}

Brandon Kiser

And yet, it works.

{"commentId":1787182,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"Kiser"}

1 vote

#9.1 - Sat May 10, 2008 8:57 PM EDT

{"commentId":1786813,"authorDomain":"Henryvii"}

Henry VII

Well, the iPhone is no longer available in the US or UK Apple stores, so we can assume the iPhone 2.0 is on the way soon.

{"commentId":1786813,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"Henryvii"}

1 vote

#10 - Sat May 10, 2008 5:35 PM EDT

{"commentId":1787176,"authorDomain":"Kiser"}

Brandon Kiser

Some other hints and rumors are popping up as well:
1. The iPhone no longer available at the US Online Apple Store.

2. The beta release of iPhone Firmware 2.0 has an enable 3G option.

3. You'll like this one, it hints at possible iPhone cross-carriers. They're testing the 3G iPhone on Austria's T-Mobile service.

I need a job just so I can buy one of the darned things instead of talking about them.

{"commentId":1787176,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"Kiser"}

1 vote

#11 - Sat May 10, 2008 8:55 PM EDT

{"commentId":1797201,"authorDomain":"DrJuice"}

Dr Juice

Unless it's currently being tested in Austria, we won't see it in June. This current unavailability strikes me as a supplier or manufacturing issue, rather than a herald of the new iPhone. Apple rarely seems to sell out completely of a product before a new one is released.

And as far as 2.0 firmware, if it is going to go live at WWDC they've only got 3 weeks or so to finish it, along with declaring the SDK official. After that, though, I wonder how much developers already working on the SDK will have to do to get their apps ready for prime time.

{"commentId":1797201,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"DrJuice"}

#11.1 - Tue May 13, 2008 8:26 PM EDT

{"commentId":1927185,"authorDomain":"darkside"}

Mykola Bilokonsky

WWDC was today. Here's the actual scoop: link.

{"commentId":1927185,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"darkside"}

1 vote

#12 - Mon Jun 9, 2008 4:39 PM EDT

{"commentId":1928851,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

Tedd Riggs

dang thread jacker :-)

{"commentId":1928851,"threadId":"262153","contentId":"1478761","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

2 votes

#12.1 - Mon Jun 9, 2008 9:15 PM EDT

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"262153","isPrivate":false}

MYKOLA BILOKONSKY

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