3G iPhone Rumors Heat Up

April 22nd, 2008

Several iPhone 3G rumors floated past me in recent days, lending evidence that the new iPhone is nearly upon us.

Here’s one: the possibility that the iPhone will be “contractless” meaning more akin to an iPod. One would go to an Apple Store and purchase one, and the service provider would be up to you. This sort of carrier-less model is rumored to be how Apple will sell iPhones in Italy. Granted, these European cell phone plans are different than in America, but one can hope.

Personally, the locking of the iPhone into a two year contract with AT&T is one reason why I haven’t ponied up for one, yet. We use Verizon and I’m loathe to switch providers even if it is for the coolness that is iPhone. I don’t expect Apple to drop AT&T as they signed multi-year contract locking them in until 2012, but any loosening of the shackles on the part of AT&T would be very welcome.

Next up: a “radically different” iPhone design, like a flip version with a “bigger screen” or a “slider model with a full QWERTY keyboard”. Beacuse doing the latter would mean flip-flopping on the touch screen’s awesomeness – that Apple said was so superior to Blackberry-like buttons – I believe this rumor to be false.

Switch to a Mac floats two rumors: the 3G iPhone will show up as early as May (next month – just in time to meet those tax rebate stimulus checks) and a “new portable device” at WWDC 2008 - some sort of mini-mac Tablet or revival of the Newton. Both sound unlikely to me.

Last is Apple applying for a patent regarding iPhone instant messaging. The patent images take on the UI of Apple’s desktop IM program iChat.

My educated guess is the 3G iPhone will debut at WWDC 2008, which starts June 9. I don’t think it will be radically different in design with any new features in the software. As for some new mobile device – I’ll save that subject for another post.

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