By Seb Janacek, 3 June 2009 13:12
COMMENT
iPhone intrigue
Since Apple has already announced that the iPhone 3.0 software will be made available this summer and has detailed many of the upcoming features, what will get most people excited will be the launch of a new iPhone handset. Many outlets are reporting dwindling stocks of the iPhone 3G while others have been offering deals on the device in an attempt to shift inventory.
As with all iPhone hardware releases thus far, the update is likely to be incremental. Think evolution not revolution. The device has changed little since it was first released and is, after all, a big screen with a single button - it's in software that the real innovation and development has taken place.
Rumours abound over new features for the iPhone. Among the frontrunners are an integrated video camera (and video chat), a built-in compass (presumably to aid turn-by-turn directions) as well as beefed up memory and processor speeds.
Intriguingly, a report by Engadget this week suggests that the iPhone will come in a range of storage capacities from 4GB to 32GB, in an attempt to appease budget shoppers and power users respectively. The article is based on a report that the range of devices has been granted approval by the US standards body responsible for certifying handsets.
A less likely possibility is that the smaller storage capacity might be indicative of a smaller iPhone device. Take it all with a pinch of salt, though.
The most likely date for the release of the third-generation iPhone is the end of June or early July. The timing is important. As a slew of contenders come to market, most notably the Palm Pre, the company needs hardware to tempt those who are coming to the end of their original iPhone contracts to renew.
The future
In truth, a part of me hoped the whole suite of software and glittering new hardware to be unveiled by a rejuvenated Jobs. Now I have accepted we are now looking at a new Apple. Not necessarily without Jobs but de-emphasising his iconic status as the magician at the head of company.
His abscence was meant to mark a $40bn drop in the value of Apple. In reality, the stock price has risen significantly in the five months he has been recuperating and dealing with local planning committees (he recently won permission to raze his mansion to the ground in order to build a new one).
So credit to interim CEO Tim Cook for steadying the ship and possibly indicating a way forward for the company.
In the meantime, Apple fans - sit back and enjoy the show, just don't expect it to be a blockbuster.
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