So a tech blogger walks into a bar and finds the next iPhone prototype. Stop me if you’ve heard this one…
Seriously, Gizmodo might have gotten the significant scoop on the rest of the tech journalism universe with a fortuitous discovery of just what seems to be a prototype of the next iPhone (iPhone 4G?). A Gizmodo reporter found it in a Redwood City bar. After checking with Apple-connected John Gruber of Daring Fireball, Gizmodo found out that Apple had lost a prototype and was surely “very interested” in getting it back. Whether or not they were ready to use pay day loans to sic Sherlock Holmes on the case is unclear.
An iPhone prototype that is apparently dressed in 3GS clothing
The plastic case of the iPhone prototype looks like an iPhone 3GS on the surface. However, there are numerous details that make this new iPhone something quite different:
- Front-facing video camera in addition to a back camera with a flash and larger lens
- Micro-SIM – more secure, a lot more storage, more allowable connections. This would be the first use of this tech in a U.S. cell phone
- Higher-res display (exact numbers unclear so far)
- A second microphone port and 2nd volume button
- Metal buttons
- A flatter, a lot more squared-off design
- Higher-powered battery… 5.25 WHr (watt hours) at 3.7V, in contrast to 4.75 WHr in the iPhone 3GS
New iPhone or red herring?
Gizmodo believes this new iPhone is a real discovery for many reasons. First of all, it was running the iPhone 4. operating system before that OS was even announced. Second thing, the iPhone was killed likely before Gizmodo could get any further to the OS. When connected to a Mac OS X system, the device was recognized as an iPhone in both Xcode and iTunes, but no firmware updates were available, which indicated to Gizmodo that this was an unreleased unit. According to Gizmodo, the fact the Mac OS X System Profiler reported it as an iPhone in restore mode is consistent with the phone having been “remotely wiped.”
Under the hood is where you'll discover the proof
The internal components fit together well inside the case and are Apple-labeled. If this were 3G or 3GS parts in some modified housing, Gizmodo claims the parts wouldn’t fit so well. They feel that it was thus designed for that case. Speaking of the case, it is thinner than the 3GS, but slightly heavier (maybe because of the metal buttons). The product seemed as if it wasn't as sleep as customers are used to having with Apple products. IPhones previously had a lot more curves than this one that was ugly, just like tax debt, and boxier. This could be attributed to the iPhone being a prototype.
What this could mean for consumers
The next-gen iPhone is going to be announced this summer. If the iPhone prototype found by Gizmodo is any indication, individuals waiting to upgrade might want to take the plunge. A better back camera, a better battery, a second microphone for better voice clarity, and a front video cam addresses some of fans' major concerns. Just sexy up the case a bit and you might just have a deal.
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