We’re on the verge of Apple’s WWDC keynote tomorrow morning in San Francisco. We’ll be there covering it live starting at 10 AM PST. After the usual months of speculation, there are two things Apple’s VP of marketing Phil Schiller is expected to focus on during the keynote: Mac OS X 10.6 “Snow Leopard” and the iPhone platform. Obviously, the iPhone 3.0 software will be a big part of that, but most of those details were already given during Apple’s iPhone 3.0 SDK event a few months back. That’s why a new piece of iPhone hardware seems likely to take center stage tomorrow as well.
Details of such a device (or devices) have been trickling out over the past few months. It now seems fairly likely that the device will look similar to the current iPhone 3G, perhaps with a different, more matte-finish back and a loss of the silver ring that goes around the screen now. It will likely feature a better camera — probably 3.2 megapixels (as opposed to the current version’s 2 megapixels) and could have autofocus. The device should also be able to record video. It’s also possible that it could have a front-facing camera, though that may be saved for a future version rather than this one. Speed will likely be a focus as the device should have a faster processor, more RAM and be able to handle faster 3G connection speeds. And that leads to two final rumors: The device’s name and battery life.
Daring Fireball’s John Gruber made his predictions for the WWDC keynote this morning, talking about what he’s heard and what he’s unsure about. He has a great track record when it comes to such things, so when he says he’s heard a new possible name for the device, it’s at the very least probably a code name, which he notes. And I hope it is a code name, because it’s kind of lame: iPhone 3GS.
As I allude to above, he makes the case that the “S” in iPhone 3GS would stand for “Speed.” That makes sense given what Apple is likely to tout with this version, but is a rather boring naming convention. I would much rather see Apple go with some other names that have been tossed around like “iPhone Video” or the “iPhone Pro.” The latter makes some sense given the other recently reported talk that there will be a slightly cheaper version of the iPhone that will be for sale when this new version comes out. A lot of people including Gruber believe this cheaper version could simply be the current iPhone 3G reduced in price to either $149 or $99.
Eventually, such a model would undoubtedly be phased out in favor of a new, smaller model just as Apple has done with its iPod line. And that’s why I still have some hope that Apple will simply call its new iPhone the “iPhone,” while it gets ready to transition to an “iPhone nano” or whatever they’ll call that when it comes out eventually (not tomorrow). But calling it simply the “iPhone” could raise some confusion if the cheaper iPhone model is still the “iPhone 3G” — some people might be tricked into thinking that the iPhone 3G is more advanced than the one which would be called the iPhone. So that’s a roundabout way to describe why would could be stuck with a clunky iPhone 3GS name.
I just wonder if that name will draw some confusion from people misreading it as the plural version of the iPhone 3G. I can just see ads touting that a store has iPhone 3Gs in stock — while they mean the iPhone 3GS. And just try doing a Google search for “iPhone 3GS,” — yeah, that’s pretty useless. Not that Apple would dictate a name based on a Google search. Of course, I also thought the MacBook Air was a bad name because it sounded like “MacBook Error,” but that seems to have worked out okay for Apple.
The other juicy tidbit in Gruber’s predictions is that he’s heard this new iPhone 3GS will have 15 to 20% better battery life. If true, that is awesome. I recently complained about the diminishing battery life of my iPhone 3G, but when it was still young, I found the device’s battery life to be pretty good — not great, but good, considering how much I was using it. But a 20% boost on top of that would be most welcomed.
[photo: flickr/kennymatic]
What about an economy plan or two for the iPhone usage?
iPhone = STALE.
This is the perfect opening for the Palm Pre.
The Pre got universally excellent reviews this weekend. Multi-tasking is HUGE. Replaceable battery vs. sending your stale iPhone to Apple, paying an exorbitant amount for the replacement and twiddling your thumbs while you wait is going to get big soon as the iPhones start to wear out.
But here’s the kicker: By end of year the Pre will have Flash. Flash has 1 million salivating developers / artists anxious to get their very creative minds on a cool mobile device. No developer community can approach Flashers when it comes to Games and User Interfaces.
Put all you have in Adobe and Palm. Mark my words.
Ability to move video frame by frame is a guaranteed feature in this device
trust me
This device is all about video and images
Good article until macbook error hmmm don’t hear it myself….
Based on the Carphone Warehouse computer inventory screens I’ve seen, I’m going to guess:
iPhone V3
This made me nostalgic for the Apple IIGS.
As I have an iPhone 3G 16GB model from late 2008… what is the upgrade path like if I just want the new possible hotness?
Do I just put the old one into airplane mode with WiFi on and use it as a glorified iPod Touch?
That’s basically what I did with the original iPhone.
Is that really your picture and you use the word “hotness” to describe a gadget? I’d expect a teenager to use to do that, but never a balding middle aged man.
What’s up with you and you sarcastic remarks all over this site? All you have to seem to offer is your mostly dejecting, pointless, unfruitful comments that often don’t even relate to the discussion. i.e. this one. Lol, what’s wrong with a middle aged man using the word, “hotness”. You obviously don’t get out much, or, just realized you were in the closet. Quit being such a turd, and participate with constructive, discussion related material instead of all the bash and pessimism.
I’m actually crying right now. I hope you are happy.
Tom – you are truly a dick of the highest order.
I really doubt it would be the 3GS, just because of how much Jobs wanted to get rid of the IIgs and focus on the Mac back in the late 80s-early 90s.
Another option would be the IIIgs, but then that just brings up the failure of the Apple III too.
Ha, I like that, IIIgs.
I want one of these. I suppose I can hock my 3G on Craigslist and upgrade. I wonder what the sticker price will be.
I’m betting the same as the last time: $199 for the smaller one (16GB), $299 for the bigger (32GB).
The lack of new features and how there’s barely any marketing for it, probably means that they’re confident that they’ll dominate any phone to compete with it.
Two months ago we explored iPhone name permutations in:
What will the next iPhone be called?
http://countern.../30/iphonenext/
The iPod nano, Airport Extreme and several other products have been updated many times without getting a new name. I don’t think they really need a new name for it, it’s just an updated iPhone 3G.
MG, I think you should start going by MGS after your glowing review of the new name
I’m sure that ‘iegler’ is just getting in the way anyway…
I still like the story about the old Mac SE product line being upgraded to the SE/30 instead of using Apple’s traditional “x” after the product name, for obvious reasons… http://en.wikip...Macintosh_SE/30 (3rd paragraph)
I vote for 3Gx!
I like that! MGS. It works too!
A faster processor AND better battery life will definitely get me to upgrade to the latest version. I can always make my 3G phone another dev testing device like my 2G is already.
Since the west coast is on Pacific Daylight Time now, does the live coverage actually start at 10:00 AM PDT?
Oh is it? Not sure, whatever 10 AM is tomorrow in California, be here.
It seems a shame that Apple has got into this dilemma – with the iPod it wasn’t an issue because people just spoke of “the new iPod” and everyone knew. But now, with the App Store especially, there will no doubt be apps (especially games) that will require the increased CPU and RAM of the iPhone 3rd generation (or enter 3rd version name here).
If Apple call this latest iPhone the 3GS, it’s going to start sounding a little too much like the way Motorola, Nokia and others seem to tag on letters and numbers with seemingly little meaning. I don’t want an iPhone 4GSi in 3 years.
Apple can do better than that. I sincerely hope they do, anyway.
“[Gruber] he makes the case that the ‘S’ in iPhone 3GS would stand for ‘Speed.’”
He made the case for it? Here’s his, uh, argument:
“Speed?”
A one-word wild guess. In a footnote. Posed as a question. Referenced immediately after he says, flat out, “I have no idea what the S stands for.”
I don’t think “makes the case” means what you think it means.
Okay, fine, he took a guess that it would be “Speed.” Happy?
I hate it when you write a great article and someone comments on the ONLY mistake you make, and ensures they write at least a paragraph with the sole intent to make you look like an idiot.
Seems to happen to the best bloggers more and more. Kinda partly why Arrington’s been getting so pissed off lately.
Give MGS a break!
Please allow me to make the case that Nono is a douche.
Why does the iphone always follow the Ipod Touch why not the other way around.
2008 Iphone 8 & 16GB Ipod Touch 16 & 32GB why not Ipod Touch 8 & 16 GB Iphone 16 & 32GB
I will not be buying an iphone until it reaches or passes 64gb I will not give up my music or movies for less space. I’d like to see 128 GB iphone but that wont happen anytime soon.
Because the iPhone has more components than the touch to fit in a small space. Use your brain.
12 Hours away and this is the best anyone’s got? Battery Life and a name change? Im beginning to get the feeling WWDC will be a dud…. I’ll Be Here, bright and early!!! HAHAHAHAHA
this is great!
I think that the S might stand for Skype… possibly
Who gives a flaming turd about the fucking name? Seriously guys, get a fucking life and stop felching Steve Jobs.
maybe it’ll be named iPrehondroid.
Wait one more day for gawd’s sake. What’s the value in all the hype trying to predict Apple’s future?
Tethering please!! I’m still paying $70 for the privileged of lugging around my verizon air card.
Thats a new reallity!
Att,
Marcelo
Nice try with the literary reference, MG. Unfortunately, Juliet’s point is that names shouldn’t matter. Isn’t that the opposite of what you’re trying to say?
Just love the new 32gb iPhone. Ultimate gadget for me. Nice post.