So a tech blogger walks into a bar and finds the next iPhone prototype. Stop me if you’ve heard this one…
Really, Gizmodo may have gotten the severe scoop with a fortuitous discovery of just what appears to be a prototype of the next iPhone (iPhone 4G?). It was really found it in a Redwood City bar by a Gizmodo reporter. After checking with John Gruber of Daring Fireball, who’s Apple connected, Gizmodo discovered that Apple had lost a prototype and was “very interested” in getting it back. Whether they were ready to use payday loans to sic Sherlock Holmes on the case is unclear.
In 3GS clothing, an iPhone prototype
On the surface, the plastic case of the iPhone prototype looks more or less like an iPhone 3GS. However, you will find 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 – a lot more secure, a lot more storage, a lot 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, 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
Red herring or new iPhone?
Gizmodo believes that this new iPhone is a discovery for a number of reasons. First of all, it was sprinting the iPhone 4. operating system before that OS was even announced. Second thing, the iPhone was killed likely before Gizmodo could get any further into the OS. When it is 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, as the Mac OS X System Profiler reported it as an iPhone in restore mode seems to mean the phone was “remotely wiped.”
Under the hood is where you'll find the proof
The components on the inside are Apple-labeled and fit together very well inside the case. Gizmodo claims that if this were 3G or 3GS parts in some modified housing, then 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 (possibly because of the metal buttons). However, the design appeared to be somewhat less sleek than consumers are used to with Apple products. It is kind of ugly, like tax debt, and is boxier where iPhones before have had more curves. The iPhone being a prototype might be the excuse for this though.
Consumers want to know what this means
This summer, the next-gen iPhone is going to be announced. If the iPhone prototype found by Gizmodo is any indication, individuals waiting to upgrade may 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. Sexy up the case and Apple may just have a deal.
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