So a tech blogger walks into a bar and finds the next iPhone prototype. Stop me if you’ve heard this one…
But seriously, Gizmodo might have gotten the scoop on the rest of the tech journalism universe with a discovery of what seems to be a prototype of the next iPhone (iPhone 4G?). A Gizmodo reporter really 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 certainly “very interested” in getting it back. It is unclear whether they were ready to use payday loans to sic Sherlock Holmes on the case.
An iPhone prototype in 3GS clothing
The surface of the iPhone prototype looks more or less like an iPhone 3GS. You will find many details that make this iPhone 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, 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, a lot more squared-off design
- Higher-powered battery… 5.25 WHr (watt hours) at 3.7V, compared with 4.75 WHr in the iPhone 3GS
Is it a new iPhone or red herring?
Gizmodo believes that this new iPhone is a discovery for numerous reasons. First off, it was sprinting the 4. operating system for iPhone before OS was even announced. Second, the iPhone prototype was remotely killed before Gizmodo could dig any further to the OS. It was indicated that it was an unreleased unit when it connected to a Mac OS X system and was recognized as an iPhone in both Xcode and iTunes, but no firmware updates were available. The fact that the Mac OS X System Profiler reported it as an iPhone in restore mode is consistent with the phone having been “remotely wiped.” according to Gizmodo.
Under the hood is the proof
The internal components are Apple-labeled and fit together well inside the case. If this were 3G or 3GS parts in modified housing, Gizmodo says the parts wouldn’t fit so well. Thus, they feel it was designed for that case. The case is thinner than the 3GS but slightly heavier (probably 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 more curves than this one that was ugly, just like tax debt, and boxier. The iPhone being a prototype might be the excuse for this though.
What this could mean for consumers
The iPhone is going to be announced this summer for the next-gen. If the iPhone prototype discovered by Gizmodo is an indication of the future, people 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. Just sexy up the case a bit and you might just have a deal.
