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 just what appears to be a prototype of the next iPhone (iPhone 4G?). It was actually found it in a Redwood City bar by a Gizmodo reporter. 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 they were ready to use payday cash advances to sic Sherlock Holmes on the case is unclear.
An iPhone prototype in 3GS clothing
On the surface, the plastic case of the iPhone prototype looks a lot more or less like an iPhone 3GS. There are definite details making this prototype much more 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 second 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 within the iPhone 3GS
Is it a new iPhone or red herring?
Gizmodo believes that this new iPhone is a discovery for a number of reasons. It was running the iPhone 4. operating system before that OS was even announced first of all. Second thing, the iPhone was killed likely before Gizmodo could get 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. According to Gizmodo, because 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. If this were 3G or 3GS parts in modified housing, Gizmodo says the parts wouldn’t fit so well. It was for that case. Probably because of the metal buttons, the case is thinner but heavier. The product seemed as if it wasn’t as sleep as customers are used to having with Apple products. It is kind of ugly, like tax debt, and is boxier where iPhones before have had more curves. This could be chalked up to this iPhone being a prototype, however.
Exactly what does this mean for all consumers
The next-gen iPhone is going to be announced this summer. If the iPhone prototype found by Gizmodo is any indication of just what is to come, people waiting to upgrade might want to just 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.
