4 New iPhone 4G Features

The technology press is alight with discussion of one upcoming product: Apple’s soon-to-be-revealed iPhone 4G. The latest edition of the revolutionary smartphone has been in and out of newspapers over the last three weeks, brought into the spotlight through an accidental leak and a controversial citizen journalism scandal.

But is the new iPhone all it’s cracked up to be? Little is known about the new smartphone, with the few confirmed features the result of leaked information and controversial blogger research. Even the device’s name is a mystery, with bloggers throwing around predictable monickers; iPhone 4G, iPhone HD, and iPhone 4 have all been mentioned as potential product names.

But alongside all the conjecture, discussion, and controversy, a small slither of real information about Apple’s new creation has found its way onto the internet. These five features have yet to be completely confirmed, but given their positions – some in the iPhone Software Developers Kit, others in the leaked prototype, and others in pre-release models – we can safely say that they’ll be making their way into the final version.

Two improved video cameras

Developers have uncovered some interesting information in the new iPhone’s developer kit; a new video chat application and HD video recording are referenced in the program’s code. While Apple could be playing an elaborate practical joke, we think it’s safe to say that both video chatting and high definition video will be standard features in the new iPhone.

An iPad-style design

Gizmodo’s slightly unethical ‘iPhone 4G’ coverage attracted plenty of scepticism when it was first published. Technology ‘insiders’ claimed that the stolen iPhone was a fake, using its sharpened design and distinctly changed appearance as supposed proof.

Unsurprisingly, it looks like they were wrong. The new iPhone will use a redesigned case, one that’s aesthetically closer to the iPad than it is to previous iPhone generations. Volume buttons will be just that – separate buttons – with the device’s exterior design taking its cues from the latest Macbook Pro range.

A high resolution display

Several bloggers have hinted that the new iPhone might use an HD display, but we don’t think it’s the case. We do think that the new iPhone will use a high resolution touchscreen, possibly one that operates at a native 960×640 resolution.

While high definition movies will look slightly more murky, the inclusion of a more defined display will make the new iPhone a lot more appealing for film buffs. Combine it with the rumoured high definition camera and you’ve got the ultimate mobile recording rig.

Multitasking, right from the start

Despite Steve Jobs’ claims that the new iPhone operating system will ship in December, we have a feeling that it could find itself as the default system on iPhone 4G. Apple have a history of releasing their operating systems midway through the year, with both their iPhone OS and Mac OSX Snow Leopard shipping third-quarter 2009.

There’s a good chance the tradition could repeat itself here. While we can’t guarantee anything, we certainly suspect that the new iPhone could be a testing platform for Apple’s new operating system and mobile advertising platform.

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