Bet on black. The first 3G iPhone specs?

April 25, 2008 | MG Siegler | Comments |

Anticipation for the next generation iPhone, which will work on the faster 3G cellular network, is building. New rumors are popping up daily for release dates and features, but the device is already in the wild being tested, Engadget’s Ryan Block is reporting.

Block has a “trusted source” who has their hands on the device. He claims the device will be about the same size as the current version but will be slightly thicker. It will look drastically different however because the entire thing will be glossy black, removing the metallic finish that makes up the entire back of the device now. It will have true GPS capabilities (as opposed to Apple’s current WiFi triangulation method) and will support 3G. (It wouldn’t be much of a 3G iPhone without it!)

Unfortunately, the device will supposedly still not have a removable battery, but it will feature a headphone jack that is no longer recessed – meaning it will be able to use different types of headphones.

The description seems in line with the first pictures The iPod Observer published earlier this month (above). Interestingly, Block hears the 3G iPhone won’t be out until July at the earliest, going against reports from yesterday that the device would be announced at Apple’s WWDC event on June 9th. Of course it could be announced on June 9th for roll out in July or later in the summer.

Also not noted in this report is the advanced IM/video chatting features that Kevin Rose spoke about last month.

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About the Author, MG Siegler

MG Siegler writes about technology trends and new media for VentureBeat, with a focus on mobile topics, social elements and key news stories. Before that, MG wrote about technology on his blog, ParisLemon. Originally from Ohio, MG attended the University of Michigan where he studied film. He's previously lived in Los Angeles where he worked in Hollywood and in San Diego where he did web development. He now lives in San Francisco.

  • You had me at "a headphone jack that is no longer recessed"
  • @alan - I am very excited about that as well.
  • Looks very feminine to me, like something you'd expect your wife/girlfriend to pull out of a makeup bag.

    The iPod started the trend of mobile devices that approximate the form and function of makeup accessories (I have seen women using their now-outdated shiny aluminum clad iPods as make-shift makeup mirrors)

    The black lacquer finish only makes it more like something your wife/girlfriend to pull out of her makeup bag.

    Apple's sense of sexy is feminine.

    I'd be much more comfortable having an iPhone in my pocket than a Blackberry.
  • Peter Antypas
    It's not "WiFi triangulation"; it's cell phone tower triangulation. That's accurate enough for most users (after all you don't take an iPhone with you in the wilderness).

    I would describe Apple's sense of sexy as more "metrosexual" than female. Sorry Marc ;)
  • @peter - yes, sorry should have clarified that further, I just meant that Apple is using WiFi hotspots to help pinpoint location on top of regular cell tower triangulation.

    and yes, I too would go with the metrosexual ahead of the female aesthetic -- though i think there is some kind of new fill-in-the-blanksexual term related to digital lifestyle. can't think of it off the top of my head.
  • Quasi-sexual