Seems like Apple just can't get their alarms to work consistently following time changes. The bug struck again, according to BBC News, as some iPhone owners in the UK were late for work this morning after the clocks moved forward an hour for British Summer Time. Similar problems occurred during the switch to and from standard time in North America, and following New Year.

This time the glitch is not with the iPhone’s clock application but is affecting non-recurring alarms set within the iPhone's calendar application. The alarms either go off one hour late, or not at all. We are not quite sure why anyone would want to set up a morning wakeup call in this way in the first place, but the bug could also affect agenda alarms too.

I am in the UK and my alarm went off without a hitch today and all my agenda reminders too. Did any of our UK readers experience any alarm related problems this morning? Let us know in the comments!

[BBC News]

Apple has aired yet another “if you don’t have an iPhone” commercial, this time focusing on the Retina Display. It highlights photographs, movies, maps and email and how clear they look on the phone with the highest resolution screen!

Official Apple video after the break. What do you think, better than the previous iBooks, iTunes music, App Store, and Game Center spots?

According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is weighing up the possibility of extending its current licensing of AirPlay to include video. Currently third party manufacturers can use AirPlay but only the audio protocol. This is why we are seeing high end stereos and iPod docks with AirPlay but no products that can receive video streamed from an iOS device.

Under the new plan, according to “two people familiar with the project”, Apple will license AirPlay video software to consumer electronics makers this year. This could then be included in TV’s, Media Players, Blu-ray Players etc.

AirPlay is one of the killer features of the new Apple TV. If Apple decides to let other manufacturers use the technology it would surely lessen the attraction of the Apple TV for many. On the other hand, it would make owning an iOS device with AirPlay a very attractive proposition to many more potential users; and open more iTunes accounts too.

What do you think? Would you still buy an Apple TV if you could use AirPlay directly with your TV or Blu-ray ? Let us know in the comments!

[Bloomberg]

A SIM card hack known as Gevey has been released to unlock the iPhone 4 running the latest iOS 4.3 software and baseband. This is a hardware hack as opposed to a software hack like Ultrasn0w.

The hack involves a wafer thing SIM, that needs to be inserted in the SIM card tray along with the actual SIM card that you wish to use in your iPhone 4. You then have to follow a short procedure of dialling an emergency number, hanging up, then toggling flight mode on and off a few times. Then service with your chosen provider magically appears. It is a little convoluted and has to be repeated if you reset your iPhone 4 or run out of battery.

The Grevey SIM will cost in the region of $75 and supports iOS 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.2.1, 4.3 and baseband 1.59.00, 2.10.04, 3.10.01, 04.10.01. This is a costly solution if you are in need of a SIM unlock for your iPhone 4. It is currently the only one available; and you do not need to jailbreak! If you really need an unlock solution, it may be worth considering.

[Gadgets DNA]

UK newspaper The Daily Mail, has published an article profiling the life of Apple’s SVP of Industrial Design Jonathan Ive. The most interesting point to come from the article is a quote from one of Ive’s former colleagues when asked about the recent rumor of Ive wanting to return to the UK.

I’m not sure there is any truth he wants to come back. My last conversations with him were that he was planning to sell his house in the UK.

The article goes on to tell us about how Ive became what he is today at Apple and the road he followed to get there. It is well worth reading. On a personal view, it is good to know that some of his early years were spent at Newcastle Polytechnic, based in my home town!

[The Daily Mail]

UK news paper, The Sunday Times is reporting that Jonathan Ive, the Senior Vice President of Industrial Design at Apple, wants to return to the UK to live! Ive is the principal designer of the iMac, MacBook, unibody MacBook Pro, iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

Ive supposedly wishes to commute to Cupertino from his home, which is based in Somerset, England, and the Apple board is not exactly thrilled by the idea. A friend of Ive’s family has allegedly confirmed the dispute and told The Sunday Times:

“Unfortunately he is just too valuable to Apple and they told him in no uncertain terms that if he headed back to England he would not be able to sustain his position with them.”

[Cult of Mac]

Apple has updated its online store, not with the white iPhone 4 unfortunately, but the Verizon iPhone was added. You can now order the black iPhone 4 on either AT&T or Verizon direct from Apple at a cost of $199 for the 16GB model or $299 for the 32GB model. Shipping of the Verizon iPhone 4 is rather disappointing, Apple can only promise to ship by February 18th while the AT&T iPhone 4 is quoting shipment within 24 hours.

Verizon and Best Buy will also  be offering the iPhone in their stores from tomorrow, Verizon will be opening its doors at 7am. After the huge pre-order sales, we have no idea what quantities will be available. If you’re after a Verizon iPhone 4 urgently and have not already ordered one, do not hang around!

Who is planning on standing in line tomorrow? Let us know in the comments!

[Apple Store]

The Verizon iPhone has not been officially announced yet but that has not stopped AT&T firing the first shot at a CDMA iPhone.  According to a report by Business Insider, AT&T PR boss Larry Solomon has risen to the challenge and come out with the following statement:

The iPhone is built for speed, but that's not what you get with a CDMA phone. I'm not sure iPhone users are ready for life in the slow lane. AT&T’s GSM technology is faster than Verizon’s CDMA technology.

With this statement, AT&T have not only added their confirmation to the Verizon iPhone launch rumors but have shown what kind of battle we might be in for. The question is, will this launch a price war between the two networks, or just a war of words?

Let us know what you think in the comments!

[Business Insider]

When placed in the dock, your iPhone or iPod Touch will be charged, but also automatically backed up. The backup is for photographs and contacts only. Unfortunately you cannot backup any applications, music, video, SMS, Email etc. To enable the backup process, you also need an app from the App Store called SuperHero which is free. The app launches automatically when you place your device in the dock. The dock is connected directly to a power outlet and has no facility to connect to a Mac or PC should you want to sync to iTunes.

The included 4GB SD card can be replaced with a larger capacity card should you need more storage for your photos and contacts; also more than one device can be backed up to the same SD card.

The Iomega SuperHero should be available worldwide later this month for around $70 and is compatible with iPhone 3G, 3GS and 4 as well the 2nd generation iPod Touch and above.

Can you see yourself using a dock like this? Is it too limited as a backup solution? Let us know in the comments!

[cnet]

RunKeeper Pro has been made available to everyone for free today. The offer lasts until the end of January 2011 so don’t delay, go and grab yourself a copy of this fantastic app for free.

In an effort to encourage more people to get off the couch, and as a show of appreciation to the RunKeeper community for your terrific support for the last two and a half years, we're making the RunKeeper Pro app (usually $9.99 USD) free to download now through the end of January!

What more do you need to kick-start your fitness goals for 2011!

[iTunes Link]

If you were in the UK today and happened to wander through St Pancras International train station in London, you may have seen a huge iPhone 4 sitting on the concourse. Ok it’s not actually a real iPhone 4; but that only makes this more interesting. The huge iPhone 4 is actually made from fifty six iPads all set in a lookalike iPhone 4 case.

Each of the iPads made up a 56th part of a huge video screen which was running a looped video promoting the just released Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light game.  Some lucky commuters even managed to pick up a free iPad as part of the promotion. Any of our UK readers see this, or even manage to get a free iPad?

If you were not one of the lucky few to walk away with an iPad, don’t forget you still have time to enter our competition where you can win a 32GB WiFi + 3G iPad, all the details can be found right here.

[Electric Pig]

iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad having problems or just being buggy and unresponsive and curious how to restart or reset it? Strange as it sounds, just like a computer, restarting or resetting can solve a host of problems. We'll show you how after the break!

Update: Re-Spring iPhone 4S with Siri

iPhone 4S can do a very quick re-Spring (relaunch of the Springboard, or Home screen system) thanks to Siri.

1. Hold down the Home button
2. Say "Restart"

You'll see your iPhone 4S screen go dark briefly, then come back.

Restart your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad

The first thing to try is a simple restart.

1. Hold down the Sleep/Wake button until a red slider appears on the screen.
2. Slide your finger across the slide and the iPhone will turn off.
3. Turn the iPhone back on again by pressing the Sleep / Wake button until the Apple logo appears on screen.

It will take a little bit till your iPhone turns back on this is normal dont worry.

If the problem is still there after a power down or if the power down option failed due to a freeze up, there is another option. You can reset your iPhone. Don’t panic, your normal data will not be wiped.

Reset your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad

1. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button at the same time for at least 10 seconds.
2. Ignore the red slider that appears on the screen and keep holding both buttons until the Apple logo appears.

That’s it, iPhone will restart and hopefully all your problems are cured.

The two methods are slightly different, the first method is a soft reset only and leaves running programsin memory. The second method completely powers down your iPhone and also clears the RAM and cache.

Tips of the day will range from beginner-level 101 to advanced-level ninjary. If you already know this tip, keep the link handy as a quick way to help a friend. If you have a tip of your own you'd like to suggest, add them to the comments or send them in to dailytips@tipb.com. (If it's especially awesome and previously unknown to us, we'll even give ya a reward...)

iOS 4.2 for iPhone supports a technology known as Network Controlled Fast Dormancy which enables the cell network and the handset to work together to create the best conditions for smartphones to work quickly yet have a longer battery life, and minimize network congestion.

Interestingly, it is Nokia Siemens Networks and not Apple that has brought this to everyone’s attention. Nokia Siemens Networks has posted the news on its own blog page.

Tests by Nokia Siemens Networks have shown that iPhone iOs 4.2  supports a technology called Network Controlled Fast Dormancy. To overcome the problem Nokia Siemens Networks introduced a method that, instead of putting the handset into idle or keeping it always active, keeps the handset in an intermediate state. From here, a smartphone can wake up much more quickly and needs to send far fewer signals to and from the network to start a data connection. You get a fast network response and longer battery life.

As Nokia Siemens Networks point out, this technology is a good thing for the user and the actual network. Users gobble up less data and get a better overall experience; especially battery life. The network receives less demand and can provide a better service to its users.

So have any of our readers noticed any improvement in data retrieval times and more importantly battery life since updating to iOS 4.2? Let us know in the comments.

[Nokia Siemens Networks via Engadget]

Well known media player manufacturer Xtreamer, has just launched a new media player, called the iXtreamer. It is aimed squarely at iOS users because not only is this a media player, it also has a dock on the top which accepts virtually all iPod / iPhone devices as well as the iPad. When a device is in the dock, it offers a full charging solution; but more importantly, provides access to your music, video and photo libraries all via your HD TV. The iXtreamer has its own on screen UI to access and play your content via a remote control from the comfort of your living room.

Experience your iPad music collection on the spectacular artistic GUI on your TV screen with amazing picture quality of HD video and crystal clear sound clarity of 7.1 CH digital audio. Use your iPhone or the included remote control to navigate through your entertainment choices using crisp, animated HD menus.

Now combine this with a media player that can also play content from a local hard drive, USB Drives or network attached storage and the package starts to look particularly attractive. File support is well covered, the iXtreamer supports, BluRay image files, MKV, AVI and a lot more besides, all in 1080P HD. YouTube access is also included along with internet radio and TV streams.

Xtreamer has big plans for the device; they are currently investigating the possibility of getting access to apps and games on your iOS device and showing them on your HDTV too. They do state that this will depend on Apple’s willingness, so I think you can rule that one out for the foreseeable future.

This does look like a very good media player with some special features to attract iOS users. The iXtreamer is currently priced at 199 Euros ($270). Shipping is available worldwide and it is available now.

Although this has much greater file support than the Apple TV, does it offer enough for the extra cost? Let us know in the comments!

[Xtreamer]

http://live.tipb.com/live/

To talk everything iPhone.

Be there, and be ready to chat. We want to hear from you.

Last night, Apple sold out of iPhone 4's with a June 24 delivery date and pushed back all orders to July 2. Now those orders have sold out and the new shipping date is July 14.

It's no question that the iPhone 4 is a huge hit this year, more so than previous years. We learned earlier that 600,000 iPhone 4 orders were placed yesterday. With the shipping date being pushed back yet again, how many orders do you think have been placed now?

Were any of you putting off ordering your iPhone because of yesterday's chaos and now regret it? Who placed an order today, and which shipping date did you get?

We tried to end the day, we really did, but the July 2 shipping date now being presented by Apple Online Store for iPhone 4 yanked us back up off the floor. We heard before AT&T was out of launch-day stock, could Apple be as well?

Looks that way, but sometimes when we refresh the site it's going back to June 24. Right now it's at July 2 again. Maybe they're having trouble coming to terms with it?

Either way, we're already trying to imagine the massive sales number Apple's post pre-order iPhone press release will read. (Can we call it an even applezillion sold?)

If you're still trying to order, let us know what date you're getting.

[Thanks Jeff for the tip!]

Phew. What a crazy iPhone 4 pre-order day! The Apple Online store went up and came down -- again and again. No white iPhone 4 were available. Apple's new Apple Store app for iPhone came out, and promptly had iPhone pre-ordering removed from its functionality. AT&T managed to disrupt service to the extent people couldn't even complete the ordering process (or even got their account compromised). Not that the TiPb nation stopped trying.

Now as day turns to night, AT&T is sold out, other carriers out-to-lunch (since they're too busy to announce plans, they must be...), we found out international iPhone 4 could now be had unlocked, and we're once again rendered near exhausted by Apple's pre-event events, we turn the comments over to you.

Celebrate, commiserate, laugh, cry, regale us with your war stories and battle scars, or just mellow out and chat the night away. You've earned it.

UPDATE: An insider from AT&T has contacted Gizmodo with information in regards to accounts being compromised when customers login to pre-order the iPhone 4. It turns out that AT&T updated their systems over the weekend and it's likely the cause of the security issue.

Over the weekend there was a major fraud update that went down on all of AT&T's systems, from Saturday overnight to Sunday early morning. All systems were down and agents were unable to use any systems.

The issues people are seeing at AT&T stores and online are most likely related to this update that went wrong.

I do know that there was absolutely NO TESTING of this system done before the launch of the new iPhone. I know it's just heresay at this point, but I can confirm that there was a major outage over the weekend that impacted all ordering systems and programs, and I can confirm that there were multiple systems being upgraded/updated, with some updates being related to fraud.

Head on over to Gizmodo to read the full letter.

Original: We are getting reports in our forums that when trying to pre-order the iPhone 4 on AT&T's website, the account information displayed is not their own, but a total stranger's.

ugahairydawgs reports

Logged in and was looking at the account for some guy from Wisconsin who works for IBM. I thought I had hit the jackpot and that the AT&T computers had messed up and given me full upgrade pricing, but then I realized that the name at the top of the page didn't quite match the one on my drivers license.

jtimmerm says

It's 3:10 pm Chicago time and I just had the same thing happen. Got info for a different guy and company. I realize the servers are busy, but this is unacceptable.

This is a huge security issue on AT&T's part. It may explain why there are so many server issues today. Perhaps AT&T is aware of the problem and prevented access so they could fix it. Perhaps not. We'll be interested to hear what AT&T has to say in regards to this security problem. AT&T is not doing a great job of building customer's trust, especially when something like this happens a week after they were hacked, compromising the email addresses of iPad owners.

Is anyone else receiving access to a stranger's account?

Apple has posted an FAQ (frequently asked questions) page concerning the new SIM-free (i.e. unlocked) iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 they're selling for the first time in international Apple Store like UK, France, and Canada.

Bottom line? They're really, truly, 100% unlocked and will work on any GSM carrier for which you have a miniSIM (iPhone 3GS) or microSIM (iPhone 4). You'll pay full price for them, of course, but for those who absolutely don't want a contract, or for frequent international travelers, this is huge.

(Note: No T-Mobile US 3G. Sorry folks, even though iPhone 4 is pentaband, T-Mobile's 3G band isn't supported. It hurts. Sorry).

Here's the cover:

Buy your iPhone from Apple commitment-free.

It works with the carrier of your choice. Buy your iPhone from the Apple Online Store and choose your own GSM carrier. You can change carriers at any time.

It’s easy to set up. Get a compatible SIM (iPhone 3GS) or micro-SIM card (iPhone 4) and select a plan from the carrier of your choice. Then insert the card and set up your iPhone using iTunes on your Mac or PC. With a few clicks, you can start making calls.

It works internationally. Because this iPhone is commitment-free, you can purchase a micro-SIM or SIM card and service from a local carrier at your destination. Or check with your home carrier regarding international roaming charges.

Full FAQ after the break!

[Apple.com iPhone 4 FAQ, via @havvac]

Does iPhone work with any SIM card or carrier worldwide?

iPhone 3GS works with SIM cards and iPhone 4 works with micro-SIM cards from compatible carriers, including prepaid cards. Non-GSM carrier networks do not support iPhone. Availability of 3G data depends on carrier support for the radio frequencies used by iPhone.

Where can I get a SIM or micro-SIM card?

You can get a SIM or micro-SIM card from any carrier offering iPhone plans.

How do I get started using iPhone to place and receive calls?

First, insert an activated SIM or micro-SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes to complete set up.

Do I need an iPhone-specific service plan?

iPhone may require large amounts of data usage. Please contact your carrier to ensure that you have an appropriate service plan to support iPhone.

Do I need to commit to a long-term contract for my iPhone?

Buying a commitment-free iPhone from the Apple Online Store allows you choose your own carrier and change carriers at any time. iPhone may also be available at a reduced initial price with a contract directly from your wireless carrier.

Does iPhone support tethering?

Yes. You can share the fast 3G connection on your iPhone with your Mac or PC and connect to the Internet from just about anywhere — no Wi-Fi required. Contact your carrier for details.

Are iPhone 4 and iPad micro-SIM cards interchangeable?

No. Your iPad micro-SIM card will not work with your iPhone.

Will all iPhone features work with my carrier?

Visual Voicemail requires carrier support and may not function on your carrier’s network. Please read this Support article or contact your carrier for more details.

Why does the price of iPhone from the Apple Online Store differ from its price from a carrier?

Carriers typically sell the iPhone with a contract that subsidizes the initial purchase price of the phone. By purchasing your iPhone without a contract, you can use any SIM or micro-SIM card from a compatible carrier, including your current one.

Can I use my iPhone outside my home country?

Yes. iPhone is enabled to work on carrier networks using GSM around the world. Because the iPhone sold by the Apple Online Store is commitment-free, you can purchase a SIM or micro-SIM card and service from a local carrier at your destination. Or check with your home carrier regarding international roaming charges.

If I buy iPhone from this Apple Online Store, can I ship it to another country?

No. Orders placed through this Apple Online Store can be shipped only within the country of purchase. You can also shop for friends and family in countries where iPhone is sold. Just visit the local store of the country where you want your products delivered.

So did you pre-order or reserve an iPhone 4 today? Are you going to? Sure, it looks like AT&T can't handle the onslaught of would-be iPhone 4 pre-order and reservations that came crashing down on them, and their servers, this morning. And the Apple Online Store has gone up and down so much it may need a gyro soon. But we have to hope at least some of you have gotten your order confirmations and are the proud soon-to-be owners of a new iPhone 4? (Black, of course, since White ain't coming until later this summer).

Let us know how you're doing in the poll above, and feel free to expand (and vent!) in the comments below!

[NOTE: This post is sticky, it's going to stay at the top for a while so be sure to scroll down the front page for more news and posts throughout the day!]

As the UK and France Apple Online Stores come back up and start taking iPhone 4 pre-orders again, it's worth noting that Apple is actually offering them SIM-free in those countries. That's right -- unlocked:

When you purchase your iPhone from the Apple Online Store, you’ll get it SIM-free. So you can sign up for service with the carrier of your choice and change your carrier at any time.

It's not cheap, mind you: £499/16GB and £599/32GB in the UK, and €629/16GB and €739/32GB in France. Canada will also have the SIM-free option but won't be offering the iPhone until July.

Any of our international readers taking that iPhone 4 unlocked option? Anyone looking to buy international and have it shipped home? (And if you see it SIM-free anywhere else, let us know!)

[Apple Online UK - Apple Online France]

Looks like Apple's hype machine has once again succeeded in building interest for iPhone 4 to the degree that -- it's brought down the Apple Online Store. Taken down earlier tonight and brought back with iPhone 4 pre-orders, it was quickly overwhelmed.

Now it's down again, with Apple hopefully getting its server ducks in a row this time, especially for countries with multiple carriers like the UK where you can buy iPhone 4 completely unlocked if price is no object (£499 for 16GB, £599 for 32GB).

Don't hold your breath for a white option to come back with the store, however. That seems to condemned to late summer and later adopters.

If you see the Apple Online Store coming back up before we do, let us know!

Those of us actually awake here at TiPb - namely me - wanted to give you a heads up and let you know that you can now pre-order your black only iPhone 4 in the online Apple store. Head on over to the Apple online store and get your order in to guarantee your device arrives on June 24th!

And what happened to the white iPhone 4 is a pretty good question that hopefully Apple will answer sooner rather than later...

Update: If you've unsuccessfully been trying to order your iPhone 4 via the Apple site, hit up this AT&T link as many of you are having much better luck there.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone 4 as the greatest leap forward since the original iPhone 2G in 2007, with its newer, thinner design, better (and additional) camera, FaceTime video calling, and that incredible 960x640 display. It becomes available for pre-order on June 15 and goes on sale June 24 in the US, UK, Germany, France, and Japan. (More countries will follow in July, 88 total by the end of the year).

But should you buy one, and if you should, when? Check out our iPhone 4 preview and iOS 4 walkthrough for everything you need to know about the hardware and software, then keep reading after the break for our advice on buying!

Should you pre-order iPhone 4 on June 15?

If Apple had you at Retina Display (960x680), if you simply must have that better 5 megapixel, LED Flash-equiped camera -- and the front-facing VGA camera -- if the idea of two sheets of Apple glass sandwiching a stainless steel, structural, antenna-boosting band had your credit card dancing in your pocket the moment you saw it, then yes, you already know you're pre-ordering it on June 15. Come on. You've already made up your mind.

As an alternative, real Apple aficionados may simply choose to reserve on June 15 and then go pick it up at an Apple Retail store on June 24. The difference is getting it compared to having the full Apple experience of getting it. It's purchase vs. event. You won't have to wait for the delivery truck but you will have to wait in line with a throng of other Apple lovers.

But let's face it, the only people who order or show up and buy a new phone without trying it -- even touching it -- first probably knew they were going to buy it 3 seconds after they bought their last one. This buyers guide isn't even for you.

Should you line up for an iPhone 4 on June 24?

This is really just an extension of the previous section about reserving an iPhone 4 on June 15. If you're going to camp out, make sure you reserve. If you're on the fence and aren't sure, then later freak out and simply must have it, you'll be put in a second, first-come-first-served line apart from those who reserved and you'll be at the mercy of supply and demand.

Do yourself a favor. If there's any chance at all -- even a tiny one -- that you want an iPhone 4 on June 24, reserve it. If you don't pick it up, Apple will release it to the general pool around 3pm (if their iPad pattern holds up). But reserve it so you don't kick yourself in the Droid later.

Should you buy an iPhone 4 on or after June 24?

Some people just don't want to buy a product, especially a newly re-designed one, without touching it first. Fair enough. Come June 24 you'll be able to go into an Apple Store and turn it on, swipe it around, launch the apps and play with it a bit, and just utterly lose yourself in that 960x640 retina display screen.

If you don't qualify for upgrade pricing and want to make sure the iPhone 4 is really that much better than your iPhone 3GS, if you're on Verizon or another network and want to make sure iPhone 4 is really worth finally making the switch from whatever BlackBerry or Android placeholder you've been lugging around, if you're just not sure $199 or $299 is worth it, do yourself a favor and try before you buy. Apple's happy to let you -- that's why they set up all those big hands-on tables. Really.

Should you wait a couple months for a quick iPhone 4 price drop?

Sadly, no. Apple did drop the original iPhone 2G price fairly soon after launch, but then that device was sold almost completely unsubsidized. Ever since then Apple has priced their iOS devices incredibly aggressively and have only dropped the price when newer generation models were introduced (iPhone 3GS came in at $199, pushing iPhone 3G down to $99, now iPhone 4 will come out at $199 and push iPhone 3GS down to $99).

If you really, truly want to wait for a price drop on the iPhone 4, then...

Should you wait another year for the fifth generation iPhone 5?

If Apple stays true to form then the 2011 iPhone 5 will be an iterative update to the basic iPhone 4 package. It might get a speed boost courtesy of an ARM Cortex A9 multicore CPU and next generation PowerVR SGX GPU wrapped up in a new Apple A5 system-on-a-chip, it might get 64GB of storage, it might even get a better-than-VGA front-facing camera. But it will be a year from now.

If you just got an iPhone 3GS and aren't in any big hurry for the Retina Display and FaceTime video calling, iPhone 5 in 2011 (or a $99 iPhone 4 in 2011) might make sense.

Should you never -- not EVER -- buy an iPhone again?

No, that's silly. If AT&T just doesn't work in your area, get the best phone that suits your needs on the network that provides the best coverage where you live and work and travel. One day Apple might make the iPhone for you, and one day your favorite carrier just might get it. In the meantime, new Android devices are dropping like they're hot, Palm is setting new bars for user experience, BlackBerry is going all sliders and clams (Vegas buffet anyone?), and Microsoft is getting ready to unleash Windows Phone 7. We're lucky to live in a time with so many excellent choices. Certainly one of them will fit your needs.

Unless you're some kind of zealot. In that case, may we offer you something in an Open Moko?

Conclusion

If you still can't make up your mind, if iPhone 4 looks good to you but you're just not sure if it's good enough, then figure out how long you can wait before you decide. And then wait that long. Read reviews, go hands-on, keep reading TiPb, keep discussing it on our forums -- get all the information you need. Then decide only when you have to.

That's our advice, but if we missed anything -- or just plain got something wrong -- let us know yours!

If the above screenshot really is an internal document via AT&T, there's some doubt as to whether or not AT&T is going to have any white iPhones on stock for launch day (or in the coming days after). This document seems to have leaked over at modmyi.com.  TiPb aren't too sure whether or not this is a hoax (maybe just to scare Leanna). We'd assume at least the Apple stores will carry the white models.  Seeing as this is an AT&T internal document, we don't see this holding any bearing on what Apple will have at launch.

Maybe Apple is keeping the white iPhones as of now in order to keep their stores in stock until more shipments are pushed out?  Even if that were the case, I'd still find that a bit odd.  Pre-ordering starts tomorrow so we should find out either way.  We're going to see what we can find out on AT&T's end. BGR has stated AT&T declines to comment and are now reporting the same thing may be happening in Germany as well (and we saw Softbank in Japan announce black-only earlier today).  They seem to think this may very well be the case.  Until we find out more, I'd take this one with a grain of salt, and definitely wouldn't extend this to what will happen in the Apple stores on June 24th.  What do you guys think?

[BGR via modmyi.com]

There has been a good deal of debate about the strength and durability of the glass front and back plates on the new iPhone 4. I have to admit, I worry that this doubles the chances that I will scratch, crack or break my iPhone 4. Others feel that the iPhone 4 glass will be exceptionally durable with one person even mentioning that the glass will be bullet proof, similar to the glass on military tanks. I am not that optimistic.

Apple talked about the iPhone 4 face/back glass properties in their promo video:

"We developed a custom glass that’s comparable in strength to sapphire crystal but about 30 times harder than plastic. This glass is not only used on the front of the phone but on the back as well."

Sapphire has a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, which is quite strong. Diamond (the strongest mineral) has a rating of 10. That being said, even a diamond is not shatterproof. If hit with a hammer a diamond will smash to dust. It can also chip or be damaged from a drop on the floor.

We've seen other chemically treated screens before, like Corning's Gorilla Glass, that promise very high levels of durability. Yes, there is a video of the iPhone 4 glass being bent about 20 degrees, and that is quite impressive. Though once the glass is assembled onto the iPhone 4 aluminum frame, when is this attribute ever going to be needed? If I drop the iPhone 4 on my tiled floor, its cute bending trick is completely useless to me.

iFixyouri state that they had their hands on iPhone 4 faceplates (no the whole phone, no the internal parts, just the faceplate). It's unknown if what they had represents the final production version of the glass, but they decided to drop test it anyway, face down, on a hard floor from 3.5 ft. After three drops the purported iPhone 4 glass shattered. They also claimed that the iPhone 4 has a design flaw which will cause it to be more prone to glass damage. This flaw is that the glass actually sits above the stainless steel bezel as opposed to the iPhone 3G, which has the glass almost flush to the aluminum and is hence more protected by it.

If the iPhone 4 glass were shatterproof, wouldn't Apple have said so? Wouldn't Apple have demonstrated that in their video? We watched the glass bending, why not see it being struck or dropped and not breaking? (Perhaps even better yet we would have seen Steve pick up a AK47 unleash a round or two on the iPhone 4 and then gingerly pick it up dust it off and say, “now folks that’s magic.”)

Perhaps this glass is strong, perhaps stronger than any of the iPhones in production but shatterproof?

What do you expect from Apple's new glass? Have at it in the comments.

[ViaiFixyouri]

iPhone 4 is the most significant hardware revision to Apple's widescreen iPod, breakthrough internet communicator, and phone since the original iPhone 2G was released in 2007. But how significant is it? Apple CEO Steve Jobs said there were over 100 new features and singled out 8 for special attention. We'll take the most interesting of both and see just how important they are, after the break.

(For more on the software, see our massive iOS 4 feature walkthrough).

In typical Apple hyperbolic fashion, they introduce iPhone as changing everything, and they have a video to prove it. Beyond the hyperbole, the thought they place into every detail of what they make is impressive. New mixes of stainless steal. New technologies for battery life. Manufacturing procedures that create unmatched build quality. And consider this: how many companies have a Senior Vice President of design?

YouTube link

FaceTime

FaceTime got the Steve Jobs "one more thing" bump at this year's WWDC so it's a fitting place to start the feature discussion. Now Apple didn't invent video calling, of course, but once again they're taking what has been a niche technology and making it mainstream. There are a couple of huge challenges this time: at the moment it's Wi-Fi only and iPhone 4 only. "At this time" because Apple indicated they were trying to push it out to the carriers and their 3G (and upcoming 4G) networks next year, and they've built it out of -- and are releasing the resulting work back to -- open standards so it can be implemented into other clients and devices. (If you're curious as to which standards, Apple lists them as H.264 video codec, AAC audio codec, SIP signaling protocol, STUN and ICE for NAT traversal, TURN for TCP/UDP data receipt, RTP and SRTP for audio and video packet delivery.)

In typical Apple fashion, however, the end user isn't supposed to worry one bit about all those acronyms mean or how hard it is to do what they're doing -- the end user is simply supposed to press the FaceTime icon and talk to their parents or grandparents, see their children and grandchildren, or tap the switch button to flip from front-facing to rear camera to watch the first footsteps or see the winning goal. That's how Apple is marketing it and they're usually very good at marketing.

Yes, on Wi-Fi you could just use your laptop webcam or MacBook iSight, but iPhone 4 will be infinitely more portable. You won't be (or at least you shouldn't be) chasing your 2 year old around the garden with a 5 lbs pound computer. And we won't even get into what it could do for long distance romances...

Apple should add FaceTime to their Mac iChat app eventually (though with their current iOS focus, the resources may not be there at this point). Skype might just be looking at supporting it as well, which would be huge. As an open standard, Android and Palm apps might come along for it as well. And if you paid attention during the keynote, Steve Jobs said 10 million Apple devices -- not just iPhones -- would support it by the end of the year. So yes, the iPod touch might finally get a camera and get into the fun.

Now there's no word from Apple about recording FaceTime calls so that may not be available at launch (and hordes of impetuous young Hollywood stars should stop and thank Jobs for that), but it's something that's easy to see them adding in the future.

Maintreaming video calls, especially locked to Wi-Fi and a singe device at launch, is a huge challenge and it could be called a gimmick if it were anyone but Apple. (Their focus on small feature sets usually prevents gimmicks from creeping into the roadmap). Unlike mobile web browsing, apps, and video recording, there's no guarantee FaceTime will take off with the masses. But it's so scifi you just have to love the attempt.

YouTube link

Retina Display

All previous generation iPhones shipped with 320x480 displays and with Android increasingly going 480x800, conventional wisdom assumed Apple would have to meet that resolution. They didn't. To lift Apple Senior Vice-President of iOS Software, Scott Forstall's favorite line -- they blew it away. The new iPhone has a 640x960 display at 3.5" diagonal size and 3:2 aspect ratio for a whopping 326 pixel density per inch (that's 78 microns wide for pixel geeks). Topping it off is an 800:1 contrast ratio so whites are whiter and blacks are blacker.

That means, very literally, where last year's iPhone had 1 pixel, this year's will have 4. For developers this is huge because older apps will look the same as before, if not slightly better because Apple will automatically re-render text and UI elements at the higher resolution. New apps will just look phenomenally better.

Apple is calling this set of technologies "Retina Display" because they day the pixel density is so high your retina can't distinguish the dots anymore -- it looks like a photo or magazine page. There's some debate about wether or not the Retina Display claim is scientifically accurate (it depends a great deal on how sharp your eyes are and how close you hold it) but for all intents and purposes, it doesn't matter. It's sharp enough that most people won't notice the pixels -- until they go back to other displays.

Apple is also using the IPS (in-plane switching) technology they mainstreamed in the iMac and iPad along with LED backlight to create an incredibly wide viewing angle. Where other devices look pretty much blank from the side, iPhone 4 is still legible. For those trying to hide the documents they're reading on planes, privacy films will no doubt sell like hotcakes. For those who want to share a movie or webpage with their family and friends, it'll be hugely appreciated.

For their next trick, Apple has used optical glass that's not only been treated for even greater scratch resistance, not only using their oil-resistant coating, but is laminated directly onto the screen so that there's no longer a gap in the display. The pixels are right underneath the glass, minimizing reflections and making it feel more like you're looking at it and not through something into it.

What this means for users is that the iPhone 4 will look better more often, text will be easier to read in a wider variety of circumstances, and apps will appear the same as before if they haven't been updated, and crisper and clearer than ever before if they have.

Multitasking

Steve Jobs highlighted multitasking as one of iPhone 4's eight new features but that's software not hardware, and it will work on iPhone 3GS and iPod touch G3 as well, so I'm covering it in TiPb's iOS 4 walkthrough.

Still, it should look and work even better on the iPhone 4, and here's hoping a post-release teardown reveals Apple was good enough to go with 512MB of RAM this time to really keep it snappy.

Cameras front and back (with LED flash)

The big news with iPhone 4 is that Apple introduced a front-facing camera into the mix. It's only VGA resolution -- 640x480 -- but for self-protrait profile shots for social networks like Facebook and Twitter, and FaceTime video calls, it should be more than enough for now.

The bigger news is the rear-facing camera, and that iPhone 4 feels like Apple is finally taking digital imaging seriously. The first two generations of iPhone camera were outstanding only in their convenience, with low megapixel counts and serviceable if limited software. Apple kept hiring engineers, however, and while the iPhone 3GS raised the bar to 3.2 megapixels and introduced tap-to-focus and all manner of automagical white balancing, iPhone 4 is a leap beyond. And not just in megapixels.

Sure, other devices already have 8 megapixels, but anyone who loves photography already knows megapixels are meaningless after a certain point (unless you're shooting billboards, and then you have something in the 23 range already, don't you?) In the megapixel spec race, just like with dedicated cameras before, hardware makers take the same lens and cut it up ever-smaller, meaning the number of pixels goes up even as the light captured by each one (i.e. the quality of those pixels) goes down. Canon and Nikon are (thankfully) shifting away from megapixels and racing now towards ISO/low-light performance and it appears Apple is following suit.

iPhone 4 is getting a 5-megapixel camera, but instead of chopping the iPhone 3GS lens up even more, they've increased the physical size of the rear-facing lens and more than that -- added a backside illuminated sensor to really up the low-light levels. They've also added an automatic LED flash, which is a good casual option. It's not the dual flash some other devices have, and its not the sun-like torches the big boys of SLR carry shoe-mounted, but it harkens back to the original iPhone camera -- good enough given the convenience of having it built in. (Speaking of which, there's also a 5x digital zoom which is, eh, a digital zoom -- since they obviously can't do optical given the narrow depth of the phone -- but it's there if sneaker zoom isn't possible).

720p video recording and editing

The bigger 5 megapixel camera on the iPhone 4 means not only will it do bigger stills but it can now capture 720p videos as well. Apple isn't specific on its tech spec page, but it looks like they've gone from the iPhone 3GS' 3:2 VGA aspect ratio to a full on 1280x720, 16x9 which will be great news to casual videographers. (Everyone else is carrying around a Mark II as well now for 1080p, right?)

The LED flash can be turned on to brighten dark moments, and while the mic doesn't seem improved, overall it's a good upgrade and might even make the iPhone 4 good enough to replace your Flip MinoHD.

Also worth noting, just like with iPhone OS 3.0, iOS 4 will let you trim and share your clips right on device. Apple is also introducing the $4.99 iMovie for iPhone app for more advanced video editing, theming, transitions, and titling.

We'll cover the built-in functionality in our iOS 4 walkthrough and as soon as iMovie for iPhone ships, we'll get you a full review. Suffice it to say, if you don't mind working on a 3.5" screen, the demos look fantastic.

Folders

iOS 4 has the same 11 home screens as iPhone OS 3.0 but thanks to Folders you aren't limited to 180 apps anymore -- you can shove 12 into the space that previously took only 1, meaning 2160 is you new limit. Strangely, only 9 apps are shown on folder icons instead of the 12 that lurk inside, but thanks to the Retina Display those tiny 9 should look incredibly sharp and clear enough to identify even without the smart folder naming.

However, while Jobs again singled this out as an iPhone 4 feature, it should work (if not as sharply) on all iOS 4 devices and so we're covering it in our iOS 4 walkthrough instead.

Noise-canceling microphone

It turns out two microphones on the iPhone 4 are more than twice as good as one. The reason is, like some other devices before it, iPhone 4 is using that second mic for noise cancelation. Whatever sounds it pics up that aren't picked up by the main mic at the bottom -- the one you're talking into -- get digitally removed from the audio meaning the person at the other end has a far better chance of hearing more of what you're saying and less of the party, traffic, or other commotion going on around you.

Gyroscope

Being able to more precisely control position in 3D space on iPhone 4? Terrific. Watching Steve Jobs play Jenga on the WWDC stage? Priceless. Both come courtesy of the new gyroscope included in the iPhone 4, no doubt at the behest of game developers. It will do for the iPhone what Wii Motion Plus did for Nintendo -- make good control much, much better. With 3-axis detection, rotation around gravity, advanced motion sensing is a reality. (If you're not a gamer, that translates into augmented reality apps, which should find fine use of it as well).

Even better, Apple has packaged it up along with the accelerometer to create CoreMotion API for developers so it can be more easily integrated into apps, and more elegantly degraded down to accelerometer alone for previous generation devices that don't have a gyro. (Just like CoreLocation does if GPS isn't present).

Stainless steel antenna bands

When Apple says things like they created their own stainless steal alloy for the iPhone 4 band, it just sounds like they're showing off. When they explain that not only does the band form the main structure of the device (allowing for more room inside), but the gaps -- as complained about in earlier device leaks -- are caused by it being part of the antenna system of the phone, it's exactly them showing off.

The structural part is a take-off of the unibody technology that debuted with the MacBook Air in 2008 and has since spread across the MacBook line and into the iMac and iPad. The antenna part? Well, we'll have to wait and see what difference if any it makes in the iPhone 4 reception -- particularly on AT&T. If it improves that there likely won't be a single complaint about the gaps, not ever again.

Apple A4 processor

The Apple A4 system on a chip (SoC) debuted with the iPad. While Apple isn't making their own components (yet?), they are taking the ARM Cortex A8, revving it up to 1GHz, and pairing it with an Imagination PowerVR SGX to incredibly performant, even more incredibly power saving results.

Apple truly believes that people serious about software make their own hardware, and with iPhone 4 they're starting to take that down to the silicon level.

Battery life

Thanks to the Apple A4 and the larger battery crammed into the iPhone 4, battery stats look better than ever, and even match the iPad for video playback.

• Talk time: Up to 7 hours on 3G, 14 hours on 2G
• Standby time: Up to 300 hours
• Internet use: Up to 6 hours on 3G, 10 hours on Wi-Fi
• Video playback: Up to 10 hours
• Audio playback: Up to 40 hours

Other specs

A few more iPhone 4 specs deserve mention.

Size

• Height: 4.5 inches (115.2 mm)
• Width: 2.31 inches (58.6 mm)
• Depth: 0.37 inch (9.3 mm)
• Weight: 4.8 ounces (137 grams)

So, essentially the same size as previous iPhones, but 24% less depth. Which is crazy. There has to come a point where increasing the components, and size of the components in the device becomes more important than thinning it out. Right?

Colors

Like previous years, iPhone 4 comes in black and white. Unlike previous years, iPhone 4's white option isn't back-only -- even the glass front plate comes in white.

Cellular and wireless

• UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)
• GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
• 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi (802.11n 2.4GHz only)
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR wireless technology

Pentaband radio is almost as crazy, and certainly good news to people in countries like New Zealand where the additional frequencies will be most welcome. People hoping for the 1700 MHz band for T-Mobile 3G will unfortunately remain disappointed.

802.11n is welcome, the 2.4GHz only is not. That's the same, busy, interference-laced band most of the slower 802.11 protocols slum around in, not to mention microwaves and garage door openers. Now that dual-band routers (like Apple's own Airport Extreme since 2009) can support both older standards and the newer, higher bands, it's unfortunate we're not going to get to use them on iPhone 4.

TV and Video

It looks like iPhone 4 supports the same PCM stereo audio in .avi file format as iPad, which I thought was for importing footage from older video cameras via the Camera Kit USB dongle. If it is, then does that mean the Camera Kit will work with iPhone 4? (It doesn't with iPhone 3GS under iOS 4).

VGA cable support is listed, so apps that choose to make use of it can be output through the dock to VGA adapter that was released alongside the iPad. Carrying presentations around with the iPhone will be a great ultra-mobile solution. (Hollywood probably won't let too many of their movies escape that way, however).

Conclusion

Steve Jobs was right, iPhone 4 is Apple's biggest leap forward since the original iPhone 2G they rightly claim re-invented the smartphone market. Is it big enough to re-re-invent it? That's impossible to answer until we've reviewed it but the odds are long -- that type of thing typically only happens once every decade or two, not year or three. Still it's one of the most significant pieces of engineering to date and that's saying a lot.

TiPb will have a complete iPhone 4 review as soon as Apple makes it available and a buyers guide before it goes up for pre-order to help you decide if and when to buy it or upgrade to it.

In the meantime check out TiPb's iOS 4 preview to see the software Apple's bringing to bear on this amazing piece of hardware.

(And if I've missed anything in this preview, point it out in comments so it can be added in).

AT&T had posted a of YouTube video to help customers transition to Apple's new iPhone 4 titled AT&T data plans and upgrades for iPhone customers.

It's fairly straight forward so check it out after the break and let us know if they answered all your questions, and if not, what questions you have left?

YouTube link

Do you want your iPhone apps sharpened up for iPhone 4's Retina Display? iPhone 4 has a whopping 960x640 screen which is literally 4 times (twice vertical, twice horizontal) the pixel size, but the same physical size, as previous generation iPhone 2G, iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3GS. That's a density of over 300dpi -- print magazine quality. Existing apps will just seamlessly use 4 pixels on the iPhone 4 compared to 1 pixel on previous gen iPhones, so they'll look identical.

In fact, fonts -- and if you built your app in Xcode, UI elements -- will automagically be rendered at the new 4x sharpness, so they'll look better.

To truly take advantage of the new display, however, developers and designers will have to go back to the drawing board (or paint program) and make new, higher definition graphical elements like icons, textures, and other artwork.

For some developers this won't even be a question -- they love their apps and they want to make them look as good as possible. They're already getting this done. For others, especially for those with older, catalog apps somewhere in the longer tail of the App Store sales cycle, they may not be sure the effort is financially justified (especially given the 100,000,000 existing, lower res, iOS install base).

So we're curious what our readers, developer and user alike, think? Do you want to see nothing but ultra-sharp apps on your iPhone 4? Do devs need to do it immediately? Wait for the next update? Focus on new apps only? Go back and retrofit old apps? How important is it to you?

WWDC 2010 day two saw sessions jump into high gear as developers learned more about Game Center (which is comforting considering it was strangely MIA from the Keynote) and what's going on with that monster 960x640 retina display on the new iPhone 4. Apple also handed out some polished aluminum cubes by way of app awards, and I got to sit down with some terrific app developers. (And yes, we're giving away an iPhone 4).

Today is TiPb's last day at WWDC [sniffle] so if you're a developer email us at news(at)tipb(dot)com and drop on by, say hi, and amaze us with your apps. We're trying to fit in as many as possible.

iPhone 4/iOS 4

• Who wants to win an iPhone 4 from TiPb?
• iPhone live podcast #103 – WWDC 2010
• Apple posts WWDC 2010 keynote video stream, iTunes download
• iOS 4 device compatibility – can your iPhone and iPod touch be upgraded?
• Will you be spending some FaceTime with iPhone 4?

Apps

• Twitterrific gets simpler, better for iPad – TiPb at WWDC
• Line2 brings iPhone, iPad calls into 21st century – TiPb at WWDC 2010
• TomTom talks iPhone, iOS 4 multitasking – TiPb at WWDC 2010
• Apple Design Award winning iPhone and iPad apps from WWDC 2010

• Our podcast feed
• Download Directly
• Subscribe via iTunes

Special post-WWDC 2010 Keynote edition! Apple introduces iPhone 4, rebrands iPhone OS to iOS, shows off Farmville, Netflix, and iMovie for iPhone, and invents FaceTime. Listen in!

Credits

Thanks to the TiPb iPhone accessory store for sponsoring the podcast, and to everyone who showed up for the live chat!

Our music comes from the following sources:

• I Called You -- iPhone Remix by Pete Leidy
via Sneakmove iPhone Ringtone Challenge

Part 2

That's right -- iPhone 4 -- we're giving one away, and it could be to you!

We announced this last week, but now that we know its name, know its specs, and have the release date, we're reminding you again. Here's the bottom line: you gotta make us a video telling us -- no, showing us -- why you should be the one who gets the iPhone 4.

Make it funny. Make it scary. Make it silly. Make it out of this world, above and beyond awesome.

We want music, we want songs, we want skits, we want spoofs, we want action and adventure, we want drama and suspense, we want stop-motion animation and Blair Witch close-ups, we want tattoos and jello wrestling -- wait a minute, these are Kevin's notes! Bah! Never mind! -- we want the absolute best, most creative, most dazzling video you can make.

We want you to prove you're the one who deserves a 4th gen iPhone.

Watch the video below, then got to http://www.imore.com/contest to find out how to enter!

YouTube link

Steve Jobs brought back the "one more thing" bump for FaceTime, Apple's new iPhone 4 feature that promises no setup, Wi-Fi only, one-on-one video calling. You start a call or choose a contact and you're video chatting.

We're curious if you think you'll be using it? Nokia has had video chat for what seems like a century and half, and the Android-based Evo 3G has it via Qik, but it's hardly a mainstream phenomena yet. Apple has a history of taking interesting technology and making it usable for the masses, but given the iPhone 4-only, Wi-Fi only restrictions, will the masses embrace it?

Apple has made the protocols behind FaceTime open, so while we hope iChat on Mac gets compatibility ASAP, it's possible Skype could provide the same functionality, and Nokia, Android, and other platforms could have compatible apps. We could (and should) even -- finally -- get camera equipped iPads and iPod touches to join in the fun.

Is that enough to make it mainstream?

Let us know what you think about FaceTime. Do you see yourself using? If so, how? And where else do you want to see the FaceTime tech pop up?

Apple.com has posted streaming QuickTime video for Steve Jobs' WWDC 2010 keynote, where he introduced the new iPhone 4.

Update: a higher quality version is now available via iTunes download as well.

[Apple.com, iTunes - thanks @bengillam for the tip!]

WWDC 2010 certainly starting with a bang -- or boom in Apple parlance -- with almost more iPhone 4, iOS 4, and related news than we could keep up with. Almost. Here's a quick round up of what happened today, including Steve Jobs' triumphant return to the keynote stage.

We'll be here Tuesday and Wednesday as well, so if you're a developer email us at news(at)tipb(dot)com and drop on by, say hi, and amaze us with your apps. We're trying to fit in as many as possible.

iPhone 4

• Apple announces iPhone 4: retina display, LED flash, A4, 802.11n, gyroscope, 5 megapixel camera, 720p video
• Apple iPhone 4 video: this changes everything. Again.
• Are you getting an iPhone 4? - poll
• iPhone 4: $199/16GB, $299/32GB, available June 24 in US, France, Germany, UK, Japan
• AT&T details iPhone 4 launch, subsidies, iPhone 3GS discounts
• iPhone 4 vs Droid Incredible vs Android Evo 4G vs Nexus One tech specs
• What kind of case do you want for your iPhone 4?

iOS 4

• iPhone OS 4 is now iOS 4, coming June 21
• Apple introduces FaceTime video calling — iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 [updated with video]
• iOS 4 GM seed now live, app submissions begin June 10

Apps

• Apple updates iBooks for iPad and iPhone, adds notes, bookmarks, PDF support, sync
• Apple announces iMovie for iPhone
• Guitar Hero now available in App Store
• New iPhone apps: Netflix, Farmville, Guitar Hero
• Safari 5, now available for Mac and PC

WWDC 2010

• 100,000,000 iOS devices sold, 5 billion apps downloaded — WWDC 2010 by the numbers
• WWDC predictions, iPhone pre-order, Win a 4th gen iPhone, iPhone carriers - From the Forums
• WWDC 2010 – What We Didn’t Get

So, what was your favorite bit of iPhone news today? And what was your least favorite?

Now that the WWDC 2010 keynote's over and the dust settles, we know what we're going to get in the coming weeks. iPhone 4 with a brand new look and tons new features, iOS 4, iMovie for iPhone, new developer APIs, iAd, and then some. Apple definitely changed the game today.  But what about the things we wanted but didn't get?

We're all extremely excited to get our hands on the new hardware and OS but for many users, iOS 4 still leaves certain things to be desired. Keep on reading to see what we would have liked to see.

A new notification system was one area we really wouldn't have minded a change. This is something we had hoped would be addressed in 4.0, but alas, it wasn't. The way notifications present themselves isn't necessarily the best implementation. This is an area that's been neglected almost since the 1st generation iPhone. Besides the addition of push notifications, nothing has been added or tweaked. If you receive a text then a Twitter push notification, the Twitter notification is all you'll see. In 2010, we'd think it's time for a change.

Several other mobile platforms such as WebOS and Android have a nice notification layout that leaves iPhone users with something to be desired. It would have been nice to see a complete overhaul. To me, this alone is reason for jailbreakers to keep on jailbreaking.

A lot of folks also would have liked lock screen or home screen widgets. Perhaps this could have provided a creative way to implement a new notification system as well as show users information they want to see, when they want to see it. Jailbreakers have had functionality like this in apps such as LockInfo and Intelliscreen for quite some time now. We aren't quite sure why Apple hasn't produced a native solution yet.

One thing I really would have personally liked to see is a few simple tweaks to texting functions. Anyone who texts frequently knows that everytime you get a text, you'll have the choice to either view the text or close it. That's it. What about an option to reply without closing out of whatever you're doing, whether that be playing a game or browsing Safari? Again, jailbreakers have had this option for a while with apps such as QuickReply for SMS and iRealSMS. Apple has given developers an API for in-app SMS and I think a lot of people are confusing that with having a quick reply method. As far as I can tell, it isn't the same. A quick send option from anywhere would have been nice as well, like iReal offers. You can configure your own gesture for it within Settings.

One thing on the top of my list was an announcement about MobileMe. I was almost positive something would have been mentioned about pricing or features, especially as MobileMe has been in Beta for a while now. With services like DropBox and Box.net, can Apple afford to still charge $99/year? With services such as DropBox, you get 2GB for free, 50GB for $9.99/month, and 100GB for $19.99/month. For a mere $20 more a year, you get over 3 times the storage MobileMe offers with the typical $99/year single license.

Did anyone else expect an announcement about AppleTV? What about those rumors of it running a new OS similar to that of the iPhone and iPad? Or what about that mythical Magic Trackpad we saw briefly this morning?

Are we stoked about iOS 4 and iPhone 4? We sure are! But as with all things, there's always room for improvement and these are some of the things we think still need improvement. Did any of you really want to see something that wasn't announced? We'd love to hear from you, let us know in the comments!

What kind of case do you want for your iPhone 4? Reason we thought about it is iPhone 4 has a glass front and back that we think is some unicorn tear infused admantium/transparent aluminum hybrid, but the moment he saw it Chad's reaction was to shriek "oh my goodness no there's two sides to shatter if I drop it" (which Dieter's imagination went immediately to ball-peen hammers, don't ask!)

My pocket says naked, but my pocket-book says "protect me!". Jeremy prefers his executive leather folders, Georgia her chrome and Leanna her bright, colorful skins. Matt might still want his armor, and I think Ally just wants ninja tabi).

It's a new design for the iPhone 4 and a brand new day for case makers, so tell them what you want!

Apple has put their iPhone 4: this changes everything. Again video up on Apple.com and on YouTube. Like previous videos, this one shows the design and engineering process that went into making the iPhone 4 and includes key members of Apple's iPhone executive team talking about the features and thinking that went into it.

It's filled with hyperbole, but it's also filled with terrific little details. Check it out after the break!

YouTube link

For those of you who love your spec porn, there it is up top, and we're honestly beginning to wonder -- what could they possibly do next? (Besides mind-control, of course).

AT&T is getting into the iPhone 4 fun today by (hopefully!) clarifying where things stand from their pricing and availability point of view. Here's the timeline:

• Monday, June 7 – 16GB 3GS and 32GB 3GS price drop
• Tuesday, June 15 – iPhone 4 and new 3GS 8GB pre-order sales begin
• Thursday, June 24 – iPhone 4 and new 8GB 3GS launch in all 2200+ AT&T stores, eComm (consumer and business)
• Customers who purchased iPhone between May 7th and May 14th will have an extension through Sunday June 14th to receive Price Protection (get credit for price difference).
• Customers who purchased iPhone between May 7th and May 21st will have an extension through June 21st to preorder iPhone 4 in an AT&T store.
• Any existing iPhone customer eligible for an upgrade between today and the end of this year will be eligible for our best pricing for iPhone 4, $199 and $299, with a two year term commitment.
• Customers can verify upgrade eligibility at www.att.com/iphone or by dialing *639#. (ABS customers can dial *639# or visit the Premier site, https://www.wireless.att.com/business/).
• Our upgrade tools already reflects this new timeframe.

So how about it US TiPb faithful, will this help soften the blow of those new tiered, capped data rates?

Apple's just-announced iPhone 4 will be available in black and white, in $199 for 16GB, $299/32GB, and will hit the US, France, Germany, UK, and Japan on June 24. Pre-orders start June 15.

Other countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada (!), Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, and Switzerland will get it in July, and 88 countries total will be online by September.

Sounds off and let us know if you're getting it, if you're pre-ordering or lining up, or if you're bummed it's not coming to your country sooner...

Steve Jobs brought back a doozy of a "One more thing..." for his WWDC 2010 keynote today -- the awkwardly named but awesome-looking FaceTime video calling for iPhone 4.

Apple says it requires zero setup, works landscape or portrait, front or back camera, and supports h.264, AAC, SIP, STUN. It's Wi-Fi only in 2010 but they're working with carriers to support it over 3G in the future.

Update: Video after the break!

[Apple.com FaceTime page]

YouTube link

There's the poll and here's the question: are you getting an iPhone 4? Is it enough to make you upgrade from your current iPhone? Enough to make you switch (back) from another platform? Vote above and give us the details in the comments!

As part of the iPhone 4 introduction during WWDC 2010, Steve Jobs announced iMovie for iPhone, with one-click sharing. This is basically iMovie from the iLife suite for Mac brought to the iPhone. Up to 720p editing and most of the functionality you'd expect, including transitions and Ken Burns effects.

Make beautiful HD movies anywhere with iMovie, the fun, feature-rich video editing app that’s designed for iPhone 4. Create a video postcard of your day at the beach and publish it to the web without leaving your spot on the sand. Or make a movie of your child’s birthday party and send it to your parents while the party is in full swing. You can start several projects on your iPhone 4 and finish them whenever you want and wherever you are.

It will be in the App Store for $4.99

[Apple.com iMovie page]

Highlighting the WWDC 2010 keynote today, Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone 4, Apple's fourth generation mobile device. After unprecedented leaks, and the now famous yearly anticipation, features are finally announced to include:

• Front facing camera
• Dual mics for noise cancelation
• MicroSIM (to save space)
• 5 megapixel, 1.75 micron camera + LED flash
• 720p video at 30fps
• Stainless steel rings and gaps -- are the antennae (nice!)
• Thinest smartphone ever
• Optical quality, scratch-resistant glass
• Retina display - 960x640 at 3.5" for 326dpi (!!). 800:1 contrast ratio. IPS for wide-angle viewing.
• Powered by A4 chipset
• Bigger battery: 7 hrs 3G talk, 6 hrs 3G browsing, 10 hrs Wi-Fi browsing, 10 hrs video, 40 hrs music, 300 hrs standby
• Still 32GB storage
• 802.11n Wi-Fi (yes!)
• Gyroscope

More as this develops!

So, what do you think? Getting one?

[Image via GDGT]

NOTE: Apple keynotes typically bring down the internet. We've got two widgets after the break because both have failed in the past. If one fails this time, we'll switch to the other. You shouldn't have to refresh the page.

While we wait, I figured it would be fun to crowd-source the awesome mind-power of the TiPb Nation to see if we could predict what the 4th generation iPhone would be called and when exactly it would be available for purchase. So check out the polls after the break and let's see just how close we can get.

You've all read about our huge iPhone HD/iPhone 4G give-away, haven't you? You remember the part where store.imore.com is helping to pass the time until Apple actually ships the new hawt thing by giving away a great accessory every week?

Well, this week we're giving away a Jawbone ICON Bluetooth headset. It's top of the line folks (check out the video after the break!), and all you have to do to enter is head on over to our iPhone Contest Forum and make sure you enter your video link, comment on a video link, or comment on what you expect or think about the up coming, next generation iPhone.

Oh, and if you start a new, original iPhone HD/iPhone 4G-related thread, it counts as TWO entries. Boom.

Quality posts only please. Mods will delete any lameness "post to win" or spam on site.

We're picking this week's winner soon, so get over the iPhone Contest Forum and enter now!

Phil Nickinson over at Android Central has just posted a full review of the Sprint HTC Evo 4G, which he's billing as the baddest Android on the planet. Big screen, front facing video call camera, brand new OS in the pipeline, it's not hard to see that this will be Sprint's answer to the iPhone HD/iPhone 4G (unless and until they're able to offer the iPhone HD/iPhone 4G on Sprint -- just sayin').

It's at the top of the Android smartphone pile, for the moment. That's not to say that phones like the HTC Incredible and Nexus One (and very possibly the Samsung Galaxy S) aren't right up there. But the screen size, 4G data and promise of an upgrade to Android 2.2 make the Sprint Evo 4G the phone to beat, and it may well hold that title through the end of 2010.

Check out the galleries, the videos, and all the words holding them together and then come back and let us know what you think about the Sprint HTC Evo 4G -- is it the right handset, on the right network, at the right time, to give the iPhone HD/iPhone 4G a run for your money?

• Our podcast feed
• Download Directly
• Subscribe via iTunes

AT&T introduces tiered data plans, Steve Jobs speaks at D8, WWDC 2010 predictions, Slacker 2.0, Documents to Go 3.0, Fishies, and all the week's news, how-tos, and app reviews. Listen in!

We're trying an experiment! We've posted video for the first 20 minutes of the show on YouTube and embedded it below. Drop us a comment and let us know if you want to see more. (And if you work for YouTube, can you get us one of those accounts that doesn't force us to chop it into 10 minute chunks? Kthx!

Credits

Thanks to the TiPb iPhone accessory store for sponsoring the podcast, and to everyone who showed up for the live chat!

Our music comes from the following sources:

• I Called You -- iPhone Remix by Pete Leidy
via Sneakmove iPhone Ringtone Challenge

Part 1

Part 2

AT&T has just changed the face of cell data in the US by axing their "unlimited" plans, offering cheaper but data-capped (200MB/2GB) plans in their place, and supporting tethering for an additional fee. Existing customers can keep their own plans, but new customers get these starting June 7. Coincidentally, that's the day Steve Jobs takes the keynote stage at WWDC 2010 to announce the 4th generation iPhone HD/iPhone 4G, probably with video chat over 3G.

NOTE: Existing customers -- even if you upgrade to the new iPhone HD/iPhone 4G in June -- can still keep your existing unlimited data plans. You're grandfathered in.

Here are the details:

• DataPlus. Provides 200 megabytes (MB) of data – for example, enough to send/receive 1,000 emails (no attachments), plus send/receive 150 emails with attachments, plus view 400 Web pages, plus post 50 photos on social media sites, plus watch 20 minutes of streaming video – for just $15 per month.** This plan, which can save customers up to 50 percent off their wireless data charges, is designed for people who primarily like to surf the web, send email and use social networking apps. If customers exceed 200 MB in a monthly billing cycle, they will receive an additional 200 MB of data usage for $15 for use in the cycle. Currently, 65 percent of AT&T smartphone customers use less than 200 MB of data per month on average.

• DataPro. Provides 2 gigabytes (GB) of data – for example, enough to send/receive 10,000 emails (no attachments), plus send/receive 1,500 emails with attachments, plus view 4,000 Web pages, plus post 500 photos to social media sites, plus watch 200 minutes of streaming video – for $25 per month.** Should a customer exceed 2 GB during a billing cycle, they will receive an additional 1 GB of data for $10 for use in the cycle. Currently, 98 percent of AT&T smartphone customers use less than 2 GB of data a month on average.

• Tethering. Smartphone customers – including iPhone customers – who choose the DataPro plan have the option to add tethering for an additional $20 per month. Tethering lets customers use their smartphones as a modem to provide a broadband connection for laptop computers, netbooks or other computing devices. Tethering for iPhones will be available when Apple releases iPhone OS 4 this summer.

No 5GB option, even if purely for psychological reasons, is pretty hard to imagine. You can do it by adding $30 in overage to your $25/2GB plan but that sounds silly.

As Jeremy would say, sound off in the comments!

[AT&T]

That's right -- iPhone HD, iPhone 4G -- whatever Apple decides to call it, we're giving it away.

Here's the bottom line: you gotta make us a video telling us -- no, showing us -- why you should be the one who gets the 4th gen iPhone.

Make it funny. Make it scary. Make it silly. Make it out of this world, above and beyond awesome.

We want music, we want songs, we want skits, we want spoofs, we want action and adventure, we want drama and suspense, we want stop-motion animation and Blair Witch close-ups, we want tattoos and jello wrestling -- wait a minute, these are Kevin's notes! Bah! Never mind! -- we want the absolute best, most creative, most dazzling video you can make.

We want you to prove you're the one who deserves a 4th gen iPhone.

Watch the video below, then got to http://www.imore.com/contest to find out how to enter!

YouTube link

Okay, we've now seen almost everyone except for Steve Jobs show off the next generation iPhone HD/iPhone 4G on video. All that changes next Monday at the WWDC 2010 keynote, but until then, enjoy the continued greatest shot tease in tech...

Video after the break!

YouTube link

[9to5Mac]

With the flood of iPhone HD/iPhone 4G prototypes and spare parts turning up it was only a matter of time before someone put the screen under a microscope and began counting pixels, and yes -- it looks to be the ultra-sharp 960x640 pixel display we've been drooling over for a while now.

It also looks to be an IPS panel like the iPad and latest generation iMacs, which means those glorious dots will have an equally glorious field of view.

WWDC 2010 and the presumed official unveiling is just a week away!

[superiphone.cz via Engadget]

• Our podcast feed
• Download Directly
• Subscribe via iTunes

Steve Jobs keynoting WWDC 2010, White iPhone HD faceplates, more on iChat video, iPhone vs. Android, $97 iPhone 3GS, how do you push, iPhone at work, SSH tutorial, AT&T locks and etf, Chirpy, Bix, Groupon, and LinkedIn. Listen in!

Credits

Thanks to the TiPb iPhone accessory store for sponsoring the podcast, and to everyone who showed up for the live chat!

Our music comes from the following sources:

• I Called You -- iPhone Remix by Pete Leidy
via Sneakmove iPhone Ringtone Challenge

Another page to be filed in our increasingly full "things analysts say which may or may not be so" drawer says Apple wasn't sure whether or not the N90 "iPhone HD" prototype would be ready to launch and so had a safer, more iPhone 3GS-like N91 in the wings:

On a side note, Apple initiated the iPhone 4G project at the end of 2008. According to our sources, Apple actually has another product codenamed N91 for the project, which offers less change from previous iPhones compared with the N90. It's a parallel product to back up the N90 in case there are major delays due to significant modifications in casing, display resolution, digital camera support and so forth.

That resolution being the 960x640 we've heard rumored for a while, which is a magic number exactly twice vertical and horizontal to the current 480x320 iPhone and iPod touch resolution at pretty much the same physical size. That means existing apps will look virtually identical while new apps look even sharper -- no iPad-style chunky double fuzzies here. Likewise, if Apple wanted to introduce a larger, HTC HD2 or Incredible sized display later, that pixel density would still look great and still mean no work, no fracture for developers.

Other tidbits include:

• No AMOLED as they cost 3x as much and suppliers simply couldn't produce enough to meet the unit numbers Apple sells.
• Apple A4 based on ARM Cortex A8 as the A9 won't be ready until the end of the year, after the iPhone launch.
• Probably 512MB of RAM, though Apple has requested tests on both 256 and 512. (Dear Apple, we'd really like 512 please).

Again, we never know how reliable any of this will turn out to be, but with WWDC so close, we'll find out soon enough.

[Digitimes]

The pace of mobile is increasing and with new Google Android hero handsets dropping at an almost comedic every couple of months, can Apple afford to keep releasing only one new iPhone a year?

The iPhone 2G was a revolution in 2007, entering a market of stale Treo, Windows Mobile, and BlackBerry devices, and an almost non-present Nokia in the US. Then came Google's Android, brief flares of Palm webOS and Windows Phone 7, but mostly Android. Initial devices weren't perfect but they kept pushing and iterating, releasing new devices on new carriers with new manufactures. They commissioned their own hardware. They got specced out chassises that were previously Windows Mobile. They hit Verizon.

And they never stopped pushing. Diversity, multi-carrier, great hardware, and an ever-improving OS now means that while Apple only gets a huge spotlight rush and hero release once a year, Google is getting them every month or so. And they can use that to counter-program Apple.

The Palm Pre launched on Sprint amid the iPhone 3GS launch and was overwhelmed. The Droid, the Nexus One, the Incredible were all released when the iPhone 3GS had been on the market a while and was approaching the apex and now end of its product cycle. They hit when users, especially geek users, influential techies, were hungry for new, shiny toys.

Of course, they then face having the exhaustive pace of the next new Android, and the next new Android after that... almost instant obsoletion to the iPhone's more predictable, and reassuring, annual cycle.

Apple will have that luster again in June with iPhone HD/iPhone 4G and iPhone OS 4, and they'll enjoy owning the market and mindshare for the month or two that follow. But as the year wears on they'll be victim again to Google (and maybe Microsoft and Palm if they can pull it together and time it right) having the new, shiny toys.

Apple will have iPod touch G4 in September and maybe iPhone OS 4.1, and iPad G2 and maybe iPhone OS 5 beta in March, but if we stick to pure phone goodness, that's a lot of time for Google to counter program and up the feature and spec sheets. We saw at Google I/O, with the way Android chose to vocally, and crassly go after the iPhone that they fear WWDC and the next iPhone, but that currently only happens every June.

Does Apple need to consider releasing new iPhone hardware more than once a year?

Looks like Sam Mendes, director of American Beauty has been tapped to create some new iPhone HD/iPhone 4G commercials for Apple. Further, Engadget tipsters brings word that the device, known internally as the Mammoth N90, will have a mother and daughter highlighting its iChat video feature in at least one of the commercials.

While it's not unprecedented for cameras to disappear from final Apple release products (see iPod touch G3 and possibly iPad), the front-facing iChat video camera is looking like a surer bet every day.

Now will AT&T charge extra for it, and would you use it?

[Engadget]

Apple today announced that Steve Jobs would be kicking off their World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC 2010) with a keynote address Monday, June 7, at 9am PT where he's widely expected to announce the iPhone HD/iPhone 4G.

They also remind us that WWDC 2010 sold out in a record 8 days, and with its decidedly iPhone OS focus this year and competitive pressures this year, we should be in for one heck of a show.

What else are we going to see, MobileMe 2.0, iTunes.com, Apple TV running iPhone OS, Verizon, Sprint, TV subscriptions? Give us your biggest, best, craziest predictions. It's fun time.

With the iPhone HD/iPhone 4G just around the corner and all the talk about AT&T finally losing exclusivity, it only stands to reason rumors of Sprint getting the device would also start to grow louder.

Just like with Verizon and even T-Mobile's funky GSM bands, we're sure Apple could technologically do it, but whether or not they could come to financial terms -- and more important when is less predictable. Sprint isn't doing as well as Verizon or AT&T, however, so they might be far more open to the type of control Apple would insist upon to get the deal done.

If it does happen, count us among those who think a WWDC 2010 announcement is less likely, with AT&T getting a short period of exclusivity with Apple's 4th generation iPhone, and other US carriers coming online in the fall, red, yellow, and perhaps even magenta all.

And if not, hey, Sprint's still got that commercial to tide them over.

[MacRumors]

Could these be shots of iPhone HD/iPhone 4G iChat video call settings screens taken off field test units? Who knows, they don't look 960x640 to our pixel peepers but with WWDC 2010 and the supposed unveiling only a few weeks away, anything is possible.

So let us know, real, fake, or really fake?

[BGR]

• Our podcast feed
• Download Directly
• Subscribe via iTunes

iPhone live turns 100! Also: iPhone OS 4 goes beta 4, iPhone HD/iPhone 4G goes white, Wi-Fi sync goes jailbreak, and Tweetie goes Twitter for iPhone. Listen in!

Credits

Thanks to the TiPb iPhone accessory store for sponsoring the podcast, and to everyone who showed up for the live chat!

Our music comes from the following sources:

• I Called You -- iPhone Remix by Pete Leidy
via Sneakmove iPhone Ringtone Challenge

Could the 4th generation iPhone HD/iPhone 4G bring Apple's traditional white and black iPhone color options full around to the faceplate?

That's the rumor, there's the pic above. You want?

[tw.apple.pro via fscklog via MacRumors]

Apple's 4th generation iPhone HD/iPhone 4G could be set to launch with a print magazine quality 960x640 in-plane switching (IPS), fringe-field switching (FFS) display, and a beefy 512MB of RAM according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo the in hit-and-miss industry trade, Digitimes.

Rumors of a 960x640 display first surfaced back in March from Daring Fireball. Given Steve Jobs' fondness for calligraphy and type and how much he's pushed their aesthetics in the digital age finally shipping a display where the dots no longer come between content and eyes would no doubt appeal to him. IPS is the technology used in the new iMac and iPad, FFS in HTC's Legend, and they help increase viewing angles and display quality. Resolution and technology would combine to make iBooks on iPhone the most high density, high quality type experience yet.

Further, they report Apple will stick with the ARM Cortex A8 currently found in the iPhone 3GS and iPad A4 SoC, not the multicore Cortex A9, but they'll be doubling the RAM to 512MB which should be especially useful for the new multitasking API found in iPhone OS 4. That number does conflict with the 256MB analysis based on lost iPhone G4 prototypes, but Apple can and will make changes and decide final specs up to and until it goes into full production.

Oh, and Foxconn will ship 24 million of them starting in June.

[Digitimes]

When Apple engineer Gray Powell's prototype iPhone HD/iPhone 4G fell from his bag in a bar, it was "found" by Brian Hogan, and -- as it turns out now -- it was Hogan's roommate, Katherine Martinson, who turned Hogan in. Here's the gist, including Hogan's obvious effort to enter into karma receivership right from the start:

“Sucks for him,” Hogan allegedly told Martinson. “He lost his phone. Shouldn’t have lost his phone.”

Martinson turned Hogan in because Hogan had plugged the phone into her laptop in an attempt to get it working again after Apple remotely disabled it. She was convinced that Apple would be able to trace her Internet IP address as a result. “Therefore she contacted Apple in order to aboslive herself of criminal responsibility,” according to the affidavit.

Martinson informed Apple Hogan had found the phone, knew the Facebook profile of the person who lost it, but instead of trying to return it was offering it up to gadget blogs. (It ultimately found its way to Gizmodo).

What followed is an almost farcical attempt at destroy evidence with police hot on the trail.

Now we just need to find out how the older prototype got to Vietnam...

[Wired]

Add another image to the Taoviet iPhone HD/iPhone 4G prototype gallery, this one purporting to run iPhone OS 4 in all shades of blurred glory.

Did they really get the PRO2 (which is apparently an earlier prototype to the Gizmodo iPhone HD/iPhone 4G unit) to boot up Apple's next generation iPhone OS, or did some enterprising individual launch Photoshop, grab a 3GS resolution screen shot, match all the edges up, and then add the haze? If not, where's the sharp, multi-angled pics and video like yesterday's firmware-only posts?

You tell us -- real, fake, or really fake?

[Engadget, Thanks Damon for the tip!]

Another iPhone HD/iPhone 4G prototype has shown up on the internet and has been posed, torn-down, and shown off on video. This Taoviet prototype is similar to the Gizmodo prototype seen earlier in most respects, but is clearly labeled when it comes to storage -- 16GB -- and lacks the two screws on the bottom seen on the previous prototype as well as current iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS models.

Reportedly a Vietnamese businessman bought the 4th gen iPhone in the US for $4000 but how Apple lost control of it remains unknown. The screen looks stuck on a firmware test reading Inferno and calling itself Bonfire!, so no bootable iPhone OS 4 or special feature hints yet (sorry iChat video fans).

Unlike Gizmodo, Taoviet tore their prototype down to the system-on-chip (SoC) and the chipset looks to be an Apple A4 similar to the blazingly fast 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 and PowerVR SGX chip found in the iPad. (We're still holding some hope for a multicore Cortex A9, but we're never satisfied).

More pictures and video after the break!

UPDATE: iFixit sent us word that, based on analyzing the part numbers, it looks like this A4 chipset has the same amount of RAM as the iPad. 256MB. Drat.

[Taoviet via Macrumors, Engadget]

YouTube link

With the 4th generation iPhone HD/iPhone 4G almost certainly ramping up for production in anticipation for a WWDC 2010 introduction, it's not too surprising parts like the casing are beginning to show up in the wild.

What SmartPhone Medic is showing in the video below matches up to the iPhone prototype Gizmodo got their hands on, once again adding weight to the assertions that this is pretty close to the final design we'll see this June.

SmartPhone Medic also had the iPhone G4 screen back at the end of March. Impossible to keep these things secret anymore?

[SmartPhone Medic, thanks Tim for the tip!]

YouTube link

The 4th generation iPhone looks like it will be able to do some high definition (HD) video recording according to the iPhone 4 Beta SDK. A little digging into the code reveals that there are two presets for recording resolution, the current 640x480 (VGA) and a 1280x720 (720p).

• AVCaptureSessionPreset640x480
• AVCaptureSessionPreset1280x720

It is looking more and more like Rene will finally get that iPhone HD he has been craving for the past two years. If you were on the fence about upgrading your iPhone does HD video recording sway you to make the purchase?

[MacRumors]

While Gizmodo showed off a prototype iPhone HD/iPhone 4G just over a week ago, and revealed the identity of the Apple engineer who brought it to the now-infamous bar, the identity of the man who brought it from the bar to Gizmodo was not revealed -- until now.

An investigation by Wired involving (we kid you not), looking at social network posts and confirmed via a source (which was not revealed) led them to Brian J. Hogan, a 21-year-old resident of Redwood City, California who, through his lawyer, said:

• a story broadly matching that previously provided by Gizmodo
• that he regrets not doing more to try and return the iPhone prototype
• that the $5000 he received from Gizmodo was for exclusive access to the device for review purposes

According to his lawyer, he's also a good boy.

UPDATE: CNET has identified the man who contacted technology blogs like Gizmodo, Engagdget, etc. about the iPhone prototype as Sage Robert Wallower, a 27-year-old University of California at Berkeley student.

Police continue their investigation, the internet continues their discussion.

[Wired, CNET]

After drooling over the lost/stolen iPhone HD/iPhone 4G and mocking the incident on the Daily Show last night, Jon Stewart went after Apple and Steve Jobs, accusing them of losing their childlike sense of wonder and harshening his mellow both:

"Apple - you guys were the rebels, man, the underdogs. People believed in you. But now, are you becoming the man? Remember back in 1984, you had those awesome ads about overthrowing Big Brother? Look in the mirror, man! …It wasn't supposed to be this way - Microsoft was supposed to be the evil one! But you guys are busting down doors in Palo Alto while Commandant Gates is ridding the world of mosquitoes! What the [redacted] is going on?!

…I know that it is slightly agitating that a blog dedicated to technology published all that stuff about your new phone. And you didn't order the police to bust down the doors, right? I'd be pissed too, but you didn't have to go all Minority Report on his ass! I mean, if you wanna break down someone's door, why don't you start with AT&T, for God sakes? They make your amazing phone unusable as a phone! I mean, seriously! How do you drop four calls in a one-mile stretch of the West Side Highway! There're no buildings around! What, does the open space confuse AT&T's signal?!

…Come on, Steve. Chill out with the paranoid corporate genius stuff. Don't go all Howard Hughes on us."

This is mainstream media (don't tell Stewart we called him that) hitting Apple where it hurts.

US/Flash only Hulu after the break!

[Gawker.tv, transcript via InOtherNews]

It looks like AT&T's new SIM cards will be double-porferated, meaning you'll be able to pop it out along the MiniSIM lines to fit in current and previous generation iPhones (and most other phones), or along the smaller MicroSIM lines to fit the iPad Wi-Fi + 3G and if the leaks are correct, the 4th generation iPhone to boot.

The two SIM card sizes have always been compatible and we've heard for a while that jackets would let MicroSIM's work in MiniSIM devices and that brave souls could grab a knife and cut some plastic off MiniSIM's to make them Micro, but AT&T providing an official solution is all shades of awesome.

(Just keep in mind if you snap out the MiniSIM now, you can come back and snap out the Micro later. If you snap out the MicroSIM now, you might need some duct tape to get the rest of plastic back together later).

The new double-porferated SIMs aren't in stores yet, but should be soon.

[Engadget]

Apple.com has just put up this year's World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC 2010) page, and as suspected the dates are early -- June 7-11 at the traditional Moscone West venue in San Francisco.

For the last two years, Apple has also used the even to debut new iPhone hardware and release dates, with the iPhone 3GS in 2009 and iPhone 3G in 2008. The iPhone 2G was announced at Macworld in 2008, but its release date was made public at WWDC as well. All that to say it's fairly likely WWDC 2010 will not only give us our first official look at the 4th generation iPhone (iPhone HD, iPhone 4G, iPhone G4, whatever floats your moniker boat), but word on when we'll get it as well.

While the iPhone has only been part of WWDC for 3 years, given the app-centric nature of the artwork (above) its fair to say it'll be given the lion's share of attention this year.

UPDATE: It's iPhone OS-centric to say the least. Apple Design Awards, the Mac need not apply, and the course tracks listed are predominantly iPhone OS (iPhone, iPad). That's clearly where Apple is shifting their attention, at least for this year, and given their increasing iPhone OS earnings, it should come as no surprise.

The shot's been sounded people, the race to the next iPhone is on!

[Apple]

The evidence that iChat video is coming with the 4th generation iPhone continues to pile up with iPhone OS 4 beta 2 released just last week.

More code reveals that the iPhone must be registered for video conferencing along with the possibility of the feature only being used via Wi-Fi and not 3G data. So those who had hoped for video chat using their networks 3G connection may be a bit disappointed.

ACCOUNTNOTREGISTEREDMESSAGE = "This device has not been registered for video conferencing.";

IMAVCHAT

COULDNOTCONNECTNOREMOTEWIFI = "The video call could not connect because a remote Wi-Fi connection could not be established."; IMAVCHATDISCONNECTEDNOLOCAL_WIFI = "The video call disconnected because the local Wi-Fi connection was lost.";

And as an added bonus it seems as if Apple is working on integrating video chat with "tentpole" number 6, Game Center. From the code below it appears that you will be able to initiate video chats with other Game Center users.

IMAVCHATERRORNOSUCHPLAYERID = "No Such Player ID"; IMAVCHATERRORNOSUCHACHIEVEMENT = "No Such Achievement"; IMAVCHATERRORUNRECOGNIZEDGAMEDESCRIPTIONHEADERS = "Unrecognised Game Descriptor Headers"; IMAVCHATERRORNOSUCHGAME = "No Such Game";

iPhone OS 4 looks to be more promising than we originally had thought. Any of our readers excited just yet?

[Mac Rumors]

Exercising a search warrant last Friday, members of California's Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team seized evidence in the ongoing investigation into the iPhone HD/iPhone 4G that wound up outside of Apple's control and plastered all over the internet last week.

Gizmodo has the full account up, including the warrant, a response from Gawker legal, and their account of the events.

[Gizmodo]

Dilbert's author, Scott Adams, decided to poke a little fun at the whole iPhone HD/iPhone 4G incident by drafting up 2 strips of goodness that, because of the slow pace of newspaper publication, will only ever be seen on the web. Check them out.

[Dilbert.com via DF]

The circumstances surrounding that iPhone HD/iPhone 4G prototype that surfaced online this week are now officially being looked into by local law enforcement:

Apple has spoken to local police about the incident and the investigation is believed to be headed by a computer crime task force led by the Santa Clara County district attorney's office, the source said. Apple's Cupertino headquarters is in Santa Clara County, about 40 miles south of San Francisco.

None of the parties directly involved have commented yet, and seriously we don't expect them to at this point since anything they say could literally be used against them.

All we know is that this will make a heckuva sequel to Pirates of Silicon Valley. Wonder if Noah Wiley still has that black turtleneck...

[CNET, thanks to Jeremy and everyone who sent this in!]

• Our podcast feed
• Download Directly
• Subscribe via iTunes

Chad and Rene (with a call-in from Keith) discuss the greatest geek leak in history -- the iPhone HD/iPhone 4G live on the internet. Oh, and the rest of the week's news and apps!

Want to be part of the show?

Chad and Rene (with a call-in from Keith) discuss the greatest geek leak in history -- the iPhone HD/iPhone 4G live on the internet. Oh, and the rest of the week's news and apps!

• Example: “Hi, this is Jon from Cupertino. My favorite app is We Rule and my favorite podcast is iPhone Live!!”

Credits

Thanks to the the iPhone Blog Store for sponsoring the podcast, and to everyone who showed up for the live chat!

Our music comes from the following sources:

• I Called You -- iPhone Remix by Pete Leidy
via Sneakmove iPhone Ringtone Challenge

The 4th generation iPhone HD/iPhone 4G revealed this week doesn't look exactly like the iPhones that have come before, but could it just be the iPhone Apple's senior vice-president of design, Jonathan Ive has always wanted to make?

If you're not familiar with Ive, a man who's won more high-level design awards than just about every other consumer electronics whiz on the planet combined, just look at any Apple product since the iMac. The iPod, iPhone, and iPad -- and few unibody MacBooks and Magic Mice in-between -- have all come from Jonathan Ive and his team. From deep, monochromatic plastics to unblemished aluminum to polished black glass, it would be fair to call Ive's work industry leading -- if the rest of the industry hadn't but lately decided design was even something worth considering.

The original iPhone 2G in 2007 was something new for Apple and Ive, and it had to work, just work, flawlessly out of the box, and you could see it's compromises right on the large black plastic strip that cut across the aluminum on the back. iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G boosted the radios and the power under the hood, but not much else happened on the outside other than the adoption of a full plastic jacket to make those radios work better. And all the while Apple's other designs -- the ones where they long since found their footing in time and technology to really unleash their A game... well, they started to leave the iPhone design language behind. Rounded aluminum rectangles with sharper corners came to the iMacs and MacBook Pros as the parts inside got smaller and the batteries (and battery life) for laptops grew and grew.

A lot has been said about Jonathan Ive's influences, almost singularly and iconically Dieter Rams of Braun. To say Apple products now bear striking resemblance to Braun products then is not an understatement and is unmistakably intentional. Rams and Ive share the same philosophy and language of design. They're minimalist. There's only as much form as is needed to utterly get out of the way of function. The radio is a speaker, the iPad is a screen. They are what you use them for.

And because of Apple's inexperience with phones and the compromises mentioned above, perhaps it's no more coincidence that past iPhones bear less resemblance to the work of Dieter Rams than that the next generation one bears total resemblance.

Apple's gone unibody, they gone glass edge to edge, and most importantly they gone Apple A4 inside and shrunk the guts down to unbelievably small sizes, leaving room for ginormous batteries and little else but design. What was previously curved and more complicated now be flat and simple. It not only just works, it just fits in the broader context of Ive's work and the influence of Rams he's shown such homage for over the years.

Check out the videos of Jonathan Ive discussing design from the outstanding documentary Objectified, and from Apple's iPad event below, and hop on over to Gizmodo for a look at Ive's work in context to Rams.

In a larger article discussing the circumstances surrounding the iPhone HD/iPhone 4G that founds its way into Gizmodo's hands on Monday, Daring Fireball provides some interesting details about what just might be the near-final production unit:

• A few weeks ago engineers already familiar with the 4th generation iPhone were permitted to use disguised versions as their daily drivers as part of the cell phone testing process.
• The N90 visible on the Gizmodo phone matches the known code-name of Apple's next generation GSM iPhone (so, um, what's the codename for the non-GSM next-generation iPhone...?)
• The DVT stands for Design Verification Test, which is Apple parlance for a production milestone.
• That means what we saw on Monday is either close to final, or final hardware for the next generation iPhone.
• There's a cryptic footnote asking what Apple would do with a next-generation iPhone that was do different, design-wise, it couldn't be disguised as a current-generation model. (Please. Please don't start slider or flipper rumors!)

If there were still any lingering doubts, cast them aside. It looks like that cool black glass and banded aluminum sammich, or something closely refined from it, is what we're getting in June.

Yes, it's completely useless and quasi pornographic to compare prototype and rumored specs for unannounced, unfinished devices like the iPhone HD (iPhone 4G) with specs from real, announced, and shipping or shipped devices like the Verizon Droid Incredible, Sprint EVO 4G, and Google Nexus One. But it's damn fun.

We've gone over the iPhone HD design, given our thoughts on the hardware, so now check out the above graphic for just such a spec showdown. Yup, Android Central's epic army (as composed by the one and only Phil Nickinson) goes one-on-one with the magical unicorn that might just be Apple's next iPhone. Network, operating system, screen sizes, processors, memory, storage, data speed, MicroSD, rear camera, video recording, front camera, second mic, Adobe Flash support, Bluetooth, WiFi, MiFI-like hotspot, GPS, FM radio, TV-out, size, weight, battery, price, and SIM card support are all covered.

So get your geek on, click up top, and let us know how you think these devices stack up!

Before giving the iPhone HD/iPhone 4G back to Apple, Gizmodo have done a tear-down and provided plenty of pictures of what they've found inside, including 50% of the space being taken up by the battery (which is not user-removable), and a drastically smaller, metal cased logic board. (Not to mention screws aplenty).

They didn't want to break open the board, so no word on whether it has an Apple A4 or related system-on-chip (SoC) like the iPad, or how much RAM is inside, and no word yet on NAND Flash storage capacity either.

(And yes, they did put it back together again, dozens and dozens of screws and all).

Anyone see anything else interesting in the parts?

Yesterday we looked at the iPhone HD/iPhone 4G design, today we look at what that design embodied -- the iPhone HD/iPhone 4G hardware and specs. A lot of what was revealed in the Engadget pics and Gizmodo hands-on seems to confirm past rumors, a lot more still remains a mystery. One thing's for certain -- as much as Apple jumpstarted the smartphone space in 2007 with the original iPhone 2G, the competition has blown past them when it comes to hardware specs to date. That changes in 2010 with the iPhone HD.

We'll cover the internals, the CPU and GPU, RAM and capacity in a future post, but in terms of what could easily be discerned so far, let's break it down as follows:

Screen resolution

The original iPhone (and all iPhone models since) sported a 480x320 multitouch display. That display remains the absolute best multitouch screen on the market, bar none, but the resolution has been eclipsed by Android and Windows Phone where 800(+)x480 has become the new norm on the high end. HD2, Droid, Nexus One, Desire, EVO 4G, the list of obscenely large displays on competing platforms seems to be growing monthly. We were wondering (read: hoping) Apple would match that last year, even though we thought it would cause problems for developers (the way it has for Android). Apple didn't. They kept the iPhone 3GS at the same 480x320. This year we again hoped they'd match it. According to rumors, Apple won't -- they're going to exceed it.

Gizmodo couldn't see anything other than the connect-to-iTunes screen, so we don't know for certain what the actual resolution will be, but they claimed to be unable to see the pictures, but Daring Fireball has said a whopping 960x640 is what's supposed to be on the iPhone HD (hence the name TiPb predicted back in 2009 and Engadget hears just might be the name in 2010). That's twice the vertical and twice the horizontal pixel count as all the previous generations of iPhone. It's also over 300dpi at the physical size Gizmodo showed off. Daring Fireball points out, and our own past experience tells us, that's past fair quality print resolution, especially for color work. With Apple's sub-pixel anti-aliasing (where the red, green, and blue components of each pixel can be fired independently), it might just look as good as a high-end glossy magazine, and that would be incredible.

Being twice the current iPhone resolution also ties remarkably well into something Apple announced for the iPad and its larger, if less dense 1024x768 screen -- pixel doubling. Every pixel on the iPhone can be doubled to occupy four pixels (2 vertical x 2 horizontal) on the iPhone HD and at 300dpi look pretty much identical. No blurry double-chunky like on the iPad, and no problem for older iPhone apps. No fragmentation. (And when developers update with universal binaries for iPhone, they should look fantastic, and should also work at 1x at the same size as current iPhone apps work at 2x on the iPad). In other words, it solves a lot of problems for Apple and developers.

Front-facing camera

When the iPhone 2G shipped without Mobile iChat it was a source of speculation (conspiracy theorists thinking AT&T didn't want anything cutting into their lucrative SMS business). Since then there have been persistent rumors that not only was Mobile iChat coming, Mobile iChat video was coming with it. Of course, that would mean a front-facing camera -- a webcam or chat-cam. While it didn't appear on either the iPhone 3G or the iPhone 3GS, it is on the iPhone HD and strings for iChat have been showing up in the software starting in iPhone 3.2 for iPad and continuing into iPhone OS 4 beta 1.

Sprint's upcoming Android EVO 4G will have a front-facing camera when it ships, and will be working on a fast WiMax connection. Whether or not AT&T, which still faces data issues in some markets, will allow iChat video over their 3G network is unknown. If not, like movie downloads on current iPhones, it could be restricted to Wi-Fi only use, where cell bandwidth is no issue. Perhaps it will be similar to how streaming video is handled today -- lower quality of 3G, higher quality over Wi-Fi.

Bigger rear-facing camera

Gizmodo also noted that the camera on the back of the iPhone HD was "bigger". 5 megapixels would be nice. The new Verizon Droid Incredible has an 8 megapixel camera but if the point-and-shoot wars have taught us anything it's that pixel size... well, it matters, but it matters less than lens quality. We'd take a great 5 megapixel lens that doesn't cut up the sensor too much and gives better low-light sensitivity than a bigger, worse camera (ahem, Droid).

We'd also take 720p video recording. The 3GS is good enough for casual use. 720p would replace 90% of our video camera needs as well.

Camera flash

There looks to also be a flash, which would match with rumors of Apple looking for LED flash components. No, it's not built into a glowing Apple logo, but it's there.

Many other phones have had this for a long time, and while it wouldn't excite us as much as a quality low-light lens, we're not upset to see it.

Secondary mic

In addition to the same mic on the bottom of the device found in all previous iPhones, the iPhone HD looks to have a small mic on the top as well. Gizmodo theorizes that this is like the Nexus One -- a noise cancelation mic that reads ambient sound and removes it from the main audio channel making you sound clearer to the person on the other end.

If there's a top mounted iChat camera, however, could it also serve (or serve double duty) for chat?

Battery

The aluminum band around the iPhone HD is oddly broken at the bottom making it into two discreet pieces. Some have suggested this is so that the device can be easily opened and the battery swapped out. The EU is mandating user-swappable batteries, which is part of where the logic behind this line of thinking lies. There's also a break up top, so we're not even sure how far that logic goes.

Anything is possible, but given the size and type of batteries Apple is making lately, and the life they're getting out of them, we're not getting our hopes up. Gizmodo pegs the iPhone HD battery as 16% larger already -- 5.25 WHr at 3.7V vs. the current 4.51 WHr at 3.7V.

For the most part we have external chargers. Unless we could swap the battery for one that supported inductive charging, that is...

UPDATE: Gizmodo has done an iPhone HD tear-down and the battery in NOT removable. (So here's hoping those breaks in the aluminum are).

MicroSIM

Like iPad, the iPhone HD will use a MicroSIM as opposed to the MiniSIM found in current iPhones and almost all other phones. They're a standard and they're likely to become more common in the future, especially with Apple supporting them. (AT&T, Vodafone UK, Orange UK, O2, and Rogers have already announced support for the iPad).

They're also compatible with MiniSIM so you can cut down a MiniSIM to use it in a MicroSIM device, or put a "jacket" on a MicroSIM and use it in a MiniSIM device.

It'll make frequent SIM-switchers' lives more difficult for a while, no doubt, which might be part of the plan, but if it saves space inside for more battery, we won't complain too much.

Ceramic/glass back

The first iPhone 2G used aluminum for the back, with a plastic stripe to allow radio reception. The iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS went full on plastic. The iPhone HD seems to have a more glass-like back, but what that means exactly is uncertain. Certainly glass on the front and back would double the breakable surface area of the iPhone HD.

Mention has been made of an Apple patent for ceramics that would be glass-like, tough, and radio transparent. According to a source who claims familiarity with past Apple ceramic initiatives, however, that's unlikely for two reasons: pricing and rigidity. While there are ways around the rigidity, that drives up pricing. The flat backing, if final design, would be cheaper to deliver than something like the iPhone 3GS' curved back, but it wouldn't solve the rigidity problem. Apple has been so determined to keep their price-point down, raising it to cover the costs of a ceramic back might not make sense yet. Rather, something akin to Gorilla Glass could be used for the actual screen itself.

We're not super-smart chemists/alchemists, so whether or not Apple has solved those problems, or come up with some other material, there's no way to know.

Conclusion

So there it is -- a lot of rumor, a little hands-on, and just over a month to go before Steve Jobs takes the WWDC stage and almost certainly shows us all the final iPhone HD (or iPhone 4G, or whatever they call it). Like an episode of Lost, every answer until then will likely only leave us with more questions. We've shared our thoughts, now it's your turn. What do you think of the 4th generation iPhone specs seen and rumored so far?

Pretty much confirming what pretty much everyone has suspected since at least Monday, if not late Sunday, Apple has formally and officially asked Gizmodo for that iPhone 4G/iPhone HD back. That means it's Apple property, and probably something close to what we'll see when Steve Jobs holds it up on the WWDC stage in June.

TiPb's already posted on the iPhone G4 design and we'll be following up with more on both the device itself, and the iPhone OS 4 software that will be running it.

Based on everything we've seen to date, debate about what Engadget showed glimpses of on Sunday and Gizmodo went hands-on with on Monday is over -- it's a next-generation Apple iPhone HD (iPhone 4G). It might not be final hardware, but with the public unveiling expected to be in WWDC this June and the shipping date soon thereafter, it's close.

We'll go over the purported specs in a post to follow, but right now we're going to concentrate on the design. Some are complaining it doesn't look Apple-like, doesn't look like something that came out of the Star Trek-style labs of Apple SVP of design, Jonathan Ive. We thought so too at first, when all we had to go on were the pics of the initial post. We thought it looked like a Japanese knock-off. We were wrong. The pictures posted from the hands-on today were much clearer and they show lines that are much cleaner and a design much more in harmony with the other major releases Apple's done recently -- unibody MacBook Pro, 2009 iMac, 2010 iPad. Sure, they typically have subtle curves along one large surface -- back of the iMac, rear of the iPad, and this iPhone HD looks flat as a pancake, but the language is unmistakable. Mostly.

Yeah, the breaks in the aluminum siding. Screws in the iPhone 3GS and iMac is one thing, but breaks in the aluminum? It's possible that those were there to grant easy access to the guts of the prototype and will disappear when Steve Jobs pulls the final production model from his pocket at WWDC. Or it's possible that those are there to grant access to the guts and are a compromise we'll see up to and after release. (We choose to believe the former rather than the latter, of course).

Also, the volume buttons. Gone are the toggles found in the first three generations of iPhone, last two of iPod touch, and one and only iPad to date. In there place are something that looks like the battery level indicator button from a MacBook Pro [tip of the hat to @richardlai] as seen through double vision.

Gizmodo knows/guesses they're there to serve as additional, contextual hardware buttons. Specifically, that when in camera mode (where volume is not needed) they'd serve as a hard shutter button for taking pictures or starting/stopping video recording.

A toggle could perform multiple functions as well, however, though perhaps less intuitively.

If we go through the checklist, however, we have the rounded rectangle with the hardened angles, the glass to the very edge, and the black and aluminum that has become this generation of Apple trademark.

That's our take. Now it's time for yours. WWDC is still well over a month away, when it comes to the iPhone HD/iPhone 4G design, what do you hope Apple keeps the same, and what do you really wish they'd change?

Gizmodo got their hands on that lost iPhone G4 (iPhone HD/iPhone 4G/etc) prototype purportedly lost then found in a San Jose bar and reported on extensively yesterday. They've given it a thorough, geektonic once-over and here's the take away:

• Front-facing camera, bigger back camera with flash
• MicroSIM (like iPad)
• Higher res screen (exact dimensions unknown but could be the rumored 960x640)
• Potential second mic for noise cancellation

• All metal power, mute, and volume buttons

• Flat form-factor that's more squared-off with an aluminum outer border

• Shiny glass/plastic (ceramic?) back
• Slightly smaller and 3 grams beefier than iPhone 3GS
• Battery is 16% bigger, made possible by shrinking everything else

Giz claims they've been playing with the 4th gen iPhone for about a week (?!) and they think its the real deal. They have some videos up and tons more info as well so check out the link up top for more and let us know what you think. This looks like an honest-to-Jobs unfinished 4th gen iPhone -- do you like it?

Following up on the crazy that was yesterday's iPhone G4 (iPhone HD/iPhone 4G) hardware leaks, Daring Fireball looked into the glass-like backing of the device, and brings up an old Apple patent for fancy, futuristic ceramics:

Multiple sources familiar with the next iPhone have confirmed to me that the back is made out of some sort of fancy glass — and looks pretty much exactly like what’s pictured at Engadget. [...] reader Antoine Hebert emailed with this 2006 Apple patent, for high-durability ceramic enclosures. Glass-like appearance and feel but far stronger and more scratch resistant. And: radio transparent.

We know the current, hi-tech plastic back on the iPhone 3GS (and iPhone 3G before it) is so durable it will not blend, so will glass-like ceramics be equally tough? Tough enough to survive a fall?

Meanwhile, 9to5Mac points us to a Korea Times where Samsung seems to confirm Apple will be using their own system-on-a-chip (SoC) for the 4th generation iPhone, like it does with the Apple A4 for the iPad.

If that chip is as blazing fast as we hope it will be, maybe ceramics is a better choice for the backing anyway. What do you think?

Our sibling site Android Central has just published a full review of the Verizon Droid Incredible -- the latest Google superphone Android competition to the iPhone. (And yes, it does seem like they're coming more than once a month now -- we feel bad for Phil!).

It's pretty much a gussied-up Nexus One with Sense UI, which you'd think would make it a Desire but it bumps a few specs (like an 8mp camera with dual LED flash) and a CDMA radio (which the Nexus One was supposed to do but hasn't yet, and the iPhone keeps being rumored to do but hasn't yet either).

All three devices are by HTC, who Apple is suing for patent infringement, and their ability to keep dropping high-end Android bombs like this is likely the reason why. Say what you want about software fragmentation, highly restricted app storage, and OLED screens you may or may not be able to see out in the daylight, the absolutely relentless improvements in UI and hardware both is very much in keeping with the robotic nature of the brand.

Apple of course is widely expected to counter this summer not only with the multitasking iPhone OS 4 (see our complete preview and feature walkthrough), but with 4th generation hardware leaps of its own -- front facing camera, huge 960x640 display, and only Jobs knows what else.

Whether those iPhone on Verizon rumors finally pan out along with it, or in September, or only in 2011 we don't know, but our advice to potential buyers remains the same as in our iPhone vs. Nexus One: which should you buy?. Check that post for details, but in broad strokes:

• If you have to get a new phone right now and you want AT&T, the 2009 iPhone 3GS (see our review) remains head of that class. If you want Verizon, however, the Incredible is certainly a credible choice. The original Droid has a hardware keyboard (lackluster though it may be) and the Nexus One has the Google rather than HTC Sense UI (though who knows when it will actually ship?) so it's an embarrassment of Android riches over in Big Red land. (If you're on Sprint, it's EVO 4G 'natch).

• If you can wait until the summer and aren't fussy about carriers, Google may have another (two, three?) Androids on the market by then, but we have a sneaky suspicion Apple and iPhone HD (it won't be called iPhone 4G) along with iPhone OS 4 will be the ones to watch in 2010. Again.

Head on over to Android Central's complete Verizon Droid Incredible coverage for more, and let us know what you think -- is it incredible?

Engadget is now standing firm behind those images of an "iPhone 4G" they posted yesterday, claiming pictures they nabbed right before the iPad launch as proof it's not just a knock-off. And what's more:

a source -- who confirms this is the next Apple iPhone -- also tells us that the device apparently does have a higher res screen on-board, a front-facing camera, a higher resolution camera with flash, and takes MicroSIM cards.

Not only that, MacRumor's forums claim to have pictures from a Chinese website showing the guts of the device.

We're still saying it can't be called an iPhone 4G, since Apple used iPhone 3G for the 2nd generation due to its 3G radio, and likely would do the same for an iPhone 4G, signifying a 4G LTE radio -- which won't be supported in the US until 2011 at the earliest. iPhone HD is still a candidate, however, due to the higher resolution screen.

Now this still looks so different, so cobbled together that, if it does indeed come from Apple's labs, it's more likely prototype hardware than finished design -- a way to test the guts of the machine and how it works with new software features.

UPDATE: Daring Fireball claims to have called "around" (read: into Apple contacts) and now believes:

this is an actual unit from Apple — a unit Apple is very interested in getting back. I am not certain that this is the actual production unit Apple intends to ship to consumers. I think it’s a testbed frame — thicker, with visible (un-Apple-like) seams, meant to fit in 3GS cases so as to disguise units out in the wild. It’s hard to tell from the photos. But I think it is the real deal in terms of the internals and display being next-gen iPhone hardware, and the new glass back. A front-facing camera and 960 × 640 display are two things I know are slated for the next iPhone. (The “80 GB” of storage sounds like a mistake to me, but who knows? SSD storage typically comes only in even power-of-two increments.)

Either way, given the blogsphere reaction, it sure does take attention way from what Android and Verizon are getting ready, doesn't it?

Given the differences between it and current iPhone models, do you hope this is the direction they're actually going, or that the final iPhone 4G looks nothing like it?

UPDATE: As commenters suspected, it's a cheap clone/knock-off from China/Japan.

Engadget has some pictures of up of what's purporting to be an iPhone 4G (which it can't be because there aren't any GSM 4G networks for it to run on), but could it be an iPhone HD (or whatever the iPhone G4 ends up being called) prototype of some sorts?

We've heard that Apple keeps prototypes in the basement, bolted to tables, but if someone was testing radio reception or otherwise had to get some on-the-go diagnostics... Still, given how losing this thing would no doubt be grounds for immediate, painful eradication by Steve Jobs' omega beams, we just can't see anyone at Apple letting it out of their sight.

Engadget says the guy who "found" it in a San Jose bar, inside an iPhone 3G case, is looking to get cash in exchange for hands on time, but that they're working on more details.

Update: And the link to some TwitPics supposedly from a Chinese search posted on Feb 20.

What do you think, real, fake, or really fake?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

BGR claims AT&T has begun their yearly tradition of blocking employee holidays for the month of June in anticipation of the 4th generation iPhone (not iPhone 4G but possibly iPhone HD) launch.

A June block suggests a launch that could be as early as last year's June 17 iPhone 3GS affair, but is also consistent with previous years' late-June releases.

We've already seen some leaks -- and lots of fakes and mock ups -- so just consider this another sign of what we all know is coming -- iPhone 2010. And the crazy is sure to come with it!

TUAW was slipped a screenshot today showing something called iChatAgent running on iPhone 4.0. iChat is Apple's instant message client for Mac OS X that includes voice and video chat, among other features. Rumors of a Mobile iChat for iPhone that would include webcam-style video chat date back to 2008, and were most recently seen in (and then taken away from) iPhone 3.2 for iPad.

Will we finally see an honest-to-Jobs Mobile iChat video this summer at WWDC along with a next-generation iPhone (don't call it the iPhone 4G!) featuring a front-facing camera?

We're not getting out hopes up anymore. Really. We swear...

In response to the Wall Street Journal's rumor last week about the iPhone being released on Verizon later this year, CEO Ivan Seidenberg remarked to the Council on Foreign Relations:

[Verizon] has told Apple that it wants to carry the iPhone. But he declined to say when — or even if — the popular smart phone will be available for Verizon Wireless customers.

Seidenberg is infamous for reportedly refusing the back in 2007, leading Apple to partner with AT&T, and for once saying Verizon's strategy for competing with the iPhone involved waiting for Steve Jobs to get old.

We're not getting our hopes up for an iPhone 4.0 event "one more thing" yet, however those three iPhone G4 (not iPhone 4G!) model numbers have us wondering about July-September, you?

[Reuters via MacRumors]

One of BGR's connects dug around in the iPad file system and once again found confirmation of what we all pretty much take for granted now -- 4th generation iPhone, 4th generation iPod touch, and even 2nd generation iPad models are coming our way!

As a reminder, Apple users a major,minor version number system. So iPhone 2G was 1,1, iPhone 3G was 1,2, and iPhone 3GS was 2,1. Big jumps equal big hardware (i.e. non-cosmetic) changes, and that looks like what we're getting:

• iPhone 3,1
• iPhone 3,2
• iPhone 3,3

Why three new models for the 4th generation iPhone (not iPhone 4G)? We have no idea, but we'll guess GSM this summer, and could the others be Chinese CDMA, and maybe US CDMA (no Verizon rumors. Stop it!)

• iPod 4,1

4th generation iPod touch, likely this September.

• iProd 2,1

iPad was originally iProd 1,1 so it looks like Apple's already got the 2nd generation iPad in the labs for March 2011.

(What IFPGA is we still have no idea).

• Our podcast feed
• Download Directly
• Subscribe via iTunes

Chad and Rene discuss the iPad launch, iPhone 4.0 and iPhone G4 rumors, Steve and Eric having lunch, iPhone on Verizon again, and all the week's news. Listen in!

Credits

Our music comes from the following sources:

• I Called You -- iPhone Remix by Pete Leidy
via Sneakmove iPhone Ringtone Challenge

Daring Fireball often blurs the line between carefully concealed wink-nudge leak and flat out facetious commentary, so with that in mind John Gruber has this to say about the 4th generation iPhone (which still won't be called iPhone 4G!):

• Apple A4-family system-on-a-chip. Nothing on whether that would be the ARM Cortex A9 multicore CPU with brand new PowerVR SGX GPU we've been drooling over, however.
• 960x640 display. That would be bigger than even the bigger DROID Google Android phone, but fit perfectly with the mediocre pixel-doubling announced for current iPhone apps on the iPad's 1024x768 display.
• Front facing camera. Which would mean all those iChat Video rumors we've been hearing about forever would finally come true, albeit after the HTC EVO 4G broke the barrier.
• 3rd party multitasking in iPhone 4.0. Yeah, that one we've got covered going way back. Which just don't know how they're going to implement it yet?

Again, this could just be Gruber cracking wise at the WSJ's Verizon-rumoring expense. However, a lot of this might also be considered obvious things Apple "has to do" to stay competitive. Yet Apple hasn't exactly been pushing the hardware specs since the iPhone 2G back in 2007. Steve Jobs was rumored to have said the next iPhone will be an A+ upgrade. Is the above a good start?

UPDATE: Engadget says they're hearing it will launch on June 22 and be called the iPhone HD. Hey, that sounds familiar, doesn't it?

We shoulda know the moment we lamented the lack of 4th generation iPhone (not iPhone 4G!) rumors that along would come our most mythical of rumored beasts -- the iPhone on Verizon. But this time it's no less than the Wall Street Journal that's mongering.

Citing the elusive "people briefed on the matter", the WSJ says Apple will likely release another GSM model this summer, just like clockwork, manufactured by the usual suspects at Hon Hai Precision Industry. A second iPhone of CDMA flavor (compatible with Verizon and Sprint) is said to be set up at Pegatron Technology Corp. for manufacturing in September.

What's with the wonky timeline? We don't know and no one in a position to know is talking. So take this with an iPad-sized grain of salt and speculate away in the comments!

[Thanks to Jeremy for the tip!]

Phew! Here's some good old 4th generation iPhone (don't call it iPhone 4G!) rumors to help cleanse our iPad-swamped palettes. BGR links to a video from SmartphoneMedic of what they claim is the 4th gen iPhone screen assembly fresh off the spare parts line (or wherever such things come from).

Real, fake, or really fake -- check out the video after the break and let us know what you think!

[Thanks to @phufuung for the tip!]

YouTube link

While Apple will almost certainly release a 4th generation iPhone this June or July, it won't be an iPhone 4G because 4G LTE networks in the US won't be up and running in significant enough quantities until 2011 or 2012 but Sprint is slowly rolling out a competing 4G WiMax network and has just announced a competing uber-phone to go with it -- the Android 2.1 powered, Sense UI shellacked HTC EVO 4G.

Our buddy Phil Nickinson from Android Central is on the ground at CTIA 2010 and bringing us back the full Sprint EVO 4G video and hands on, but suffice it to say, once again HTC is just showing off. The specs are obscene. Total. Gadget. Porn.

First and foremost, the thing is a beast. A 4.3-inch LED touchscreen -- same as the HD2 -- and the same 1GHz Snapdragon processor. A gigabyte of ROM and 512 of RAM round out what's under the hood.

Like taking pictures? There's an 8-megapixel camera and dual flashes -- for sheer candle power -- to take care of that. Wanna record moving pictures in 720p? No sweat. Plus, there's a basic 1.3MP camera on the front of the phone -- pretty much a first for a U.S. carrier-sanctioned device. Now you just have to have apps that support it.

Of course, if you record in HD, you might as well have HD playback, right? And for that, there's a mini-HDMI port, so you can go straight from the Evo 4G to an HD television. There's a cute little kickstand, too, which makes the Evo 4G great for watching movies.

Now Steve Jobs is rumored to have said the iPhone G4 (not iPhone 4G!) will be an A+ upgrade, but what does that mean? Will the lack of 4G networking hurt them? We doubt it. Will less-than-EVO specs?

Apple has repeatedly said they believe software -- not hardware -- is their key advantage, so will they even try to match specs with HTC or are they hoping iPhone 4.0 (with its rumored multitasking) will be enough to stay ahead of even beefier handsets?

We know Apple has to bring it in 2010, but the bar for that bring might just have been raised again. Take a gander at the new king of iPhone competition (for this month at least) and let us know what you think!