macnn/electronista
04/25/2008, 4:15pm, EDT
Friday, April 25th3G iPhone to pack GPS, thicker redesign?
Apple's increasingly anticipated 3G-capable iPhone will add more than just the speed when it launches in the summer, according to a tip allegedly passed on to Engadget. The rumor appears to validate firmware references and other clues that the device will include native GPS for live map tracking but also confirms another that the device will undergo a conspicuous outer change: the anodized aluminum back is being replaced by an all-black glossy shell with a chromed volume rocker. The change also remedies complaints about the headphone jack by making it flush with the rest of the phone body, according to the claim.
These external designs will also reportedly make the new iPhone rounder but won't have any perceivable effect on the screen size. The overall design will be slightly thicker, although no confirmation is yet available as to whether the bulk is due to additional hardware or simply a virtue of the more visible changes.
The report further disputes claims that the 3G iPhone will be unveiled at Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference in June, and instead alludes to a ship date in July. However, "numerous" examples are already described as in testing, while prolonged iPhone shortages also suggest an earlier release.
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I sure hope the new iPhone has 3G, because if it doesn't there'll be plenty of people cursing Steve Jobs for leaving out too many common features that EVERY other smartphone has. 12 million iPhone units sold for sure this year.
I would hope they retained the dimensions, but doubt it. They want everyone to buy new accessories too. :-)