So now it can become 100% greasy? :P
Anyways, I like the 3G and real GPS talk...
Any word on camera/video resolution?

Bokusatsu_Tenshi

@Leonard Nimrod: just making note of the fact that the touch has gone 32, makes sense for iphone to follow, if i rally think about it though, i would venture a bet at that being a release for the holidays [christmas ones]
On all honesty, i would settle for a faster iphone over more storage, i've got the 16 and thats perfect for me, had the 16 touch before hand [thats what convinced me to get the iphone] but i would like it to run a bit quicker and for the internets to be far quicker.
as for gps, again, i can live with out, i have a tomtom, and in a matter of years, the European gps replacement will be working.

big_marky_t

@johnnyabnormal:

Backed 100%

Voyou_Charmant

@matt buchanan: You most certainly do, and they stubbornly refuse to like children, so kudos granola snacks to you.

atuck

@mxmarks: You really wonder that? Really?

Voyou_Charmant

@yogibimbi: Because 8 or 16GB isn't enough for a cell phone despite being higher than all other cell phones?

If they didn't offer that option when SSD was more expensive and aren't giving you a replaceable battery I wouldn't count on getting an SD slot.

Leonard Nimrod

Maybe they will make this slightly easier hold than wet bar of soap in a kiddypool full of baby oil?

Also, they need to ditch the glass screen. I have seen so many cracked screens (including my own -- because of the slick as all get out case and once because of a lot of alcohol), it's really pretty ridiculous.

And to preempt anyone telling me It's my fault for not putting it in a case: The cases I have seen all defeat the purpose of the phones aesthetics.

Why buy something pretty if you're going to put it in a clunky plastic case?

Voyou_Charmant

Does that volume button look black or chrome to you? It looks like black plastic to me.

@mxmarks: Of course. They let you do that any current subscribers when the original iPhone was released. What will happen is that you'll use the new SIM card which will get you a new 24 month contract.

Jailbroken/Unlocked iPhones will finally be on AT&Ts network as people buy the new iPhone and don't want to renew their subscription contract.

Leonard Nimrod

@iscangel: and some memory expansion, please, microSD, or maybe even normal SD.

yogibimbi

i'm wondering if AT&T will let you port your number from a 1st gen phone to a 2nd gen iPhone...

mxmarks

Thicker? The first gen is just bearable with a decent case on it. And with the gloss black on the back, i'm going to be forced to wrap a case around the 2nd gen. Blah.

D0rk

what about those rumors about 5 MP camera?... this and adittion to 3G &GPS, i believe, it's the most wanted for current iphone owners.

iscangel

@dwilljo, @atuck: Yes, we actually link to Engadget. Not the first, probably won't be the last time.

matt buchanan

@pipper: InvisibleShield by Zagg is a great option too. It's practically the same as a silicon skin, but it doesn't look as ugly!

Lasarett

Props for properly crediting Engadget!

I'm sure you'll notice that Engadget likes steal Giz stories multiple times a day and never once give you proper credit.

And no, if you heard it first on Giz, and then go to their sources, you should still need to mention where you saw it in the first place.

Good job Giz, way to be the bigger bloggy thing.

atuck

Question of the day: waht will you do with you 1st gen iPhone when iPhone 2 comes out?

alter

Kldvnkjrs, nrgskjn.

This is love.

I really hated the matte version of the iPhone. It's ugly. If this is real, you can be sure I'm getting it!

By the way, IMO Thick = Better!

I dunno, I like thick phones.

Lasarett

@johnnyabnormal: So what changes? The screen on my Touch gets dirty... I flip it, the back gets dirty. They definitely need matte.

nwaringa

who cares what the back looks like or how thick it is? People will put on funky colored protection case on it anyway.
(99 out of 100 iphones I spotted on the street are enclosed in a case or skin of some sort.)

pipper

As far as the features list, i would say this rumor is believable. But i really doubt that they would make it any thicker, and as much as people bitch about smudging and scratching, i cant see them making the back glossy.

hardisonthefloor

you're linking to the arch nemesis engadget! for shame!

dwilljo

@spyguy99: If you convince Esteban el Jobo to go matte, I'll sell you mine.

johnnyabnormal

AAAARRRRRGH! Glossy anything makes me want to puke. I can see it now: You rub your fingerprints off the screen, then rotate it to rub the fingerprints off the back...no, wait...there's fingerprints on the front again! (rinse and repeat)

johnnyabnormal

So who wants to sell me their current iPhone when they get the new one?

spyguy99

That is so a photoshop, 100% photoshop.

And if it is real, can you say "2001: Monolith"

Lupison

How could it ship in July? Doesn't it need FCC approval and all that first?

Chris

ive always considered the Alu back and the chrome lining the ugliest part of the iphone.
Actually the device itself, the UI and such is about the only beautiful thing about it.

With this update i'd be sold if it didnt cost an arm and a leg here in Europe.

desostros

3G and GPS? Sold.

Kyoseki

@scatpack: I agree, I was sure that apple would integrate some sort of subtle texture to keep the slippery iphones in check.
just add a little moisture and iphone smashing tvs will be replace wii controllers.

turi319

Why would they use Glossy (smudgy, scratches) Black?
Matte, matte, matte!!!!

rockstar

@lladnar: i see no reason they should be upset. their phone is a year old. technology changes.

Paradise

@Thoth74: It's part of the Star Wars Empire series from Apple.

Leonard Nimrod

I have a Helio Ocean right now, mostly because I wanted the 3G, have been waiting for this since the rumor mill started. Can't wait to see what the final offering actually looks like/features

TOWken22

@ Matt Buchanan wrote "It's also a little fatter (probably cause of GPS and battery..."

Don't forget that the plastic case will also be thicker to accommodate the same durability of the aluminium back.

@flame500: That is form over function. I like the looks too, but the plastic back will help with the antenna, especially with the additional "fickleness" that occurs with higher bandwidth radio.

@big_marky_t: 32GB? Really? What cell phone do you have know that pales the iPhone 8GB capacity? 32GB in the space currently occupying the 8Gb and 16GB chips would be an increase well past what you are willing to pay. The prices have come down but not that much.

Leonard Nimrod

@Thoth74: Yes, glossy looks great on the shelf before you buy. Then it turn to finger print heaven.

fastm3driver

Just read the comments at the competitor's site. I'm so glad that my fellow Gizmodians are mature & sensible (even though sometimes it doesn't seem that way).

Also - It is so nice to be on the backside of this wave. iPhone 2 looks to be a lot better than the first gen (true of all tech, I know).

rexplex

@flame500: Yea, but how do you scratch the aluminum? Now this will be like all the other ipods except the mini and 2nd gen nano.

fastm3driver

I am going to partially agree with innout3x3 on this one. Why does everything have to be glossy? Give me one in a nice solid black matte finish.

Thoth74

Like the original iPhone wasn't slippery enough!

scatpack

If its in matte black I am all in, I hate cleaning the back.

--Tito--

I stand by my statement that I'll get a 3rd gen 3G iPhone.

Castle1914

Glossy = Cheesy. Stick with Al.

innout3x3

I highly doubt it will be larger, Apple usually doesn't work that way. Even with the added functionality.

Mayor McRib

Thats slicck, so once this comes out any one wanna buy my current one?

Tayng

@big_marky_t: Picky Picky. . . . lol

--Tito--

sorry

doesnt look as cheap

jozen

@Darrone:

no way
aluminum is way better
does like as cheap
feels sturdy and looks nicer

jozen

assuming this is true, a lot of people are going to be upset with their first gen iPhones.

lladnar

if the black plastic back gives better reception, i'm all for it.
if the slightly thicker set phone means better battery life, i'm all for it.
but if it's only 8GB - shove it.
I get the feeling, we will see the revision, and it will be 32gb too.
God i hope o2 come up with a good upgrade offer, i just want 3g!

big_marky_t

How certain is this? I'd do it.

oo0cyst0oo

fatter is upsetting, but i like the direction toward glossy black.

Darrone

Aghhh, the aluminum back was one of the great features of the iPhone.

flame500

i like the aluminum backing better......

enfinite5

the fatter thing makes sense, as i am sure the 3G eats batteries faster than kobayashi eats his hotdogs

MrBlahBlah

glossy...black.... like everything else :o

rudeadly

It looks nice if that's it. Is there a flash for the camera?

Sleeper_Service

@Gofastmazda: Happily, there's a big, fat rumor tag sitting on top, just for you!

matt buchanan

It would have to have at least a 5mp camera and video record, it'll have to have at least the same battery life or better for 3G internet surfing and finally you have to be able to use the itunes store without being in a wifi area for me to want one over my current iphone.

gamecrazychris

Those buttons aren't chrome... bullshit

justinpe

So more speculation and rumor from a source who has supposedly seen the phone?

And what about his 'inside' information is new? We all know iPhone 2.0 is going to have GPS, going to be 3G, and it's highly unlikely they'll go to a glossy finish - it'll look like crap in a month.

Nothing new here.

Gofastmazda

@big_marky_t: I think we'll find that the Touch will probably have double the Flash than the iPhone as a marketing point.

Leonard Nimrod

yeah I suck, bought a first gen iPhone.. gonna buy a second gen too...

odnet

i think glossy is a bad idea. i just want iPhone2 to have 3G, GPS, a better camera w/ video and flash. the rest of its shortcomings can be fixed with a software update *cough MMS,IM cough*

gadgetchic

@lladnar: If this is true dont expect AT&T to give you a discount to buy a new iphone if you havent met your 2 year contract.
I doubt AT&T is going to give any one a discount.
And i think that they should shove a 32GB hdd into that baby.

SneakerFiend

I think they certainly have to be adding more than just 3G in order to get people who bought 1st gen to buy the 2nd gen too.

If they add all of these features:
GPS
32GB
5 MP camera
Flash
Front Camera
Non recessed headphone jack
Aesthetic changes

That might make a first gen buyer upgrade, but if there were only a couple of hardware updates, people will probably stick with their first generation phones for a while longer. Especially when you consider that they will get the same software updates as the 2nd gen owners (with the exception of software that requires the new hardware).

So, I predict Apple will add at least 5 of the hardware upgrades listed above in order to get some of those early adopters to re-adopt.

justinpe

or powdercoat.

kahri

you know they can paint aluminum right?

kahri

I can't imagine Apple doing this in plastic. If people are really seeing this in the wild then I bet it's a fake case to keep the design a secret.

supesguy_

@SneakerFiend:

1) All they will do is cnacel your 2 year contract and start a new one with your new iPhone, just like they do with any of their phones. This goes for other carriers, too.

2) 16GB just came out recently and the iPod Touch will continue to have double the capacity.

3) A HDD would drain the battery and add unnecessary latency.

Leonard Nimrod

@SneakerFiend:

....and this is why no one hires you to design phones:

because then they would have your 'tard phone with an HDD and 1 whole hour of battery life!

erikislame

this may be the ultimate phone....

chopstickhero

To all those complaining about the finish:

Stop being greasy bastards. Real Apple users have no fingerprints and they skin excretes neither oil nor sweat. Additionally, Real Apple users don't use keys or change so they don't ever have to worry about scratching the finish.

For all you Real Apple user wannabes - you are sweaty slobs who deserve to have to shell out your hard-earned nickels for Speck and Griffin crap-skins and cases.

Love,

Steven Jobs

OMG! Ponies!

Like Leonard said, the plastic back is a must if you're going to have higher powered antennas on board. My issue is with the gloss. Here's to hoping that they make it matte like the black macbook instead. Hey, how about giving the iPod touch the brushed aluminum back in the switch! Please?

Why the hell do people still care if it has a microSD slot? How much storage capacity must it have until this add-on is irrelevant?

Kaiser-Machead

Just to clear something up, the black backing is the antenna. they make it 3 times bigger for better reception.

Charles Ales

Looks like my oldest child will be getting a lovingly used 1st gen iPhone for christmas

rtwod2

@OMG! Ponies!: ahhh, the sweet fingerprintless washed Apple masses are heard from,

ducks and limps away...lol

corhou99

seriously

wasn't paying attention there

jozen

you know what I've never understood

the iphone gets so much shit for not having 3G on it when its closest competitor, the blackberry, doesn't have 3G or wifi

and the browser doesnt even compare

serioesly wtf

jozen

will it be triband HSDPA, or even just HSDPA?

Viakenny

It's funny how apple will make the iphone look like a cheap cover sold in Hong kong, here's a link to it. [www.winandmac.com]

snitch29

@OMG! Ponies!: Not so many Real Apple users then, eh.

ten10

@howie_in_az:

it is a mystery!

erikislame

Will this be compatible with T-Mobile's 3G network? I've heard they use different frequencies. Very keen on getting an iPhone, but equally keen on sticking with T-Mobile, mostly due to their 5Faves plan.

howie_in_az

what about a front camera? why 3g without one?

ArielWollinger

@nwaringa: The back of mine barely ever needs cleaning. One call and the front looks like you used it to eat some fries... I will say this though: not a scratch on it. Ze Germans made some "goot" glass.

johnnyabnormal

God Help the world if Apple chooses to go plastic for the screen instead of the current tempered glass. That would be scratch central, and a real nasty one at that.

Creibold

@matt buchanan: The point of my post is 'who cares?' There's nothing new in this so-called 'insider' details.

But anything to get the apple fanboys slobbering with anticipation I suppose...

Gofastmazda

If Apple is seriously considering plastic, they need to call these guys - [www.exatec.de]

n8k9ek9

any one else think this is hideous?

cbg2113

@Kaiser-Machead: Apple has also filed patents for zirconia casings that would be "radio transparant", while being more scracth resistance, durable and stronger than plastic.

• [www.appleinsider.com]

Leonard Nimrod

remember when Nokia had interchangeable plastic shells?

brutek

This one looks as this coated one upgrade [www.gigapascal.com]

I think is a fake

IMDVDFreak

Well I am glad that I waited as it will finally be in a color that I like.

jsin1276