Apple's New iPhone: What to Expect Monday

Apple's (AAPL) Worldwide Developers conference kicks off Monday with a keynote led by Apple marketing boss Phil Schiller. Apple execs will show off parts of the new iPhone 3.0 operating system. And someone -- Phil; Steve Jobs? -- is expected to show off a new iPhone.

Most likely new iPhone features, as either we or others have reported:

• Faster processor.
• More storage capacity.
• Faster Internet speeds.
• Video recording.
• Better camera.
• Digital compass.
• More iPhone 3.0 software features, such as video editing, and potentially a new home screen that's better designed for organizing and launching dozens of apps.

The phone will likely look very much like the current iPhone 3G. Some reports suggest a matte, rubbery back. But many "leaked" photos are fake. Then there's a slew of other potential features, some of which Apple could unveil Monday, too, such as a front-facing camera for video chat, background app processing, or multi-colored iPhones. But those are relatively unlikely.

Just as important: What Apple announces regarding AT&T's iPhone service plans. Specifically, if AT&T will offer some sort of entry-level iPhone plan that is less than $70/month, or if it will at least make its plans a better deal by including unlimited text messaging. (Sprint is doing this for the Palm Pre.) The iPhone itself is still too expensive for many buyers. And the service plan is, too.

And about pricing: It makes sense that Apple would keep its new, premium iPhones at the $199/$299 price levels. But it seems that a cheaper iPhone, perhaps will less storage or a few missing components, could show up for $99 or $149.

Photo: Nowhere Else

See Also:
CHART OF THE DAY: Apple, RIM Swallow Mobile Industry Profits
Palm Pre Is Nice, But I'm Keeping My iPhone
Retailer Computers List 16GB, 32GB iPhones For Sale

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Comments

[Musiker]

Agree with earlier poster. Although an Apple shareholder and in the market for a new phone, I'll not purchase an iPhone so long as it's only available though AT&T. I've shared this sentiment with Apple, too.

[iridium53]

Never going to iPhone as long as it is only available on AT&T.
Cannot get service in my neighborhood on AT&T - on a hill in the middle of San Diego.
Until Apple chooses to make iPhone available with other carriers, their market must be limited.

[Dadeo]

Does the I-Phone come with a signed free copy of Bold Fresh?

[twothousandeight]

These updates sound good, but they're almost all hardware based. What I haven't heard enough about is push or background notification. The new Palm Pre has background *processing*, meaning it can actually run apps in the background. My iPhone 3G, great as it is, can't even notify me that I've received an IM unless I'm in the IM app.

The updates mentioned in the article have been rumored for some time. I'm hoping Apple will have some pleasant surprises on the software side.

[grimreefer]

i think the big change will be the addition of an nvidia tegra chip, allowing for hardware acceleration of flash video, as well as an hdmi port.

this will allow viewing of hulu videos, and ability to connect it to hdtv's.

adding video recording doesnt seem likely. apple is all about quality, and there is no such thing as a quality video camera at that size.

more storage is probably a definite.

[hypnotoad72]

The one Windows-based product I still like is my Fuze, but given some really dumb activities and words on the part of Microsoft's company and executive, I'd be willing to go iPhone just to be rid of MS for good.

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-309097.html

[COPerez]

I didn't really think I "needed" an iPhone - I sort of wanted one, in the way I lust for all things shiny and new and Apple-y. And then my wife surprised me with one for my birthday. I'm totally hooked. I can't imagine being without it now. Not long after I got it I was in a really bad accident and spent several weeks in the hospital. The whole hospital is a Wi-Fi hotspot, so I had access to e-mail, the web, Facebook, etc. It was literally a "mind-saver" if not a life saver.