The email from Jobs read:

We agree, and are discussing it with ATT.

Sent from my iPhone

On another Orange note, Orange in France has admitted that it was throttling its smartphone data speeds at 384 Kb/s. They have promised to raise this limit to 1 Mbits/s beginning September 15, 2008. [via HardMac]

The sad thing about both situations is that Apple’s reputation is affected negativity even though they had nothing to do with the first false rumour or Orange’s surreptitious throttling.

iPhone Talks is also reporting on the unconfirmed story but is only mentioning Mobile TeleSystems who is taking their cue from Apple’s playbook by declining to confirm or deny.

Beta 4 of iPhone firmware version 2.1 comes with the usual “bug fixes” description but completely removes any support for Apple’s Push Notification Service which will help apps communicate via the Internet in the background without the app running.

Apple does offer an explanation for the removal of PNS stating that “further development” is required, but offers no timeframe on when it will return.

iPhone firmware 2.1 is expected in mid-September.

The newspaper offers very few details on the device itself although notes that the iPhone nano could be released at a £150 ($300) price point to pay-as-you-go customers.

The product will be launched in the UK at up to £150 for pay-as-you-go customers by O2, the mobile phone group owned by Spain’s Telefonica. ‘This will be a big one,’ said an industry source

Techcrunch is reporting that the figures were received from a source “close to Apple with direct knowledge of the numbers”.

The article goes onto note that an output rate of over 40 million units per year is above Foxconn’s current capacity which has led to concerns about quality control.

Version 2.1 (beta 1, build 5F90) of the iPhone OS is said to include new Core Location features suggesting that turn-by-turn GPS could be on the horizon. Core Location is said to be able to track your direction and speed.

Also included within the new OS is some early push notification APIs that allow applications to receive notifications in the background.

In addition to GearLive’s report MacNN is noting that some developers have found hints relating to copy and paste functionality.

One notes that in exploring the Localizable.strings entry under English.lproj in the current iPhone WebKit framework, there are entries for several commands the firmware does not currently support, including cutting, copying and pasting.

Apple’s own Greg Joswiak has recently stated that copy/paste functionality has not been high enough on the priority list so far, but suggested that there it could be coming in the future.

Apple also seeded a new version of the iPhone SDK to developers but the new SDK can not be used to submit Apps to the current App Store.

The server requests are said to come from the San Francisco Bay Area, near the Cupertino headquarters for Apple and Atlanta, AT&T’s home.

As the software appears to be internal, very little is known about what the minor update fixes. But AppleInsider appears to have got its hands on a screenshot (see picture).

Image courtesy of Gizmodo.com

Mac Rumors reports that AT&T stores are due to get the displays tomorrow:

Beginning July 8th you will receive the new iPhone 3G demo devices at your store to enhance your sales process. These devices will be used the same as your 2G demo devices in your sales process but now you can demonstrate the additional capabilities of the iPhone 3G including the App Store

Apple Stores in the US are rumoured to be opening at 8am to mirror AT&T stores, iPhones will be activated within Apple stores and cannot be paid for with cash.

It should also be noted that iTunes 7.7 which is required for iPhone activation should be released sometime Tuesday, just in time for the New Zealand iPhone launch.

The publication claims that a local Carphone Warehouse disclosed the information which stated times and details of the iPhone 3G launch on July 11, these included VIP passes for those who pre-order the iPhone.

Contrary to previous reports the publication notes that O2 and Carphone Warehouse stores will open at 7.02am and as of Monday July 7 customers will be able to pre-order the iPhone online; although O2 has confirmed that iPhones will be available on a first-come first-served basis.

According to the report customers who pre-order will receive a “Welcome Pack” and “VIP ticket.”

The Dutch company which was founded in 1998 and makes use of potato starch in the injection moulding process allowing a 90-percent reduction in carbon footprint in comparison to plastic. The product consists of 100-percent natural resource, either potato starch or Tapioca starch.

The company CEO didn’t give away much information but did state that the iPhone 3G will ship in a cardboard box with a fully-recyclable starch tray on the inside.

iPhone In-Store Processes
Absolute NO’s:

AppleInsider is also reporting that O2’s policy of offering an unlock code for Pay As You Go phones after 12 months will remain in place for the iPhone 3G.

The unlocking which costs £15 would allow the iPhone 3G to be used on any other network.

“Apple is no longer insisting on a revenue-sharing policy, so the biggest hurdle for China Mobile to bring in the iPhone has been cleared, but there are practical issues still to be resolved,” said China Mobile spokeswoman Rainie Lei. As reported by Reuters.

“We’ve broken through the biggest obstacle,” Gao Songge, deputy director of China Mobile’s general department, told Agence-France Presse. “And we are negotiating at the working level.”

Neither spokesperson would reveal a timetable for the iPhone release in China which had 540 million mobile users at the end of November 2007.

According to the post users will be able to choose between a QWERTY-keyboard and a Japanese mobile phone style keyboard and from there can select either a multi-tap style kana keyboard or a sliding keyboard.

The post explains, “Japanese kana letters are organized in groups of five according to a beginning letter and corresponding vowels (a i u e o), so you can either put in the first letter and then hit the same key between 1-5 times to get the right sound (multi-tap), or you can put the first letter in and then tap and slide through to see all five sounds and pick the right one.”

Video after jump.

The iPhone 2.0 OS update will be available as a free update to existing iPhone owners and a $9.99 update for iPod touch owners. The biggest features in the update are the extensive collection of tools for Enterprise customers, including highly sought after Exchange support.

Unlike like the launch of the original iPhone, customers can no longer buy a handset and activate it onto a contract from home, purchasers must sign up to a contract in-store and the credit check process can be lengthy.

According to Mac Rumors an O2 rep has informed several customers that users will be able to signup for iPhone 3G contracts ahead of the handsets launch:

The main point he told me was this, From July 1st All O2 stores in the UK will offer pre registration Credit checks, You can come in store, have your contract setup for you, and a unique registration code given to you. The contract will simply be “paused” and wont be activated. No details are taken about which model phone you are going to be purchasing.

You can then turn up on July 11th and quote the registration code and then make a standard purchase of the phone and then the contract will become activated.

In other news Stuff Magazine claims that sources have disclosed the price points for the pay-as-you-go iPhones from O2. Stuff claims that the 8GB iPhone will cost £370 and the 16GB £470.

The analyst believes that these customers will likely wind up paying in excess of $600 for the iPhone 3G. The estimate assumes Apple charges carriers an average $425 for the new phone and those carriers then turn around and mark up the pre-paid handsets another $175 to turn a profit.

Relating to his previous comments Munster believes that 2.7 million iPhones will be sold to pre-paid customers in 2008 and 5.7 million in 2009.

“While 17 percent may seem aggressive, Apple currently has 20 percent in North American driven by a $400 priced phone,” he told clients. “We only expect Apple to have 20 percent or greater smartphone share in two regions, North America and EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa)”.

Munster retains a buy rating on Apple stock with a price target of $250.

The analyst also adds that AT&T is paying Apple an added $100 for each new subscriber to AT&T signed up through Apple’s brick-and-mortar stores.

The subsidy on the iPhone is said to be more than 50-percent higher than most other smart phones which are typically subsidised by around $200.

Telstra stayed quiet as its rivals wracked up marketing points by standing in the glow of the local iPhone launch, but will now go ahead and sell the device according to people close to the company.

The report states that the iPhone won’t be available from Telstra on July 11th but should follow later in the month, possibly July 22nd.

An official announcement is expected next week.

Eldar Murtazin, editor of Moscow-based Mobile Research Group told the Moscow Times, “About 20,000 iPhone handsets are brought into the country in suitcases every month,” he continued, “The current model, which sells officially in six countries for a marked-up $399, currently sells for about $1,000 in Moscow.”

Two Russian carriers, Mobile TeleSystems and MegaFon, have confirmed to having talks with Apple, but no final commitment has been reached.

According to Barrons Foxconn has only shipped “several thousand” iPhones but is expected to ramp up production towards the middle of this month.

The news is consistent with reports that the iPhone will hit the shelves at the end of June or beginning of July.

The 3G iPhone is expected to be announced later today at the WWDC 2008 keynote presentation, join World of Apple for live coverage of the keynote and up-to-date news and rumours.

According to the newspaper the new iPhone will start at $199, that is with a $200 subsidy from AT&T.

The price also will rock: $199, according to people with knowledge of the matter, down from the current $399 and $499. Sources declined to be cited by name or affiliation because Apple and AT&T haven’t authorized anybody to speak publicly about pricing until after Monday’s announcement. The $199 price is being subsidized, though USA TODAY could not confirm details.

According to the report London’s Regent Street Apple Store has received a single box which is padlocked and under orders to be kept in a safe until Monday.

The news comes after controversial reports that Australian Apple resellers were receiving mystery packages with orders not to open them until after the WWDC keynote.

The images are widely being considered fake due to many glaring omissions but many of the sites have published them for interests sake.

See all the photos here.

World of Apple has offered rumour roundups leading up to Apple events for many years but this year we’ve mixed things up a bit. Due to the mass of speculation surrounding the iPhone we believe it is deserving of its own roundup, everything else will follow shortly after.

So, without further ado lets hit it!

Since the launch of the iPhone last year many have been clambering to get their hands of a 3G version, we all knew it was coming as Jobs mentioned it multiple times during 2007 but it appears that the second-generation iPhone may finally be upon us.

UMTS (3G)

3G is the umbrella name for many different technologies. The current iPhone runs on GSM networks and uses GPRS and EDGE to move data over the network.

UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) is effectively the equivalent 3G technology to GSM, the majority of 3G networks around the world use UMTS frequency bands and the iPhone will almost certainly be capable of connecting to them. It should also be noted that UMTS runs alongside GSM most of the time, GSM is far nicer to a devices battery life than UMTS when making phone calls.

But UMTS offers significant advantages over its 2G counterpart, when coupled with W-CDMA technologies speeds of up to 14Mbit/s can be achieved, this of course is very much a best case scenario but very fast speeds can be achieved.

Over the last few months the term HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) has been banded around; HSDPA is an underlying technology of HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) which is a protocol running on top of UMTS. Without getting everybody’s hopes up, HSDPA is capable of offering speeds of 1.8, 3.6, 7.2 and 14.4 Mbit/s. HSPA+ is capable of speeds of 42Mbit/s.

The majority of 3G networks in the world that operate HSDPA have 7.2Mbit/s networks but to receive such high speeds many factors have to be right.

So to conclude, the next-generation iPhone is almost certainly going to feature 3G connectivity and will most likely be able to connect to HSDPA networks opening the door to mobile video-conferencing, IP TV and downloading music on the go.

GPS

Even though the original iPhone featured a very detailed and easy to use Google Maps application it lacked the ability to know where it was. Apple tried to develop location awareness using WiFi and cellular points but it didn’t work too well for many. The best solution to location awareness is a GPS chip.

It has been rumoured heavily that the next-generation iPhone will a GPS chip.

It appears that Apple has been working hard to ensure that the GPS chip is only on when necessary to save battery life, in some of the recent beta versions of the iPhone 2.0 firmware it was shown that the iPhone asks to receive its location, presumably using the GPS chip.

Plastic Casing, Multiple Colours

Over the last two months we’ve seen dodgy photo after dodgy photo after dodgy photo, all purportedly showing the new iPhone.

Across the rumours and photos is one consistency, it’s all about plastic.

A plastic case instead of a metal case is not hard to believe, I am sure that I’m not the only one to notice that my iPhone has no signal when everyone else around me has full signal.

3G is an even more temperamental beast and would certainly benefit from a plastic case.

Although it is likely that the majority of the “leaked” photos are fake it isn’t hard to believe that Apple will adopt both black and white case designs and maybe other colours.

Thin iPhone, Thick iPhone

Of particular interest to those following the iPhone rumours is the inconsistency about how thick the device will be.

Engadget originally reported in April that the iPhone will be slightly thicker than the current iPhone.

But more recently Leander Kahney noted that the iPhone would be 22-percent thinner than the current, or around 2.5mm thinner.

In Apple’s entire history it has never released a revision of a product and made it thicker but with rumours of additional capacity, longer battery life and the use of a plastic case it is hard to say which way the iPhone will go.

Capacity and Price

The original iPhone debuted for $499 for 4GB and $599 for 8GB, this was later slashed by $100 and the 4GB model discontinued. In February 2008 Apple released a 16GB version of the iPhone.

The iPod touch currently comes in capacities of 8GB, 16GB and 32GB while the iPhone only comes in 8GB and 16GB. In February of this year when the 32GB iPod touch was released the unit contained two 16GB chips to make up 32GB, due to space limitations this was thought not to be possible in the iPhone. With the fast pace of technology the chip size for 16GB has probably reduced significantly so the future iPhone line-up is likely to feature 16GB and 32GB models.

The price of the next-generation iPhone has also been debated heavily with many rumours pointing towards heavy subsidising from carriers.

Apple has stated in the past that carriers are free to price the iPhone at there own discretion and this looks set to happen with the 3G iPhone, but many rumours still point to the iPhone having a price tag.

Across many rumours the most consistent price points appear to be $199 for 16GB and $299 for 32GB.

Notable Tidbits

With the rumours of .Mac being transformed into “MobileMe” it appears that the iPhone is about to gain a lot more integration with the cloud.

Although software based the latest iPhone is likely to be able to wirelessly sync contacts, calendars and photos.

There have been claims that the iPhone will make use of an OLED display. OLED displays offer fantastic benefits to battery consumption due to the lack of backlighting but OLED is still a young technology which is said to have a limited lifespan.

It has also been noted that the iPhone will feature a front-facing camera to facilitate video chats.

What to Expect

So piecing together all this information what can we expect Apple to announce on Monday?

• 3G capable iPhone (HSDPA)
• GPS capability
• 22% thinner than previous incarnation
• 20% improved battery
• Front-facing camera for video conferencing
• 4MP rear camera
• Available in glossy black and also glossy white
• 16GB for $199 and 32GB for $299
• Carrier subsidies may include free upgrades from previous iPhone model and free iPhones to those signing up to higher contracts.
• Shipping June 30th

The official carrier of the iPhone is now indicating that it will no longer sell the iPhone after June 30th.

The 3G iPhone which is widely expected to be announced next week at WWDC has been pinpointed to hit shelves worldwide in early July.

[Update] According to one World of Apple comment left on this story, T-Mobile is not stating that it will cease sales of the iPhone only that the company will no longer have a promotion on the product after June 30th.

Image courtesy of iLounge.com

On a similar note iLounge published photos of what is claimed to be new 3.2-inch and 2.8-inch displays set to be used in future iPhones.

iLounge notes that suppliers of Apple components rarely confirm that they’re working with Apple and for this reason is sceptical about the images but continues:

the first pictures and diagrams of a touchscreen display that a Taiwanese company claims is being used in an upcoming iPhone. It’s a 2.8” display—shown here alongside a newer 3.2” version—two sizes that would enable Apple to start shrinking both iPhones and touchscreen iPods from the current 3.5” screen size found in its first-generation models.

iLounge believes there is a “zero-chance” that the new 2.8-inch display will be used in the 3G iPhone expected next week but considers it possible that Apple will release further additions to the iPhone lineup in the future.

Image courtesy of MacTalk.com.au

SUBJECT TO TERMS OF NDA
DO NOT OPEN UNTIL TUESDAY JUNE 10TH, 2008

June 10th (in Australia) is the day of Steve Jobs’ keynote presentation which kicks off the start of WWDC 2008. Apple is widely expected to show off the 3G iPhone which will be brought to Australia “later this year” by carriers Vodafone and SingTel Optus.

The location on Wednesday evening had dozens of tall pallets outside, all reportedly belonging to Apple. Many of them were clearly iMac boxes but around 20 others placed side-by-side were wrapped in unmarked brown packaging.

Caulfield attempted to speak to some Quanta employees but was told that the shipping supervisor was “very busy” while another employee stated that he was “not at liberty” to discuss what the manufacturer was shipping when asked if the pallets contained iPhones.

The article also concurs with a rumour last week that the iPhone will cost £100 and be sold with an 18-month contract. But it appears O2 is also planning to offer free upgrades to some users and free iPhones to those on the top iPhone tariff which is currently £75 per month.

It is also expected that owners of the current iPhone will be able to upgrade their handsets without charge although they will be “obliged” to sign-up for another 18-month contract.

The 3G iPhone is widely expected to see a debut this coming Monday at WWDC but not ship until later in the month.

The information which reportedly comes from a firm developing iPhone software alludes to the launch of the App Store which would be necessary to install native iPhone applications.

Digg founder and co-host of Diggnation Kevin Rose has posted a video where he explains that he expects a $200 lower-end iPhone to be introduced alongside the new 3G iPhone.

Although most likely a coincidence the rumoured price point tallys with a rumour today that the iPhone will be £100 in the UK.

3G iPhone Specs Revealed?

Mac Rumors is reporting for “interest alone” 3G iPhone some specs they revealed from an unconfirmed source.

• Lighter weight
• Black + other colors
• Focus on Multimedia with Video recording
• Video Conferencing
• GPS
• 16GB $499
• 32GB $699

Apple is widely expected to allow mobile carriers to subsidise the new iPhone which is rumoured to see an introduction at WWDC which kicks off on June 9th.

A source close to the deal stated to Times Online that the new iPhone will be on store shelves by July.

A reference found in the latest iPhone 2.0 OS beta points towards the use of “Mobile Me” as the new name for .Mac.

Please note we will be temporarily closed Thursday, May 29 at 3:00 p.m. and will reopen Friday, May 30 at 9:00 a.m. During this time, please visit one of our other two Manhattan locations.

According to Mac Rumors employees are telling passers by that a commercial is being filmed at the location and according to their sources Apple is filming a commercial for the upcoming 3G iPhone.

Image courtesy of Flickr user paulmonkeypaul

“In our view the profit warning has been caused by ramp changes of next generation iPhone, into which Infineon is supplying the main High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) chipset,” Gaudois said. More specifically, he said the delay has resulted in 1.5 million fewer orders for the chipset during Infineon’s current quarter.

A spokesperson for Infineon later stated that the company had “received lower orders than expected” for certain HSDPA chips destined for a “high-speed Internet phone.”

The company also said that a 1.5 month delay on a “Nokia project” is also to blame for the revenue shortfall.

New iPhone icon (left), current iPhone icon (right)

The icon file appears to show clear differences around the edge of the display and the outer rim of the phone.

Strings Point towards 3G

With the release of the latest iPhone OS 2.0 beta developers have discovered the addition of more strings pointing towards the 3G iPhone. Earlier this month it was discovered that Apple has built-in a switch to turn 3G on and off, new strings now reveal that Apple has added warnings when users try and turn off 3G during a call.

• “Disabling 3G will end your phone call. Are you sure you want to disable 3G?”
• “Enabling 3G will end your phone call. Are you sure you want to enable 3G?”

Apparently two solutions are on the table, the first entails a direct swap. A trade-in for the current model would almost fully subsidise the new handset leaving just €50 to be paid off.

Alternatively existing subscribers could obtain the next-generation iPhone at a “generous discount”, currently the exact amount is unknown.

On Thursday AAPL closed $2 down from its opening and has since recovered in Friday trading.