While previous rumors had Apple announcing iPhone video tomorrow at WWDC 2009, Daring Fireball’s John Gruber has just put up his predictions and, at least in code name form, they’re going with “iPhone 3GS” — though they don’t offer what the “S” stands for…

In the past, Daring Fireball’s predictions have at times seemed closer akin to inside information, so it’s worth paying attention to. In terms of specs, Gruber is sticking with what he previously predicted:

significantly faster processors, twice the RAM, and twice the storage. I expected prices to remain the same as the current lineup: $199/299 for 16/32 GB, respectively. The video camera is going to be a major selling point. [...] battery life: 15-20 percent longer than the iPhone 3G.

As to the oft rumored iPhone nano/mini, while he does see Apple eventually doing a distinct iPhone nano model, much like the iPod nano, for now:

I would wager heavily on [the iPhone 3G 8GB becoming the $99 iPhone] — that the new iPhone 3GS models will not replace the 3G, but rather assume the flagship position while the year-old 3G slides down to the second spot in the product lineup.

On the subject of the equally oft rumored iTablet, Gruber thinks it’s real, but not yet ready to be announced.

In less than a day, we’ll all know for sure!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

WWDC Tomorrow: iPhone 3GS?

Tomorrow is the start of WWDC and there are some people out there who truly believe Apple will official release the iPhone OS 3.0 software very soon. Whether or not it is released this week or within the next month, don’t be so quick to pull the trigger on the upgrade button within iTunes if you are planning on unlocking your device. If you choose to update there is a high possibility that you will lose your option to unlock in the future. Don’t want to listen to us, ok, will you take the Dev-Teams word for it?

you all paid lots of money for your iPhones, and so we know that if you are depending on a software unlock, this is a sensitive issue. It's a very sensitive issue to us too, which is why we can't say or release anything prematurely that could potentially compromise any 3.0 software unlock.

In other words, don’t do anything until the Dev-Team releases any official unlock for the 3.0 software. Also something to keep in mind, which we’ve warned you about in the past, don’t be fooled these fake wanna be Dev-Team websites that are out there.

We're used to (though still aren't happy about) less predatory websites, like quickpwn.com. That site (1) is not us. We don't consult with them in any way (2) makes money from their Google hits (they're usually near the top) (3) sometimes gives very very bad advice (like tweeting yellowsn0w users to use QuickPwn on 3.0 betas. Bad suggestion). (4) also owns yellowsn0w.net, another money making website.

For more information, be sure to check out the official Dev-Team blog. So there you have it folks, be careful out there.

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

iPhone OS 3.0 Unlock Warning

Tomorrow is WWDC 2009. We’ll no doubt get a second preview of iPhone 3.0 and hopefully a release date to go along with it — if not the actual release itself.

We’ve done our best to cover iPhone 3.0, both through our massive and continuously updated iPhone 3.0 Beta Walkthrough, and our ongoing iPhone 3.0 blog posts. But what will that release — tomorrow, later this week, or later this “summer” — mean for current owners of the 2007 original iPhone 2G and the 2008 iPhone 3G, never mind the 2009 iPhone… whatever it ends up being called.

Let’s take a look!

2007 iPhone 2G on 3.0

Apple has provided an unprecedented amount of software updates — free software updates — for iPhone owners. What originally shipped with OS 1.0 received a series of interim updates until 2008, when they got 2.0, and now 2.2.1.

Even after the 2-year subscription accounting model Apple users is on the verge of expiring, Apple announced back at the iPhone 3.0 Sneak Preview Event that they would also be providing 3.0, free of charge, to iPhone 2G owners. (That expiration date might even play a factor in the 3.0 release date, who knows?)

Controversially citing hardware limitations, however, at least 2 major features won’t be made available:

• MMS
• Stereo Bluetooth

Of course, it won’t get new features tied to the new hardware. It didn’t get GPS and 3G last year, and it won’t get the presumed digital compass, storage, RAM, CPU, etc. upgrades this year — which means video recording is likely off the table as well. Other than that, your 2007 iPhone be made 2009 hardware fresh.

2008 iPhone 3G on 3.0

Apple demonstrated iPhone 3.0 on the current, iPhone 3G, and all the improvements publicly shown so far were shown specifically for the iPhone 3G.

That means, come iPhone 3.0 release day, the very least iPhone 3G owners can expect is what Apple showed — and what most developers have been using since March.

Of course, developers who dug into the 3.0 code have found extra functionality. Some of it, like the digital compass, would require new hardware. Video recording may or may not require the additional storage, RAM, CPU power, of the new hardware.

Everything else, however, will be made 2009 good for your 2008 iPhone.

2009 iPhone ? on 3.0

Well, that’s the question now isn’t it? Apple hasn’t announced any new iPhone for 2009 yet, but they’re widely expected to tomorrow. Based on the code strings referenced about, it will include new hardware features and boosted internals.

So, at the very least, if you decide to upgrade to new hardware along with your new software, you’ll get everything the iPhone 3G gets… and probably more.

Conclusion

So, if you’re still rocking the iPhone 2G with no interest in upgrading, Apple still has a pretty nice present coming your way with 3.0. Feature-set alone, it will be like getting a whole new phone.

For iPhone 3G owners with not intention of changing, you’ll still get everything you’ve been promised so far. And, yeah, it’ll feel like a whole new phone.

And for those of you who simply must have the third generation hardware, either as an upgrade or as a first time iPhone owner, well, we ain’t seen nothing yet.

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

iPhone 3.0: What it Means for Original iPhone 2G, iPhone 3G, and 3rd Gen iPhones

The WWDC Keynote is tomorrow. Phil Schiller and Apple Execs take the stage as Moscone to update us on iPhone 3.0 and — hopefully! — announce iPhone 2,1 hardware (iPhone video in the latest rumors).

Makes sense that them rumors then would be hitting the high point of crazy today? By way of iSpazio (via Gizmodo), we get the above shot of a supposed iPhone with Mobile iChat video (is that why the ear piece has been raised up, to make room for the camera?), a two-tone iPhone, and the mother load of all whacky leaks:

A supposed Canadian source with inventory listings for — we kid you not — multicolor 64GB iPhones with flowers and bunnies on them. Yeah, somebody is having a little fun there in data entry… But here’s the thing:

Make. It. Stop.

Seriously Phil.

Announce it tomorrow. The insanity must end…

(At least until speculation for 2010 starts!)

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Craziest iPhone Rumors Yet — With Flowers and Fluffy Bunnies!

We linked to a WWDC banner a few days ago that highlighted iPhone apps. Looks like it wasn’t alone. Cocoia Blog has posted a few more pictures, another on apps (covering the entire front entrance facade of Moscone Center, above), and one on iPhone OS 3.0. Not so many for Mac OS X Snow Leopard, which simply retreads, and now has to share the “World’s most advanced operating system” tag. Check out the full post for more, but the disparity led them comment:

It does seem like the Mac is just a small side-note, though.

Since both run versions of OS X, and we’ve seen several times that technology from each one get factored back into the other (iPhone Quicktime is said to advanced Quicktime X for Snow Leopard), there’s no doubt plenty of work still going into both, but the emphasis may show where Apple thinks a lot of its future revenue and attention may lie…

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

WWDC Banners: More iPhone than Mac?

Attack of the Show co-host, Olivia Munn, offered her professional opinion on the Palm Pre with regards to the iPhone today, via Twitter.

• yeah, if you pre-switched to pre from iphone, you’ll be upset on monday. [Link]
• you got the pre? does it suck to know you should’ve just got the iphone? it’s okay. we all make mistakes. [Link]
• **** the Palm Pre. If you have an iPhone, stick with it. If you have a Blackberry, like me, omg dontyoujustlove it? [Link]

What. Up. Indeed.

[via @philnickinson]

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Olivia Munn Hates on Pre, Hearts on iPhone