iPhone 3.0 Will Be Unveiled on March 17

[Ed Hardy]

Apple has just announced that iPhone 3.0 -- the next version of the system software for this smartphone -- will be unveiled on March 17.

This will not be the day the new version is released; instead, Apple will be giving an "advance preview" of what will be available later.

What's In iPhone 3.0?
At this point, exactly what's going to be unveiled is mostly still a mystery. Apple is generally fairly good at keeping details on future products under wraps, and this is a good example.

In the absence of reliable rumors, all that's left is speculation. Much of this is centered around long-asked-for features.

At the top of most people's list is Cut and Paste functionality. The iPhone's competitors and critics love to bring up that this model is missing what many consider a very basic feature.

Another possibility is the long-awaited support for Adobe Flash. This is highly requested feature from users, and last month Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen announced that Apple had asked his company to create a version of the Flash player for the iPhone.

A Flash player is on virtually all desktop PCs, but has only been slowly creeping onto smartphones. Devices without it aren't be able to easily view many web sites, as these depend on Flash for navigation. In addition, popular sites like Hulu, Fox on Demand, and NBC.com require a high-performance Flash player to view their videos.

Other additional features that might be part of iPhone 3.0 include support for MMS messages and data tethering.

Looking Ahead to a New Model
Apple is expected to introduce a new version of the iPhone this summer. If it follows its previous practice, this device will debut with the iPhone 3.0 software, and an update for the current model will be released shortly thereafter.

Although Apple calls it the iPhone Firmware, it is also the system software for the non-smartphone version of this device, the iPod touch.

 

[Ed Hardy]

I am not expecting iPhone 3.0 to be dramatically different from the current version.

The change from iPhone 1.0 to 2.0 was significant, but it was filing in some major holes in the operating system -- things like native third-party applications and Exchange ActiveSync support.

Now, after Apple has been working on the software for so long, there are naturally fewer gaps.
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[berylrb]

but Ed, wouldn't that break with Apple's tradition of "tenths" for minor upgrades and "units" for major upgrades? I'm more experienced with desktop upgrades, so I may be projecting unto the iPhone as I've only been a user since the 3G model.

[questionfear]

Two thoughts:
-If it has background notifications I'd consider returning to the iPhone.
-What's the likelihood that this won't support the original iPhones? Apple usually only supports one-two generations at a time, and if there's tons of bells and whistles the older ones might not be able to handle it.

[Guest]

What's the likelihood that this won't support the original iPhones? Apple usually only supports one-two generations at a time, and if there's tons of bells and whistles the older ones might not be able to handle it.

Is there even any info available about how different the iPhone 3G's hardware is from the original iPhone?

Obviously, it adds 3G and a GPS - but I get the feeling that the CPU and memory for execution weren't hugely changed.

[TMann_2]

Sorry, for the slightly off topic question, but does anyone know when the AT&T exclusive iPhone contract will expire? When will we see the iPhone coming to Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile?

TMann

[brickman65]

The Boy Genius Report is saying that it will be MMS and Tethering. We will see. He has been accurate in the past but not always. So let the speculation begin!!

I am with QF on this one. I am hoping for back ground notifications. My wish list would be BG Notifications, MMS, and BT file transfer. Tethering and Copy/Paste would be nice but I am not holding my breathe on those.

[harpgliss]

Hi,

The Copy/Paste, and Flash would be my priority but not agonizing if they are not there.

David

[berylrb]

The Boy Genius Report is saying that it will be MMS and Tethering. We will see. He has been accurate in the past but not always. So let the speculation begin!!

I am with QF on this one. I am hoping for back ground notifications. My wish list would be BG Notifications, MMS, and BT file transfer. Tethering and Copy/Paste would be nice but I am not holding my breathe on those.

you know the other conversation that isn't making it on the blogs is that 3.0 comes with SoftwareDevelopmentKit 2.0!

I'm not up on SDKers but that would appear to be pretty significant yes?

I'm enclined to think that even if it is tethering only, code wise that's pretty significant, how often has Apple done a whole unit change for something minor, albeit from our perspective it's like no biggee?

[questionfear]

you know the other conversation that isn't making it on the blogs is that 3.0 comes with SoftwareDevelopmentKit 2.0!

I'm not up on SDKers but that would appear to be pretty significant yes?

I'm enclined to think that even if it is tethering only, code wise that's pretty significant, how often has Apple done a whole unit change for something minor, albeit from our perspective it's like no biggee?

Tethering wouldn't be enough to warrant a whole new SDK. That means either there's a major hardware upgrade in the new iPhone, and/or some actual background applications will be available.

So things like:
-Instant Messaging
-Task alarms
-Internet Radio

will actually run even when you return to the home screen.

Incidentally, background applications that work reliably (instead of the jailbreak "backgrounder" solution) is one of things that will get me back to my iPhone at least some of the time.