It is widely expected that Steve will announce a new 3G iPhone that will support the HSDPA standard for higher data exchange throughput.
There has been a huge number of predictions within the industry about what this phone will do and not do. So I decided to jump in the game and provide a list of my own :
Form Factor
The iPhone form factor will be reduced, current rumors is that it will be 22% thinner. Apple always strive for minimizing the form factor of new devices (new MacBook Pro, MacBook Air). I'm not sure if it will be 22% thinner but it will be thinner for sure. So this one is strong on the list.
Probability: 9/10
GPS
With recent updates to the Google Maps application and the strong push by Apple for location-based services, it is almost certain this new iPhone will have an embedded GPS chip. This will further acknowledge the recent market push for Location-based services (Loopt, BrightKite, FireEagle) and will help propagate them to higher levels of acceptance.
This one is really a no-brainer. If it is not included, the market will not be happy.
Probability: 10/10
On a side note: Expect a huge announcement storm of iPhone-specific LBS at the WWDC conference.
Camera
The current iPhone camera is good. According to sources, the new phone will be powered by the Broadcom chip which can easily handle a 5 Megapixel camera. I expect Apple will go all out on this and provide a 5Mpx camera to be on par with the Nokia N95.
Probability: 7/10
Since the 3G iPhone can handle higher data throughputs, video conference calls are now possible. To properly support this, a front side camera is needed (like in the Nokia N95). Will Apple follow this trend, I'm really not sure here because it really changes the design of the phone.
Probability: 4/10
Memory Size
We have seen the introduction of the 32Gb iPod Touch recently. So I expect Apple to announce the availability of a 32Gb 3G iPhone along with the current 16Gb version we also have today.
Probability: 8/10
Versions
From my understanding, and the reading I've been doing, it looks like Apple will be providing a white colored iPhone. However I still think the more upscale Black version will still be provided. In the same line as the MacBook line (where black is the upscale line), the white version will be used in subsidized markets and will basically be a 3G iPhone but with less memory and not front-side camera.
The Black version will be a fully featured 3G version with the front side camera.
Apple really needs to offer more than one version to reduce supply chain issues it has been experimenting over the past few months.
Probability: 6/10
In the end
Consumers are again going to rush to get this new device. I will, for sure, update mine as well. With the iPhone officially coming to Canada, thanks to the Rogers partnership, and other new countries, Apple is really disrupting the mobile market.
I really applaud them for their efforts.
We will see how I score on Monday. Feel free to provide your own predictions or comment on mine in the comments.
Happy location reporting - Martin
