Steve Jobs talked about many things at the D8 conference this week and one of them was the lost iPhone 4G prototype. Jobs said he was told to let it slide by a few people and then said, “When this whole thing with Gizmodo happened, I got a lot of advice from people that said you’ve got to just let it slide. You shouldn’t go after a journalist because they bought stolen property and tried to extort you. In addition, I thought about that and I decided that Apple can’t afford to change its core values and simply let it slide…I can’t do that. I’d rather quit.”

Jobs also stated at the D8 conference that Foxconn is not a sweatshop. Jobs still says that Apple reps are trying to figure out why 10 workers have killed themselves at a factory ran by Foxconn in China.

SlashGear wrote:

The device pictured certainly seems to tick all of the obvious boxes tipped by pre-launch rumors. There’s the new chassis, new chrome-free finish and second slot – believed to be for a front-facing camera – on the top of the fascia.

However the headphone socket doesn’t appear to be on the bottom of the iPhone video, as shown in the last set of leaked photos, which suggests that somewhere along the line there are some fakes. According to Nowhere Else, a source at Orange France suggests that the new iPhone will come in 8, 16 and 32GB capacities and in both white and black finishes, will be 3mm smaller…

[Nowhere Else via SlashGear]

With new iPhone Video models expected this summer, in addition to the previously-announced 3.0 firmware, Carphone Warehouse appears to be gearing up for the change. A screenshot of its inventory system provided by a person known to have access to such information shows placeholders for both 16GB and 32GB iPhones in both white and black. They’re mixed in among the existing and previous iPhone models, having reportedly cropped up just hours ago.

So, which one do you like? A 32GB one in white or black? :-)

[via Apple Insider]

…we’ve been told that the next-generation iPhone will come in six versions: two storage capacities each for 3G, enhanced 3G (“3.5G/3.75G”), and mainland China versions of the phone, which will have the same size and general design of the current model, but with a less scratchable matte plastic body. Each of the three versions has been made to match the telecom systems of specific countries, so users in one country shouldn’t expect to have the option between a “slow iPhone” and “fast iPhone.” As before, you’ll get capacity options and different colors.

[via SlashGear]

A MacTalk.com.au forum thread reveals that the unreleased “iPhone2,1″ model that has been previously referenced actually includes its own icon within the iPhone 3.0 SDK. The icon, however, appears identical to the iPhone1,2 model which represents the current iPhone 3G.

[via MacRumors]

The blogger wrote:

This revelation, (again at least to me) comes by way of an advertisement in the new ad supported version of the app Twitterfon released on 5/15/09. Three ads, stumbled upon by a geeky friend of mine who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of the powerful arms of the Apple legal department, scrolling across the top of the app were for ‘iTunes Movies’, ‘iTunes TV’ and ‘iTunes Movie Rentals’.

Unsubstantiated rumor? I don’t know, though on-device downloads would be nice. Currently, the only way to get video on an iPhone is by downloading it via iTunes on your computer and syncing with your device.

[via Open Salon]

Clicking on the “Details” button leads to a page with no information about the handset. 

A new iPhone announcement has been tipped to take place on June 8th, at the WWDC 2009 keynote in San Francisco.  Among the expected changes are more storage capacity, as hinted at by this listing, plus a faster processor and a higher-resolution camera (3.2-megapixels compared to 2-megapixels on the iPhone 3G).  More battery life has also been suggested, perhaps as a side-product of Apple switching to an OLED touchscreen.

Update: The placeholder has now been removed by the carrier.

[via Engadget]

Keep in mind that these are mere rendering of what may or may not be the real products if anything at all – so take it with a grain of salt. It’s likely however that Apple may end up offering the iPhone in a wide variety of colors similar to the iPod nano called iPhone-chromatic.

Click through to watch the two rendered videos of the iPhone-chromatic unibody and nano!

The new supposed iPhone unibody and iPhone nano design does look like something we can expect from Apple, offering a thinner and sleeker look. I personally tjink these renderings look good and of course keeping my fingers crossed that the third version of the iPhone will look this good.

We’ll bring you “live” coverage of WWDC09 keynote at http://live.slashgear.com on Monday June 8th at 10AM.  Alternatively, you can also follow http://twitter.com/followlive for the latest updates.

Update: Apparently, these images and videos are just concept designs where our tipster got them from nowhereelse.fr.  Thanks for the update Stagueve.

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[Thanks tipster!]

Together with the rumors on the new iPhone in the past few months, here is yet another rumor from  according to its source from iPhone component suppliers. According to its insider news, Apple has already ordered 4 million units of new iPhones and expected to receive the shipment by end of this quarter. These iPhones might be a combination of 3 new models, with one only supports EDGE wireless data connection, another one for 3G wireless data connection and one model made for China market (for China’s TD-SCDMA network?).

[China Times via SlashPhone]

According to a Chinese version o the Economic Daily News a chip manufacturing company is about to receive microchip orders from Apple in March slotting the release soon after. If Apple were to release a lower cost iPhone Nano wouldn’t that take the integrity of the iPhone line down a notch? After all Apple does not release a product that has taken a step backwards. Every release is a step in a forward direction with better, more powerful products.

Coming from a Chinese source we all know that chances are this is a bunch of hogwash. The Chinese punch out cheap iPhone rip offs like there is no tomorrow and we suspect that many of them will cash in on this idea fairly quickly. Maybe the source mistook Apple for some other company.

[Via DigiTimes]

• iPhone 3G will be activated at point of sale when the device is purchased in store.
• Return period has been changed from 14 days to 30 days
• $199 and $299 pricing is for new activations or qualified upgrades with a 2-year agreement
• 2G iPhone data rate plans will remain available for 2G device suntil further notice
• The new iPhone 3G data plan is $30/month and includes unlimited data and visual voicemail
• There is not a no commitment price. This means you can’t just walk in and bang $500 on your credit card and walk out.
• If you are an existing iPhone customer in good standing, you will be able to extend your contract for two years when the iPhone 3G launches and get the ill-na-na $199/$299 price point. Doesn’t matter when you bought an iPhone either.
• AT&T and Apple stores “unbrick” the iPhone 3G at time of purchase, but for some reason if that doesn’t happen, you’ll be required to use iTunes at home.
• Pre-paid and Pick Your Plan will not be allowed on iPhone 3G
• Device purchase limit remains at (3) per customer in AT&T stores.
• 2G iPhones to remain as demo models in AT&T stores “until further notice”.
• AT&T stores will get rate brochures, 22 x 28 posters, and window banners
• Launch day will mirror last year’s launch. This includes extended store hours, crowd controls, etc. Security will be provided to stores requesting armed police or guards.
• AT&T is working with Apple to roll out GPS-enabled applications.

[via Boy Genius Report]

Yes, oddly enough the ability is only supported for Chinese. While it is not confirmed the ability actually even exists. According to one source, the new iPhone firmware, build 5A258F, has several Chinese input methods. It is rumored, that one method is this fabled handwriting recognition. If the feature does come to fruition, hopefully it will make it to an English version.

Handwriting recognition for the iPhone presents one major problem. The iPhone, does not use, or support a stylus. This is because the iPhone uses a capacitive touch screen, and not a resistive touch screen, such as is found on Windows Mobile devices. While it would not be a far leap to write on the screen with a finger, it would be a different experience to say the least. Hey, it is a step in the right direction though.

[Via iPhone Alley]

The user posting the information says several Apple resellers have been briefed about the 3G iPhone. No sources were given by the poster, citing that Apple had given out different dates to each reseller, so that any leaks could be traced back to the source.

Apple Australia was contacted, and said there was no information about Australia getting the iPhone. Local resellers were contacted, and all uniformly said there was no briefing that they knew about. One post made sums it all up “I will believe it when Apple makes a solid announcement.” Apple has been absolutely silent so far, and more likely than not, that is not about to change.

[Via MacTalk Forums]

When iPhone first connects to wireless network, it sends iTunes MVNO server it’s ID and location, and get’s back the information with the available networks, services and rates in the area.

Apple would have set up deals with multiple carriers to use their air waves for their virtual network. The iPhone then would either select what network in the area to use, most likely depending on price. It is suggested the user of the iPhone could have selected their network manually if desired. All billing of minutes and services would have been logged and handled through iTunes.

The patent application was filed in October, 2006, meaning Apple was thinking of MVNO plans long before the iPhone was introduced. Prices would have been competitive, as carriers would have ‘bid’ prices to Apple for the area. The iPhone also would also have had the capability to use multiple networks. For example T-Mobile for voice and AT&T for data, in any given area.

Hit the cut for what actually is included in v1.1.3, and what we can hope is fixed for the final release.

In the video we see the moving of icons, new features in Maps application including cell tower triangulation, pagination, and bookmarking of links from Safari put on the home screen. Also in the video was a crash of the plain non-hacked firmware. I sure hope Apple works that out before releasing it. No idea when this will be out, but it should be within the next month leading up to the SDK in february.

[Via Gearlive]