Katie MarsalTucked within Apple's iPhone 3.0 beta firmware are hardware strings that mention not one but two unreleased iPhone models as well as similar changes in store for the iPod touch.
Again speaking to Boy Genius, the insider notes that the previously discovered iPhone 2,1 has been joined by iPhone 3,1 as well as iPod 2,2 and iPod 3,1. As Apple always uses the first number in these device identifiers to refer to major revisions, the naming schemes allude to a second major reworking of the iPhone in testing at Apple as well as a minor revision of the current iPod touch and a third-generation overhaul.
The original iPhone shows in these listings as iPhone 1,1, while the iPhone 3G appears as iPhone 1,2 — a minor upgrade to an existing design. The first- and second-generation iPod touch show as 1,1 and 2,1 respectively.
What an additional iPhone revision would involve isn't clear. Despite persistent claims of a smaller and lower-cost iPhone, Apple has publicly embraced a one-size-fits-all approach and has shot down rumors when brought up by one analyst in its latest fiscal results conference call.
Potentially more intriguing are two new devices that don't fit into either the iPhone or iPod categories. One, referred to as iProd 0,1, is a complete mystery and suggests an early prototype rather than a finished device. An iFPGA device doesn't include any model revision numbers but appears to reference a field-programmable gate array, or a chip whose functions can be reprogrammed either by the user or the manufacturer after it's created.
It's unclear whether these are actual placeholders for future products, references to individual components for other devices, or else serve an entirely different purpose. However, the sudden ballooning of device string entries hints that iPhone 3.0 may be used as the foundation for a much larger platform expansion rather than a simple upgrade for Apple's existing handhelds.
-m.jpg)
Wesley Hilliard
Andrew O'Hara
Andrew Orr
Malcolm Owen
Christine McKee
William Gallagher
45 Comments
If I'm not mistaken FPGA's are a lot more expensive than a regular fixed function chip and are really only used for prototyping. It's unlikely that the iFPGA is going to be a real product, especially one that end users can reprogram.
Maybe the iPod 2.2 and iPhone 2.1 are Nano designs based on current-gen technology, while the iPhone 3.1 and iPod 3.1 will be getting the hardware overhaul.
Could iProd be the purchase of the forthcoming firmware 3.0 for previous-gen iPhones? Kinda like an upgrade from Tiger to Leopard. Another way for APPl to make some $...
Unless they are testing this firmware against multiple future generations of devices this could indicate Apple splitting the line into a regular and a "pro" product couldn't it?
iProd?
for once, apple is having a laugh at us, the string PRODDERS.
c'mon, everyone. let's laugh with apple laughing at us.
shares back up to 150 before we know it!
iProd?
for once, apple is having a laugh at us, the string PRODDERS.
c'mon, everyone. let's laugh with apple laughing at us.
shares back up to 150 before we know it!
Hopefully Apple doesn't start sending cease and desist orders to all stores that claim to sell "Products" because it sounds too much like iProd. Just like they did for Podium versus iPod.