Tech blogs and iPhone fan sites continue to buzz with rumors and speculation about Apple’s upcoming iPhone 3.0 software and a new iPhone model or two that may or may not ship this summer. So why not add a few “leaked” screenshots to the mix?
MacRumors is showing a screen grab, reportedly from the iPhone 3.0 beta, which provides a pretty clear indication that Apple intends to bring video capabilities to the iPhone. In the image, the iPhone’s camera interface includes a switch for users to toggle between still camera and video recording. By combing the iPhone 3.0 configuration files, MacRumors’ sources also found evidence of a “magnetometer,” which could mean a digital compass, and “voice control,” which could mean voice dialing. Or perhaps not.
When announcing iPhone 3.0 last month, Apple said the OS update would add more than 100 new features, but video recording wasn’t among them. Frankly, it’d be surprising if Apple didn’t bring video capture to the iPhone. Competing devices have it already, and the feature will soon be a checklist item for smart phone buyers. So the question is, will iPhone 3.0 enable video in current iPhone models (already possible with third-party apps), the next-gen iPhone, or future models further down the line?
Meanwhile, Boy Genius Report is showing off iPhone 3.0 screen grabs that it received from one of its “trusty ninjas.” These interface shots also indicate that video recording is coming soon, as well as additional settings options and possibly even voice dialing.
Feel free to speculate wildly. Only Apple knows for sure.