Engadget
has learned from a "trusted source" that the 3G iPhone will have a built-in
GPS and a slightly altered physical design. The device will reportedly trade its
predecessor's scuffed metal backplate for a glossy black finish. The size and
shape will stay more or less the same, but the new iPhone will be a little
thicker, and its edges will be more rounded. Incidentally, the headphone jack
will be flush with the body, the volume buttons will be chrome, and the battery
still won't be removable. According to Engadget, the 3G iPhone may show up as
early as July. Of course, the site points out that Apple could change its plans
at any time.
In other news,
Skype announced a beta application for Java-enabled mobile phones. The
application will allow you to access Skype features such as chat, group chat,
presence, and Skype-to-Skype calling. The application will use the phone's voice
radio to initiate and end calls, but will switch to the data radio for the rest
of the session, drastically reducing the number of minutes used per call. Right
now the beta is limited to seven markets: Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
Poland, Sweden, and the U.K. Skype will evaluate the program for several months
before taking it to a full release. The Java application can be downloaded over
the air directly from Skype, or downloaded to a PC and then installed in a
phone.