Apple Loses iPhone 4G Prototype? Confirmation! It’s Real!
Written by John Thompson on April 20, 2010 · Filed under Tech
Gizmodo ran a story on their site last night, showing off not only confirmation of what is indeed an iPhone 4G pre-production model, but also how it came to be lost in the first place – it would appear that the iPhone 4G images were real and not fake afterall. There are a number of changes which have been made to the phone and new features to match, offering an extremely compelling reason for current owners to upgrade to the new model.
Possible iPhone 4G Look and Feel
The first thing that anybody will notice when looking at pictures of the 4G is the aluminium frame that borders the device and gives it an updated look after using the same exterior housing since the release of the original iPhone in 2007. An observation made by the editors at Gizmodo also points out that the screen is a slightly smaller size than before, although it also packs a higher resolution, you can take a look at all the iPhone 4G images over at Gizmodo.
Whereas the back of the previous model was rounded, the back of the 4G is squared off and flat. The material on the back of the phone has also been changed, presumably glass or a form of plastic. It looks great, and it’s nice to have a changed design to the iPhone, but an iPad-esque look to the back of the device with a unibody aluminium enclosure would have been great. There are obviously reasons why this wasn’t done, maybe because it would weaken an already not great signal strength, but it would have been a great aesthetic addition to the device.
New iPhone 4G Hardware Additions?
Of course there’s been more than a few design changes made here. We’ve also got details of additional hardware features that the phone seems to have. The SIM card slot has been moved to the side of the device rather than the top, and replaced by a Micro-SIM over a standard sized SIM. This is definitely something that Apple are looking to use across the board, with the stylish iPad tablet also using a Micro-SIM.
You’ll also find a front facing camera on the phone, finally answering the prayers of users across the world and introducing video conferencing capability to the phone. When enough people have their hands on an iPhone 4G, expect video calls to become the norm…
Other minor additions include a second microphone, presumably for noise cancellation, at the top of the device similar to Google’s Nexus One. The camera appears to be larger in size at the back of the phone and there’s finally a flash situated next to it as well. Unfortunately there’s no word on the other type of Flash we’re all so familiar with, but you never know!
How did it get to Gizmodo?
Last night, Gizmodo ran a special story on ‘How Apple Lost the Next iPhone’, detailing how it was lost. It was in the hands of an Apple Software Engineer at a bar not far from Apple HQ, and was abandoned on a bar stool as he left the establishment. The guy that happened to find the phone couldn’t find the owner, and when he realised that it was no ordinary iPhone, he tried contacting Apple to return it. Alas, all he got was a ticket number for his troubles, although in hindsight it may have been an idea to email sjobs@apple.com just in case Steve Jobs replies to your email! (Not that we’re complaining, just being thorough…)
After rumoured transactions of $5000 or $10000, Gizmodo obtained the device and ran the story. Apple have now even sent a letter to Gizmodo requesting that they give back the Apple device that they came into possession, no doubt this hand-over of leaked technology with be happening very soon!
For a leak like this to come out of Apple is most unusual, and although everyone loves a sneak peak at what’s going on inside a certain Cupertino campus, we can only hope that the software engineer who lost the device doesn’t run in to too many consequences as a result. Still doubt that you’re looking at the new iPhone? I didn’t think so…unless it’s actually an early iPhone 5G prototype???
Via – Gizmodo
