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TechSpot RSSApple
Next-gen iPhone to include video conferencing?
Following a recent firmware update for existing iPhones, rumors began to spread that Apple may already be playing with a next generation model to succeed the iPhone 3G. Product strings were found inside the firmware for phones that don't yet exist, and of course rumors about what sort of functionality new units might have began flying.
One particularly interesting feature rumored to show up in an upcoming iPhone release is video conferencing. What is a simple feat for a webcam and Skype-equipped PC isn't as easy for a cell phone, albeit it is not new either, and Apple has recently applied for a patent that indicates future iPhones will include such functionality. The patent describes the phone being used for a variety of video-oriented services, from digital videos to photography, and specifically mentions video conferencing.
Many iPhone users have complained to Apple about the lack of video conferencing in a phone that is clearly capable of providing it. For whatever reason, be it cost or practicality, it hasn't been included, but I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that new iPhones will come stock with the feature. What else would you like to see in the next iPhone?
One particularly interesting feature rumored to show up in an upcoming iPhone release is video conferencing. What is a simple feat for a webcam and Skype-equipped PC isn't as easy for a cell phone, albeit it is not new either, and Apple has recently applied for a patent that indicates future iPhones will include such functionality. The patent describes the phone being used for a variety of video-oriented services, from digital videos to photography, and specifically mentions video conferencing.
Many iPhone users have complained to Apple about the lack of video conferencing in a phone that is clearly capable of providing it. For whatever reason, be it cost or practicality, it hasn't been included, but I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that new iPhones will come stock with the feature. What else would you like to see in the next iPhone?
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User Comments (8)
Post a comment| JosVilches on February 3, 2009 5:52 PM | I don't care much for the lack of MMS on the iPhone, but
perhaps they will finally add something seemingly as simple
as copy and paste functionality. The possibility of running
applications in the background would also be a nice
addition.
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| Rick on February 3, 2009 7:02 PM | Originally posted by JosVilches: perhaps
they will finally add something seemingly as simple as copy
and paste functionality. The possibility of running
applications in the background would also be a nice
addition. Clippy and Backgrounder are available on
Cydia if you jailbreak your iPhone. Both work really well,
although Clippy can only copy/paste editable text fields
(still useful, though). Of course, you have to jail break
it. 
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| Julio on February 3, 2009 7:32 PM | The biggest enhancement Apple could make to the current
iPhone would be multi-tasking. Though I'm sure they will
want to tout a few extra features on a revamped version, as
an iPhone owner that's what I see it lacking the
most. For that to happen we will need further software optimizations or speedier hardware though, because the way it is now, the iPhone can behave very slowly when running Safari and a few other basic apps.
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| 9Nails on February 3, 2009 9:34 PM | Julio, I'd like to see the following in the next-gen
iPhone: 1. Replaceable battery 2. Flash RAM card slot 3. No contracts, no commitments 4. Smaller size 5. Adobe Flash media support 6. Video Camera and Flash 7. Cut and Paste officially support - thanks for the Jail-Break tip Rick! 8. Printing capabilities 9. Web-based calendaring corporate email sync features for GroupWise, Exchange, Notes, etc...
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| Julio on February 3, 2009 10:06 PM | Decent list 9nails. Though I bet # 1,2,3 won't make it in
the next version. Flash is probably the next big improvement in the iPhone (including current ones).
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| black_adder on February 4, 2009 5:01 AM | They Didnt include all this stuff in the 3G because they
knew they could make more money if they bring out a new
phone with these features included... 2 phones make more
money than 1 with everything. Thats business, people. Oh btw, There IS an MMS App out, im using it At the moment on my 3G... i would prefer built in, but its good enough for now
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| Julio on February 4, 2009 6:10 AM | Originally posted by black_adder: They
Didnt include all this stuff in the 3G because they knew
they could make more money if they bring out a new phone
with these features included... 2 phones make more money
than 1 with everything. Thats business, people. True,
but acceptable business practice IMO.The part that is completely unacceptable for me is when Apple expects iPod Touch users to pay for a few extra features that are mere software updates that could be added for free when you are making billions in device sales. iPhone users get it for free on the other hand. That's shoddy business practice.
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| lawrenceu88 on February 4, 2009 12:00 PM | Originally posted by 9Nails: Julio, I'd
like to see the following in the next-gen iPhone: Seems like your looking for a
BlackBerry.1. Replaceable battery 2. Flash RAM card slot 3. No contracts, no commitments 4. Smaller size 5. Adobe Flash media support 6. Video Camera and Flash 7. Cut and Paste officially support - thanks for the Jail-Break tip Rick! 8. Printing capabilities 9. Web-based calendaring corporate email sync features for GroupWise, Exchange, Notes, etc...
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