The big news out of the UK preview is that we can expect an iPhone firmware update on November 9 to support the launch. U.S. iPhone users will probably not see anything more than some security and minor bug fixes. One thing not yet known is whether Apple will brick iPhones that have been hacked. My money is on yes (and that's a completely different post).
Another interesting tidbit can be found in Apples responses to T3's questions. With regard to MMS messages Apple had an interesting response - essentially said they are not going to support anything but high definition picture sharing. Sounds like a new iPhone feature coming soon.
Apple also addressed the fact that you can not SMS with multiple people. Apple's response was that they don't comment on future enhancements. This is, of course, Apple's position on just about everything speculative. However, recently, I've noticed that Apple only drags out this old chestnut only when there is something coming down the pike that will address the issue. What this means is probably the rumored version of iChat for the iphone will be released soon.
As I see it, it looks like there's going to be at least one software update for the iPhone before the holidays. That would make sense. I suspect the priority at Apple for the remained of 2007 is to (1) Roll out Mac OS X Leopard (check); (2) Get the worldwide iPhone rollout done (in progress) with as little hassle as possible (i.e. one maybe 2 minor iPhone software updates; (3) Focus on a bang-up holiday season with Leopard, iPhone and the revamped iPod line (don't forget the Mac!) and finally, (4) Prepare for Macworld in January.
Obviously its Apple's annual Christmas in January is coming soon. So what can we expect come MWSF. I am sure that this will become THE hot topic on the Mac web in a few weeks so let me just kick off some speculation, directed at iPhone.
I think we will see three types of iPhone updates at MWSF. The first will be those that folks have been clamoring for and I classify as items that are needed to flush out the iPhone as a platform. These include things like the landscape keypad available in all applications, copy and past or some facsimile therof and other such UI niceties.
The next group of features are those I classify as new applications. In this category I put the much rumored iChat mobile and perhaps some other small widget like applications. I am sure we will see one or two of these at MWSF (an easy call given my last item below...).
Finally I think Apple will introduce something completely unexpected for the iPhone and tied into a larger Apple effort - video. I suspect that Apple is going to make a push in video next year (I would not be surprised if Steve works the phrase "year of Video into the Macworld Keynote). Its probably no big surprise that I, like many others, suspect that push is going to come in the form of movie rentals for iTunes and Apple TV (and an enhanced Apple TV at that). The iPhone will be a part of those plans. At a minimum you'll be able to watch your rentals on the iPhone after you download them in iTunes (duh. no brainer there). But even more exciting would be the ability to stream the rentals on the iPhone. If Apple goes in this direction it would be an iTunes WiFi-type enhancement (i.e. you can only stream with a WiFi connection).
Finally, I expect Apple will release the iPhone SDK, is some form, to developers at MWSF. Although it has not been promised until February, MWSF would be the logical time to get a preview the SDK release and get something into developers hands. That's why I think Apple will give out a couple of new apps to the iPhone at MWSF - to show the developers what can be done with the SDK. I expect Apple will follow up training days for developers in select cities like they did with the webkit iPhone development "kit".
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