digg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/WSJ_Apple_developing_new_iPhone_plus_another_for_Verizon'; You heard right, folks -- according to the
Wall Street Journal, Apple is currently "developing a new
iPhone to debut this summer," and as if that weren't enough, it's also "working on another model for US mobile phone operator Verizon Wireless." As of this moment, details about the break are nowhere to be found, but it's not like either tidbit is shocking. This summer will mark the one-year anniversary of the
iPhone 3GS, and if the Cupertino-based company keeps with its
historical refresh pattern, we're just a few months out from seeing the latest and greatest iPhone. There's also been no shortage of
iPhone-to-Verizon rumors over the years, with the
latest of 'em happening during the run-up to the iPad's launch.
Update: We're now learning that the "next iPhone is being manufactured by Taiwanese contract manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry," which just so happens to be
the same outfit responsible for crafting all prior iPhones. That's according to "people briefed on the matter" and sourced by the
WSJ. It's also stated that the world's first CDMA iPhone will be manufactured by Pegatron Technology, which we caught just last week
dabbling in some of NVIDIA's Tegra 2-based wares. If all goes well, Pegatron could begin mass production of the CDMA iPhone (exact model not disclosed) this September, so it's hard to say if Sprint or Verizon would have access before the all-too-lucrative holiday season. As for quotes on the matter? Most everyone involved wouldn't say a word, but an AT&T spokesman did utter the following: "
There has been lots of incorrect speculation on CDMA iPhones for a long time. We haven't seen one yet and only Apple knows when that might occur."
On a week that
couldn't possibly get any bigger for Apple, that's exactly what just happened. Everyone suspected that a
fourth-generation iPhone was in the works, but having an outlet like the
WSJ confirm it just makes the summer that much harder to wait for. There's also the possibility that 2010 will be the final year that AT&T retains its
death-grip on the iPhone, but by the sound of this report, it still seems as if the nation's largest GSM carrier may nab exclusive rights on the
latest iPhone. We also can't help but wonder about the future of a true 4G iPhone -- will Sprint manage to grab a
WiMAX-enabled version? Will Verizon get its grubby paws on an
LTE model? We figured only Jobs would know, but now... there might just be someone else out there willing to spill the beans.
Update 2: Soon after the news broke, we were informed that the next-generation iPhone would be announced on June 22nd (a Tuesday,
naturally) and would be dubbed the iPhone HD (a name that has been
tossed around before). That certainly makes sense given that Apple almost certainly has to up the pixel count in order to rival the
EVO 4G,
HD2 and all of those other high-res handsets, but we're still reserving judgment until we see that fateful media invite hit our inbox.
[Thanks, Chris]
WSJ: Apple 'developing new iPhone,' plus another for Verizon (update: iPhone HD?) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Last April, the British Broadcasting Corporation was expected to launch several iPhone apps with news and sports content, but April came and went and the apps were a no-show.
Get ready for the "VeriPhone." The 
