“The general look and feel of the prototype iPhone recently discovered and disassembled will likely be very similar to the final shipping product of the next-generation handset Apple will release this summer,” Neil Hughes reports for AppleInsider.
“Citing sources familiar with Apple’s fourth-generation iPhone, Daring Fireball’s John Gruber revealed that the barcode affixed to the prototype device obtained by Gizmodo, which read ‘N90_DVT-GE4X_0493,’ gives insight into how far along Apple is in the design of its next-generation phone,” Hughes reports. “”N90′ is Apple’s codename for the fourth-generation GSM iPhone, slated for release this June or July,’ Gruber wrote. ”DVT’ stands for ‘design verification test,’ an Apple production milestone. The DVT milestone is very late in the game; based on this, I now believe that this unit very closely, if not exactly, resembles what Apple plans to release.'”
Hughes reports, “He went on to say that although Apple is extremely secretive about unreleased products, it simply must let the units be used off of its Cupertino, Calif., campus to be tested. Apple reportedly distributes dozens of near-final units for field testing months in advance. Gruber said this practice is even more widespread with the iPhone than other Apple-developed products, because of the extensive nature of cellular network testing.”
More info in the full article here.
So?……..
Mr. Jobs
I would be more than happy to be a iPhone tester for Apple. You can see how it works in my area. Oh, by the way, I don’t hang out in bars anymore.
Thanks
silverhawk
The design looks to be easier to change the battery on your own
Gizmodo deserves to be smashed by Apple.
I love the new iPhone.
Great job as usual.
Um, yeah, duh. Besides the nice decoding of the label, of course it’s almost the final version. It needs to be in production real soon, if it’s going to be shipping in six weeks or so.
And, of course, they have to test a bunch of them in the real world. That’s one reason why we get such well-thought-out iPhones. Now, whether the ‘left in bar’ was reality, perhaps we’ll never know.
So you’re telling me that this leak, and all this press, is somehow BAD for Apple and iPhone sales…? Yeah, right.
3 scenerios are at play here. 1. It is the actual phone. 2. It is not. Scenerio 1 the phone is in Beta testing and it was lost, which is highly unlikely this is a Billion Dollar market. A prized possesion like this being found in a bar two months away from unveiling is ludicrous to imagine. Scenerio 2. It is not the final prodruct and this has been leaked to the media. Both ways it its marketing genius. If Apple does release this phone then no one can complain about how average it is. Let’s face it. How much better can they make iPhone. It is light years away from theire nearest competitors, all they have added is a front facing camera with video chat. The guts and beauty of the phone is OS4. Scenerio 3 they showcase something totally out of left field, either way Apple will have a winner in theire hands.
Count me out on the iPhone4.
I like the feel of the current model as it lays in my hand. I’ve had a few house bricks before I moved to iPhones and they were uncomfortable when laid in my palm so I guess it’s a good job I’m happy with my 3gs.
I really hope that’s not the 4th gen phone. That thing looks like Doo-Doo.
Are iPhone sales crashing right now? Is this a big problem for Apple? Because supposedly this is causing everyone to wait until June. Are they? Is there any evidence of this?
Insides are from 4G, but otherwise it looks like a in-house proto machined out of aluminum. I wouldn’t be surprised if the production model is still the same as the current model execpt a bit more square. In a way I like the alu iPad design, maybe Apple will make the back similar.
@C1 You know the average person doesn’t read MDN or even pay attention to news stories about this ‘discovered’ phone.
I think the difference between the G4 and G3 iPhone resembles the difference between the Mac G4 and G5. The new design is much more industrial and clean. Take a look.
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=902587
And, @C1, right now, up (finally, today) over 3 points.
Lol @silverhawk, I was going to say the same thing.
And before the poor guy gets crucified, you don’t have to get drunk and/or go in a bar to lose a phone; twice I’ve had mine come off my belt and get left in a restaurant and a movie theater. Luckily I recovered it both times because some nice soul turned it in rather than stole it….
Why didn’tcha link straight to Daring Fireball? Oh that’s right, MDN is a hack outfit, just like Gizmodo ….
I had a friend buy a 3G about a month ago, did not know there was a
newer iPhone , this is what they upgraded his 2G to
What the fsuck is wrong with people?
Whether or not this is the next model or not, it was given that Apple was going to relese anew iPhone very soon.
There’s ale ays going to be someone that bitches about anything Apple does especiallu Scot Moritz who doesn’t even know his ass dorm his elbow.
Apples new functionality, features and software will make this a must for any iPhone user and the design is probably not done any justice by Gizmodos amateurish photography, so count on it being a lot nicer when actually shot by pros.
It matters nit one fucking iota whiter or not this is it or not, the next iPhone will be an even bigger hit because Apple doesn’t make shit and gets it. So will we all. Bring it on already !
@ LeeSweet
“You know the average person doesn’t read MDN or even pay attention to news stories about this ‘discovered’ phone.”
My point exactly. There are still hundreds and hundreds of people in Apple stores right now buying iPhones. So the idea that a leak would harm sales is moot.
I maintain that that was an intentional leak until I see convincing evidence otherwise.
I love my iPad but I got sticky fingers , sorry for the typos:
Apr 22, 10 – 02:31 pmComment from: breeze
What the fsuck is wrong with people?
Whether or not this is the next model or not, it was given that Apple was going to releas a new iPhone very soon.
There’s always going to be someone that bitches about anything Apple does especially Scot Moritz who doesn’t even know his ass from his elbow.
Apple’s new functionality, features and software will make this a must for any iPhone user and the design is probably not done any justice by Gizmodos amateurish photography, so count on it being a lot nicer when actually shot by pros.
It matters nit one fucking iota whiter or not this is it or not, the next iPhone will be an even bigger hit because Apple doesn’t make shit and gets it. So will we all. Bring it on already !Apr 22, 10 – 02:31 pmComment from: breeze
What the fsuck is wrong with people?
Whether or not this is the next model or not, it was given that Apple was going to relese anew iPhone very soon.
There’s ale ays going to be someone that bitches about anything Apple does especiallu Scot Moritz who doesn’t even know his ass dorm his elbow.
Apples new functionality, features and software will make this a must for any iPhone user and the design is probably not done any justice to by Gizmodo’s amateurish photography, so count on it being a lot nicer when actually shot by pros.
It matters not one fucking iota whiter or not this is it or not, the next iPhone will be an even bigger hit because Apple doesn’t make shit and gets it. So will we all. Bring it on already !
@C1 Exactly. Unless there was a report the Apple guy was carried away from a car wreck or out of the bar drunk, it still smells like a plant to me.
I know several people that I’ve personally told that a new phone is coming out in a couple of months, and they still go for it with the 3GS. I even say, wait until June and you can buy my brand new one I just got as a replacement from Apple, but noooo….
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
It’s looking more like a leak every day. Why?
* the guy who lost it wasn’t fired
* there’s not tracking on these prototypes?
* the timing is perfect to keep Apple buzz in the headlines
Apple will never be predictable. Apple cares, so maybe they gave the guy a break…
The only reason I think it wasn’t a leak was that his stuff was on the phone for a while before it was reset. If I was leaking my phone, I’d wipe it out immediately. Of course, they could be thinking that we’d think that….
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
Either way the 3gs will be upgraded inside, so I’ll keep my awesome 3gsand have a 4.0s upgrade inside!!