Rumor Mill: What's just around the bend from Apple
It time for a Friday rumor roundup and if it seems like most of the rumors are iPhone-related, that's because they are. Today I'll start off with a couple that aren't iPhone rumors.
LED Screens in all MacBooks by 2009 Word is that Apple will start using LED backlit screens in all MacBooks in 2009. This isn't entirely surprising though, Steve Jobs promised to transition to the more environmentally-friendly panels but didn't provide a timetable. LED displays first appeared in the 15-inch MacBook Pro (Santa Rosa) 0n 05 June 2007 and made their debut in the MacBook Air on 15 January 2008. LED screens are also available as a US$100 option in the 17-inch MBP 17. Advantages of LED screens include, extended battery life, instant full brightness, similar brightness and color range, no arsenic and mercury. (Tips: MacRumors, Economic Daily News, Engadget).
Apple investing in WiMax A recent job posting shows that Apple is on the hunt for an engineer familiar with WiMAX, Ultra-wideband, and other next-generation wireless technologies. (Tip: AI)
Mobile iTunes NYTimes' Technology blog reports that Apple is currently in negotiations with music labels about adding more mobile music options on their iTunes store. Currently, your can only purchase iTunes music only over a WiFi connection and presumably this would extend OTA music purchases to iPhones 3G data connections. Apple is also investigating selling "Answer Tones" (sometimes called "ringback tones") which customize the sound your caller hears when the phone is ringing when they call you. (Tip: MacRumors)
iPhone The long-awaited 3G model to be announced at WWDC on 09 June 2008 with handsets shipping soon thereafter. Europe will follow shortly thereafter. AT&T's 3G HSDPA/HSUPA network rollout will be completed by the end of June. 3G will be a battery killer and handsets will have a 3G toggle switch. Geotagging support is coming to the Camera and Maps applications. It's still unclear if iPhone 2 will have true GPS, or the current triangulation via cell towers and WiFi that's provided by Skyhook.