iPhone 2.0 in June?

There is speculation from all directions about the iPhone 2 rumored to be (at least) announced by Steve Jobs in his scheduled keynote at Apple's WWDC (World Wide Developer's Conference) on June 9. You can be sure that there will be tons of people hanging on every word when he talks. Not that that's anything new...most people probably don't realize that there is a large following when Jobs talks that involves live website updates, blogs and twittering from the seats while the tech guru makes his presentations.

The iPhone 2 is rumored to include everything from the 3G network speeds to 2 video cameras that would allow iChat (video instant messaging) and render the "most likely should have been an Apple product" iFlip video camera obsolete (there's another $149 I can put toward my new iPhone). Some sites have reported it to be thinner, some have suggested it might have a clear "touch" flip that would function as the current iPhone when closed, but flip down to reveal a larger "virtual" keyboard that doesn't sacrifice any screen real estate. There are rumors that claim the new iPhone will also be the Newton including an even better handwriting recognition.  The Newton was ahead of it's time in many ways and sparked the PDA revolution by inspiring Palm. I think Apple can own that market as well. Real GPS is floating around the virtual watercooler as well.  Some rumors claim that you will have secure access to your entire Mac ("Oops! I left that file at the office!") as well as access to your entire iTunes library on the road.  Sweet. 

Personally I'd like to see these and more, including iTunes purchases on the fly (but then again, I'd like to see BSG (Battlestar Galactica) back on iTunes along with the rest of Universal/NBC's lineup). I'd also like the capability of recording shows from the cable attached to my AppleTV and the ability to control that device from my iPhone (which would render NBC's pricing argument moot.)  One of the best rumors of all is that Apple and AT&T will offer the new iPhone with a subsidy pricing bringing the unit within reach of many more consumers who used to have to settle for the likes of a BlackBerry because it wasn't $400. Bring the price down to $199 and add wonderful new features like these? Apple stock will soar as their estimate of "10 million units in 2008" prove to be extremely conservative.

Whatever Jobs reveals in June, it will spark the imagination of those NOT on the Apple campus in Cupertino. There's a whole brainstorm pool brimming with talent out here...I hope Apple is listening.

Hey, in the euphoria that you are sure to experience when you buy the iPhone 2, just don't forget to recycle your old used cellphones (iPhone 1 or otherwise) at SellyourCell.com.