iPhone News Updated

Apple iPhone 4G could go on sale by early June

Apple iPhone 4G could go on sale by early June

Apple boss Steve Jobs is expected to unveil the iPhone 4G on June 7, ending weeks of controversy surrounding a missing prototype of the model.

He is due to make the key note address at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, where the company has traditionally launched their latest products.

The third-generation iPhone was unveiled at last year’s conference and went on sale less than two weeks later.

Technology experts are expecting fewer surprises this time round after a prototype of the fourth-generation smartphone found its way into the hands of a blogger on the website Gizmodo.

Journalist Jason Chen stripped the phone down and posted details and images of the mobile on the website.

He revealed the iPhone 4G would almost certainly include a front-facing video camera, a higher spec back-camera with flash and a Micro-Sim like the iPad (which makes data more secure). It also features smaller components allowing a 16 per cent larger battery.

Gizmodo owners Gawker Media said they had paid $5,000 for the phone, disguised in a iPhone 3G case after it was apparently left in a Californian bar by Apple employee Gray Powell.

The exclusive created a media storm and the website had more than three million hits in just 12 hours. The bloggers said they then returned the device to Apple after an official request.

But the plot thickened when police later raided Mr Chen’s house and took away a number of computers, mobiles and other devices.

Part of a search warrant posted on Gizmodo.com revealed police were looking for any information about the Apple prototype 4G iPhone.

Stephen Wagstaffe, spokesman for the San Mateo County District Attorney’s office, confirmed Apple had contacted his office to report a crime.

Presenter Jon Stewart slammed Apple’s heavy-handed response on The Daily Show.

He said: ‘Apple - you guys were the rebels, man, the underdogs. People believed in you. But now, are you becoming the man? Remember back in 1984, you had those awesome ads about overthrowing Big Brother? Look in the mirror, man!

‘It wasn’t supposed to be this way - Microsoft was supposed to be the evil one! But you guys are busting down doors in Palo Alto while Commandant Gates is ridding the world of mosquitoes!’

He added: ‘Come on, Steve (Jobs). Chill out with the paranoid corporate genius stuff. Don’t go all Howard Hughes on us.’

He ended his rant by asking sheepishly if he could receive one of the latest iPhones.

The iPhone has been a hit with consumers ever since it debuted in 2007. Apple sold a record 8.75 million smartphones in its most recent quarter.

AT&T is the iPhone’s exclusive carrier in the United States. Analysts predict that Apple will bring the device to Verizon in 2011.

Apple’s conference will also include its first iPad development sessions. Apple started selling the 9.7-inch touchscreen tablet earlier this month, and it saw strong early demand, selling 500,000 units in the first week.

[Thanks: http://www.dailymail.co.uk]