New iPhone to Have Video Recording Capabilities?

There was no mention of video recording at the iPhone OS 3.0 event, so if you want to be able record video on your iPhone, it looks like you are still stuck jailbreaking your iPhone. Or are you?

According to a report by AppleInsider, a "person who's proven extremely reliable" has told them the next generation iPhone will finally introduce video recording capabilities.

Heck, that's something that's I've been speculating about for some time. In fact, the discovery of strings for both "iPhone2,1" and "iPhone3,1" in the iPhone OS 3.0 beta firmware leads to speculation that Apple might be introducting more than one phone this summer, perhaps a lower-priced nano version, or more likely, an upscale higher-priced premium version.

Adding to the speculation over video recording capabilities was the discovery of a MobileMe setting that specified "Publish Video." If that capability existed, it could make good use of the rumored faster 3G on the new iPhone as well.

Heavy sigh. Looks like Apple's yearly refresh of iPhone hardware is set to continue. It makes the fact that AT&T signs us up for two-year contracts very annoying, even if the rumored trade-in program is real.

One thing, however. Even simple cellphones have video recording functionality. Apple may not feel that the iPhone as it currently exists offers the "optimal" video recording experience, but if a simple candy bar phone can have it, why can't the iPhone?

It shows how a closed system such as the App Store, with only approved apps being available for download / sale to iPhone users, actually encourages people to jailbreak.

Honestly, I might buy a new iPhone, if it comes this summer. But I might not. If not, I will at least consider jailbreaking it, to get that missing functionality (video recording, and more). Of course, Apple considers jailbreaking illegal, so I may not.

No-Commitment iPhone 3G Pricing Coming, But at a High Cost

According to internal documents obtained by BGR, AT&T is set to offer no-commitment pricing for the iPhone 3G (meaning no activation, no contact) starting March 26th. While this further gives credence to the "new iPhone" rumors, it's also true those new offerings will be quite pricey.

The new no-commit pricing will be $599 for the 8GB model and $699 for the 16GB model. Only existing customers can buy, and only one device per line, though the documents say there's really no way to tell if a customer has already purchased one.

Don't think you will get away cheap; if you activate on AT&T's network you will have to add a data plan.

While that gives you the opportunity to get a device with no contract, it's not unlocked, so I don't see much of an attraction. Personally, if I were in the market, I would just hang tight until the announcement of the new phone.

Will they sell? We'll see.