New iPhones, iPods and OLED screens?

Advertisement (Why?)

Not long ago Apple released the iPhone 3.0 OS beta to developers so that they could start making use of the new software features. Within the new OS were several key signs that Apple is planning new hardware revisions for the iPhone and the iPod Touch.

"Apple normally makes their device IDs in chronological order, from first released to last released. Here is what I found very interesting for you. Quick, here is an example of the past devices:

iPhone First Gen - 0×1290
iPod touch 1G - 0×1291
iPhone 3G - 0×1292
iPod touch 2G - 0×1293

Then, here is what is found in the ramdisk:

iPhone2,1 - 0×1294
iProd0,1 - 0×1295
iPod2,2 - 0×1296
iPhone3,1 - 0×1297
iFPGA - 0×1298
iPod3,1 - 0×1299″

While its worth noting Apple could be trying to fool everyone by including these tags, in the past it has proven to be a fairly reliable way to predict upcoming Apple products.

Also of note is another rumor that Apple is planning to use OLED screens for the next revision of the iPhone and iPod Touch. OLED screens would help to give the new product line a longer battery life which would work well with the newly announced iPhone OS 3.0 features that will drain your battery a smudge quicker.

(3 replies) #1 Dannydeman on 20 Mar 2009 - 13:06

Oled will look awesome, sure. But isn't it to expensive at this moment? I think they would rather use WLED technology.

#1.1 Xero on 20 Mar 2009 - 14:12

I'd love for OLED, but I agree. I think they are a little expensive for such mass production. Although with carriers subsidizing, the cost might not be noticeable to the consumers. I'd be happier with an higher resolution.

#1.2 JahnnyBoy on 20 Mar 2009 - 16:29

Xero said,

Carriers don't subsidize the iPod Touch.

#1.3 Calum on 20 Mar 2009 - 23:06

Don't Sony have some OLED media/music players?

(1 reply) #2 Chonson on 20 Mar 2009 - 13:16

Could it be that some of the new device IDs are those with 3.0 software installed and additional hardware features enabled with that new firmware?

#2.1 profets on 20 Mar 2009 - 13:59

i think the numbers refer solely to hardware, and not firmware.

pretty sure the 2007 & 2008 ipod touches were labelled as iPod1,1 & iPod2,1 , whereas the 2007,2008 iPhones were iPhone1,1 and iPhone1,2.

(1 reply) #3 neufuse on 20 Mar 2009 - 13:42

OLED is nice, but weren't people claiming in the past OLED used MORE power? I sware I read that somewhere and couldn't think of why and LED screen would use more...

#3.1 MightyJordan on 20 Mar 2009 - 18:26

neufuse said,

Doubt it. On an OLED screen, if a black needs to be shown, it simply switches the pixels off, so it uses less power, so if it were implemented on the iPhone, you'd save quite a bit of energy on the main screen.

#4 Airlink on 20 Mar 2009 - 13:45

Ah, the iProd. It's a long white stick you can use to poke people with, but it's fashionably white and has a cool touch-stick interface. Only $499.99 more than it should be, available at your local apple store.

/sarcasm

(1 reply) #5 darkmanx21 on 20 Mar 2009 - 13:48

Ah..nice, although OLED's can't be THAT expensive because I think the new Sony Walkman players incorporate them. Battery life is extended, it looks better but man, the iPhone is already 6 bills unlocked without contract..so any more price raises in this economy right now will not be a great sell..then again this is Apple and they seem to sell **** regardless.

#5.1 BrainDedd on 20 Mar 2009 - 13:55

Was thinking the same thing. lol

(1 reply) #6 MioTheGreat on 20 Mar 2009 - 13:53

Also of note is another rumor that Apple is planning to use OLED screens for the next revision of the iPhone and iPod Touch

Non-news. I bet almost every phone will be switching over to OLED technology over the next couple of years.

#6.1 Calum on 20 Mar 2009 - 23:09

Just because you "bet" that will happen or because it is somewhat obvious, that doesn't mean it isn't news! It's news because the current iPods do not have OLED screens. It's news because it is new.

(4 replies) #7 +techbeck on 20 Mar 2009 - 14:00

New screen and a new price tag I bet...a more expensive price tag.

#7.1 Shadrack on 20 Mar 2009 - 16:02

techbeck said,

Maybe...but in the past when Apple has released product refreshes the prices stayed the same...so i think it is unlikely.

#7.2 JahnnyBoy on 20 Mar 2009 - 16:30

Shadrack said,

Still way overpriced.

#7.3 Shadrack on 20 Mar 2009 - 19:32

I disagree. I've owned several PMP players and currently own a Zune 80GB. Every time I've been in the market for a new one, I've always found that Apple has very comparable prices with their competitors. The only exception to that would be the iPod Shuffle, which I agree is overpriced. But the iPod Classic and the iPod Nano are very competitive. There isn't much out there that is currently competing with the iPod Touch, if you want its feature than it is probably worth it to you. The iPhone is also competitive to the WM/Palm Pre/Android phone selection (but maybe not with blackberry).

IDK... I'm saying Apple (in this market) is competitive. You may believe that all the items on the market are overpriced, and I wouldn't have much of an argument against that.

Now, in the PC market I do think that Apple IS non-competitive/over priced.

#7.4 +techbeck on 20 Mar 2009 - 21:12

We shall see what happens when they release the new models.

#8 Anaron on 20 Mar 2009 - 20:07

An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display saves power because it doesn't need a back light to function. That means the iPhone/iPod Touch's battery will last longer and the screen will be thinner (due to the lack of a back light).

#9 Digix on 21 Mar 2009 - 01:05

Well even if they do welcome to new age mobile screens. N85 is already chugging along with OLED

Commenting has either been disabled on this article or you are not logged in. Click here to login or register, its free!

Note: Anonymous commenting is disabled in order to keep the quality of responses to a high standard.

Neowin.net