Next iPhone to include 4G, video calling and HDTV.. and here's why

Apple have historically named devices by generation with the exception of one thing; the iPhone. This even confused the press when BBC Newsbeat reported that a 4g iPhone was on the way (when they were actually referring to the 3GS, which is actually the iPhone 3G. Confusing, I know!) However, the next iPhone release is expected in July 2010, by which time the amount of iPhones models released (remember, 3 so far) will match the new network standard, 4g.

Keeping this in mind unfolds the reason behind Apple's decision to have a different naming convention for the iPhone to every other iPod based device it makes. They wanted it to keep up with the network standard. Clever, huh.

4G opens the floodgates where mobile communication is concerned, and with Android, Palm and even Winmo hot on the heels of iPhone's previously unique touchscreen experience, Apple really need to pull out all the stops in 2010. This will be entirely possible with 4g network capability. Apple have a habit of releasing desktop items and closely following with iPhone versions. I personally consider every innovative desktop application released by Apple to be a sneak preview of what's to come on the iPhone. The latest and greatest of this is the new iChat. Small window in a big window? Sound familiar? Indeed, this PiP technology has been present in Symbian, Sony SE, and Winmo phones for quite some time, but Apple have intentionally held it back. They simple cannot afford to do this anymore because the competition is just too strong.

Taking into account all this information, it is very very likely the iPhone 4g will have at least:

• A front facing camera for iChat video conferencing (this could also be the reason Apple never included a hard button for taking pictures, despite it being ridiculously difficult to take self portraits. They knew they were going to put a front facing camera on the iPhone.)
  
• 4G network capability to facilitate iChat conferencing.
• High quality streaming, such as iPlayer HD, HD downloads from iTunes etc.
  
  

If Apple don't do the above in 2010, there is a real chance they will start to lose out on what is already a minority share.
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