Hype builds around features for new iPhone

A new iPhone model from Apple may include video editing capabilities, faster networking chips and a new camera with features for video conferencing, according to a barrage of online rumours.

Apple, which released the popular 3G iPhone to the Australian market last July, has not made any announcements about new models, but is widely expected to release upgrades this year.

Analysts have said that the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference may include a major announcement, as this would coincide with the release of the 3.0 iPhone software, and the end of the first two-year contracts signed by US iPhone users.

Apple news site DigiTimes has claimed that Apple has contracted OmniVision for image sensors to be included in the next iPhone, while Information Week has reported that Apple has filed a patent for video conferencing features.

AppleiPhoneApps.com has also reported that the iPhone engineering group is looking to hire a “camera engineering project manager to drive the design, development, and integration of camera modules across iPhone and iPod”.

AppleInsider has reported that the 3.0 developer’s kit includes a file that describes support for a new Broadcom chip in a new version of the iPod Touch, which includes FM reception and transmission capabilities.

The company last month announced details of the third version of the iPhone operating software, which will include copy and paste functions, multimedia messaging capabilities, and “push” notifications.

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