The iPhone is the best cellphone on the market. Tradeshows have turned into a competitions over who can copy Apple's success first. With nothing coming close, it may seem aimless to speculate on future iPhone models - but speculate I will. If there's one thing that sets Apple apart from other tech companies it's their finesse for innovation.

They're obsessed with it.

They don't just stay ahead of the curve, they build the curve. Apple CEO and messiah to the Apple faithful, Steve Jobs, is guaranteed to have a small band of specialists working on the next iPhone model at this very moment. So, let's look forward to the end of 2008 and take a peek at what's in iPhone 2.0?

Firstly, it will look different. Not very different, but different none the less. It will probably look like a mini version of the new iMac they brought out a couple of weeks before. It will be thinner, have a brighter and maybe even bigger screen. It might come in a few different colors, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

Earlier in the year, late February 2008, Apple would have opened the iPhone up to third-party developers. They'll already be a host of games and new content that you can download straight to your iPhone without needing a computer. This feature will continue in iPhone 2.0. It might even go further, it wouldn't take much for Apple to update the iPhone's entire firmware over wi-fi.

On the inside will be the latest version of wi-fi, the last one will seem achingly slow. If Apple hasn't already released a 3G version earlier that year, they will do it now. It will also have bluetooth and you will be able to sync wirelessly with your computer and even over the internet.

The camera will be better and if Apple is really earning their salt they'll be another camera to enable video chats with other iPhones or even Mac computers. If they haven't managed to wow us by putting the second camera into or behind the display, it will be sunken discreetly behind the glass on the front.

What can you do with your newfangled iPhone 2.0?

Well, you can go to Apple's online store which has been updated so that you can buy iPhone applications and even music videos. You'll probably be able to watch movie trailers as well.

If Apple doesn't do it, some smarty pants will have developed an application which lets you access music on your computer wirelessly over the internet from anywhere in the world.

It's gonna be an awesome device.

What happens in late 2008 / early 2009 when Nokia comes out with their iPhone killer, the nPhone? Well, Apple might politely wait a few weeks to let the buzz die down lest they be overshadowed, and then they'll release new iPhone. It will have any number of the features above and probably a few more surprises thrown in for good measure.

Then, the almighty Steve Jobs says the words the crowd has been clamoring to hear...

"One more thing."

He reaches into he jeans and produces a tiny silver gadget. Beaming at the crowd he introduces us,

"The iPhone mini."

Learn more about this author, Ben Winsor.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about The future of the iPhone?
We want to hear your view. Write now!