• iPhone 2 to be 22% thinner. We called this one unlikely, since you'd have to ditch some of the cool stuff inside to do it. And guess what? With even more cool stuff inside, the iPhone 3G is actually a tiny .02-inches thicker, though you'd hardly notice.

• Better battery, more RAM. Darnit. We called more RAM as likely, but Apple pulled a techno magic rabbit out of the hat and made the battery last longer despite the added tech.

• GPS function on board. We said this could indeed be true, and Apple obliged by giving us built-in GPS and even demonstrating some location-based apps. Hoorah, now somebody please give me turn-by-turn navigation.

• Squarer shape. We said "why mess with a winning design" and largely Apple didn't. In fact, the 3G is a little curvier.

• Front-facing camera, mobile TV. Calling the front-facing cam "reasonably likely" was off target, since the Jesusphone 3G doesn't have one. Does that disappoint you, video-chat callers? As we guessed, mobile TV was a no too.

• US low-end iPhone to cost $200. Kevin Rose turned out to be bang on target! Bless him.

• Spain to get €100 iPhone 2, UK to get £100 version. Our contacts said that the €100 figure wasn't right at the time, and final pricing schemes weren't going to be announced yet. But some lucky O2 customers in the UK will be able to get one free. Free! Good grief.

• iPhone to ship first week of July. We said this was possible, but our sources suggested sooner. Well, the 11th is not technically the first week of July, is it?

• Quanta using FedEx to move huge numbers of iPhones. We said "anything's possible," and it is... whatever FedEx was moving about may have been iPhone 3Gs, but they haven't surfaced yet.

• iPhone 2 games to cost upwards of $27. "Understandable" we said, though we noted that developers are free to set their own prices on games. And yesterday that price seemed to be $9.95. Maybe we'll see some premium stuff cost more, if it takes more effort to develop.

Things we missed? The white version was a pleasant surprise, and the addition of contact search and bulk email delete was way overdue.

There you have it. The truth is out there now, and it seems that we were reasonably accurate in our judgments. You can count on Giz. [Gizmodo's iPhone 3G Coverage]

•iPhone 2 to be 22% thinner. Thinness-wise it may not be cake-cutting MacBook Air slim, but the iPhone's already fairly slender. You want more thinness, and more capability?
Verdict: Maybe, but only if you leave some good stuff out.

•Better battery, more RAM. Who wouldn't want these features in a portable media player? It'd have to be a balance against the 22% thinner rumor. But technology does advance quickly...
Verdict: A definite possibility, at least on the RAM front.

•GPS function on board. More accurate than cell-tower positioning, and rumors based on FCC info even say Broadcom is chip-provider. Then again, wouldn't on-board GPS require Apple to develop turn-by-turn navigation software?
Verdict: Could be true. Location-based services FTW.

•Squarer shape. Icons hidden in the iPhone SDK hint at a squarer shape versus the shiny curved corners of the first version. True, or are the icons just placeholders?
Verdict: Who knows, but why mess with a winning design?

•Front-facing camera, mobile TV. A source in Swisscom, Switzerland's iPhone supplier suggested these two. Many a 3G phone can do video-calling, and mobile TV seems like progression from the slightly unexpected youTube app.
Verdict: Camera and video calling is reasonably likely, assuming 3G technology. Mobile TV? No way.

•US low-end iPhone to cost $200. Kevin Rose set the rumor mill spinning when he suggested that the iPhone 2 would launch at half the 8GB iPhone price, and $100 less than the 8GB iPod touch.
Verdict: Sounds nice, but Kevin's predictions have been off-target before...

•Spain to get €100 iPhone 2, UK to get £100 version. Local reports in Spain suggested this price for people signing up to a 24-36 month contract and the Times suggested similar deals in the UK.
Verdict: Our contacts say not this cheap in Spain, but it's not like we've seen signed contracts or anything.

•iPhone to ship first week of July. An insider with the UK's O2 apparently let slip to T3 that they'll be "very busy" in the first week July. And similarly on June 9th. 2+2=4.
Verdict: A four-week news-to-launch timescale is reasonable, but disagrees with what we've learned from our sources.

•Quanta using FedEx to move huge numbers of iPhones. Forbes.com staked out Apple contract manufacturer Quanta, and saw frantic activity. Could be iPhone 2s, could be someone else's electronics: the boxes are just plain brown.
Verdict: At this point in the timeline, anything's possible.

•iPhone 2 games to cost upwards of $27. The CEO of Spanish game developers LemonQuest says that a new generation of iPhone games are coming, and that they'll be sold in iTunes for the equivalent of around $27.
Verdict: Understandable, given the capabilities the new iPhone would have and the already-revealed game-friendly SDK. However, developers are free to set their own prices on games, so don't expect every game to cost $27. When's the last time you saw a mobile cellphone game cost that much?

So, there you have it. Which'll prove accurate? The truth is out there... and we'll find out on Monday.

We have heard rumors that the upcoming 3G iPhone will be thicker because of possible additions like GPS and a larger battery, and we have heard rumors on the other end of the spectrum that say it will be up to 22 percent thinner than the current version. So the question here is: What do you believe? Will the 3G iPhone be thinner or thicker than the current model (and why)?

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When the BlackBerry Bold was announced and began drawing tangential iPhone comparisons, I entertained the idea of buying that instead, because of its tactile QWERTY.

It makes me feel a little better to see Apple scouting for design engineers (even if that hire isn't for the 2nd gen iPhone), because hopefully it means they've been working to improve it. And the supposed thicker size of the phone has me hoping they threw a bigger battery in to compensate for the rumored 3G and GPS. I'm really bad about remembering to charge my gadgets, making me gravitate towards phones I only need to plug in once or twice a week.

So will the new tech specs and open apps be enough to sway me to the Steve side of the cellphone universe? I'll know after June 9th. [iPhone on Giz]

There are no 14.4Mbps baseband chips commercially available in the market now—much less back when the new 3G iPhone development started
• In fact, there are no HDSPA-based mobile devices of any kind supporting more than 7.2Mbps at this point, and even those are still not common.
• Any 14.4Mbps mobile devices won't hit the market until 2009.
• 24 and 42Mbps mobile devices are, at this point, nothing but a hot fantasy that won't materialize until the next decade.

The 3G baseband chip most likely to be in the iPhone 3G is the Infineon S-Gold 3.
• The iPhone beta firmware code specifically mentions the Infineon S-GOLD 3.
• There have been multiple press and analysts' reports about Infineon getting the contract for the next version, continuing its relationship with Apple—right now the iPhone uses the Infineon S-GOLD 2 as its baseband chip.

The S-GOLD 3 tops at 7.2Mbps.

S-GOLD 3 Multimode - HSDPA, WCDMA, E-GPRS Baseband IC with embedded multimedia functions; launch in the market Q3 2007 HSDPA 7.2Mbps, WCDMA 384kbps class UL/DL & EDGE multislot class 12, including SAIC/DARP support

So yes, the Telstra network may support 14.4mbps devices, but most likely—and unless there were five million supersecret 42Mbps baseband chips that nobody knows about, hidden in an subaquatic lair in the Pacific—the iPhone 3G, already well into production ahead of its June 9 launch, will not support those speeds for a very long time to come.

Maybe the unnamed Telstra senior executive is implying that, next Xmas, Apple will introduce an iPhone with a radically redesigned motherboard using that supersecret baseband chip that nobody knows about right now. Or maybe he's just a clown.

I'll take Kangaroo dung for $500. [Channel News]

According to Palluxo.com, the two companies have already met, with a follow up meeting planned for next week to discuss licensing terms of Immersion's haptic technology. The iPhone would likely receive force feedback via inbuilt sensors, meaning a vibration of sorts would be output at the touch of on screen buttons, which would make the absence of a physical QWERTY that much more bearable. We'd probably give our right bionic arm (if we had one) for such haptic feedback on the iPhone, so we're hoping these rumorings are as solid as well formed stool. Until we hear something concrete, we'll keep you entertained with poo jokes. (See above.) [Palluxo]

LG will be working on all the decent phone features, while Prada will be putting together crap themes, annoying ringtones and other stuff to ensure the handset is just a little rubbish. The LG Prada successor is expected to launch in Q4, 2008. We're excited. [Eprice via Unwired View]

First, StuffTV went to Nike's HQ in Oregon and got "official" word on Nike+ iPhone from the winged footwear maker. The fully exploit the graphic capabilities of the iPhone, Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity to provide Nike+ applications to go, including the Nike+ Coach feature. No surprises here, as previous strings found in the code of the iPhone 1.2.0 beta firmware talked about Nike+. According to Greek iPhone site "IPhone Hellas," however, those strings are gone from the latest version. They, on the other side, found the following:

• There is as string that says "HeadphonesBT"—as opposed to the current "HeadsetBT"— as well as "RoleA2DP" which could indicate Bluetooth stereo headphones support in this release.
• There's a string called "RoleGPS" which may indicate GPS support.
• New "RoleRemote" string may indicate... using the iPhone as a remote for a computer or the AppleTV via Wi-Fi? Who knows.
• There's a mention to Printer in the Library directory.
• There's also a string that says

'BRICKED_AND_SIM_LOCKED_STRING BrickedDevice Ignoring request to unlock because we're blocked or bricked '

Which seems to indicate that Apple is readying their software to battle the usual suspects after so many different unlock successes. [StuffTV, iPhone Hellas via New Launches]

p.s. Here's another Friday bonus secret:

• Beta only with final coming at WWDC?
True - Today's SDK announcement was beta, and though it's available today to anyone who wants to try it out. They can even run the iPhone Simulator on their Mac. The iPhone 2.0 software isn't going to be out until June at all, unless you happen to be a "selected developer or enterprise customer."

• Free through Apple Developer Connection?
Not exactly - It's a free beta for anyone, but Apple launched the iPhone Developer Program which will charge developers $99 per year for the right to publicly release iPhone apps, and distribute them via the new App Store.

• Mac OS only (because of XCode)?
Yes... and no - The SDK runs mainly on the iPhone itself, with a very cool new Cocoa Touch multi-touch interface. There's a debugger and an iPhone simulator that run only on the Mac, but theoretically you can develop without either Mac or PC. (OK, that sounds like a dodge: No, nothing Jobs mentioned today works with Windows.)

• Camera access?
Yes - During the SDK briefing, they said "Image picker will allow you to grab images from the camera/iphone library."

• EDGE and Wi-Fi for data?
Yes - Among the Core Services are Net Services and Networking options, as well as something called "Core Location," which will let developers create "location-aware" apps.

• Bluetooth 2.0 open?
No - Sorry we don't have more of a backstory there.

• Flash support?
No - Jobs' preemptive trash-talk stuck.

• Dock connector for accessories blocked?
No That is to say, "Yes, it is blocked" - We're being told that dev for docks is not available at this time. Fingers crossed for the future!

• iTunes as application hub/Apple as app picker?
Yes, sorta - There's an iTunesy App Store which can be used both over-the-air on the iPhone (or iPod touch) itself, or sideloaded via a Mac or presumably a PC, via iTunes.

• Unfettered freeware?
No - Here's one for the smashing block: Free software will be available, but only through the App Store, where programs will be edited for content.

[Apple iPhone SDK Launch on Giz]

I mean, come on, what the heck is an iFlip now? A codename for the MacBooks? Is someone at Best Buy flipping? Please place your bets in the comments. [Thanks Ben]

According to this source, these are not the MacBook Pros you are looking for:

I just printed the inventory at FutureShop, the store I work at, and found new MacBooks... NOT MacBook Pros. The items are APPLE MACB MB402LL/A and MB403LL/A. I saw this posted in other places, but the prices is what will interest you. They're listed at 1149.99 and 1349.99. These are Canadian prices, mind you, so I imagine they'll be less in the states. Take a look at the picture, the two I'm mentioning are at the bottom.

Of course, Obi Kenobi here could have printed this out off Excel. But Macrumors recently got a separate source showing similarly low prices attached to the new model numbers.

"To be honest, we really don't know yet. We're waiting to hear."

According to the author of this fantasy, "the Keyboard Wireless Dock connects to the dock using Wireless USB. It also has a bigger hard drive, some sort of DVD player/burner, inputs for your USB and Firewire devices. The whole keyboard part itself is used as a large multitouch track pad. Since the keys need to be depressed when hit, you can do lighter touches as you move across the whole thing."

Hokai. It also probably dices potatoes, synthesizes Strawberry Daiquiris and teleports you to other planets full of wonderful civilizations with sculptural Monica-Belucci-style oiled amazons or George-Clooney-style oiled warriors (depending on your preference), that will name you their King or Queen. In other words, it doesn't make much sense.

The black Powerbook-Titanium-style is quite nice, though. The concept may be feasible too: I like the idea of having an on-the-go tablet with touch keyboard for surfing, video, music and photography using a touch-optimized iLife suite. But one thing is some people finding the idea attractive, and the other is people buying it: unfortunately, the market for this kind of device could be quite limited as other keyboard-less Tablet PCs have demonstrated in the past. Even if we assume that Apple's implementation may make a difference, as it did in the case of the key-less iPhone, the market will still be very limited. One thing is a device like the iPhone, for short SMS/mails, and a very different thing is this kind of device.

Furthermore, looking at Apple's recent history, the company is not one that likes to create new markets, but improve on ones that may have true mass-market potential (like the iPod in the music market, or the iPhone in the cellphone market.) That's why a ultra-slim laptop idea, not a tablet, with Flash storage at a cheap price point sounds like a more realistic (and equally as sexy) as this tablet. Down the line, such product may get a touch-screen. At this point, a device like the one pictured here still looks like a risky proposition.

The mini-dock concept, on the other hand, seems like a real possibility for the rumored ultra-slim MacBook. If Apple finally decided to release such a machine without an optical drive, the dock seems like a reasonable combo. At least, a more elegant and more practical solution than their iMac-dock patent (and quite cheaper.) With a real keyboard. Apple did this in the past too with the PowerBook Duo. It was a good machine at the time, but limited. Perhaps like with the case of the Newton and the iPhone, now is the right time to implement all these technologies at the right price.

We will have to wait and see if all these wishes get granted by the Wizard of Cupertino. In the meantime, we can all vote and see what a part of the market, the readers of Gizmodo, really want. [Flickr via MacRumors Forums]

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[There's] a smaller chance Apple may use a combo Blu-ray/HD DVD drive to ensure full compatibility and not get involved in the format wars.

* The ability to send an SMS message to multiple people is now there
* Google Maps application can now pinpoint your location using cell tower triangulation
* Google Maps can now display the Hybrid map view
* You can now drag and drop application icons on your home screen
* The home screen supports pagination
* You can now add web bookmarks to your home screen

Silverthrone was specifically designed for cellphones and UMPCs, using a mere tenth of the power consumption of a typical laptop chip while retaining the speed of a second-gen Pentium M. In addition to it being super-efficient, it's also much cheaper to manufacture than current mobile chips, which should lead to lower prices (or higher profit margins) for any devices it's placed into.

In any case, Apple seems pretty dedicated to the platform, and with "multiple devices" promised, that's gotta be more than just the 3G iPhone we all know is coming. Could it be a new tablet? An ultra-portable laptop? It could be something like the image up top, which is a prototype created by Intel that can run for 24 straight hours without needing a recharge thanks to the efficiency of Silverthorne. MacWorld is in a couple of weeks, so it's possible that something using the platform will be announced then. Time will tell, but it certainly hints at pretty exciting things. [AppleInsider]

We hate to burst your bubble but Joystiq has provided some convincing evidence that the recent video showing a DS version of Mario Galaxy was a fake —albeit a very good one. It appears that a shorter, more stable version of the was posted on a video-sharing site by a user with the handle psycho3ler. That is the same guy behind the infamous Nintendo ON hoax video from 2005. So yeah, there will be no Galaxy for the DS (for now) —but you probably already saw this one coming. We are used to having our hopes and dreams crushed. [Stage9 Video and Nintendo On Video via Joystiq]

The debate raged on behind the scenes, here's what the weekend team made of it:

Mark: Bullshit!... Later Luigi stuff doesn't look fake... you know what it could be, streaming from the Wii.
Jesus: Looks totally real to me... I can't imagine anyone recreating that in low poly count.
Haroon: Hey guys, are you into elf fetishes?
Eric the Intern: I think it's fake... the DS can't render something that nice looking.

There you go, the opinions are divided. Let us know what you make of it—is it real, fake or are you into elf fetishes? Who knows? Drop your comments below. [Youtube via New Launches]

When iPhone will be launched in Spain? Telefonica expects it on May.

Will Telefonica release a 3G iPhone version on May?
Yes! They expect it.

Final worthwhile bits: Spring is the worldwide ship date, and a weird mention that the "Google Phone...could blow open this model by providing easy access to the Internet at PC-type speeds." Juicy, pertinent info or random hypothetical? We'll know soon. [USA Today]

Apparently the handsets will include the W890i, which will be a 3G Walkman branded cellphone, have a 3.2MP camera, an accelerometer for gesture based controls and a refresh to Sony's Walkman media player software. The second phone in the supposed list will be the W380i, a lower end Walkman phone also toting gesture based controls. Finally, the last model, (which has been officially unveiled, but not launched), shall go by the K660i moniker and is designed specifically for Internet browsing. The launch details could all quite possibly be rhubarb, but we shall keep you posted on any developments. [Sony Ericsson, Cellpassion via BGR]