/article/2011/04/21/134644-a5_ipad_2_150px.jpg?lossy)
9 to 5 Mac reports that it has heard from a source that Apple has been providing developers at high-level iOS gaming companies with new prototype iPhone models based on the A5 system-on-chip found in the iPad 2. The developers are said to have been given access to the devices, which look exactly like the iPhone 4 from the outside, to assist them in preparing for advanced graphics and computational performance available with the new chip.
They already have select developers working on versions of their iPhone applications that take full advantage of the next-generation iPhone's speedier and much more powerful hardware. These developers, seemingly from high-level gaming outfits, have been given what is essentially an iPhone 4 but with an A5 processor instead of an A4. The device itself is virtually identical to the iPhone 4, and there is no way anyone can tell it's not an iPhone 4 based on the phone's exterior.
The source is reportedly calling the prototype iPhone an "iPhone 4S" in a nod to the iPhone 3G-to-iPhone 3GS transitioned, but that appears to be an unofficial name. The souped-up iPhone 4 is also said to reside in a company safe when not in active use, an understandable move given Apple's penchant for secrecy.
The report notes that this A5-based iPhone isn't necessarily the next-generation iPhone rumored to be released in September, but may simply be a sort of mid-stage custom upgrade to give prominent developer partners access to hardware performing at nearly the same level as we will see with the fifth-generation iPhone. Apple is of course expected to pack in other new features such as an upgraded camera and presumably a world-mode wireless chip for the next iPhone, but those features are apparently not included on these development units.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)If the hardware isn't that much different from the iPad 2 then why would they give it to devs early?
You can't accurately judge how a game will run on an iPhone based on the iPad. Size and weight play a big part in terms of locations for on screen controls.I'd like more memory, perhaps going 768MB in the meantime - that extra 256MB over the 4 will easily hold an extra 10-20 apps in memory.
Are they adding some decent controls though?
Yeah... a slide out Joy stick! :rolleyes:
2) Spend time in Cupertino's outer circle at select geek houses in Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Saratoga, Los Gatos or Mountain View.
3) Show the game off to the right engineers.
4) Win the geek Q&A
5) Learn how to get on the PVT list
6) Ignore anyone that doesn't code inside Apple
7) Don't piss off Steve.
8) Don't act sub-servant to Steve.
9) Learn to love beach volleyball.
Rinse and Repeat for every new hardware cycle.
When I said "that's about it," it wasn't a negative thing. When it comes to an iPhone, if they made those enhancements, that's plenty to guarantee another year of success. Especially alongside iOS 5.
Sorry, may have misunderstood. Fair enough.