iPhone 4S Name and Dual-Mode Baseband Referenced in Latest iTunes Beta

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9to5Mac has dug up a hidden gem in the latest iTunes beta that directly references the iPhone 4S. This is different from all of the other 4S rumors. This time it’s coming directly from Apple itself.

Not only does iTunes beta 9 mention the iPhone 4S, but it also affirms that rumor that Apple’s next smartphone will strongly resemble the iPhone 4 and feature a dual-mode/GSM + CDMA baseband.

The image associated with the “iPhone 4S” in the latest iTunes beta code is of a CDMA iPhone 4. Apple could very well just have the image there as a placeholder until Apple announces the real thing, but 9to5Mac feels certain that the iPhone 4S will be an evolutionary update based closely on the Verizon iPhone 4.

There are only two color references for the iPhone 4S, while the iPhone 4 has 4 direct references for both colors in GSM and CDMA flavors. It’s been a long-standing rumor that the next iPhone will be a “world phone” capable of running on both GSM and CDMA networks, and this finding in iTunes only reaffirms that speculation. Apple briefly pulled iTunes beta 9 this afternoon from the Dev Center, but the download has reappeared with this 4S reference still present.

Rumors of a redesigned iPhone 5 with a tapered, ‘teardrop’ design have started dying down leading up to the actual announcement this Tuesday, with the exception of some case leaks from China. More evidence suggests that the iPhone 4S will be unveiled on Tuesday with a design based heavily on the iPhone 4.

The device will likely feature internal upgrades in the processor and camera department. The real killer feature is expected to be iOS 5’s “Assistant” voice recognition technology.

Update: MacRumors has confirmed that the first iPhone 4S reference from Apple was actually in iTunes beta 6.1. That particular beta was released on August 29th, 2011. It’s coming, folks.

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