Clues of a possible successor to the iPhone 3GS have been detected by an application used by San Francisco public transportation. The hints were found in logs of iBart, a guide to the California city’s subway, according to a report Monday. The logs identified as “iPhone 3,1” a device used to connect to the transportation guide. The iPhone 3GS identifies itself as “iPhone 2,1” – a signal the mysterious handset could include major upgrades to Apple’s popular touchscreen phone.
The report by MacRumors cites PinchMedia which created the iBart software for San Francisco. In early 2009, the publication reported the “iPhone 2,1” string was detected followed by Apple’s June release of the current iPhone. The Cupertino, Calif. company uses the first number in the string to signify a major change.
The news comes amid analyst reports that Apple could unveil an iPhone compatible with Verizon’s network in 2010. AT&T, the current U.S. iPhone carrier, is expected to lose its exclusive contract with Apple in June.
In related news, Apple is searching for a software engineer to take the iPhone Maps application “to the next level.” The job search follows Apple’s earlier purchase of Placebase and talk of increased competition with Google Maps. Placebase could provide iPhone Maps with data including home sales, demographics, crime figures, mortgage lending and school performance.
Mapping has become the latest point of contention between Apple and the Mountain View, Calif. Internet giant. In July, Apple turned thumbs-down on a Google Lattitude application, charging its inclusion would prompt confusion. After the rejection, Google introduced a Web-based version of Lattitude.
In response to Apple’s iPhone Maps, Google beefed-up its Google Maps Navigation, a free navigation application the company added to Motorola’s Droid handset.
[Via MacRumors and AppleInsider]
