iPhone 3.0 firmware, expected to be released in June, may provide native voice activation and voice-enabled services previously available only with third-party applications, according to emerging reports.
Code-named Jibbler, according to sources cited by Ars Technica Monday, the new services appear to be an enhancement to the iPhone’s SpringBoard application, a Finder-esque app that acts as a launcher and will support the newly announced 3.0 Spotlight search.
While there is thus far no indication whether any of these voice features would be tied to new hardware, also expected this summer, or if new features will be compatible with existing iPhone hardware, the implications for voice-controlled dialing, which other popular mobile phones have had for some time, and additional hands-free functionality position the iPhone to remain atop its class of touch screen smartphones for some time to come.
Lonnie Lazar is a writer-musician-web designer-attorney. He writes about Apple for Cult of Mac and Mac|Life, and about VoIP and telecommunications for Voxilla. Follow Lonnie on Twitter @LonnieLazar, join the Cult of Mac on Facebook, and find Lonnie’s photos on Flickr.
