The next 3.2 iPhone, which is due to be released this year, is set to have video calling, a technology that carriers welcome as it drives bandwidth via both their data and broadband networks. Among the carriers that will be able to support the technology is Telstra with its Next G Network, which will shortly move to 42Mbps.A discovery in the iPhone 3.2 developer kit reveals that developers of applications will be able to build in video calls on its device.
Icons in the Telephony UI framework would cover accepting or declining a video chat invitation; code references alternately make references to “iChat” and (in the video toolbox) “VideoChat.” No apps are currently podsted to the Apple application store that support this feature.
Which devices would get the feature aren’t clear. Alleged spare frame parts for the iPad show room for a camera in the initial design, but front video cameras have been a staple of some higher-end smartphones for years and would be borne out by hints of a taller iPhone that might make room for the added optics.
In other stories on SmartHouse, we revealed via our Taiwan sources that Apple is planning a new iPhone with a larger screen. Currently the company is talking to suppliers about sourcing components for the device.
