New Apple iPhone Rumors Abound As WWDC Nears

With Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference just about two weeks away, rumors of new iPhone hardware are gathering steam, promising everything from a 32-GB giant version to an Apple iPhone capable of video recording.

It's no surprise that the spotlight is on the Apple iPhone as WWDC kicks off June 8 in San Francisco. The smartphone has been Apple's bread and butter since it launched two years ago and the launch of a new iPhone device at WWDC would fall in sync with Apple's iPhone launch schedule, which saw the first-generation iPhone hit stores in June 2007 and the now-iconic iPhone 3G follow in July 2008.

Here are some of the latest iPhone rumors dominating the blogosphere:

First, the third-generation iPhone could to come in six distinct versions, two with 3G connectivity, two with enhanced 3G, a Chinese version and one more. Each version uses the country-specific networks where they're available. While this one is feasible, rolling out six completely different hardware models, when the previous generation only featured two, is a bit of a stretch, even for Apple, which knows how to keep costs low while still churning out innovative devices.

Another rumor is that Apple is preparing to launch a massive 32 GB iPhone, doubling the storage capacity of its largest model, the 16 GB iPhone 3G. Word of this hulking iPhone started in earnest when Apple reportedly began scooping up oodles of flash memory chips a few months back. This rumor makes the most sense, as when it comes to storage bigger is always better. It's just a question of whether the iPhone-hungry masses would drop an extra $100 for a bulked up smartphone.

It is also widely speculated that an OLED iPhone could be in the offing. An iPhone Apps blog is speculating that a new iPhone will hit the market on July 17 and feature an OLED screen, a 3.2 megapixel camera, 256 MB of RAM, a strong processor, longer battery life, rubber-tread backing, an FM transmitter and an Apple logo that lights up on the back, similar to the Macbook icons that glow in every neighborhood Starbucks. In this instance, the iPhone is also expected to feature turn-by-turn directions and a built-in compass and come in 16 GB and 32 GB sizes. All of these features sound great, but seem to focus more on fashion than function.

And, yes, there are still rumors swirling that a mini iPhone, or iPhone Nano, could be the next big -- or little, if you will -- innovation to come out of Cupertino. Theories on a shrunken down iPhone have been kicked around for months and were quickly refuted. But with WWDC nearing, they've kicked up again offering promises of a new 4 GB iPhone model with a recession-proof price-point of just under $100. This one, too, is plausible, seeing that there are also rumors that Apple plans to update its iPod Nano line at WWDC, so a miniature iPhone might not be too far afield.

Lastly, and most realistically, is a rumor that the new Apple iPhone could get video capabilities. Rumors of video, along with all of the others that swirl, include that the newest iPhone software, iPhone OS 3.0, will support MMS. Logic would dictate that if the new iPhone hardware can support MMS, it can support video. Additionally, word is apple is working to upgrade the built-in iPhone camera to make photos clearer, meaning video capabilities wouldn't be a stretch.