The buzz amongst the technology community suggests that Jobs will confirm the existence of, and details behind the next generation iPhone as well as new iPhone OS 4.0 software.

Anticipation behind the announcement has been gradually building since technology news website Gizmodo unveiled a next generation iPhone prototype, which was purchased on the black market for $5000 (R37000) after Apple Engineer Gray Powell lost it in a German bar, in April. As a result Gizmodo editor Jason Chen’s house was raided by California’s Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team (REACT).

 

Gizmodo identified a number of changes in the prototype model when compared to Apple’s current iPhone 3Gs. Among these include:

 

·         A front facing video chat camera

·         Improved camera with flash

·         Micro SIM as opposed to SIM

·         Improved display

·         Split volume buttons

·         16% larger lithium ion battery

 

In an environment where both the Blackberry and Android platforms are swiftly gaining on the iPhone in terms of overall smartphone market share this announcement is an important one for Apple, which recently overtook Microsoft as the most valuable technology company in the US.

 

Jobs is expected to take the stage at roughly 17h00 GMT today.