Magnetometer finding its way into next iPhone?

Add "compass" to that list of rumored features -- again -- for the next, still-unconfirmed iPhone revision, alongside video production capabilities, a slide-out keyboard, OLED display, LTE / Verizon support, and EV-DO rev. B (okay, not really that last one). Boy Genius Report has obtained two screens allegedly from an unreleased iPhone OS build that suggest a magnetometer'll be part of the new hardware. Given turn-by-turn navigation is now an option for developers, we'd say having directional support is almost a necessity. Why there's also an option for Kitchen Sink in the image we haven't the foggiest, but we're gonna go ahead and add "holographic plumbing assistant" to that wishlist.

[(Unverified) Posted May 7th 2009 7:59PM]

directional support isn't necessarily a must for turn by turn... most mobile devices don't have a compass or magnetometer don't know which direction you are facing until you start moving, but it would be very helpful because sometimes i start my navigation from a stop and it's very frustrating when the GPS says "continue ahead" or something only to tell me to do a U turn after a few feet...

and you guys must not read many other blogs, because this has been a rumor for a while now ;)

[(Unverified) Posted May 7th 2009 8:44PM]

I'm sure Kitchen Sink will be some "new" exclusive feature for the Apple/Verizon lovechild. Maybe something like an easy way to delete files (clean them off the phone... sink? get it?)

[(Unverified) Posted May 7th 2009 9:02PM]

You guys could not photoshop a picture of Magneto into this thing? Come on! Where's the funny???

[(Unverified) Posted May 7th 2009 10:22PM]

I'm feeling like of the rumors mentioned, higher res camera and OLED are the most probable additions, a magnetometer going either way (since other next-gen devices are also getting them though they don't matter THAT much), and hardware keyboard being least likely (though I'll be one happy camper if they do).

If they only bump the camera to a 3.2mp, it's a definite pass though. Even iPhone users should recognize that 2mp is beyond dated at this point. Even the original BB Pearl had a 2mp camera.

If Apple can put together all of the above (5mp, OLED+capacitive, magnetometer, hardware QWERTY), then I really don't know why anyone would buy an N97.

[SParklingCYaNide Posted May 7th 2009 11:46PM]

Whatever it turns out to be, it will be J U N K. Guaranteed.

And that's the final word.

*nods***