Accessories in iPhone

A way to connect:
Apps for iPhone and iPod touch can now communicate with accessories via the dock connector or wirelessly over Bluetooth.Enhance your accessory by developing an iPhone app to extend its functionality, or create entirely new integrated solutions that combine an iPhone app with dedicated hardware. For example, you can display a fully interactive Multi-Touch equalizer for your speaker system. Create an inventory app for your barcode reader. Or, build an app that logs and tracks the readings from an attached heart-rate monitor. The potential solutions are limitless.

Create your own protocol:
As with current Made for iPod accessories, your accessory can use Apple-provided protocols to control music and video playback in the iPod app. With iPhone SDK 3.0, you can also create your own custom protocols to exchange data and commands with your app. Use the new Accessory APIs to allow your app to communicate with and control your accessory.To learn how to add support for iPhone apps in your dock connector or Bluetooth accessory, join the Made for iPod and Works with iPhone Licensing Program and the iPhone Developer Program.

364 days left to launch iPhone 4G

Now that the iPhone 3G S is officially behind us, let me be the first--or at least one of the first--to announce the countdown to the next new iPhone. If history is any indication, it should show up right around this time next year.Interestingly, even though the 3G S is technically Apple's third-generation iPhone, some tech pundits were expecting the iPhone 3G S to be called the iPhone 4G. But you could also argue that the iPhone 3G S is more like the iPhone 3.5G, which doesn't have the greatest ring.There's also a chance that in between the iPhone 3G S and iPhone 4G (or whatever it's called), we might see a totally new branch of iPhone, something akin to an iPhone Mini or Lite.I'm not sure Apple needs to answer to the smaller form factor of the Palm Pre, but there are some people out there who think the iPhone's just a tad too big. And there are some people who want a physical keyboard, but don't count on Apple slipping in a slide-out keyboard anytime soon.

All that said, I do think next year's iPhone will feature a new design that also includes a new screen. Some mock-ups floating around have suggested the aluminum unibody design of the new MacBooks. That's possible, but so are a host of other innovative industrial designs.
The point is, the next go-round, it's probably not enough to just stick with upgraded internal components. Some significant cosmetic changes will be required to differentiate the generations and more easily entice upgrades by existing iPod owners. And I'm not talking matte vs. shiny finish.Ultimately, however, it's what's inside that counts and consumers are always wanting faster, more powerful smartphones with more memory that somehow manage to be more energy-efficient and offer better battery life. There's already talk of the next iPhone having a dual-core processor and better graphics chips that can deliver higher video resolutions and better still images when taking pictures (read Brooke Crothers' story on new ARM chips here).The question is whether Apple can continue to increase battery life at the same time. In fact, one big reason a lot of people are interested in upgrading from the 3G to the 3G S is because of the improved battery life.Beyond the hardware, there are still features concerns to address (everybody has their wishlist) and more importantly, carrier and pricing plan issues. Someday, some other carrier, perhaps Verizon, which is preparing to build out a 4G network, will get the iPhone. And someone, maybe Apple, will declare that iPhone the iPhone 4G. Or maybe it'll just be the 3G V. All I know is that come this time next year, we'll most likely be seeing a new iPhone. And it will be here before you know it.

Comments? Aside from a carrier choice, what are looking for in a true 4G iPhone?