Next generation iPhone’s and iPod touch have support for a new low power 802.11n chip. The info revealed by examining the iPhone 3.0 beta OS puts light on Apples plan to widen the compatibility and performance of WiFi on these portables. This new chip would allow iPhones / iTouches to connect to 5GHz 802.11n networks.
Existing iPhone and iPod touch models only support 5GHz 802.11a networks, or 2.4GHz 802.11b/g networks, forcing users who want the top speed of 802.11n (available on all MacBooks) but compatibility with 802.11b/g networks (to use the existing iPhone) to set up a 2.4GHz compatible network.
The new chip focuses on better power management, powered by a new Power-Management-Unit along with a shared Bluetooth and WiFi receive signal path, which “eliminates the need for an external power splitter while maintaining excellent sensitivity for both Bluetooth and WLAN.”
Update: iPhone Buzz reports that the new Broadcom chip that Apple is sourcing also supports FM receiving and transmitting. This would mean that the iPhone can potentially transmitt music to your car audio system. However it is expected that Apple would lockdown these features.
iPhone / iPod touch downloads
{ 0 comments… add one now }