For the first time since the
iPhone's release,
Apple's rolled out a new hardware version of the handset, one which doubles the included storage to 16GB of flash memory, for a cost of $499. The 8GB unit remains $399, which means that the same cost that fetched you a 4GB
iPhone back in July now gets you four times as much capacity. Meanwhile, the
iPhone's cousin, the
iPod touch high-end model has gotten a boost to 32GB, with 8GB and 16GB capacities still on the shelves
This isn't a huge surprise: it's still too soon for Apple to roll out something as new as a 3G iPhone or one with GPS rolled in, and the only other hardware spec waiting to be changed was the amount of flash memory. If nothing else, this does signal that flash memory prices are descending pretty rapidly. The timeframe fits, roughly, with the progression of iPod capacities, which have increased markedly in the past several years, but it's interesting to note that the 32GB of memory model did not make its way to the iPhone. The only reason I can see for that is to keep some sort of distinction between the touch and the iPhone.
Does bumping up the iPhone's capacity to 16GB answer your hopes, your dreams, your prayers? Let us know.
Source: macworld