Is the new iPhone on its way?

iPhone Firmware update Hints at A New iPhone Device

Apple may have unintentionally tipped users off to a new iPhone model that's in the works thanks to information in the combination iPod and smartphone's firmware. Mac Rumors found that the device's firmware includes a reference to "iPhone2,1" which isn't the same identifier code used for the current iPhone 3G model. Whats up Apple?

The current iPhone 3G line is identified by the "iPhone1,2" code and the original iPhone was "iPhone1,1." The "iPhone2,2" code most likely indicates a device that includes enough hardware differences from the current model to classify it as a new product, (eg... new iPhone).

Apple has already shown off its identifier code pattern with the iPod touch line. The original model was labeled as "iPod1,1" and the second generation model -- which included a faster processor, a speaker, volume controls and microphone support -- was tagged as "iPod2,1."

Apparently some Web sites are even seeing traffic from a device identified as iPhone2,1, .

While the new code could mean Apple is working on a new addition to its iPhone product line, it might also mean that the company is working on the third generation iPhone -- and that it will include enough changes to classify it as a new product, and not just an upgrade.