After further snooping around iPhone OS 3.0’s code, support for a chip with low-power 802.11n Wi-Fi was found, leading folks to believe it will be in an upcoming Apple device. 3.0 has already yielded a few nods to upcoming devices, but this is the first we’re hearing of any particular new features – now it’s just a matter of pinning the tail on the donkey. 802.11n Wi-Fi offers a significant performance boost (74 Mbit/s versus 54 Mbit/s on 802.11g), and more importantly, compatibility with networks supporting Macbooks at the same speed. From my talks with the Wi-Fi Alliance, I’ve been told we wouldn’t see n-class Wi-Fi in smartphones until late 2009 or early 2010, so that might set a baseline expectation for when we might see another iPhone sequel with such a feature.
The Broadcom chip in question also supports FM transmission, which means some car dock manufacturers will likely see a cut into their business sometime soon. It’s a cool feature to have included, and will likely catch the eye of end users sooner than a faster specification Wi-Fi.
[via ApplInsider]