AT&T Preps for iPhone 4G, Changes Upgrade Eligibility Dates

The next-generation iPhone is as good as confirmed for a June release. Not only does Apple traditionally launch each new iPhone version during that month, but now we hear that AT&T is changing the upgrade eligibility dates for iPhone 3GS users, most probably so as to enable them purchase the new device as soon as it is made available. The carrier hasn't announced anything officially as of yet, but some of its customers noticed that the upgrade eligibility date for their accounts had been modified from November to June, which confirms in a way that the carrier is making preparations for the upcoming launch.

“Not sure if anyone [..] has noticed this same thing, but my Upgrade Eligibility date on my AT&T account switched from 11/21 to 6/21 in the last day or so. I bought a 3GS on launch day last year, and my upgrade date read 11/21 since then. A few other folks in my office have noticed the same changes happening to their accounts as well,” an iPhone user on AT&T's network told mobilecrunch. The news site notes that others observed the changes too, which might suggest that the next-gen iPhone would arrive on that day, though it is a Monday, and tradition tells that previous iPhones were released on Fridays, to benefit from great sales during the weekend.

While Apple hasn't announced the new iPhone yet, it might do so during WWDC, which is set to kick off on June 7. The new version of the iconic device is reportedly set to bring a load of new features into the mix, including a better photo snapper (with flash) on the back, coupled with a front-facing camera, improved display (a bit smaller, it seems, though of higher resolution), metallic buttons for power, mute, and volume, and a different design, with a flat back cover.

While the device in itself comes with new features and a different look, the platform flavor it will run under, dubbed iPhone OS 4.0, is meant to enhance the user experience even more. Among the main features of the operating system, we can count multi-tasking capabilities when third-party apps are involved; folders for better organizing files on the device; email enhancements, including unified inbox, fast inbox switching and threaded messages; better Enterprise support; Game Center; Apple’s new iAd mobile advertising platform; and others more.