According to people familiar with Apple, talks of Steve Jobs returning to the 1 Infinite Loop campus were true. Moreover, the Wall Street Journal cites these people as saying they’ve seen the much hyped next-generation iPhone, and the device is reportedly similar in appearance to the current version, but packs under-the-hood enhancements. And the list of details doesn’t end here.

The report in question, readable via WSJ’s iPhone app, reveals that uncertainty about Steve Jobs' health is down to a minimum. Mr. Jobs allegedly kept some Apple directors updated with his health condition and, according to at least one person familiar with the matter, “Mr. Jobs's recovery ‘is coming along’ and he is on schedule to return to work later this month.” This person has also seen Apple’s CEO in person recently, the WSJ says.

The person added: "He was one real sick guy. Fundamentally he was starving to death over a nine-month period. He couldn't digest protein. [But] he took corrective action.” This corroborates with Mr. Jobs’ own statements issued earlier this year, when Apple’s CEO revealed that his (weight-loss) condition was “more complex” than originally believed.

“...after further testing, my doctors think they have found the cause—a hormone imbalance that has been “robbing” me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy. Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis,” Mr. Jobs said earlier this year in an open letter addressing the entire Apple community.

Another person also confirmed that Jobs had visited Apple’s headquarters since he left for his medical leave, the report mentions.

Most intriguing is that “Apple is ready enough with its latest iPhone to be in a position to unveil it next week,” a person who has seen the new model allegedly revealed. “The new phone will look similar to last year's model but has more processing power and some new features like video editing,” the WSJ claims to have learned.

The device is scheduled for an early July release, in tandem with the new OS 3.0, according to the report, although the unveiling will be made at WWDC 09 next week.