The iPhone 4.0 firmware may be closer to completion than would normally be expected, a report suggests. While Apple has typically only launched iPhone firmware in June or July, in parallel with new iPhones, a "prominent" app developer claims to have already updated a title with v4.0 support. Past developer previews have showcased next-generation iPhone apps, but generally no earlier than March.
This year may hold special circumstances however, as Apple is expected to show a new tablet device on the 26th or the 27th, which could be accompanied by iPhone 4.0. Some developers are said to have been given beta SDKs, and may in fact have been hand-picked to convert present iPhone apps into a tablet-friendly format, potentially with a January demo in mind. Requirements would likely include scalable resolution and images.
Most recent tablet rumors have pointed to a March or April device launch, which could signal when iPhone 4.0 will be available for current iPhones and iPods.