New iPhone Photos Leak Online, Hype Ensues

Leave it to Apple to set techie hearts worldwide a-flutter once again. iPhone 3.0, the newest version of the iPhone that's rumored to be released soon (not to be confused with iPhone 3G), has been shrouded in mystery in spite of millions of curious, technology-hungry fans, much like the company prefers. But with so much hype setting the interwebs ablaze, it should come as no surprise that leaked photos of a new iPhone protoype have emerged.

The photos, which were originally posted online via a Chinese forum and later taken down, can still be seen at the Mac Rumors forum here. The original text accompanies the photos, translated from Chinese, and the excitement about the phone's new functions definitely isn't lost in translation.

What's all the fuss about? It looks like the iPhone 3.0 just might feature built-in compass software, an advanced voice recording device and an auto-focus camera that produces probably the clearest shots yet from a cell phone (check out the differences in this image).

Are these features simply the icing on the cake? If so, we'll take a slice.