What I Want to See in the iPhone2

Rumors are flying in every direction. When will the next iPhone(AAPL) be announced? What new features will it have? How much will it cost?

And, when can we get one?

All these questions will be answered soon enough (sometime next month, in fact). But, while there's still time, I'd like to add my two cents -- and suggest some features I'd like to see in Apple's next-generation iPhone.

1.) 3G speeds. This is obvious. The first iPhone used the 2G GPRS data network because it provided the greater speed-vs.-battery life than 3G circuitry at that time. But it's a year later, and 3G technology has improved to the point where differences in network speeds are nearly nonexistent. Maybe, with 3G, iPhones won't find the need to ask if want to connect to a nearby Wi-Fi connection.

2.) Speaking of Wi-Fi, how about VoIP? I know Apple has partnered with AT&T(T) but should it be looking at something like T-Mobile's Hot Spot @Home feature, which automatically connects and routes voice calls over your home or office Wi-Fi network? It would be a great way to get around possible AT&T coverage "dead zones."

3.) Corporate e-mail. The next iPhone needs either Research In Motion(RIMM) Blackberry or Microsoft(MSFT) Exchange mail compatibility. Or both. Many businesses will buy iPhones in bulk as soon as they can be used by executives for their email.

Dear Steve Jobs: iPhone Needs Tweaking

4.) Smaller, lighter, longer. All phones should be smaller, and lighter in weight with improved battery life.