According to MacRumors. com, the recent release of a minor update by Apple, with regard to the iPhone's 2.2.1 firmware, is an indication that a new iPhone by Apple may well be on the cards!

As per the buzz about the next generation iPhone model, it is being said that it will feature a quad-core processor, and a multi-core GPU, which will give a substantial boost to graphics.

MacRumors said the USBDeviceConfuguration. plist indicates the new model number in an unencrypted firmware.

The Apple observer, MacRumors. com, also has it that Apple's iPhone 2.2.1 firmware update for users of iPhone and iPod Touch suggests that its next generation of iPhone will be called iPhone 2.1.

Elaborating its logic behind its deduction of the new iPhone's number, MacRumors explained Apple's typical numbering scheme that it uses in firmware for differentiating between iPhone models. With the first-generation iPhone 2G marked as iPhone 1.1, and the 3G iPhone marked as 1.2, the numbers of the devices move according to a set pattern.

In addition, going by the past launches by Apple, the company has more often than not resorted to fast refresh cycles and upgrades when new products are in the offing. With the talks of a new iPhone making rounds in late January, there is likelihood of Apple prepping the new iPhone for a June launch, along the lines of its earlier iPhone launches.