iChatAgent process shows up in iPhone OS 4.0 -- video conferencing coming?

As expected, Apple didn't introduce any new iPhone hardware today; knowing Steve Jobs & co., they still want to save some surprises when they unveil the 4G iPhone later this summer. Could one of those surprises be a front-facing camera with iChat support?

Close TUAW reader AW sent us this screen shot that shows an iChatAgent process showing up in iStat ($0.99 in the App Store) on an iPhone running the new iPhone OS 4.0 SDK. The process is new to iPhone OS 4.0 and it suggests that Apple plans to implement iChat on the phone in some form.

It seems unlikely that Apple would merely introduce an instant messaging app without support for video conferencing. Although a front-facing camera on the iPhone has been rumored from time to time and it's one of the most requested hardware features for the iPhone, battery drain during video conferencing is always a concern on a mobile device.

If Apple has found a way to support multitasking without significant battery drain, it's possible that mobile video conferencing battery drain has been overcome as well.

UPDATE: another screen shot from within Activity Monitor (sent to us by reader Mr. X) after the break.

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As expected, Apple didn't introduce any new iPhone hardware today; knowing Steve Jobs & co., they still want to save some surprises...

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Apollo

This article pretty much has undeniable proof that iPhone OS 4.0 will have iChat:

http://www.s10a02t01.info/blog/2010/04/ichat-iphone-os-4-0-beta-release/

April 19 2010 at 6:20 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

iPhone Connection

Great find! Thanks for the heads up TUAW!

Trackback: http://www.iphoneconnection.co.uk/iphone-os-4-0-suggests-front-facing-camera

April 09 2010 at 1:41 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Arnan de Gans

Since OSX Snow Leopard Push notifications relies on an iChat-ish protocol it wouldn;t surprice me if it was a trimmed down version of that and not an actual chat or IM protocol.

April 09 2010 at 12:56 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

f_barnes

Only 7 features shown out of 100 and its not going to be released until the summer?!
93 more features left and 2months until its released a new iPhone 4G has to be in the making and they are building the anticipation!!

April 09 2010 at 11:09 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

mac1133

maybe its just an Apple instant messaging applications, no video chat

April 09 2010 at 10:32 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Richard

Seriously guys. There won't be any front facing camera for video conferencing. This iChat, more than likely, has something to do with the new gaming network. I'm quite sure that in the "Game Center" players will have some sort of chat room or lobby likely known as.....you got it.....iChat!

April 09 2010 at 1:15 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Raymond Lucke

It seems to start iChatAgent when you load Messages for the first time. Interesting indeed.

April 09 2010 at 12:54 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jackson Cohen

confirmed ichat hear on 3gs

April 09 2010 at 12:03 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

N1NJA

looks awesome i cant wait to update my iphone hands video for iphone 4.0 OS http://mac-gear.co.uk/iphone-4-0-os-hands-on-video/

April 08 2010 at 9:45 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Scott

Uhh..what the hell is that activity monitor thing? How is that running on an iPhone, I don't understand...