After an initial blase reaction to the news that Apple is going to release version 3.0 of their iPhone firmware, I realized there could be a lot more to this.

According this article in to Ars Technica, “Apple has just sent out invitations to a special media event on March 17. The invite-only event is geared towards the new iPhone SDK, Apple says, and will give the media a “sneak peek” at the iPhone OS 3.0 software.”

Looking back, the 2.0 firmware introduced the App Store. It also really messed the ability to run unofficial apps on a “Jailbroken” iPhone. It preceded the release of the 3G iPhone.

What is Apple up to? Are they trying to counter the threat from non-Apple App stores like Cydia? Version 3.0 of their firmware could very well do this, as the firmware would need to be hacked before the App stores which require “Jailbroken” iPhones could continue.

This could also be preparation for the next iPhone - the 3G third generation iPhone. That is only a guess at what they will call third iPhone, but it will be interesting to see what it is called. Also, will it be slimmer than the previous version? I’m not the only one speculating.

See this news announcement from 148Apps.com that gives the possible sequence of events from the new iPhone SDK to the next iPhone.