So there have been a ton of rumors floating about the upcoming 2nd-generation iPhone -- I'm going to round up the highlights.

Let's talk ascetics. Earlier in the week, Engadget claimed to have had contact with a top secret source who had an opportunity to check the new iPhone out. Apparently the most obvious difference in appearance is that the metallic back has been replaced by a glossy black plastic shell while the volume buttons are now said to be chrome. (Now, why Apple would revert back to plastics is beyond me.) It is also supposedly a little less angular and slightly thicker than the first iPhone, though overall it is said to be roughly the same size as the original unit. It is also said to include a flush, as opposed to a recessed headphone jack and the battery is still not removable.

As for the guts, besides the obvious inclusion of 3G and the potential of real GPS capabilities, there have been some huge rumors floating about a third sensor.  The consensus is that this third sensor would be for a second camera facing the front side for video chat capabilities. That's right, video chats! Can you imagine mobile iChat?  I was already planning on upgrading to the new iPhone and passing my 1st-gen on to Lori, but if this turns out to be true, my 1st-gen is going on eBay and we are no doubt getting two phones.

Another interesting rumor is that the display screen will be moving to OLED (organic LED) technology.  This makes sense to reduce the power consumption needed to get a battery under the hood for the 3G chip, but supposedly OLED displays are horrible outdoors. (And one thing I am constantly amazed at is the clarity of my current iPhone outside in the direct sunlight -- so I doubt this rumor is true.)

We should have all these questions answered and then some come June 9th at the Apple WWDC.