Video-calling iPhone to launch in June?

If reports originating from the United Arab Emirates are to be believed, the next iPhone could be set for a June launch date.

The rumour centres on comments made by Emirates Business 24/7 in an article about Etisalat's (a UAE service provider) plans for iPhone deployment. The AppleInsider website then picked up on a statement in the report that read: "And the next version of the device, which is due out in June, will be launched in the UAE at the same time."

OK, it's hardly rock-solid stuff, but Apple rumours never are. What's more, a June launch seems sensible timing as those who wasted no time in splashing out on the original iPhone will be coming to the end of their two-year contracts.

Meanwhile, InformationWeek has dissected Apple's iPhone patent and discovered entries implying a video-calling model is most definitely on the cards. Within the patent, listed features include 'video conferencing' and things get even clearer further on, where it says: "an optical sensor is located on the front of the device so that the user's image may be obtained for videoconferencing while the user views the other video conference participants on the touch screen display."

Although the mention of such features in the patent doesn't necessarily mean Apple will include video calling in the next release, it's the biggest hint yet that iPhone face-to-face conversations are on their way.

Despite early excitement and a raft of perfectly capable handsets, video calling over 3G has never taken off - but if there's one company that has the power to resurrect it, it's Apple.