So rather than the humdrum 5 hours of battery life for talk time, internet use and video playback across the board, Apple now says the iPhone should get you 8 hours for talk, 6 hours for internet and 7 hours of video, which is nearly twice as much as a video iPod. It'll offer 250 hours (over 10 days) of standby time.

Question: Does Apple's web access specification refer to use under Wi-Fi or AT&T''s cellular-wireless EDGE network or, perhaps, both?

Apple today also raised its estimates for audio playback, from only 16 hours to much-improved 24 hours.

As if an increase in battery power wasn’t enough, Apple asserts better materials are being used for the iPhone’s touch-display as well. So rather than the originally announced plastic display, the iPhone's 3.5-inch screen will be built out of what Apple calls "optical-quality glass" for better scratch resistance and optical clarity.

Both sound good to us. But will the display still be optically clear after a day's worth of tapping, flicking and pinching with your (sometimes grimy) fingers?

The iPhone has a single button, for returning to the home screen. The majority of user interaction with the device is done through the display using Apple's multi-touch technology, which places the emphasis of input and navigation squarely on one's fingers.

Apple says its multi-touch display is far more accurate than a regular touch display, with support for multi-finger gestures (the pinching mentioned above, for example) and the ability to ignore inadvertent touches.