Though its been falsely reported as nearing release before, we now have some supposed pictures of Apple's new iPhone 1.1.3 firmware release. Gear Live has the story and the pictures - if true, this looks to be a huge update.

What's in store?

• Send text-message to multiple people
• Google Maps pseudo-GPS (uses cell towers to triangulate your position, very '24')
• Google Maps hybrid view (satellite images with streets)
• Drag and Drop application icons on the main screen
• Home screen pagination (for more icons)
• Add web bookmarks to the main screen

As seems clear by the last few, Apple is finally opening up the main screen on the iPhone for modification by users. This is great and no doubt signals the nearing of the development kit coming early next year that will allow 3rd parties to create their own native iPhone apps.

The Google Maps location feature (pseudo-GPS) is huge as well as that has been one of the major sticking points in people waiting for the "iPhone 2.0" - they want GPS. Of course this won't work as well as true GPS, but it looks to be a fine substitute that is free. This will make what is already one of the best features of the iPhone even better.

Could we see these updates announced in a few weeks at MacWorld? Lets hope so.


[UPDATE]: Gizmodo now has a video of the 1.1.3 update to confirm that it is in fact real. They are also saying it could hit as soon as next week!