In his latest research report, analyst Greg Munster predicts that the next major update for the Apple iPhone won't be hitting until early next year. While this may seem like a long wait, the PiperJaffray analyst did predict that it'll be hitting with copious amounts of upgrades for the phone's functions, such as a Spotlight-like search feature. As Munster states:

We expect the next major update to come in February when the iPhone is opened to third-party applications. As part of this update we also expect a contextual search feature, similar to Spotlight on a Mac.

Munster further noted that the feature would enable owners to user their phone to locate contacts, emails, phone numbers, or calendar events via a single search interface on the touch-screen. Munster also commented on the iPhone's recent weekend launch in Germany and the UK:

Our checks in London at Apple's Regent Street store showed that iPhone hype was more subdued than the US launch. T-Mobile Germany, on Friday, announced the sale of 10,000 iPhones on launch day. To compare, assuming Apple sold 200,000 iPhones on day one (vs. 270,000 in first two days), in its first day of sales the company sold 1 iPhone for every 1,510 Americans, whereas Apple sold 1 phone for every 8,200 Germans.

Munster states that while sales in the two regions couldn't quite follow the US' launch numbers, they would still contribute to Apple's plans to sell 10 million iPhone units by the end of 2008. Munster's report further discussed other Mac-related releases.

For one, there was the matter of Apple's upcoming ultra-portable notebook. Munster predicted that thanks to Samsung's recently released 64GB solid state NAND flash drive, Apple was beginning to consider developing a new line for their MacBook series of laptop. Munster speculated that the company may potentially introduce the new notebook as a new product altogether, and that it may be launched by January next year. Munster further reported about the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store:

While we do not believe it will have a direct impact on revenue, we believe its intangible value is significant. Apple has paired itself carefully with another premium image, Starbucks, which further promotes Apple as a lifestyle brand.