It's perhaps one of the most important letters in the world — but nobody's entirely sure what it means.

The "i" at the start of iPhone is one of the phone's defining features. And it refers mostly to "internet," though not entirely, and the story of how it got there is slightly more complicated.

The naming convention was introduced with the iMac. Launched in 1998, the computer marked the beginning of the modern Apple.

Introducing that computer, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs said the computer was targeted at the "number one use that the consumers say they want to use the computer for": the internet. It was launched just as the internet was catching on and was made central in the computer's advertising.

But that was far from the only meaning of the "i," Jobs said. During the launch, he showed a slide with multiple headings: internet, individual, instruct, inform, inspire.

"'I' also means some other things to us," he said. "We are a personal-computer company, and although this product is born to network, it also is a beautiful standalone product. We are targeting it also for education. They want to buy these. And it is perfect for most of the things they do in instruction."

The company would go on to brand almost all of its products with the little letter. Software such as iTools and hardware including the iPod use it. (It still isn't entirely clear where the rest of the iPod name originated.)

It would eventually find its place in the name of the iPhone, a product that had a similar effect for Apple as the iMac.

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Let's face it, iPhones allow us to do a great deal of things from the palm of our hands, but when it comes to battery life these things are a total disappointment. If you are an average user, the power normally won't last until the end of the day, and while there are a few tricks to save some electricity (like limiting connectivity or avoiding running apps in the background) these will get you a few extra hours of life but that's about it.

But don't despair. British firm Intelligent Energy figured out a way to hack iPhones so that their battery will last for one whole week. Yes. Not a few extra hours. 7 entire days.

The technology might be a breakthrough in the smartphones market and it reinvented the battery.
The team created a prototype of iPhone 6 that contains a battery and a power system that creates electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen. According to the Telegraph, "the company is believed to be working closely with Apple" as they managed to incorporate their technology in the phone without altering its size and shape.

"We have now managed to make a fuel cell so thin we can fit it to the existing chassis without alterations and retaining the rechargeable battery. This is a major step because if you are moving to a new technology you have to give people a path they are comfortable with." - Henri Winand - Intelligent Energy CEO

After one week of the hydrogen-oxygen system powering your phone, you will need to refill the device with hydrogen through a readapted headphones jack. The reaction also produces a small amount of water and heat, which are eliminated through a vent. The company plans to make their product commercially available in the next two years.

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IT MAY STILL be a few months away, but that hasn't stopped the rumour mill churning out speculation about Apple's next-generation iPhone, set to arrive as the iPhone 7 or the iPhone 6S
Here, we round up everything we know about the so-called iPhone 7 so-far, including specs, price and release date. Keep this page bookmarked, as we'll update it with every new detail, feature and rumour that comes our way.

Release date
A legit-looking report out of BuzzFeed, which has heard from "sources familiar with Apple's plans", claims that the firm will launch the next iPhone at an event on 9 September.

Judging by Apple's usual timings, this means that the next iPhone will go on sale in the following week on 18 September. This date has been backed by a report out of Germany, which claims two carriers are already primed to start selling the next iPhone on 18 September.

However, according to a leaked Vodafone memo, the iPhone 7 will go on sale on 25 September.

Price
Unsurprisingly, there are no details regarding the cost of the iPhone 7 yet, but it likely will be priced similarly to last year's iPhone 6. Available in 16GB, 64GB and 128GB variants, the smartphone costs £539, £619 and £699 respectively.

If Apple reveals a larger-screened iPhone 7 Plus, or iPhone 6S Plus, handset, expect this to be more expensive at £619, £699 and £789.

There is speculation however that Apple will ditch the low-capacity 16GB model, releasing the next iPhone in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB versions instead.

Rumours and specs
Speculation suggests, as does Apple's typical two-year upgrade cycle, that the iPhone 7 - or iPhone 6S - won't look much different to its  iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus predecessors.

However, one rumour out of  Yahoo News claims the firm might have something more radical than usual planned, claiming: "Apple has a few tricks up its sleeve for 2016."

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