Apple vice president of worldwide iPod marketing Greg Joswiak told MacWorld that the iPhone uses an optimized version of OS X tugged in just about 500 MB. The OS sits in the flash memory of the iPhone and Apple will provide updated to the OS automatically when connected to the internet. He further emphasizes that “Apple has a proven and very smooth update mechanism for everything from our computers to our iPods. We will follow that kind of model here, which is an advantage a lot of phones don’t have.”

It is said that the small footprint of the OS is a result of expertise of the team at Apple, rather than cutting out functionality or removing core technologies. It is also reminded that the OS X on a Mac features a lot of Applications that won’t be needed on the iPhone. Apple chose flash because it is small and very durable; “more versatile” than a hard drive.

Macwelt confirmed that Apple will have the final say on all software installed on the iPhone. You’ll also not be able to purchase iTunes Store content directly from your iPhone. It is also determined that iPhone will not be able to use iTunes songs as ring-tones. VoIP will also not be entertained on the iPhone. It is also unsure whether or not Flash and/or Java would be enabled on the build of Safari browser on the iPhone. Nonetheless, Macwelt has determined from Apple’s comments that there will be “as many plugins as possible” enabled and that “Flash and Java will be enabled for sure”.

Gizmodo got the iPhone ring-tone, skins and papercraft model for you. And here is a YouTube link where Microsoft CEO Ballmer laughs at Apple iPhone.

Updates

• 2007 Jan 20 — I’m sorry for hot linking the iPhone ring-tone to Gizmodo. Updated to reflect the downloaded link to my server.
• 2007 Jan 20 — Gizmodo got the Midi File too.