It’s hereeeeee: the 3G iPhone
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Jun 9, 2008 at 3:07pm
As expected, during his Worldwide Developer Conference keynote, Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the new iPhone 3G, combining all the features of the first gen iPhone with 3G networking that’s purportedly twice as fast, built-in GPS for expanded location based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software that includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync .
The software also runs the hundreds of third party applications already built with the recently released iPhone SDK (software developer kit). In the US the new iPhone 3G is priced at US$199 for the 8GB model, and $299 for a 16GB model.
Jobs said that iPhone 3G will be available in more than 70 countries later this year, beginning with customer availability in 22 countries—Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the US—on July 11.
“Just one year after launching the iPhone, we’re launching the new iPhone 3G that is twice as fast at half the price,” he added. “ iPhone 3G supports Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync right out of the box, runs the incredible third party apps created with the iPhone SDK, and will be available in more than 70 countries around the world this year.”
iPhone 3G gives users access to the Internet and email over their cellular network with quad-band GSM and tri-band HSDPA for voice and data connectivity around the world. iPhone 3G supports Wi-Fi, 3G and EDGE networks and automatically switches between them to ensure the fastest possible download speeds. The new iPhone 3G also makes it easier to multi-task with simultaneous voice and data communications, so with iPhone 3G you can browse the web, get map directions, or check your email while you are on a call, Jobs said.
The iPhone 3G includes the new iPhone 2.0 software with both the iPhone SDK and key enterprise features such as support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync to provide over-the-air push email, contact and calendar syncing as well as remote wipe and Cisco IPsec VPN for encrypted access to corporate networks. The iPhone SDK allows developers to create applications that leverage the iPhone’s Multi-Touch user interface, animation technology, accelerometer and GPS technology.
iPhone 3G includes the new App Store, providing iPhone users with native applications in a variety of categories including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. The App Store on iPhone works over cellular networks and Wi-Fi, which means it’s accessible from just about anywhere. Some applications are free, and the App Store notifies you when application updates are available. The App Store will be available in 62 countries at launch.
Additional features available with the iPhone 2.0 software include the ability to do real-time mapping and track your progress with GPS technology, mass move and delete multiple email messages, search for contacts, access a new scientific calculator, turn on parental control restrictions for specified content, save images directly from a web page or email them to your iPhone and transfer them back to your photo library on your Mac or PC.
Jobs said that the iPhone 3G delivers 10 hours of talk time on 2G networks and 5 hours using 3G, with up to six hours of web browsing, up to seven hours for video playback and up to 24 hours for audio playback.
iPhone 3G takes advantage of MobileMe, a new Internet service that pushes email, contacts, and calendars from an online “cloud” to native applications on iPhone, iPod touch, Macs and PCs (see separate story). With MobileMe email, messages are pushed instantly to iPhone, removing the need to manually check email and wait for downloads, and push keeps contacts and calendars continuously up-to-date so changes made on one device are automatically updated on other devices.
The iPhone 3G requires a new two year contract with AT&T for qualifying customers. iPhone 2.0 software will be available on July 11 as a free software update via iTunes 7.7 or later for all iPhone customers. For further info about iPhone 3G pricing and availability in the US and internationally, go here.
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Lewis Stephens Says:
>>It will be interesting to see what this new lower price will do to the resale value of current models. <<
What resaole value? Give it away. My sister is going to inherit mine. She lives in the hills in Arkansas and couldn’t get 3G anyway.
I am dissappointed that I can’t get mine today.
Posted on June 09, 2008
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Contributor
Dennis Sellers
Dennis has been a newspaper editor/reporter (seven years) and teacher (seven years). He has over 4,000 magazine, newspaper and online articles to his credit. He has also covered the Mac and tech industries for over a decade for such online publications as MacCentral, MacMinute and now MacsimumNews.
Dave Merten Says:
I called the online Apple Store to order a new 3G iPhone and was told they are not taking pre-orders. You will have to wait until July 11th to order one online, or pick one up at an AT&T;or Apple Store.
I was disappointed with the lack of video chat, but battery performance and price are a plus.
It will be interesting to see what this new lower price will do to the resale value of current models.
Posted on June 09, 2008