Apple launched its new 3G iPhone this morning and slashed the cost to almost half the price of the existing model during the Worldwide Developer's Conference in San Francisco.
The iPhone 3G will be released with version 2.0 software, which includes support for Office and iWork documents, live contact search, bulk message delete, image saving, scientific calculator, language support and parental controls. It has better battery life, with almost 5 hours of 3G talk time, and sports a slimmer form.
The 3G iPhone shows few cosmetic changes from the front - same display size and resolution, and the single Home button sits just below the screen. Apple has done away with the irritating recessed headphone jack, which now is flush so that users will be able to use any 3.5mm headphones they like.
The new model has 3G speeds faster than the Nokia N95 and Treo 750, according to Apple, and is almost on par with WiFi speeds. Unlike the earlier model, the iPhone 3G now includes a built-in GPS. "Location services are a very big deal," Jobs said.
Steve Jobs said the new phone would be smaller and faster and would appeal to the 56 per cent of people – Apple says – who want an iPhone but have not bought one because of the price. Despite selling 6 million iPhones in one year, Apple said its research showed the cost of the previous model had put off would-be buyers.
The current iPhone, which Jobs confirmed is completely sold out, had been selling for $399. Apple's marketing campaign for the phone includes the slogan: "Twice as fast, half the price."
In the US, the new 3G iPhone will cost from $US199 for the 8GB model to $US299 for the 16GB model.
Apple is internationally launching a new App Store that will make applications available for download onto the iPhone. Games, office tools and even learning aids will be available for free, or around $US9.99 ($10.50), according to demonstrations.
The company also announced MobileMe today, an online synchronisation tool that unifies data between computers and the iPhone using a web-based interface. This feature, which includes iDisk integration for online file storage and sending, will replace Apple's existing .mac service.
Mr Jobs' keynote address at the Worldwide Developer's Conference did not mention the iPhone's camera – which was expected to be upgraded from the existing 2 megapixel configuration – or video chat.
The next-generation 3G model will be released in 22 countries on July 11th and will eventually reach 70 countries in total.
In India, both Airtel and Vodafone -- have announced, in conjunction with Apple, that they will be bringing the iconic device to India later this year. However, neither has specified the launch date or pricing of the 3G iPhone in India.
See the video of the 3G Apple iPhone being launched by Steve Jobs
The iPhone 3G will be released with version 2.0 software, which includes support for Office and iWork documents, live contact search, bulk message delete, image saving, scientific calculator, language support and parental controls. It has better battery life, with almost 5 hours of 3G talk time, and sports a slimmer form.
The 3G iPhone shows few cosmetic changes from the front - same display size and resolution, and the single Home button sits just below the screen. Apple has done away with the irritating recessed headphone jack, which now is flush so that users will be able to use any 3.5mm headphones they like.
The new model has 3G speeds faster than the Nokia N95 and Treo 750, according to Apple, and is almost on par with WiFi speeds. Unlike the earlier model, the iPhone 3G now includes a built-in GPS. "Location services are a very big deal," Jobs said.
Steve Jobs said the new phone would be smaller and faster and would appeal to the 56 per cent of people – Apple says – who want an iPhone but have not bought one because of the price. Despite selling 6 million iPhones in one year, Apple said its research showed the cost of the previous model had put off would-be buyers.
The current iPhone, which Jobs confirmed is completely sold out, had been selling for $399. Apple's marketing campaign for the phone includes the slogan: "Twice as fast, half the price."
In the US, the new 3G iPhone will cost from $US199 for the 8GB model to $US299 for the 16GB model.
Apple is internationally launching a new App Store that will make applications available for download onto the iPhone. Games, office tools and even learning aids will be available for free, or around $US9.99 ($10.50), according to demonstrations.
The company also announced MobileMe today, an online synchronisation tool that unifies data between computers and the iPhone using a web-based interface. This feature, which includes iDisk integration for online file storage and sending, will replace Apple's existing .mac service.
Mr Jobs' keynote address at the Worldwide Developer's Conference did not mention the iPhone's camera – which was expected to be upgraded from the existing 2 megapixel configuration – or video chat.
The next-generation 3G model will be released in 22 countries on July 11th and will eventually reach 70 countries in total.
In India, both Airtel and Vodafone -- have announced, in conjunction with Apple, that they will be bringing the iconic device to India later this year. However, neither has specified the launch date or pricing of the 3G iPhone in India.
See the video of the 3G Apple iPhone being launched by Steve Jobs
