New iPhone 3G Unveiled - Available from 11th July

The new iPhone mobile phone was unveiled on Monday by Apple CEO Steve Jobs. The new iPhone device simply called the iPhone 3G includes a number of key new features including as the name suggests 3G internet, a new lower price, availability in more countries and also more focus on the corporate/enterprise market. The device will also be available in white.

3G Internet Access
The biggest drawback in the original iPhone was its lack of 3G. Apple blamed this on poor battery life but now claim to have overcome this with some clever antenna engineering. So what does this mean for your average user? Faster browsing, downloading and emailing, that's what. The phone uses the industry standard HSDPA/UMTS system so you can download over the O2 network form anywhere at twice the speed of the previous model. As well as 3G the phone switches seamlessly between HSDPA, WiFi, GSM and Edge.

GPS Capabilities
The new iPhone comes with mapping, GPS and satellite navigation capabilities to provide you with directions, help you find nearby businesses and points of interest and can also provide traffic information. The device uses a combination of GPS, WiFi and mobile antenna mast triangulation to plot your position. The mapping application also provides a satellite view of your location and you can extend the functionality with the new App Store.

App Store
Apple are launching a new iPhone App store so you can download specially design software and applications for the phone including free and licensed programmes. Software can be downloaded wirelessly over whatever available network is available (3G, WiFi etc...). Users simply browse the stores categories, find what they are looking for and download, the app is then installed and also you will be notified of updates as they become available.

Enterprise Features
Apple are trying to muscle in on the Business sector too and have licensed a number of Microsoft systems to enable more integration with company emails and networks. The new iPhone 2.0 software supports Microsoft Exchange Active Sync for push email, contacts and calender and a Cisco VPN client to connect securely to remote networks. There is also a remote wipe feature to wipe any sensitive information on a lost or stolen device.

How to Buy
O2 and Carphone Warehouse will be selling the new iPhone 3G from the 11th July with a new price tag of £99 for the 8GB model on an 18 month £30 or £35 contract. The 16GB model is £159 on these plans. The 8GB version will be free on £45 and £75 contract plans. The 16GB model is free on the £75/month plan and £59 on the £45/month plan. A Pay as you go version is also in the pipe line so watch this space. Existing customers can get a new device so long as they commit to a further 18 month contract.

The Verdict
The original iPhone broke new ground with its minimal looks, fancy features and interactive touch screen interface but it was somewhat lacking on some of the more technical features common place on devices at the time such as GPS and of course 3G. With the addition of these features it pretty much matches the most high end of devices plus the price is now much more affordable making it much more enticing. Apple have eliminated nearly all the hurdles that stood in the way of the original device so we expect demand for this device to be huge.

Apple are also taking steps to increase additional income streams by extending the device in to the corporate market place and also with the launch of the Apps store they may be able to create a new kind of iTunes for your Mobile. We will have to wait and see if it can topple the BlackBerry as the must have business device.

The final hurdle that Apple needs to overcome is to release the device on all major networks. How many times have you heard someone say 'if it was on Vodafone or T-Mobile I would buy one'. If or when they eventually do this global domination may be possible but until then expect a lot of competition and innovation from the existing brands and networks.