Apple unveils 'iPhone 3G'
SAN FRANCISCO -- Apple introduced a new, faster iPhone on Monday. It goes on sale July 11, with prices starting at $199 for the 8 gigabyte model and $299 for the 16GB version.
The 'iPhone 3G' will have built-in GPS for on the spot traffic directions.
The original iPhone was introduced June 29th, originally for $599, before lowering the price a few months later to $399.
"As we arrive at the iPhones first birthday, we're going to take it to the next level," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs, at a meeting for Apple developers.
Apple said it's sold 6 million iPhones to date, and Jobs said the new iPhone will be available in many more countries. Currently it's available in just 6 countries — Jobs says he plans to roll out to 70 countries in the next several months.
iPhone owners will find many new software applications via the online "iPhone Apps" store. It will offer third party applications for free, or a fee.
The iPhone 3G will work with Microsoft Exchange Enterprise support for Outlook, beginning with the release of the Apps Store in July. It's a crucial addition that opens the doors for many workers to access their corporate e-mail accounts.
The App Store will appear on iPhones and the iPod Touch offering users the ability to instantly download applications at the click of a button.
"There's never been anything like it to get applications from developers to users," said Jobs.
Jobs spent much of the session demonstrating new applications for the iPhone, highlighted by rich, colorful video games that play differently from other devices. As the iPhone has no joystick, characters move by shifting the iPhone to the left or right.
Mark Terry, a British insurance agent, showed the application he developed in his spare time, a program that turns the iPhone into a music instrument, offering users the ability to create music on the spot, with simulated piano, guitar, bass and drums.
"The power is shifting from the wireless carriers to the handset manufacturers," says Andrew Erlichson, CEO of Phanfare, a photo sharing website which introduced a photo application Monday for the iPhone.
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