3G iPhone Arriving in 2nd Quarter 2008?

[macker]

I'm about to buy an iPhone in Ireland, so this worries me a little.

Would the introduction of 3G and what would essentially be a new product, not need FCC approval? Does this not take a few months (6?). Are we not likely to see an announcement in the summer, with a launch during the holiday season later in the year? Then the rest of the world following that? Similar to the original launch, basically.

 

[rlreif]

Now all I need is for AT&T to offer 3G coverage in my area...regardless i'll still be picking up a revised iPhone.

you should check again..they may have already quietly rolled it out... i have both an iphone and a 3g htc phone... ATT wasnt kidding about this new rollout, and in the last few weeks the coverage around here has really increased... seattle and suburbs have had 3g for ages now, but ive noticed that in the last couple weeks there is 3g all up and down the i5 corridor, including some pretty small towns... i would think that green bay would get it before mt vernon, wa

 

[11800506]

When it comes to a 3G iPhone, I will wait for Apple to announce it. The rumors around 3G have been horrible and it seems like there are 3 or 4 new ones each day from "an inside source." It will happen, but I am still guessing not til late 2008.

It's sad how true this is, although it supposedly is coming from the manufacturers, then again, that probably means nothing.

 

[bdkennedy1]

"Please God, I'm so sick of hearing about the iPhone.

 

[sjw]

I want an iPhone soooooooooooooo bad and 3G will seal the deal! I'll be buying it on Day 1! Please let it be soon!!!

 

[gcliv]

As the telecommunications guy for my company, I've sampled many phones from my AT&T rep. I've used several 3G smartphones, and the ability to do simultaneous data and voice is priceless for me. The speed is secondary.

However, 3G is not that great. I find the coverage to be very spotty (on several 3G phones I've used, I drop down to EDGE speeds frequently). And the coverage does not reach out all the way to where my office is anyway - we miss it by a few miles. I somehow doubt AT&T is rushing to install 3G out here, even with their promise to bring it to more markets, its the fricken' boonies.

So if iPhone 2.0's main enhancement is 3G, I'm not going to rush out to buy it. Battery life, searchable email, MMS, better management for multiple email accounts and signatures, and chatting functions are all way more important to me.

 

[nomadpass]

Regardless if its coming soon or not I would love 3G - EDGE is just way way WAY to slow in Los Angeles

 

[TheManOfSilver]

3G iPhone ... great!

Add in Silverthorne (Atom) processor, 32GB storage, stereo bluetooth, voice dialing and an improved camera, and you've got yourself a great iPhone 2.0 that I would buy on day 1.

Oh ... and of course if it was released in Canada ...

 

[Beardy man]

you should check again..they may have already quietly rolled it out... i have both an iphone and a 3g htc phone... ATT wasnt kidding about this new rollout, and in the last few weeks the coverage around here has really increased...

IF (and it's a BIG IF) O2 were to get off their butts and roll out widespread 3G coverage in the UK I would be right there in line for a G2 iPhone. I've always said it's not the cost - after all it's not a bad deal for an iPod, phone, "internet device", pda BUT only if you can use them all. O2 coverage in the UK is so bad they've been threatened by the telecomms regulator with big fines if they don't do something by the summer. This is will probably mean the bare minimum to avoid the fine rather than trying to develop a service they can be proud of but it might include me - then I'll be iPhoned up

 

[mainstreetmark]

So, the 2G iPhone will have 3G and instead of 4G of memory, like i have now, it'll go up to at least 32GB?

Gosh!

 

[SirOmega]

Hmmm. Perhaps gifting my old EDGE iPhone to my cousin for his graduation might be an option after all.

I'm betting on a $500 32GB iPhone 3G and a $400 16GB iPhone 3G and possibly (for a limited time) a $300 8GB iPhone (EDGE).

The only issue with those prices is that we'd have to see a $100 cut in the iPod Touch prices at the same time. I'd like to think Apple will avoid the 3-month price cut ordeal it had to deal with last year when the touch was announced in September and the iPhone's price was cut dramatically.

I keep thinking Apple would rather keep its new iPhone/iPod releases synchronized because they have shown a desire to keep the iPod touch/iPhone prices not too far apart.

 

[drb6]

Hm..like someone else, its hard to believe these rumors now. Although I guess it is on Page 1 unlike most of the others.

If it is true though, works out perfectly for me. I moved to NYC recently and it'll be really useful to have google maps and subway info available all the time. I'm horrible with directions so I'm pretty much lost around here unless I plan meticulously ahead of time. But only if they have 32gb! And just in time for summer.

I wonder if they will be a thinner, sleeker version if thats even possible....? Or will they keep current form factor which is fabulous regardless.

 

[clayj]

I get the impression that it uses less battery, so for the US which has an extensive EDGE network it makes sense.

Well, that was the reason to go with EDGE initially.

But as someone who is almost never outside of a 3G coverage area, I'd much rather have 3G... especially if the power consumption is now down to a reasonable, EDGE-like level. My Samsung BlackJack phone had 3G and I LOVED being able to stream video anywhere in town.

 

[ross.32]

3G iPhone ... great!

Add in Silverthorne (Atom) processor, 32GB storage, stereo bluetooth, voice dialing and an improved camera, and you've got yourself a great iPhone 2.0 that I would buy on day 1.

Oh ... and of course if it was released in Canada ...

do not forget GPS and internet tethering!

 

[TedB]

3G iPhone ... great!

Add in Silverthorne (Atom) processor, 32GB storage, stereo bluetooth, voice dialing and an improved camera, and you've got yourself a great iPhone 2.0 that I would buy on day 1.

Oh ... and of course if it was released in Canada ...

I want all that, especially the atom. Yet , I also want a gps, a bigger battery, and a headphone jack that is not down a hole that most headphone don't easily plug in. I really would not mind the iPhone being a bit thicker if they could squeeze an extra hour or so out of it.

They have to be releasing it soon for it to get FCC approval before these projected months.

 

[jeremy.king]

I hope so. Planning to get one this summer.

 

[olternaut]

ladies and gentlemen, start your complaining!

3G?? What the hell am I suppose to do with that? Where is my 4G iphone Mr. Jobs?!

 

[pgwalsh]

ladies and gentlemen, start your complaining!

oh... quit your whining.

Let the "when will 4G be released" comments begin!

Where's 5G and google map, gps and teleportation integration?

Picky about our rumors, aren't we?

picky about everything and sometimes like to pick it.

"Please God, I'm so sick of hearing about the iPhone.

iPhone iPhone iPhone.


okay all out of my system.

 

[zephead]

A 3G 16GB iPhone will do it for me, if by that time the 16 giggers are $400. I really, really, really want an iPhone now, but I'm heavily restraining myself from buying one until the 3G version comes out!

3G question: I am under the impression that T-Mobile's 3G, is on a different frequency/wavelength, than ATT's.

Is that indeed true?

If that is the case I wonder if that would affect the number of people who are buying and unlocking cell phones to use with other providers. - something I have been considering (T-Mobile).

Yes, it's true. T-Mobile's 3G is in the 1700/2100MHz spectrum, while AT&T's 3G is in 850/1900MHz.

 

[macaco74]

Looking forward to mid july - which is when our verizon wireless contract expires. Then it is iPhone all the way.

 

[AMessy]

you should check again..they may have already quietly rolled it out... i have both an iphone and a 3g htc phone... ATT wasnt kidding about this new rollout, and in the last few weeks the coverage around here has really increased... seattle and suburbs have had 3g for ages now, but ive noticed that in the last couple weeks there is 3g all up and down the i5 corridor, including some pretty small towns... i would think that green bay would get it before mt vernon, wa

That's good to hear, I will still get the 3G iPhone when it comes out even if 3G isn't up and running here yet just incase they do offer it here at a later date.

 

[abrooks]

Now all I need is for AT&T to offer 3G coverage in my area.

Finally! Someone pinpoints one of the reasons why we don't have a 3G iPhone now.

Cue the moaning when the 3G iPhone is released and then people can't use 3G because its not available.

 

[ross.32]

They have to be releasing it soon for it to get FCC approval before these projected months.

Thursday anyone?

 

[olternaut]

As the telecommunications guy for my company, I've sampled many phones from my AT&T rep. I've used several 3G smartphones, and the ability to do simultaneous data and voice is priceless for me. The speed is secondary.

However, 3G is not that great. I find the coverage to be very spotty (on several 3G phones I've used, I drop down to EDGE speeds frequently). And the coverage does not reach out all the way to where my office is anyway - we miss it by a few miles. I somehow doubt AT&T is rushing to install 3G out here, even with their promise to bring it to more markets, its the fricken' boonies.

So if iPhone 2.0's main enhancement is 3G, I'm not going to rush out to buy it. Battery life, searchable email, MMS, better management for multiple email accounts and signatures, and chatting functions are all way more important to me.

Seriously. I actually have been bypassing 3G altogether and keeping my eye on those 700mhz auctions. The bigshots are trampling over themselves trying to be the first to setup a nationwide wifi/LTE or "4G" network. THATS when we will really be living in a wireless world!

 

[zorinlynx]

You know what would be cool? And what would make me buy a 3G iPhone instantly?

A mode where the phone acts as a WiFi access point, using the 3G connection for Internet access.

So you basically turn on that mode, and you can access the net trivially through your phone from any WiFi enabled computer.

THAT would be a killer app for the iPhone. Imagine Internet access for your computer anywhere in 3G coverage area. No dealing with bluetooth or cables, just use WiFi.

Since the iPhone already has a WiFi chipset, this would be trivial to implement, and incredibly useful to boot.

Come on, Apple. Do it.