It's an iPhone and it's 3G!
Techtree News Staff, Jun 10, 2008 1222 hrs IST
Yes, Steve Jobs has indeed unveiled a brand new 3G iPhone at the WWDC in San Francisco, and yes, Airtel and Apple will be bringing the same to India later this year.
We've always bet upon it and finally it's come true! Apple CEO Steve Jobs has lifted the wraps on iPhone II that marries features of iPhone I with 3G networking making it "twice as fast and at half the price of its predecessor". Jobs dazzled the audience with the brand new 3G iPhone at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) that opened in San Francisco today.
The Gen-Next iPhone offers faster access to Internet and email, a host of business features, and increased talk time. Most importantly, it supports 3G and WiFi and EDGE networks, capable of automatically switching between these to ensure the fastest possible download speeds.
The 3G iPhone allows multi-tasking with simultaneous voice and data communications. This means users can browse the Web, get map directions, or even check emails while on a call.
This time around, Apple seems to be targeting the business segment too, which has so far kept a safe distance from all things iPhone citing the lack of business utility features.
iPhone II bundles new iPhone 2.0 software with both the 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. Additionally, it incorporates the ability to read documents from Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Looks-wise the new iPhone appears sleeker than its predecessor; it has built-in GPS capability to allow location-based services. With software 2.0, users will be able to do real-time mapping and track progress, as well as 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 transfer them back to the photo library on other devices, et al.
There's also a new Internet service to the new iPhone called 'MobileMe'. The service pushes email, contacts, and calendars from an online cloud to native applications on the iPhone, iPod Touch, Macs, and PCs. So forget manually checking emails or waiting for downloads or even keeping contacts and calendars continually up-to-date; changes made on one device will automatically get synced to other devices.
Another talking point to the 3G iPhone is the all new 'App Store' that gives users access to a host of applications related to games, business, news, sports, health, reference, and travel. Overall, the 3G iPhone promises 10 hours of talk time on 2G networks and 5 hours on 3G, with up to 5-6 hours of Web browsing, 7 hours of video playback, and 24 hours of audio playback.
The 3G iPhone will be available in the US on July 11 for a suggested retail price of $199 for the 8GB model and $299 for the 16GB model.
Meanwhile, iPhone afficianados in India take heart as Bharti Airtel and Apple have also announced that they will be bringing the highly-anticipated 3G iPhone to India later this year. Airtel customers will be able to purchase the 3G iPhone at Airtel Relationship Centers. What will the 3G iPhone cost in India, we don't know yet. Apart from India, the 3G iPhone will be made available in 69 other countries later this year.
USER COMMENTS
You may be amazed at iPhone?s trendy looks and features. But think if you really need to go for one as it doesn?t support Bluetooth(see above). Out of the box you can only use Bluetooth to connect to a hands-free headset, so no A2DP stereo Bluetooth, file transfers or internet sharing. Pictures you take can be emailed to friends, but not sent directly to another mobile device. Similarly, there is no video capture and FM radio. Coming to price, both are priced crazy! On top of this, there will be data subscription charges from the telecom service providers.. Do you really need one of these?
by satyam kaushik, delhi, on Sep 03, 2008 10:05 PM, Report abuse Reply
everybody is interested in buying these kind of colourfull gadgets, and these MC MOBILE companies are also creates lot of hype for the same and talking about there product like anything, but no company is talking about the service, what kind of service will be given by company and how the gurantee normas, becuase, once the touch phone fallen from your hand, its gone, then you need to rub only amruthanjan to you head, thats it, so freinds please find the service centres first and then go these kind of gadgets, unfortunaltely i have purchased 2 I-Mate Winodows mobiles, but Both LOUZY I-Mate are not working properly since day 1.and there is no Proper for service in any city seems, so just think, S T Y L E ---- OR ----S E R V I C E
by RAJ, Hyderabad, on Aug 13, 2008 03:07 PM, Report abuse Reply
it this time smashes and might steal the topest gadget of 2008
by santosh sharma, hyderabad, on Aug 11, 2008 11:36 AM, Report abuse Reply
by jagpal singh ch, bathinda, on Aug 07, 2008 06:33 PM, Report abuse Reply
Though i am eagerly awaiting the iphone, i honestly don't think it will be the huge hit we'll all anticipating it to be. The reason for this is that the Indian market, I think, is too intelligent. The iphone does pack in a lot of looks, but thatz all it does. Most of the features in the iphone are also available in plenty of other phones offered by brands that have a huge customer loyalty in India.
by Anonymous, Delhi, on Aug 07, 2008 04:08 PM, Report abuse Reply
by manoj t shirole, nashik, on Jul 03, 2008 12:47 PM, Report abuse Reply
i am thinking of getting iphone 3G for $199 through my cousin in US. Will it work in India? Will I be able to unlock it? Can I use it with local SIM?
by ashwant, bangalore, on Jun 23, 2008 04:55 PM, Report abuse Reply
by indaveer, suratgarh, on Jun 23, 2008 01:28 PM, Report abuse Reply
i am eagerly waiting for that moment when it will get launced. TOO HOT TO RESIST.....
by Abhisek, Chandigarh, on Jun 20, 2008 12:48 PM, Report abuse Reply
the thing is simple guys ..erlier at&t didnt activated the phone themselves ..because it was allowed to activate it at home by itunes....but now there will be an in store compulsary activation for people living in us ..so the problem is that erlier we used to get phones from apple and then we unlocjed it because there was no contract with at& t was involved and we paid the full price of the iphone that was 399$ these months ..but now sunce there is a compulsary contract with at&t ..u have to pay minimum 70$(2800 rs) every month in us and u get an iphone for 199$(8400 rs) ..so u cant just get the iphone take it home and unlock it..if u do not activate the phone in 30 days of purchase ..apple will charge serious penelties ..so if it launches in india like that ..then u all get ready to pay atleast rs 1500 monthly and for 2 years it will become 50000 rs approx ..because the minimum contract is that of 2 years ..so get ready to burn ur pockets
by Preet, New delhi, on Jun 16, 2008 06:43 PM, Report abuse Reply
yeah....i ll be the first one to buy it....
by ks high energy., mum, on Jun 15, 2008 11:19 AM, Report abuse Reply
Welcome to India! Sure the iPhone will sweep the market with its common sense features! the street warriors will love the 16GB version and I am sure the N95 will have to work harder to stay around!
by Balagopal, Trichur, on Jun 15, 2008 05:25 AM, Report abuse Reply
Guys, Check w w w.e n g a d g e t.c o m, g i z m o d o, s l a s h d o t and so many other fundu sites that give current updates on the international scene. Techtree is useful only for the india flavor. BTW the new iPhone is thicker than the earlier one. So much for sleekness
by Bhaskara Rao, Guntur, on Jun 10, 2008 01:57 PM, Report abuse Reply
get ur facts right moron...its 1/8th inch THINNER.
by Gultu Ram, Elluru, on Jun 10, 2008 02:08 PM, Report abuse
Unfortunately, as expected there's no front-facing cam, and while its edges are thinner than before it's still about a millimeter thicker at the center (12.3mm over 11.6mm before).
by Joe, Delhi, on Jun 14, 2008 01:57 PM, Report abuse
@pple as u know is a gr8 phone,but it does not support video recording, no mms, no java application support, and no radio....the product is not "mature" in basic features like this! some new features explained in the new iphone are simply silly, "bulk delete, contact search" etc.. but the pricing is fantastic!,u will not get anything like this under this price!
by joe, kochi, on Jun 14, 2008 05:13 AM, Report abuse Reply
THIS IS GOING TO BE END OF NOKIA DOMINANCE IN INDIA
by Sri Harsha GUTU, Hyderabad, on Jun 12, 2008 05:58 PM, Report abuse Reply
I don't think it is going end Nokia's dominance in the country Nokia has a huge customer base and wide range of products I think it's going to be huge success but it won't any company's dominance in the Indian Market
by Sidhant Garg, Delhi, on Jun 13, 2008 10:59 AM, Report abuse
by van hausen, atlanta, on Jun 13, 2008 03:03 AM, Report abuse Reply
ya in india,iphone price not exceeds more than 10k, i m inerested to buy it.
by vijay ahire, Nashik-Maharashtra, on Jun 12, 2008 07:09 PM, Report abuse Reply
Thanks to Iphone producer they lower the price. but In India it is too late for launching. we are waiting ...
by Rakesh, Jamshedpur, on Jun 12, 2008 11:25 AM, Report abuse Reply
With this launch, i guess Nokia and other big cellular brands have to lower their prices for many models.. let's wait i-phone launch in India!!
by Hiten, Ahmedabad, on Jun 12, 2008 10:38 AM, Report abuse Reply
3G was missing yeah but apart from a larger screen it doesnt come close to the N95 which has the topmost bundle of util and ofcourse a bettr cam . pricey though but apparently the best.
by luzifer, mumbai, on Jun 11, 2008 06:39 PM, Report abuse Reply
N95 only has a better camera. There are many more better softwares coming up on the Iphone then on the Symbian based N95. Also the iPhone has better browsing experience, better PIM service, Active Synchronisation. Iphone is not just an iPod. its for the Smarter Race, coz it competes with Blackberries and Communicators also and not just flashy candy N95
by Anonymous, jo, on Jun 11, 2008 08:39 PM, Report abuse
by manish, mumbai, on Jun 11, 2008 03:48 PM, Report abuse Reply
great phone, if it offers at 18-20K price tag in India it will smash nokia's high-end phone market for sure...
by Mandar, Pune, on Jun 10, 2008 01:44 PM, Report abuse Reply
it shouldn't be that much.. its US price is $199 - which is approx 9k. so in India it should not exceed 11k
by Karthik, Chennai, on Jun 11, 2008 02:47 AM, Report abuse
comparing ipod touch price -- $399 + taxes for 16GB model in india it was sold for 22000 so for iphone @ $199 + taxes it willbe around 11K right :)
by demesne, banglaore, on Jun 11, 2008 12:28 PM, Report abuse
Ha ha ha...its not for $199 for anyone. :) Apple giving it only for existing Talk plan holding customers of AT&T. And its price is so low because the phone activation is done their in stores itself, you cant activate through internet, so 2 years contracts is must. Unlike previous iPhones, where you buy the phone and just buy any plan later or choose not buy any plan and give it to anyone by just unlocking. Because of that almost 40% iphones did not got activated and AT&T had severe loss. So this time it is very difficult to get the iPhone without contract. For new connection customers, they have not announced prices yet, but no matter what, they have cleared the policy of compulsory 2 years contract activation then n there in the shop. Else no phone :)
by Rohit, Mumbai, on Jun 11, 2008 01:03 PM, Report abuse
just the good one which i look in my life
by GOSWAMI, NEW DELHI, on Jun 11, 2008 11:51 AM, Report abuse Reply
Request for the best lowest price at aroung 9K to 10K. Awaiting for the earliest launch
by Ramana, Solapur, on Jun 11, 2008 11:18 AM, Report abuse Reply
God i wish i would have owned 1 atleast... :(
by bhumika mudgal, Mumbai, on Jun 11, 2008 09:43 AM, Report abuse Reply
by BABANOEL, shiraz, on Jun 11, 2008 03:36 AM, Report abuse Reply
You think iPhone 3G is good, go check out Samsung Omnia..... The most basic free phones have stuff that is missing from iPhone 3G. Everyone says Apple is the leader in phone market..wrong...Apple is the leading innovator in the phone UI market not the handset market. Their handsets seriously lack a lot of features. They have released a phone with a great UI, which once duplicated by other will leave them behind, unless they get serious with the instrument features. MMS may not be that popular in America but you cannot do without it in China/Japan/India, that's ~400-500 million users vs 100 million in America.
by dk slc, mumbai, on Jun 11, 2008 03:26 AM, Report abuse Reply
by Kulvinda, india, on Jun 11, 2008 03:18 AM, Report abuse Reply
Can you buy this 3G iphone without having to commit to AT&T's expensive services, like an unlocked one?
by Cha Yuet, Boston Massachusetts, on Jun 11, 2008 02:37 AM, Report abuse Reply
I love this new i phone 3g i am going to buy one
by shernik smith, stamford ct, on Jun 10, 2008 11:07 PM, Report abuse Reply
does this mean that they will finally come up with updates that improve the existing iphone, like games, gps, and video other than utube?
by adam, lake tahoe, on Jun 10, 2008 06:56 PM, Report abuse Reply
what about video recording??, the 1st one didnt have it!and i had read tht vodafone was releasing the iphone in india ):
by zeeshan, hyderabad, on Jun 10, 2008 01:22 PM, Report abuse Reply
Wrong. It had a camera and therefore had video. You just needed to download the program from the installer. MY video is great on my 1st gen iPhone. Records direct to mpeg.
by Tim, Liverpool, on Jun 10, 2008 03:50 PM, Report abuse
Cracking your Iphone is all fine and good for some but others of us believe that if you spend the money for one of the most expensive phones, it should come with all the app's lesser phones have.
by adam, lake tahoe, on Jun 10, 2008 06:53 PM, Report abuse
Why is the availabliity pushed to 7/11? Is this poor planning or just a way to disrupt the cell phone market?
by Rollo, San Diego, on Jun 10, 2008 06:36 PM, Report abuse Reply
Can anybody please leaborate on the Bluetooth support of this device? And is it ta;;y possible to capture video with iPhone (as mentioned in one comment) ?
by Kaushik, Mumbai, on Jun 10, 2008 06:09 PM, Report abuse Reply
its a cool phone. but could u tell me what will be its price in india . and by what time will it be available for us in india .
by prateek, pune, on Jun 10, 2008 04:45 PM, Report abuse Reply
When is this phone released in India?
by Ashvini, Bangalore, on Jun 10, 2008 04:20 PM, Report abuse Reply
I have an IPhone since launch and it is an awesome phone with a great interface. The only thing that let it down was it was not 3g but now read em and weep Nokia and other woodbe Mobile Devices.
by Frank, Rushden, on Jun 10, 2008 02:46 PM, Report abuse Reply
When is this version being relaeased in India. Also the futility of the device is that most of the services it boasts of are hardly available in India. This powerful gadget becomes a normal nokia phone
by Addy, ghaziabad, on Jun 10, 2008 01:47 PM, Report abuse Reply
excuse me- normal nokia phone? i don't think "normal nokia phone" has touchscreen features and e-mail capability........infact it doesn't ! hahahahaha!
by Sandeep, Chennai, on Jun 10, 2008 02:32 PM, Report abuse
Fantastic, I need this product in NZ now! PLEase hurry.
by Hugh Sintes, Wanaka, on Jun 10, 2008 02:25 PM, Report abuse Reply
Dose this mean that it will work with Next G?
by Craig Brooks, Mandurah, on Jun 10, 2008 02:08 PM, Report abuse Reply
by Anonymous, Chennai, on Jun 10, 2008 01:42 PM, Report abuse Reply
by arun, dubai, on Jun 10, 2008 01:10 PM, Report abuse Reply
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Hi Guys, Please check for authorised service centres, before you spend your money to buy such hi-end gadgets.
by Andrew G Avelin, Chennai, on Sep 08, 2008 04:45 PM, Report abuse Reply