iGirl’s iPhone 2.0 wrap-up: Cheaper, faster, better!
June 9th, 2008, 12:43 pm · 15 Comments · posted by Sonya Quick
**Update: What to do if you already own an iPhone **
**Update: AT&T’s monthly fees for new iPhone 3G plans**
***Update: 6:18 p.m.; The Apple iPhone is not available for pre-order, meaning more customers waiting in long lines for the mobile phones. An AT&T spokeswoman said today that details will come out closer to the July 11 release, such as what time the phones will go on sale.***
As just about everyone predicted the announcement of a 3G iPhone today, Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs did just that today.
Nerds, like myself, might be interested in the play-by-play liveblogging we had this morning. But, for the rest of the world, here’s a simple snapshot of what Jobs announced:
A new iPhone:
- The second-ever generation iPhone goes on sale July 11 in 22 countries.
- The phone looks much like the current iPhone, but the buttons are all metal, its a little bit thinner and the back is all black or white plastic rather than brushed metal.
- The phone’s new features: GPS (that pinpoints the phone’s exact location) and 3G (a new way of connecting to cellular networks that offers faster speeds for loading web pages, sending photos and downloading e-mails).
Two versions of the iPhone will be sold: an 8GB version in black for $199 and a 16GB version in white or black for $299.- Buying the new iPhone requires a new two year AT&T rate plan, sold separately.
- The phone also has improved audio (some people complained the phone’s speakers were not loud enough) and the spot for plugging in headphones is flush (the old phone’s plug-in was different than iPods and such — requiring an adapter to use most headphones).
- ADDED 2:10 p.m. — AT&T says pricing on the new phone will be $30 a month for 3G data plans plus voice plans starting at $39.99 a month. Unlimited 3G data plans for business users will be $45 a month, plus a voice plan.
- ADDED 4:58 p.m. – No discounts for current owners. But if you purchased an iPhone on or after May 27, you’ll be able to exchange it for the new iPhone “without incurring an additional handset charge,” says AT&T. For owners of iPhone prior to May 27, you’ll have to fork over the $199 or more for the new phone and extend your contract for 2 more years.
A new Web site for syncing personal information:
- Apple’s new Web site (called www.me.com — it’s not live yet) replaces the current site called dot Mac at www.mac.com.
- The Web site stores a person’s: contacts, calendars, e-mail and photos. Users change or add information to the Web site and that information is then automatically synced via wireless to the person’s Apple or PC computers, iPhone or iPod Touch and programs (Microsoft Outlook for PC users and iCal, Apple Mail and Address Book for Apple users).
MobileMe will open in July (likely on July 11) and costs $99 a year. There is a 60-day free trial. The service includes available 20GBs of available space. People who use .Mac right now can upgrade to MobileMe whenever they want.
Third-party applications for the iPhone and iPod Touch:
- Starting in early July iPhone and iPod Touch users will be able to download applications for the devices made by third-party developers (not made by Apple).
Developers set their own prices for the applications; some will be available for free.- Some applications were demonstrated during today’s Apple presentation. Those include: Super Monkey Ball – a game by SEGA, an eBay application called “Auctions,” Modality that offers information and images for medical students, a Major League Baseball application that shows game and player information and a racing game called “Cromag Ralley” in which the iPhone or iPod Touch is used as the steering wheel.
An updated operating system for the iPhone and iPod Touch:
- The next operating system for the iPhone and iPod Touch will be version 2.0.
- The system will be a free upgrade for iPhone users and will cost $9.99 for iPod Touch owners.
- The system will be available in early July.
- The system’s new features include: ways to delete or move groups of information — not just one item at a time, ways to save images from an e-mail, a scientific calculator, Asian language support and parental controls.
Earlier:
- Let the live Apple iPhone 2.0 coverage begin!
- Twitter’s alive with the sound of iPhone
- Apple stores are closed to prepare for new iPhone?
- More clues on when Apple will launch the next iPhone
- Apple iPhone games: what is in development, what they should offer
- Freebies for Mac and iPhone fans
- Apple iPhone 2.0 expected Monday
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Here's a list of TV/mobile companies helping consumers one tweet at a time. 
I like these announcements today. The price was key to this and they really hit the point I think. I’m also really excited about MobileMe. I have an iPhone, a MacBook and an iMac at work. This will make my life much easier.
Thanks for all the coverage of today’s announcements.
(By the way I added you on Twitter…)
Nick_ Thanks and I’m glad you enjoyed the coverage!
Thank you for the coverage. I have an “Old” iPhone and understand from your story that there is the opportunity to upgrade to version 2.0, but am unclear as to the following: will the upgrade provide the ability to access the 3G network also?
Owen — Sorry. The software upgrade won’t give your iPhone 3G capabilities — for that, it needs the 3G silicon chip. The upgrade just gives you access to all the new software.
8GB=$199, 16GB=$299 so an additional 8GB is $100? WTF????
With the new 3G and AT+T plans mentioned, will you be able to use Skype with video calling capabilities?
Bob, that’s a good point that I hadn’t considered too much before.
Gadgetress, any info on how we would be able to upgrade our phone with AT&T? What is the process? Is it done through iTunes? Have to go in the store? Over the phone? Do we have to renew our contract?
Bob_ Yes, you read correctly on the prices. Actually the pricing is similar to last year’s. When the first iPhone went on sale the 4GB version was $499 and the 8GB was $599. (The prices were both lowered by $100 each two months later).
Wavey Davey_ Not sure about Skype. It will be interesting to see if Internet calling applications are allowed. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.
Nick_ To upgrade an iPhone or iPod Touch (once the 2.0 operating system is available in early July) you just plug it into iTunes just like you normally would to sync information. iTunes will likely prompt that there is a new download for the device, if not click on the main iPhone or iPod Touch screen in iTunes on “Check for Update.” Then, iTunes will download the update, install it on your device, your device will restart and then will sync. For the 2.0 operating system you do not need to go to an Apple store or AT&T store, you do not need to sign any contracts and you do not need to make any calls. But, if you want a new iPhone or iPod Touch you would on or after July 11 buy the new device and then you can go home and sync it with iTunes that will help lead you in signing a new contract with AT&T.
Thanks! But do I keep my same number and all that? I guess what I’m asking is getting an iPhone 3G similar to upgrading to a new phone with any other carrier? I already have an iPhone so upgrading to a 3G seems like I should just be able to inset my old SIM card into the new phone, sync it with iTunes, and renew my contract?
Nick_ Yes you can keep the same phone number. If you change to a 3G iPhone from any cell phone on any carrier you can keep the same phone number. And yes, all you’ll need to do is switch over your SIM card, sync the phone with iTunes and renew your contract.
Got it. Thanks again for the info! So basically AT&T will treat me like a new customer… ‘porting’ my number over to the new iPhone 3G, etc. Not the industry norm (when I had Tmobile and wanted a new phone it was an ‘upgrade my phone’ thing and my contract stayed the same (unless I wanted a discount) and all I did was take my SIM card out and put it in the new phone I bought) but I guess none of this has been the industry norm since they launched the iPhone last year. I guess the only difference here is that AT&T won’t charge me to ‘cancel’ my existing contract if and when I buy a 3G iPhone.
An AT&T update: AT&T clarified to me that current iPhone customers won’t get a discount. They must buy the new phone and sign a new 2-year contract — but they keep their existing status as an AT&T subscriber.
However, if you bought an existing iPhone on or after May 27, AT&T will exchange it for the new iPhone for free.
I’ll update the post with AT&T’s actual statement to me.
I would like to find out if iPhone 2.0 can be supported by Microsoft Entourage. I have all my contacts, calendar, etc. in this application and really want to use it to upload to the new phone.
Lets see..
apple releases phone and doens’t include two things that every phone since 2003 has included… MMS and 3G..
Apple decides to update phone one year later.
Apple gets the 3G right – but no MMS.
Lets add Video recording to that and do what we did with the original iphone – put a cheap camera in the phone (2mp), let it record videos, but disable it by default and dont let anybody record without a hack.
I think i am going to hold off for the Blackberry BOLD or Blackberry Thunder (and go with verizon)
This proves that you dont need a good prodcut to sell a lot – just a large marketing budget.
John_ There was no mention in yesterday’s announcements that Entourage will work with MobileMe. I’ve also heard lots of people wanting other data systems to work with MobileMe. I’ll keep checking to see exactly what will and will not work with MobileMe.
realized_ I agree that MMS and 3G are needed. Many people have complained that the first iPhone lacked some features offered on many other phones. Still, I’d say the allure of the iPhone is that it just works. That’s my personal opinion, though, and I’d say that if MMS is the one feature you can’t live without that you not buy an iPhone.