iPhone 2.0 Release Date And Pricing Announced

As expected, during his Worldwide Developers Conference keynote presentation, Steve Jobs announced Apple plans to introduce a new version of the iPhone.



The new 3G version of the iPhone, will sell for $199 for the 8GB model and $299 for the 16GB model. That's a $200 discount from the current version which sells for $399 and $499 prices for the 8GB and 16GB iPhones, respectively. Apple plans on shipping Iphones by July 11 in 22 countries.

The new 3G iPhone will enable faster data downloads over AT&T's 3G network and will include built-in GPS. Physical changes to the new iPhone include a curvier design, full plastic back, solid metal buttons, and a flush headphone jack. As well as the addition of white as a color option for the 16GB iPhone.

iPhone users can also expect to see improved battery life of 300 hours of standby time. Users will also be able to switch between 3G and 2G in case they wish to save battery life. On the new iPhone, 2G talk time has improved to 10 hours (from 8 hours); for 3G talk time, the phone will have a battery life of 5 hours.

Firmware improvements will include plenty of new features as well as several new software packages. The iPhone will add a contact search that allows users to enter a name and instantly find who they’re looking for. Full iWork document support lets users view Pages, Numbers, and Keynote documents. Apple also will offer full support for Microsoft Office documents, including PowerPoint presentations.

iPhone 2.0 adds much sought-after bulk delete and move capabilities to its Mail application. Mail users will be able to save images from e-mails into their Photo Library.

Apple has also add parental control features, allowing parents to turn off explicit content as well as controls over viewable sites such as YouTube. There will also be controls for download sites including the iTunes Store, and the forthcoming App Store.



During the keynote presentation Apple executives also profiled the iPhone software development kit that allows developers to build native apps for the phone. Developers showed off the games and apps that will be available via the App Store later this summer. Companies demonstrating their wares included Sega, Loopt, Pangea Software, TypePad, Cow Music, and Modality.