in case you can't get enough

Macrumors.com had such a great piece i had to repost it here.

The Evidence for a 3G iPhone... June 2008

Sunday March 30, 2008 08:39 PM EST; Category: iPhone
Written by arn

There's been so much talk about the possibility of the "3G" iPhone, it can be hard to keep up with all the rumors. First of all, "3G" technology promises broadband-like speeds over wireless cellular networks. At present, the iPhone only offers 2.5G (EDGE) speeds, which means your web pages and email download at relatively slower speeds.

It's been no secret that the iPhone will eventually adopt 3G technology. When Steve Jobs first introduced the iPhone in January 2007, he specifically said (video clip) that Apple plans on making "3G phones and all sorts of amazing things in the future". The major issue that prevented Apple from incorporating 3G into the first iPhone was excessive power consumption from 3G chipsets:

We cared a lot about battery life and we cared a lot about physical size. Down the road, I'm sure some of those tradeoffs will become more favorable towards 3G but as of now we think we made a pretty good doggone decision.

Some newly announced 3G chipsets promise to address these power issues and AT&T's CEOhas even said outright that the 3G iPhone is coming in 2008.

When is it coming?

The earliest evidence of the 3G iPhone came from Goldman Sachs Analysts who predicted that the iPhone would see two updates in 2008. The first minor update was predicted to be a Flash memory upgrade in the 1st half of the year. This came true in February with the release of the 16GB iPhone. 

The second revision was described as "major" and was predicted to include 3G, possibly a different look, and arrive in the 2nd half of 2008. A number of reports this week appears to confirm this prediction. Hon Hai has reportedly won the contract to build Apple's next iPhone and Bank of America sources suggest that the 3G iPhone will begin limited production in May with a ramp up in June. Spanish paper Cinco Dias suggests that the 3G iPhone could debut in the Spanish market as early as May.

Finally, there was news this week that Apple has acquired trademark rights to use the name "iPhone" in Japan -- a country that interestingly has a 3G network but no EDGE network.

What do I do now?

A June release for the next iPhone falls conveniently close to Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference which takes place from June 9-13th this year. It's possible that Apple will replace the existing iPhone with the 3G version, but it's also conceivable that the 3G version will be a high-end model, leaving the existing 2.5G iPhone in place at a cheaper price point.

Due to the mounting evidence for the 3G iPhone, we've updated our Buyers Guide to recommend against buying an iPhone at this time unless you absolutely need it. Obviously, individual circumstances may vary, but if you are an average consumer looking for the best value for the money, we recommend waiting, but understand the new version could still be (at least) 3 months off. 

Inventory reduction

Yesterday the 8 GB iPhone went to a 5-7 day shipping status on the Apple Store at www.apple.com.  I really think this is another sign of a big announcement coming.  Prove me wrong Apple and release the 3G iPhone before June!

more 3G in June

I've said in the past that I think the 3G iPhone will be out between June and September. I am going to officially revise that to between June and July. There has been some snazzy talk around the world that points to the 3G out soon. Here's the rundown.
16Gb phones are in limited supply. A company won't let this happen. Unless of course they are trying to reduce inventory or there is a production problem. We would hear about a production problem. Apple will want to reduce inventory in preperation for the 3G release. This supply issue is worldwide.
SingTel looks like they will be releasing the iPhone to Singapore in September. Why the long delay? Most of Asia is 3G and it is deemed as standard. You don't release a 2.5G phone in an area that is starting to look past 3G. With a September release that gives Apple plenty of time to release the 3G in the US first. It is also rumored that Belgium is in the same boat.
Component manufacturers are also eyeing the 3G release for June.
I'm looking forward to playing with my iPhone on the patio at Bengals come July!

Highlights

As the title suggests here are the highlights since the last post:
Apple patented a cool new touch pad.
Airport Express is now available n smokin' fast 802.11n.
If you really want to access your iPhone field test menu dial * 3 0 0 1 # 1 2 3 4 5 # * and press call.
Did you know it is cold in Canada? The iPhone is finding out the hard way.
Here's a big one. Java wants to put VM on the iPhone but that may be impossible. Here is the detailed info, but basically no program is allowed to execute another according to the SDK.
A bunch of developers got nastygrams from Apple. It was a thanks but no thanks, I'll call you don't call me type of deal.
16Gb iPhones are gettin hard to find!!! I smell inventory reduction and 3G!!!!!!!!!
NYC subway maps are available on the iPhone. This will be a big help for people like me that need a personal guide when it comes to the NYC subway. Anyone up for a whirlwind tour of NYC?
WWDC '08 will be June 9-13, expect a major iPhone hardware announcement.
For those of you that like the back to my mac idea check this free version out.

Don't forget you will be getting your economic stimulus package check in May. This is also known as your iPhone 3G for free check.

2Day was a Big Day

The SDK is out for the iPhone! It will do some great stuff. From iphone world:
"- Push E-mail- Global address list- Cisco IPsec VPN support- Authentication and certs- Enterprise class WiFi (WPA2 / 802.1x)- Security policies- Enterprise configuration tools- Remote wipe.- In-built MS Exchange support via ActiveSync"
Jobs said that iPhone software v2.0 will come out to all the iPhones in late June. That's roughly when the World Wide Developers Conference will be. Wouldn't that be a great time to release the 3G iPhone.
Also, Apple will control all the new apps through the app store that can be accessed on EDGE or Wi-Fi. All that data being downloaded would benefit from 3G. Developers will set the price of apps and Apple will get a 30% cut. Free apps will be allowed.

2MORO is a Big Day

The SKD kit may be coming! I say may because when it comes to Apple the consumer doesn't REALLY know anything until Steve Jobs tells us. My gut tells me that we actually will see the SKD and we will see a few native applications from some major vendors.
The interesting part is going to see who has control over the applications. Will they go through Apple and be purchased on iTunes or will distribution be left up to the developer? People are thinking and hearing different things on this. I personally think we will see "Apple Approved" software going through iTunes and having a cost as well as unapproved freeware/shareware that is available somewhere in the ether.
There are lots and lots of programs being pined for by iPhone users. As you all know I am not a current iPhone user and I don't have a list of programs. I would like to see a checkbook register program. I don't want it linked to my account but just something that I can tap on and enter "-7.34" and it would update the total correctly. Above all else it has to look cool.
If you have read my other posts you'll see I believe the 3G iPhone will hit between June and September with higher likelihood towards June. It seems I'm not the only one. MacRumors had this to say. Basically a rumor that we'll see 3G mid-year. This one a few days later is a bit more interesting. "After meeting with Taiwanese electronics companies Citigroup’s Richard Gardner claims that his sources have confirmed that the 3G iPhone will be released in 2nd Quarter calendar year. If correct, this would pinpoint the release between April-June 2008. " See told you it was more interesting.
What this all means to us you ask? 2moro is going to be fun, Apple events always are. We will know what is going on with the SKD. The day where a very large number of people want to jailbreak their phones will be replaced by the day where a smaller number of people want to jailbreak their phones. We will see some amazing programs for the iPhone that allow users to do almost anything. Soon developers will be clamoring for a faster processor to do all these neat tricks. I'm guessing Apple knows this so we'll see the 3G version soon.