Today's sign that the 3G iPhone is nigh

The iPhone will soon be faster. We'll define 'soon' as between four and six weeks.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Widespread iPhone shortages, combined with an explosion in carrier deals, point to the launch of the next-generation iPhone as right around the corner, according to Piper Jaffray.

I know, I know: this isn't the first time you've heard that theory. But you have to admit that signs are piling up that a 3G iPhone is in Apple's short-term plans. Let's recap the evidence so far.

The iPhone is currently unavailable at half the Apple retail stores surveyed by Piper Jaffray over the weekend. Both the 8GB and 16GB models are unavailable from Apple's online store. Shortages have also been reported in recent weeks in the U.K. following a price cut.

Also, Apple is adding wireless carriers at a frantic pace. Canada, Mexico, Australia, much of Latin America, four new countries in Asia, and almost half of Europe are now on track to start officially selling iPhones in short fashion. The big Asian prizes, China and Japan, remain outsiders for the moment, but unlocked iPhones are selling briskly in China under the table.

Piper Jaffray expects Apple to announce the 3G iPhone at the Worldwide Developer's Conference in June (where, believe it or not, Apple CEO Steve Jobs will deliver a keynote address). The iPhone 2.0 software is expected to arrive by the end of June, which will mark the one-year anniversary of the iPhone's debut.

So, those of you who were wondering if you should wait to purchase an iPhone until the 3G model comes out, rest easy. You simply can't buy one now even if you wanted to--or at least, you're going to have trouble finding one.

[johnmadden78]

Wanna hear something really sad? I probably won't buy a 3G iPhone, at least not until I can afford a price plan that will let me use it properly. But I'm still dying to see it. Gadget porn isn't dead.

[jag0]

What do you consider "affordable"? The price point for the minutes & data plan of the iPhone are about on par with Windows Mobile phones.

[ibeetle]

Apple store online has been updated. New iPhones are here now.
First, No 3G
Second, $100 price drop
Third, new 32GB model introduced

This is why blogs are useless. Why not just go to the source if you want to know what is going on. In this case www. apple.com.

[MadLyb]

Exactly what planet or country are you seeing this infromation? The store still shows 8 & 16 with the usual pricing. I do have to agree that this endless guessing is pointless.

[ppgreat]

Which Apple Store are you looking at? Post a link.

[Chris Baumgardt]

ibeetle,

There is no new iPhone on the Apple Store site. There is a $100 cheaper model and a 32GB model on the site, but they are iPod Touch models and not iPhones. Next time you berate the blog site about fact checking, you might want to start by checking your facts.

[mtremain]

Link? I just went to the Apple Store online and it said "currently unavailable." Which is why random blog comments are useless...

[brewster_13]

ibeetle, what Apple Online Store are you looking at?
The one I see shows the 8 & 16 GB iPhones as unavailable. You must be looking at the iPod Touch page. Talk about useless, your whole comment is thus.

[johnp67]

3G iPhone in May, new mobile device at WWDC 2008?
http://switchtoamac.com/site/3g-iphone-in-may-new-mobile-device-at-wwdc-2008.html

That story is from April and now that the iPhone is sold out in the UK and the US, it more plausible now.

[jeffo80]

Seriously ibeetle, maybe you should learn to read the Apple store before coming in trying to flame away on something you have no idea about.

[Woldlink007]

We are sellers and distributors of iphones globally.All Our mobile phones are Brand new and Unlocked and we sell all kinds of Mobile phones


Apple iphone 3G 8GB...USD280


Apple iphone 3G 16GB...USD300


Interested buyers should please contact us directly via Email; [e-mail]



Best Regards,
Mr Marcus Philip,
Sales manager,
Contact:[phone]