That's as close as we can get to "insider" news, but I don't know if its actually real.

Since it's coming from the guy who posts pointless photoshopped fakes all the time, I think we can safely say it's not.

Well considering he claims Australia to be the first country to get 3G and on telstra (who are pushing Next-g)

For one, don't even try to tell me it'll be next-g, it'll be UMTS because it's available across most of europe and parts of the USA.

Since UMTS based 3G is available in the states, I see no reason why the 3G iPhone would be announced there, maybe before the phone launches here.

IMHO apple are a fair way away from a 3G iPhone, there's more to it than adding a 3G radio
you also need to factor in a front mounted iSight and video calling (otherwise the 3G is only useful for web browsing)

Still waiting on plenty of features before any of that happens though, like MMS

Isn't Telstra Next-G just their name for 3G?

AFAIK Telstra uses 850Mhz HSDPA where everyone else uses 2100Mhz UMTS

Yeah, if you wanna get a warranty-less iphone, a) get one now, unlocked.. or b) if you want, wait till it comes out officially here in Australia.. I'll be going with option b. no matter how long it'll take.

Still waiting on a Powebook G5 too? :P

I am also doubting the time-frame of a 3G iPhone (a 3G iPhone will be iPhone 2.0).

There's no way Apple will release a 3G iPhone outside the USA first, no way in hell. 3G in the USA is pissweak and a mix of different standards, etc. It will certainly be a HSDPA enabled phone and will have an 850mhz radio in it (maybe others, but certainly 850mhz), as that's what AT&T's HSDPA network runs on. AT&T's network isn't comprehensive, but going to a 14.4mbit HSDPA/3.6mbit HSUPA system is what they are rolling out. Most metro areas are covered (it's a bit like 3's coverage here in Aus).

Why is this also interesting to us? It pretty much confirms that Telstra will get the iPhone, as Telstra have the best 3G HSDPA network *in the world* (bash the big T all you want, but their NextG network is amazing and they should be proud).

Apple's contract with AT&T means whatever network AT&T has, the iPhone will support. A 3G iPhone depends on two things, AT&T's network coverage (getting there) and the utilisation of the low power 3G chipset (it's here, but Apple needs to work with it and the company making them needs to ramp up fabrication - it could even be a piece of shit, who knows).

For now, an EDGE enabled iPhone suits the USA just fine, so Apple isn't in a rush. Telstra is in no rush either. They want the iPhone on their NextG network (they want everything on NextG and would love to turn off GSM if they could) to show off how cool and fast it is. Apple want a phone with a good customer experience, which NextG will provide now and into the forseeable future.

As for a date? It's anyone's guess. The telcos are ready, a 3G iPhone is almost baked in the oven, but the USA isn't hungry. Releasing a 3G iPhone now will do more harm than good for Apple. The current iPhone is selling like hotcakes and has no competition so Apple are content to wait until it's just right and BANG - 3G iPhone that will blow your mind (it won't just be a simple radio/speed upgrade, they'll give you some cool features to utilise that phat wireless pipe).

Actually I think they might even have localised radio's for the phones.

When you think about it, the software is independent of the modem.
What's to stop apple having 2 different versions, one UMTS and one HSDPA? the only difference would be the baseband.

My reasoning for this is that there's plenty of UMTS in the world too.

Good post. I totally agree, a 3G iPhone will never be released outside of the mighty U S of A first. No way.

In terms of new features it wouldnt be hard to integrate iChat with video calls etc. Apple already has the base with OSX and iLife.

As I've said before, no it doesn't. There are no, count them, no 850MHz networks in Europe - they're 2100MHz. iPhone 2.0 will therefore have to be tri-/quad-band and that means any Australian 3G network will be an option.

AKA Buy an iPhone now, don't expect them soon.

I'm happy i got mine months back. The thing is amazing.

The new applications for iPod touch bring it even closer to iPhone status. Anyone know if iPod touch will do Yahoo! push e-mail like the iPhone?

'Push' only works on my iPhone when GPRS is enabled. So I doubt whether Yahoo push will work for the touch without checking manually via wifi.

That is the most SPOT ON post I've read on the topic and I fully agree with it all.

You are dead right on the timing and Telstra's desire for it to be on Next G. They would not want to have it on EDGE as they are desperately trying to get people off their GSM service now.

For those suggesting a March 08 release for a 3G Aus iPhone..."tell them you're dreaming" . The 3G version probably still has some developing to do (they will be addressing criticisms and adding new features as well rather than just slap on 3G band). It will also be released in US first....AT&T would be furiours if it was released elsewhere first as it would lead to lots of Americans starting to import (for once!)

So while 2008 is the year of the Asian release, if it is going to be a 3G version (and I suspect it will be as Asia isn't too keen on 2G) it will be released closer to 3rd/4th quarter this year..