The iPhone Revolution 2.0
By Chris Neiger
It’s here.
It seems like ever since the first iPhone was launched technophiles and business gurus have been talking about the next generation iPhone and how much better it will be than the first one. Not that the first generation iPhone wasn’t already an interface revolution, graphically ground-breaking, and simply all-together awesome. But the tech-savants knew right away that the iPhone needed the already available, reliable and fast 3G wireless network in order to be a serious contender with the likes of BlackBerry and other smart phones dominating the market.
Their year of jubilee is finally here. Apple will start selling the second generation iPhone on July 11th and are shooting for a projected sales bonanza of selling 10 million in 2008 (the first iPhone has sold six million to date).
Let’s take a brief look at the iPhone’s new threads:
3G Wireless Technology: I already mentioned this, but what it means for users is that their Internet speed on the phone will take a leap from 1990’s dial-up to 21st Century download and streaming capabilities similar to Wi-Fi speeds.
New price: The new iPhone is available for $199 (8 Gig models) and $299 (16 Gig models). A steep drop from the original $600 and $400 a pop for the original.
Build and Purchase Apps: iPhone users will be able to purchase applications for their phone that are built by third-party developers. Apple’s original closed-fisted approach to producing all the software themselves has evolved into a system that will benefit both users and Apple in the long run.
MobileMe: In order to compete more directly with smartphones, Apple has come up with MobileMe, which allows the iPhone to sync with your PC, Mac and other applications and devices. You can check your MS Outlook mail, update your Mac iCal and update your contact list all in one place and have it sync on all your devices. This will be very useful for corporate accounts. 
GPS: Another anticipated and sought-after upgrade is the new GPS chip in the new iPhone. Instead of figuring out your location through triangulation like before, the GPS chip allows real time and accurate positioning for directions.
In addition to these new main features, the phone also reads PowerPoint presentations, boasts a longer battery life, and also allows you to take a call, browse the Web and check email all at the same time… for hundreds less than the original.
You Paid WHAT for Your iPhone!?
That’s right, as if the people who waited in line for days and then paid $600 for the original iPhone only to find out two months later the price went down to $400 haven’t had it bad enough already. The new pricing is sure to draw in people who have been put off by the original phone’s prices or haven’t considering purchasing a smartphone in the past.
By creating an innovative machine and selling it at prices that tempt even the best of the money conscious, Apple is positioning themselves to grab a larger share of the cell phone industry… and fast. Currently, Apple only sells their little wonder in six countries; this year they’ll move across the globe into 70 countries faster than you can say Genghis Khan. BlackBerrys beware.