Apple's new iPhone was unveiled overnight and it may represent another revolution in the mobile phone world. (Track the hype here with Y7 NEWS)

Set for release here July 11, the iPhone aims to synchronise the functions of a phone, iPod and organiser, adding maps and 3G technology to allow streaming video.

A major price reduction is also on its way, with Apple hoping to move personal users to a subscription model charging $100/year.

What is it missing? An expandable memory card, a battery you can change and MMS messaging (for sending pictures and video). There is also no video camera and the phone camera is a very poor 2megapixels.

In contrast, the latest competitor phones now feature 5MP cameras and have all the above functions, plus a copy and paste facility, which the iPhone also lacks.

The iPhone is expected to cost between $200 and $300 per unit.

-------------

The new model is "3G", which is capable of high speed internet.

The phone will also be able to send and receive email like Blackberries can, and be available through Optus and Vodafone (at this stage).

The new iPhone has maintained the capacity of 8GB and 16GB options.

In the US, the base model 3G iPhone will sell for $US199 ($A208) with 8GB of memory. The 16GB model will retail for $US299 ($A313).

By our estimates, this should mean an Australian starting price of around $250-$300 with a 12 month Optus or Vodafone contract.

MobileMe

The new iPhone also introduces a new system called ‘MobileMe'. This means the iPhone delivers email, contacts and calendars direct to your phone, just as they appear on your, Macs and PCs.

It is also extendable with new applications expected to be added.
"Think of MobileMe as ‘Exchange for the rest of us,'" said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "Now users who are not part of an enterprise that runs Exchange can get the same push email, push calendars and push contacts that the big guys get."

With a MobileMe email account, all folders, messages and status indicators look identical whether checking email on iPhone, iPod touch, a Mac or a PC.

iPhone history

The original iPhone was launched in America and parts of Europe at the beginning of last year.

The Sydney Apple Store (opening June 19) will be the first in the southern hemisphere and the first of three in Australia including one in Chatswood and another at Chadstone in Melbourne.

More info

Gadget Guy website

http://www.me.com - MobileMe applications

Apple.com.au/iphone

Soapbox comment: I wouldn't be too confident guessing the price, only US pricing has been announced, and devices like this are notorious for their non-parity $US and $AU. Plus there's the issue of the ridiclously high Australian prices for data - very unclear if we will get anything like the deals overseas - so cheap, and the iPhones being so data happy, that iPhone users overseas download 10x the average mobile phone user. Scott - IT worker/tech commentator