Roland Tellzen | June 11, 2008
THE big question - can Apple wean a generation of gadget fans addicted to their BlackBerrys over to its new-generation iPhone - is set to be answered.
Australians will be among the first in the world to get their hands on the new-generation iPhone when it goes on sale here through Vodafone and Optus on July 11.
Despite the original iPhone being launched early last year, Australian gadget fans have been left in the cold until now.
The keenest resorted to importing the devices from overseas and unlocking them to work in Australia.
But the wait for the genuine item might have been worth it.
The new iPhone is faster, thinner, more versatile and far better suited to the local market than the original model.
The new version, unveiled by Apple chief Steve Jobs in San Francisco yesterday, uses high-speed wireless technology, or 3G, to offer up to twice the data speed of the original iPhone, for tasks such as mobile internet surfing and GPS navigation.
While retaining the same attractive design and touch-screen controls that made theoriginal model such a hit elsewhere in the world over thepast year, the new 3G iPhone also packs features designed to appeal to more serious business users, and in particular challenge the corporate dominance of gadgets such as the BlackBerry.
For example, the 3G iPhone offers push email, the main selling point of gadgets such as the BlackBerry, which enables executives to access email while on the road.
Telecommunications analyst at consulting firm Ovum, Nathan Burley, was cautious in assessing the 3G iPhone's appeal to the business market.
"Apple is a very desirable brand that carries significant weight. But we see it as unlikely enterprise will replace (existing handsets) company-wide with iPhones," he said.
The pencilled-in launch date for Australia ends months of speculation for when the gadget would be available here.
Optus and Vodafone said last month they would be selling the phone here this year, but offered no firm date. Many people had hoped it would be available as early as next week, to coincide with the opening of Apple's first flagship retail store in the southern hemisphere in Sydney's CBD next Thursday.
Although the arrival date is set, not all the questions have been answered. Pricing has yet to be announced, for example.
Mr Jobs said the US version of the new model would sell for $US199 ($210) for a version with 8GB of storage -- cheaper than the original model -- and $US299 and $US399 for versions with more memory.
According to Mr Burley, Vodafone is expected to offer the device for nil up-front for Australian users who sign a contract, or for purchase outright for prepaid users.
Optus is taking $50 refundable deposits from keen buyers, guaranteeing them "priority queuing" to get their hands on one when the phone officially arrives next month.
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