Apple announced at their WWDC the release date and the new price point for the iPhone 2.0. I think it came as a complete shock knowing historically how Apple does not cater price points for the masses. The new 8 gig iPhone will retail for $199 and the 16 gig version will retail for $299. This makes it cheaper than the ipod touch. I would think that product might becoming a technology irrelevant item soon.
Apple has demonstrated that the new 3G connection speed to be twice as fast as the EDGE technology of the original iPhone. The new versions will have a single color back versus the two tone of the original. The 8 gig will have an all black back and the 16 gig version will have an all white back. Apple also mentioned that it is slightly slimmer than its predecessor. Lets also not forget the new software update that will increase its popularity two fold. The new App store will be home for all third party applications for the iPhone.
As excited as I am about this wonderful product it still has some short comings. I hope this makes its way to Apple engeneers and they implement things their users want. I personally do not like the fact you can not turn the keyboard layout horizontally. I do not have much trouble typing, but larger buttons would be quite nice. One thing that iritates me is the built in safari browser not utilizing the flash plug in. I develop a lot of websites in flash and none of them work on iPhone. I have been using Java scripts to make them compatible with iPhone. Bad move Apple… please fix asap. a couple of simple but silly points, the iPhone should be able to capture video, it should also be able to have more bluetooth compatibility. Such as connectivity with keyboards, stereo headphones, and modems.
Last but not least you can bypass Apple’s itunes store of limited and pricey ring tones. You can create your own ring tones with Garage band or you can convert regular mp3′s to your iPhone with Ambrosia’s itoner software. Its a $15 program that enables you to quickly transfer custom ringtones for your iPhone – without modifying, hacking or having to reset your iPhone. Simply drag and drop your MP3, AAC, WAVE, or AIFF audio files on iToner’s window, click the Sync button, and you’re done. However right now they show it for iPhone software 1.1.4. I think I will wait until they produce a 2.0 version before I pay for it.