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April 7, 2008 9:39 AM PDT

Mossberg: 3G iPhone coming in 60 days

Posted by Tom Krazit

Uncle Walt says the iPhone will be able to download Web pages even faster in 60 days.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Uncle Walt thinks a 3G iPhone will arrive within the next 60 days.

Walt Mossberg, the legendary technology columnist for The Wall Street Journal, made the prediction during an executive summit held by Beet.tv last week. For some reason, Mossberg's comments were not noticed until over the weekend, perhaps because the title of the post referencing his talk was "FTC Should Stop Verizon from Calling DSL 'Broadband,' Walt Mossberg."

Most of his talk is about how broadband networks in the U.S. are somewhat lacking compared to the rest of the world, and how that's a big problem for video-over-the-Internet businesses. But at about 6:30 into the clip, he starts talking about wireless broadband, and the iPhone. Mossberg notes that the iPhone already offers a pretty good video experience with its iPod capabilities, and then dismisses concern over the lack of a 3G iPhone with this gem: "It will be 3G in 60 days."

Mossberg is in the select group that gets early access to important Apple products, he was one of the first to review the initial iPhone last June. So, he's probably in a good position to know when his next iPhone review might be coming around.

Apple's Worldwide Developers' Conference is a little over 60 days from now, but that's close enough put that rumor back on the front burner (as if it ever really left). Apple will have to be careful about how it introduces the 3G iPhone as not to hurt demand for the model currently on sale, if there's a gap between the announcement of a new model and its availability.

Topics:

iPhone

Tags:

Apple,

Walt Mossberg,

iPhone

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) 32 comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mossberg's access....
by Galaxy5 April 7, 2008 10:50 AM PDT
"Mossberg is in the select group that gets early access to important Apple products," Make that _used to_ get early access....
Reply to this comment View reply
"Lengendary," Ha!
by dbargen April 7, 2008 10:55 AM PDT
Ok, seriously now. Mossy, while being upheld by the media, often gets it wrong, especially when it comes to market predictions about Apple. I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case here as well. If Apple can't sell the vast majority of it's existing iPhones in "60 days," they can wait until they do. There's no scheduled event for an unveiling, so it's up to them if and when it will happen. Just to make this well-rounded, were Apple to significantly drop the prices on the current haredware version of iPhone when coming out with a 3G iPhone, there are those who would definitely consider it. Some people don't really care about the mobile internet, or are usually in range of an accessible WiFi connection. Instead, they just want the media playback ability, the occasional ability to check their email or surf the wbe when within range of WiFi, and the excellent software of the iPhone. For them, being connected 24/7 isn't necessary, but it'd be nice to be able to converge devices or not carry a laptop around. There's a market out there for media phones that can tether to the computer just the same as there is a market for iPods that don't have cell or WiFi access. All it would take to entice people onto this kind of device is a lower pricepoint that makes the storage capacity worth it.
Reply to this comment
Apple vs Jobs?
by Vegaman_Dan April 7, 2008 11:15 AM PDT
I remember in the keynote that Jobs was adamant about not having a 3G phone, saying the technology in 3G simply didn't permit good battery life amongst other things even though the other makers of cell equipment running 3G had no problems with battery life at all, making this a well mocked myth. Apple was against 3G and had no plans for it. Now it appears that the industry fully expects Apple to release a 3G version and all signs point to this obvious necessary development of the unit to compete. I'm just not sure what this means for the credibility of the industry pundits who all know Apple is going to release this phone or Apple itself who said they had no intentions of ever going 3G. I think you realistically have to follow the money and that means 3G these days.
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Apple never said they wouldn't do 3G
by sevort April 7, 2008 11:29 AM PDT
They just said that they were waiting for the technology behind it to improve.
Reply to this comment
3G would be nice..
by JonathonStriker April 7, 2008 11:40 AM PDT
..but would be more useful if the iPhone will work as a wireless mobile like some other phones. I don't expect that to happen. Now what would be MORE useful is stereo bluetooth. Then you can listen to your music and answer your calls with out wires or two separate headsets.
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Four Gee
by Randys2cents April 7, 2008 11:50 AM PDT
There has been several reports that AT&T has been building out a 4G network for deployment this year. Don't be surprised if Steve pulls off some trickery here. Randys2Cents
Reply to this comment
iPhone
by msantoriello29 April 7, 2008 12:06 PM PDT
When the iPhone goes 3G, is it going to be a firmware update? Or am I going to have to throw out my old iPhone and get the new one? Because I'll do it, just watch, I'm not joking. Anything Steve Jobs wants...
Reply to this comment View all 3 replies
Can't wait!
by manny.valencia April 7, 2008 12:23 PM PDT
I'll be the first one to buy a 3G iPhone.
Reply to this comment
Kindle on 3G iPhone
by manny.valencia April 7, 2008 12:29 PM PDT
Any knows if there are plans to launch Kindle content on iPhone?
Reply to this comment
ATT 3G Network Only in Select Cities
by memery26 April 7, 2008 12:46 PM PDT
HSDPA, AT&T's "3G" network is currently operational in a handful of cities. Terrible, terrible coverage.
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  • At the start of the 21st century, there's no tech outfit more influential than Apple. CNET News.com's Tom Krazit will attempt to make sense of the rumors, hype, products, and people that will shape the future of the company. But Apple's not the only game in town, as the established cell phone companies strike back against the iPhone, and chipmakers try to figure out how to move past PCs and slip into a little something more comfortable.
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