AT&T joins Jobs in saying a 3G iPhone will come next year
Coming in 3G
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)We heard it from Apple CEO Steve Jobs already, but now AT&T also is saying that the carrier will offer a 3G iPhone. According to Bloomberg News, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said yesterday that a 3G version of Apple's cell phone will be available in 2008. Stephenson didn't elaborate on exactly when we'd see it--though Jobs had said late in 2008--nor did he say exactly what features it would offer. And as for a price (currently the iPhone retails for $399), Stephenson said that would be up to Jobs to dictate.
Many reviewers (CNET included) have criticized the iPhone's lack of 3G support, particularly since AT&T has a robust 3G network. But Jobs has defended the omission by saying that the 3G chip sets take up too much space, and thus would make the iPhone larger, and that 3G use would eat up excessive battery life. Stephenson didn't say whether those problems have been solved, but personally, we'd be willing to accept a fatter iPhone for the chance to browse the wireless Web at 3G speeds. And yes, we say, even with the integrated Wi-Fi.
Kent German is a senior editor for cell phone reviews at CNET. When he's not testing the newest handsets on the market, he's blogging about cell phone news for Crave. In his On Call column, he answers reader questions and gives his take on the rapidly changing mobile industry. E-mail Kent.
..Is there an accurate, up-to-date map of AT&T's 3G coverage? The only one I've found is from like '05. If anybody knows the latest on their plans to expand the network, let me know @ levisemail1337@hotmail.com.
I also bet this will give AT&T a reason to expand the network. Perhaps, if Apple jumps on board and supports the crap out of the new 3G model, they will actually follow through. If they did, I'd eBay my 4gb iPhone and front the cash for the new one.
Now, when the new iPhones come out next year, the fans will act like they made a difference in their suggestions, when actually they probably already have the prototype ready to go right now!