3g iPhone 2.0 release

All those proud iPhone owners can take a deep breath and then exhale a sigh. Your iPhone is outdated dudes. Here comes the new 3g iPhone 2.0 from Apple

Apple has unveiled a new version of its popular iPhone built for high-speed wireless networks with faster Internet access and many many more features.

"It's incredibly zippy," chief executive Steve Jobs said as he demonstrated the new mobile device at the opening of Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco.

"We've learned so much with the first iPhone. We've taken what we've learned and more and created the iPhone 3G; and it's beautiful."

The iPhone 3G -- for third-generation mobile networks -- is designed for faster Internet downloads, longer talk times, and takes advantage of the high-speed network to provide GPS mapping built in, Jobs said.

Apple will roll out new version of the sleek smartphone device beginning July 11 and make it available in 70 countries. The first iPhone, which went on sale June 29 of last year, is available in six countries.

"The next time you are in Malta and need an iPhone, you will be able to get it," Jobs aid.

The crowd cheered when Jobs announced the iPhone 3G will sell for 199 dollars with eight gigabytes of memory. Apple will charge 299 and 399 for models with more memory.

Jobs also said iPhone's second-generation software will let business users send and receive Microsoft Exchange email, in a direct shot at rival BlackBerry.

"We've done it," Jobs told an auditorium packed with software developers and media. "You can push email to Microsoft Exchange."

The iPhone software update is aimed at a business market that is currently hooked on BlackBerry devices made by Canada-based Research In Motion.

BlackBerry handsets have long let people "push" work email to the devices using the Microsoft email system.

Jobs said Apple worked with Cisco Systems to build virtual private network (VPN) services into iPhones to businesses can establish secure connections to protect data being transferred.

"Everything they told us they wanted we have built right into iPhone 2.0 software right out of the box."

Thirty-five percent of US Fortune 500 companies and the US military have "beta" tested iPhone's enterprise email, according to Jobs.

"It really has the ability to pack the power of a laptop into the size of a smart phone," said Randy Brooks, senior vice president of information technology at Walt Disney Company.

The original iPhone was launched on June 29, 2007, and set off a global buying frenzyand it seems this version is about to begin another mad rush to buy the new iPhone 2.0