Apple WWDC: iPhone 3G, New Software, Mobile Me Announced

At Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference, the company announced several new (albeit expected) developments.

Updated with iPhone photo, TV ad…

First, iPhone software version 2.0 will ship next month. The update makes expected improvements (previously announced), and adds the App Store. The update will be free for iPhone owners, and will cost $9.99 for iPod touch owners. In addition to previously announced features, the upgrade will add support for Apple’s iWork office suite files, as well as support for PowerPoint presentations.

Saving images in the web browser (a feature previously reported on) has been confirmed.

The App Store and SDK will be updated to support both company-wide distributions, as well as being able to subscribe up to 100 iPhone/iPod units to allow for external private use of applications.

Apple also announced their new iPhone model, iPhone 3G. The design has been improved with 3G network support (UMTS & HSPA), as well as improved audio support (non-recessed headphone jack and upgraded speakers), as well as all-metal buttons, and an all-black enclosure.

Taken from Apple’s iPhone 3G TV Ad, inside of Apple and the Apple Store.

The new iPhone will retail for $199 in an 8 GB version, and features 300 hours of standby time on a 3G network. The 16 GB version will retail for $299.99, and a white version of the 16 GB model will be also available.

Finally, Apple announced Mobile Me, the evolution of their .Mac service. The platform will continue to cost $99 per year, but adds functionality billed as “ActiveSync Exchange for the rest of us”. The new service will synchronize Mac, PC, and iPhone using Apple’s servers. Similar to ActiveSync corporate service, the system synchronizes Email, Files, Calendar, and Contact data instantaneously between all subscribed devices.