What? Jeez, have you been in a box for the last two years? 
Why? For all it's flaws, it's the best phone on the market today, bar none. And now it's faster.
How excited? Very. Particularly if the cancer-curing rumour was true...

And so, after another overhyped and over-lengthy Steve Jobs keynote (this time at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference or WWDC), following a year of snowballing expectation that repeatedly threatened to bring the internet to its knees, the cat is out of the bag. Read on to see if it was a kitty worth waiting for...

The big money prior to the announcement was on an upgraded iPhone handset with 3G capabilities, and an expanded operating system incorporating third-party applications and a suite of new enterprise features. And blow me, that’s exactly what we got. What we weren’t quite expecting however, was how generous Apple would be when it came to the pricing; if there’s one thing we’ve come to expect from the California superbrand, it’s the ability to wring every last possible dollar from their products and services.
       
So let’s get it out the way first; in the UK the iPhone 3G will still be tied to the 02 network, and come in the same two flavours as before; 8GB and 16GB. The 8GB one is free on £45 and £75 per month tariffs, or £99 on £35 or the new £30 per month tariff, all still with ‘unlimited’ data, Visual Voicemail and a hardcore 18-month contract term. There’ll even be a pay as you go option, though pricing is unconfirmed and likely to be horrific. Oh, and it’ll be available from Apple direct, as well as 02 and Carphone Warehouse retail stores. Just so you know.

So, what does it actually offer? 

3G & GPS
No more agonising waits for webpages to download over EDGE; the blazing fast 3G approaches WiFi speeds, while GPS enables a whole host of maps and apps based fun, but is likely to guzzle battery life.
 
Apps Store
Part of the iPhone 2.0 software update, the Apps Store is the hub of Apple’s solution for opening the platform out to third-party developers. It’s iTunes-like interface lets you browse and buy all manner of games (including the stunning Super Monkey Ball) and software applications.

Exchange Support
Widening the iPhone’s appeal for business users is built-in Exchange support, using Microsoft ActiveSync to deliver push email, calendar and contacts for Microsoft Exchange users. There’s even support for a wide range of attachments, including Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

Design-wise, the iPhone is largely unaltered, the main change being a new high gloss plastic back, replacing the satisfyingly sturdy metal original. It’s black on the 8GB model, with a special white version available for those splashing out on the 16GB. Also gone is the infamous recessed headphone jack, with a flush one rendering it more third party headphone-friendly.

Happily, the iPhone 3G remains as beautifully crafted a gadget you’re ever likely to see, and the new additions and expanded feature set make it even more indispensable, with greatly improved battery life for good measure. But there’s still a few questions hanging over it. Why still only a 2MP camera? Where’s the MMS? Why no memory increase? And what the hell are they going to call the next one?