iPhone Hits Stores June 29

Apple's upgraded phone goes on sale in Japan, elsewhere

(AP) - The new iPhone model went on sale in the Asia-Pacific region, with throngs at one Tokyo store counting down the last 30 seconds in unison. The celebration is part of a global rollout in 22 nations of the 3G, or third-generation, wireless connecting iPhone, an upgrade of the model that went on sale last year in the US and several other nations. The phone goes on sale in the US at 8am tomorrow in each time zone. More»

Tech-savvy nation may not be all that jazzed about Apple's bells and whistles

(NEWSER) - Japan’s tech-savvy market may be a tough sell for Apple’s iPhone, which will face more competition from handset makers there than it has anywhere else in the world, reports BusinessWeek. The market already has phones that send e-mail, browse the Internet, and, more important, are compatible with newer third-generation wireless networks that Apple hasn’t hooked into yet. More»

Seeks exclusive partner for iPhones

(NEWSER) - Apple wants to bring the iPhone to Japan to compete with some of the most futuristic phones around, but it's being choosy in its search for a partner, Reuters reports. Apple is in talks with DoCoMo and Softbank, the country's biggest and third-biggest mobile operators respectively, but they're both wary of granting the big slice of revenue Apple demands. More»

AT&T CEO reveals news at Silicon Valley meeting; Apple isn't commenting

(NEWSER) - A faster iPhone is on the way, Bloomberg reports. Apple will unveil its 3G version sometime next year, said AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson Wednesday at a meeting of the Churchill Club, a Silicon Valley business and technology forum. AT&T is the exclusive carrier for the iPhone in the US. It's unknown exactly when the new version will be available or how much it will cost, and an Apple spokeswoman declined comment. More»

Design, system, revolutionary service deal shoot gadget to top

(NEWSER) - Time magazine is naming the iPhone its invention of the year. Why?

1. It demonstrates that good design is as important as good technology.
2. Its touchscreen creates a whole new kind of user interface.
3. Other companies will seek the freedoms that AT&T granted Apple in designing the iPhone, which will result in better phones all around.