The much hyped and sought after Apple iPhone will go on sale in Australia next month

he wait is nearly over. In fact, it’s only 30 sleeps away. For those of you who have been eagerly anticipating Apple’s iPhone (pictured) – circle July 11 on your calendars.

That’s the date the iPhone will go on sale at long last for Optus and Vodafone customers.

As expected, Apple chief executive officer Steve Jobs last week took the wraps off version two of the iPhone.

It’s a faster 3G model that incorporates new features, including an updated operating system, assisted GPS, downloadable mini applications and the ability to integrate the device into corporate networks.

Optus and Vodafone have set up pre-registration sites to ensure there is enough stock to meet demand.

The device has quadband GSM and tri-band HSDPA support and will be more than twice as fast as the 2G model.

Assisted GPS has also been incorporated so the device can use cellular towers to pinpoint the user’s position to provide driving directions and location-based services with the integrated Google maps application.

The 3G iPhone will also be able to support mini programs downloaded from Apple’s all‑new App Store, which will include games and other widgets for finance, fitness, productivity, business, health and social networking.

Perhaps, the only chink in the original iPhone’s armour was its inability to be integrated on to corporate networks.

This has been addressed in the iPhone 2.0 software, which will be running in the 3G iPhone.

The device will now have key enterprise features such as Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, so iPhone users can have their emails, contacts and calendar entries pushed out to the device over the cellular network.

It will also be possible to wipe the device remotely using this system if a user misplaces the handset.

Cisco has also provided a virtual private network solution for the 3G iPhone or encrypted access to corporate networks.

But even non-corporate or business users will be able to enjoy emails and files on the go. thanks to a new Apple service called MobileMe, which can synchronise emails, contacts and your calendar with your home PC or Mac computer.

The 3G iPhone users will also be able to find and download mini applications from Apple’s new online App Store to the handset in every category including games, business, finance, fitness, health, social networking and productivity.

The cost is still up in the air for Australia but Jobs says that pricing will be indicative.

The 8GB model will be $US199 (about $210) and the 16GB will priced at $US299 when activated on a two-year contract.

Australians will also be able to purchase the iPhone outright on a pre-paid plan at a higher upfront price.

Pricing from Optus and Vodafone will be released about two weeks before the 3G iPhone goes on sale on July 11.

For more information on the Apple iPhone including sales and features, visit the distributor websites at apple.com.au, optusiphone.com.au or iphone.vodafone.com.au

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