Apple’s iPhone: Arrives at Cingular in June for $500-$600

Apple Computer Inc. finally unveiled the iPhone.
As expected, Apple CEO Steve Jobs showcased the highly-anticipated device during his keynote speech at the Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco. Cingular Wireless L.L.C. will support the handset, which runs Mac OS X and serves as an iPod, mobile phone and “Internet communications device.”
The phone features a 3.5-inch color touchscreen and two-megapixel camera. Users can access a touchscreen QWERTY keyboard to compose e-mails and messages.
“We are all born with the ultimate pointing device-our fingers-and iPhone uses them to create the most revolutionary interface since the mouse,” Jobs said.Analysts and tech enthusiasts have long speculated about Apple’s entry into the mobile arena, salivating at the thought of an iPod-style phone. Apple’s ubiquitous digital music player has drawn raves for its design and user interface, and the iPod line dominates the digital music player market.
But while three of the four tier one carriers offer full-track music services, consumers have yet to embrace a music-friendly phone. Cingular’s previous iTunes-capable phone, the Motorola Inc. Rokr, was widely panned following its 2005 launch; LG Electronics Co. Ltd.’s Chocolate, which is supported by Verizon Wireless, has also received lukewarm reviews.
The iPhone doesn’t support Cingular’s W-CDMA/HSDPA network-an odd omission for a new multimedia phone-but offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE network connections. And Jobs is targeting high-end users by including smartphone functionality including contacts, calendar and the ability to synch with either Macs and PCs.
The phone will hit retailer shelves in the United States in June, with launches in Europe and Asia to follow. A 4GB model will sell for $500 and an 8GB model will be offered at $600; both with two-year contracts.
More details can be found here: www.apple.com/iphone.