It's here... Apple's 3G iPhone is finally here

If Apple turns up to a party, you can expected it to be preceded by a troupe of dancing flamingo girls, flashing lights, dramatic music and a fireworks display that makes Sydney's annual New Year equivalent look like the last dying embers of a poorly executed camp fire. The point is, Apple likes to make an entrance and never more so than when it comes to the iPhone. Last week's WWDC event and Apple's expected unveiling of the 3G iPhone was no exception.

So, predictably, the week's news over on our sister site Pocket Picks began with an early reveal of the new iPhone. Or rather a reasonably convincing but ultimately fake early unveiling of the device, even though it transpired later that it shared most of the same features that the real thing does.

And so when the actual device was uncloaked by Steve Jobs towards the end of his WWDC keynote presentation, the iPhone 3G was shown to be twice as fast and half the price of the original iPhone, while packing GPS. An impressive set of improvements, meaning there was no love lost over some anticipated features (such as iChat compatibility). Some current-gen iPhone owners might be a bit miffed, so we put together a spec comparison to illustrate exactly what they're missing. It's progress, baby.

Later in the week it transpired that the 3G iPhone is to be free in the UK on two of O2's three proposed contract options, which is a big improvement over the previous iPhone's price. We were also treated to the new official advert for the 3G iPhone, though, in amongst all of the whooping and shouts of praise, a Google Android specific blog took the time to throw in a dissenting voice to mix things up a bit. Still, with Apple confident that it will sell 45 million iPhones in 2009, there's no doubting the device's popularity.

Without wanting to harp on about it, the WWDC also saw the announcement of when the App Store will launch (July), prompting loads of developers to start shouting about their forthcoming iPhone wares. There was news of iPhone versions of the video streaming software QIK and the blogging application Blog It and we also gave over a bumper post to detailing a collection other exciting applications set to launch soon after the App Store.

Okay, no more iPhone news for the rest of the post, we promise.

There were quite a few more videos posted this week than usual. There was an updated Nokia S60 Touch video detailing various aspects of the interface (which came shortly after some fresh pics of the Tube were leaked), as well as footage of a code ninja turning his N95 into a multi-touch wonder via the use of a couple of light-pens, a flat screen monitor and a strip of UV filtering film. Sony Ericsson let loose (by accident, apparently) some moving images of the very impressive looking Shiho Cybershot C905, an eight-megapixel handset with a feature set to drool over.

Strangest of all was the appearance of several videos claiming that mobile phones have the power to cook popcorn, all of which are apparently fake and all in the name of promoting a Bluetooth headset. What will those viral marketers think of next?

It was also revealed that Sprint-Nextel does not and will not charge government officials early termination fees if they decide to all of a sudden switch handset, news that will no doubt get up the noses of any member of the public looking to cut their contract short to get a new 3G iPhone (oops, sorry).

Other than that, there was a very interesting resource posted by CNET which details the levels of radiation transmitted by specific handsets according to model. Makes for some very revelatory, if slightly frightening reading.

And on that cheery note, we will bid you farewell for another seven days. We're confident that you've all had your fill of all things iPhone for now, so for a much less Apple-heavy Pocket Picks round-up be sure to click 'Track It!' to catch next week's edition.