Next-gen Apple iPhone on the horizon

Rumours are beginning to fly about when we will see the new 3G Apple iPhone, with 9 June firming as a likely launch date.

InformationWeek reports that Apple chief Steve Jobs is scheduled to make the keynote address at the World Developer’s Conference on that day – just the sort of big picture, grand setting that Jobs has chosen for previous product launches.

More than one ICT industry analyst believes 9 June will be a big day for Apple. Citi investment research analysts Richard Gardner and Yeechang Lee, for example, say the 3G iPhone launch on 9 June will be the first in a rapid succession of new product launches, to be followed by:

• A software developers kit for the iPhone and iPod.
• A new iteration of the popular Apple laptop range likely to arrive in July or August.
• The release of revamped range of iPods in August/September.

And iTWire reports that Apple yesterday launched an updated iMac, complete with a whole range of beefed up features. The basic model will retail in Australia for $1599.