Apple iPhone era number two has begun and already it has become very clear that things are definitely going to be different with this new generation. After many months of speculation, rumors and anticipation, Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the newer and faster iPhone model on Monday June 9th, just as expected. Apple is now known to have sold approximately 6 Million iPhones since June of last year and are expected to sell at least that numer again once the new model arrives in stores on July 11th. The newer iPhone will include a faster networking chip, GPS capability and a software upgrade which promises even more features than are currently available.
It is not yet clear whether or not Apple plans to introduce technology changes in the new iPhone that will make it harder to jailbreak and then unlock. Apple is however, planning to require US iPhone users to sign a two-year contract and active the new iPhone exclusively on AT&T’s network before they will be permitted to take the new toy home. This will not eliminate the unlocking completely, but may just discourage it significantly.
Now the new question is whether or not the new iPhone 3G model will allow Apple to meet its sales target for 2008. The target currently stands at 10 million units. Remember that Apple has sold 6 million units so far, but only 2.3 million for this year. We may just have to wait and see what the future holds of Apple iPhone sales by year’s end.