Cringely firmly believes that Apple will launch a new version of iPhone with 3G support near the holiday season. The 3G will be slipped in via an iPhone firmware upgrade rather than having to buy a new iPhone model.
Apple and AT&T are planning a fall rollout for full 3G iPhone service, with technical trials already underway in certain AT&T markets. [related: unlocked iPhone]
The question here is whether 3G is already built into the iPhones shipping now or whether it will require a new model? Given that it is coming so soon after the iPhone introduction, I can’t believe that even Steve would make us buy new phones. It is very likely that a firmware upgrade will awaken the 3G within all you iPhone owners. Link
Find this article at: http://www.labnol.org/software/download/iphone-20-will-have-3g-via-firmware-upgrade/767/
Reader Comments
Service rep told this to me months ago. It must have some true to it?
Written by mram on 03.21.08
Uhm, 3G requires a new radio in hardware … no amount of software will bring an old iPhone to 3G.
Written by Greg Combs on 03.30.08
Greg, the article is suggesting that iPhone already has 3G technology inbuilt in it and that a firmware upgrade may “unlock” it.
Written by daniel on 04.05.08
Well, I’ve read in one of an article last year, they do suspect iPhone has a 3G chip built-in and we are only waiting for Apple to release something to activate it. A guy actually disassemble the iPhone and look for it. Too bad, no sign of 3G hardward in the phone. I think we gotta use 3G-less iPhone :(
Written by Stephen on 04.14.08