economi

building of the success of the first generation iPhone, Apple announced yesterday that it will introduce a new iPhone on July 11, 2008. The best feature? The iPhone will be $199 for the 8 gigabyte model. The 16 gig model will go for $299. This is a huge price cut from the current 8 gig iPhones which sell for $399.

Price aside, Apple has made some exciting additions to the technology. The new iPhone will operate on AT&T’s 3G network, which Jobs claims is almost as fast as WiFi. Apple has also added the App Store, an interface that allows users to download all sorts of applications directly to their iPhone. The 3G iPhone also includes maps enhanced by GPS technology. This allows users to find their location, track their progress en route and view live traffic.

Apple has made an effort to appeal to the BlackBerry-loyal business community by making the iPhone compatible with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync software and the ability for enterprisers to create custom applications.

For those of you that still can’t or hate to lock your keypad and allow your pocket to make numerous phantom phone calls to your contacts, Blackberry is developing the KickStart. The KickStart will offer the first Blackberry Flip Experience. Boy Genius has posted its first pictures of the KickStart (above). As for functionality the KickStart will work like any other flip in terms of making phone calls and messaging. The KickStart has a qwerty keypad similar to that of the Pearl. Flipping the KickStart open will be like pulling an existing BlackBerry device model from its holster. There are currently no specs on size, width or weight and I have not seen any visual comparisons to the Pearl or the Razr.