3G Apple iPhone is coming soon

Apple is tipped to be launching a 3G version of its iPhone next month, according to fresh reports.

Speculation is growing that Apple could unveil the next-generation model at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, which kicks of on 9 June. The 3G model would benefit from advanced Internet-enabled facilities, one of the most cited issues levelled at the existing design.

Earlier this week the launch of rival smartphone the Blackberry Bold was greeted with a 4.7 per cent rise in share price of Canadian owner Research in Motion at its conference in Florida.

For the design of the Bold, also known as the Blackberry 9000, RIM is staking its future on its existing full alphabet keyboard, rather than the touchscreen interface used by the iPhone.

RIM president and co-chief executive Mike Lazaridis says all the company’s customer research pointed emphatically to retaining the full keyboard design.