We know it’s coming, and we even have an idea when. We also have an idea of the look, feel and some of the features it will have. Now, sources are suggesting that Apple has placed an order for 200,000 3G iPhones for delivery by the end of May, and that’s just the start of it.

Over the last 10 days, the rumours about the new iPhone, dubbed the 3G iPhone, iPhone 2, and the iPhone 2.0, have been coming thick and fast.

First, we heard industry sources claiming the price has been set, and the new model will feel “less plasticky”. Then we found out about some of the features that have supposedly made the cut, such as GPS, Nike+, Bluetooth Stereo, and remote control for Apple TV.

Now, according to a report in the Times Online, it seems Apple has ordered its Asian suppliers to produce 200,000 units by the end of May. Then in June, it wants to ramp production up to 2 million a month, or 500,000 a week.

With a four week gap between production and placement, this latest rumour seems to imply that the announcement over the new model will indeed occur at WWDC (Apple Worldwide Developers Conference), as expected.

Industry sources are also now claiming that the new iPhone will look substantially different than the current model, and even the possibility of multiple versions.

This could include a flip version, which would mean a larger screen, and a sliding model with regular qwerty keyboard rather than a touch screen one.

One Asia-based analyst said:

“One for customers who want it principally as a music and video device, which will be similar to the existing model, one for people who want to communicate – with the keyboard, and one for people who want it as a substitute for their laptop – that will let them browse the internet on a larger screen.”

Even bigger news may be on the cards too, with the possibility that Apple could change its strategy of allowing just one network to be in control of the iPhone in each territory. This could mean that as early as June next year in the US, the iPhone could be available through other carriers.

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Entry was posted on Friday, April 18th, 2008 at 7:19 pm under Apple, Cell phones, Leaks, Technology.

Read more entries by Dave Parrack.
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