World of Apple

A posting on TokyoMango with an accompanying video (below) shows the Japanese keyboard functions of the upcoming iPhone 2.0 firmware.

According to the post users will be able to choose between a QWERTY-keyboard and a Japanese mobile phone style keyboard and from there can select either a multi-tap style kana keyboard or a sliding keyboard.

The post explains, “Japanese kana letters are organized in groups of five according to a beginning letter and corresponding vowels (a i u e o), so you can either put in the first letter and then hit the same key between 1-5 times to get the right sound (multi-tap), or you can put the first letter in and then tap and slide through to see all five sounds and pick the right one.”

Video after jump.

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Gizmodo is claiming that it is “highly probable” that the iPhone 2.0 firmware will reach GM (Golden Master) this coming Friday. The article originally stated that the software would also ship this Friday but has been updated to state that it will ship on July 11.

The iPhone 2.0 OS update will be available as a free update to existing iPhone owners and a $9.99 update for iPod touch owners. The biggest features in the update are the extensive collection of tools for Enterprise customers, including highly sought after Exchange support.

Mac Rumors reports that worries over huge queues on the iPhone 3G launch day on July 11th may have convinced O2 to allow signups prior to the date.

Unlike like the launch of the original iPhone, customers can no longer buy a handset and activate it onto a contract from home, purchasers must sign up to a contract in-store and the credit check process can be lengthy.

According to Mac Rumors an O2 rep has informed several customers that users will be able to signup for iPhone 3G contracts ahead of the handsets launch:

The main point he told me was this, From July 1st All O2 stores in the UK will offer pre registration Credit checks, You can come in store, have your contract setup for you, and a unique registration code given to you. The contract will simply be “paused” and wont be activated. No details are taken about which model phone you are going to be purchasing.

You can then turn up on July 11th and quote the registration code and then make a standard purchase of the phone and then the contract will become activated.

In other news Stuff Magazine claims that sources have disclosed the price points for the pay-as-you-go iPhones from O2. Stuff claims that the 8GB iPhone will cost £370 and the 16GB £470.

Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster estimates that 53-percent of Apple’s total addressable market for the iPhone 3G will be pre-paid customers.

The analyst believes that these customers will likely wind up paying in excess of $600 for the iPhone 3G. The estimate assumes Apple charges carriers an average $425 for the new phone and those carriers then turn around and mark up the pre-paid handsets another $175 to turn a profit.

Munster also explains in his note to clients that he expects Apple to sell 12.9 million iPhones in 2008 and 45 million in 2009, giving Apple almost 20-percent of the global mobile phone market by the end of next year.

Relating to his previous comments Munster believes that 2.7 million iPhones will be sold to pre-paid customers in 2008 and 5.7 million in 2009.

“While 17 percent may seem aggressive, Apple currently has 20 percent in North American driven by a $400 priced phone,” he told clients. “We only expect Apple to have 20 percent or greater smartphone share in two regions, North America and EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa)”.

Munster retains a buy rating on Apple stock with a price target of $250.

Oppenheimer equity research analyst Yair Reiner has noted to clients this week that AT&T is paying Apple a $325 subsidy on each new iPhone 3G sold in the US.

The analyst also adds that AT&T is paying Apple an added $100 for each new subscriber to AT&T signed up through Apple’s brick-and-mortar stores.

The subsidy on the iPhone is said to be more than 50-percent higher than most other smart phones which are typically subsidised by around $200.

According to a report in the Australian IT Telstra is set to join Optus and Vodafone as carriers of the iPhone in Australia.

Telstra stayed quiet as its rivals wracked up marketing points by standing in the glow of the local iPhone launch, but will now go ahead and sell the device according to people close to the company.

The report states that the iPhone won’t be available from Telstra on July 11th but should follow later in the month, possibly July 22nd.

An official announcement is expected next week.

Apple is said to be making headway with negotiations with carriers to sell the iPhone in Russia within the year according to a report today.

Eldar Murtazin, editor of Moscow-based Mobile Research Group told the Moscow Times, “About 20,000 iPhone handsets are brought into the country in suitcases every month,” he continued, “The current model, which sells officially in six countries for a marked-up $399, currently sells for about $1,000 in Moscow.”

Two Russian carriers, Mobile TeleSystems and MegaFon, have confirmed to having talks with Apple, but no final commitment has been reached.

Barrons.com is reporting that Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) the manufacturer of the iPhone is set to ramp up production of the 3G iPhone later this month.

According to Barrons Foxconn has only shipped “several thousand” iPhones but is expected to ramp up production towards the middle of this month.

The news is consistent with reports that the iPhone will hit the shelves at the end of June or beginning of July.

The 3G iPhone is expected to be announced later today at the WWDC 2008 keynote presentation, join World of Apple for live coverage of the keynote and up-to-date news and rumours.

USA Today is providing further evidence that carriers of the iPhone around the world will most likely subsidise the iPhone.

According to the newspaper the new iPhone will start at $199, that is with a $200 subsidy from AT&T.

The price also will rock: $199, according to people with knowledge of the matter, down from the current $399 and $499. Sources declined to be cited by name or affiliation because Apple and AT&T haven’t authorized anybody to speak publicly about pricing until after Monday’s announcement. The $199 price is being subsidized, though USA TODAY could not confirm details.

Ars Technica is reporting that multiple Apple retail stores gave received “unidentified shipments” as well as new marketing material to go up Monday.

According to the report London’s Regent Street Apple Store has received a single box which is padlocked and under orders to be kept in a safe until Monday.

The news comes after controversial reports that Australian Apple resellers were receiving mystery packages with orders not to open them until after the WWDC keynote.