Apple Debuts New iPhone, World Exhales

Updated from 2:10 p.m. EDT

Apple's (AAPL) rolled out a new version of the iPhone and cheaper version of the existing phone.

Apple's new iPhone, dubbed 3G S, is a beefed up version of the previous 3G iPhone and features faster network speeds, a quicker processor and a 3-megapixel camera. The new iPhone shoots video, but does not include a second user-facing camera for video calls, as some had expected.

Apple says it plans to sell the earlier version of the phone for $99 with 8 gigabytes of memory. The new iPhone 3G S, priced at $199 with 16 gigabytes and $299 with 32 gigabytes, is expected to be available June 19. All these phones require a two-year contract with AT&T(T).

The latest version of the iPhone has the same look as the earlier model, with a chrome border and a smooth back. Apple enters the third year with the same iPhone design, as new smartphones from Palm (PALM) and Nokia (NOK) are hitting the market.

The announcement was part of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, which started Monday in San Francisco. The show opened with the introduction of a new version of its 15-inch metal-body MacBook Pro. Phil Schiller, Apple's marketing chief and the show's host, says the new MacBook Pro has a 7-hour built-in battery that he claims makes has a 7-hour built-in battery that he says lasts 40% longer than prior batteries.

In keeping with Apple's top-shelf pricing, the new MacBook Pro will start at $1,200 for the 13-inch model and between $1,700 and $2,300 for bigger models.

As expected, the company said it is now selling Snow Leopard, a new version of its Leopard OS operating system. The new software will sell for $29 for Leopard upgraders. Apple also introduced Safari 4, a faster version of its Web browser.

Apple says its App Store now sells 50,000 applications, including TheStreet.com for iPhone. The company says that users have downloaded more than 1 billion applications to date. The company also says it has sold more than 40 million iPhones and iPod touches.

Steve Jobs, who has been out on medical leave for the past five months, was reportedly absent from the conference, disappointing fans who'd hoped he would unveil the new iPhone.

Apple shares fell $3.45, or 2.4%, to $141.22 in early afternoon trading.

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