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The 3G iphone is on the way and I want one. But please let all the cruel rumors stop until its here. I can’t concentrate like this.

Did it all start with Kevin Rose’s rumor that 3G iphones would not be far away and would feature a camera on the front for Video chat? His predictions have been hit or miss in the past. Still, sometimes ‘hit’. It could be true. We want it to be true.

In fact so much so, that suddenly all kinds of evidence has started to appear that a 3G iphone can’t be far off. Lo and Behold: iPhones are all but sold out in New York Apple stores, according to the Huffington Post.. A sure sign that Apple is getting ready to replace it with a newer version, right?

Well, maybe. But maybe not.

While thoughts of 3G second generation iPhones dance in consumer’s heads because limited product supply could be an indicator that new iPhone models are about to be released, the lack of product might also be a side effect of production or shipping delays.

Then there was the Wired story that Apple had already ordered 10 million 3G iphones.

Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney has joined in the rumor-mongering, saying that Apple has in fact already placed an order for 10 million of these second-generation iPhones. That’s in addition to the 10 million v.1 iPhones Apple has ordered, he says.

While Dulaney doesn’t give a specific timeframe for its release, he does claim Apple moved up its iPhone v.2 release mainly to help spur on iPhone uptake in places like Europe, where slow sales have been attributed to the phone’s distinct lack of 3-Gness.

Well that rumor is obviously false, since not even 10 million of the version 1 have been sold as of yet.

The argument about European users certainly does make sense. The original iPhone is available in most European countries - either legitimately or through clandestine means. But I’m certainly not replacing my 3G, 5 megapixel cameraphone WITH video chat until the iPhone can give me at least a comparable experience. Okay I’ll take 3 megapixels, but not a pixel less. And 3G is definitely a minimum requirement now, though I won’t be disappointed if it’s not exactly 250Mbps.

One thing is for sure, absolutely everyone is now convinced the iPhone is a viable platform. The introduction of the Software Development Kit (SDK) has silenced critics that the beautificious machine was too proprietary, and has instead made them download the SDK more than 100.000 times.

In fact, even Microsoft is now contemplating developing applications for the iPhone. Then again, when Microsoft comtemplates - they tend to take their time.

So it looks like the biggest product of 2007, is shaping up to also be the biggest product of 2008. Props to Apple for great product design and even greater marketing and PR.

I’m wondering though if a 3G iPhone will spur a replacement cycle - especially since at least in the US there’s 2 year contract attached to every iPhone. Or is the 3G iPhone most importantly an international play as predicted by Gartner?

I’ll tell you this. Apple better hurry it up, because I’m sure these rumors aren’t helping sales of poor old version 1. And: if a 3G, 32Gb, 3 megapixel iPhone came out - I’d own one the very same day. What about you? Would you buy one, or if you own one would you replace it?