US approves Apple iPhone

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by Brian Turner

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved Apple’s iPhone and the device is now set for an expected launch in June. The exact launch date has not yet been disclosed.

The FCC carries out a range of tests on new devices to the market, for factors such as SAR (specific absorption rate), which measures the amount of radiation absorbed into the owner’s head when the device is in use.

The iPhone will be licensed exclusively to US operator Cingular at two prices, $499 for a 4GB device and $599 for its 8GB equivalent.

Apple plans to launch the device in the UK in late 2007, but has not yet revealed the name of its UK partner. It will be launched in Asia next year.

Recent research shows that the iPhone is set for a warm welcome in the UK.

According to a survey of 2,000 Europeans by research firm Canalys, almost half of current iPod owners would consider the iPhone as their next mobile phone.

An online poll conducted in April by British online publisher Shiny Media found that 25% of those surveyed would be willing to change service providers in order to own an iPhone.