Thanks. Just trying to help out.
At least, the upgrade *should* be free for existing iPhones. I haven't seen any proof one way or the other though. But if Apple charges iPhone 1.0 & 2.0 owners for the 3.0 upgrade, that would be a first. My iPhone 1.0 with the V2 software functions identically to my iPhone 2.0 with the V2 software, except for the 1.0 not having a 3G chip.
It is likely that the iPod Touch upgrade to 3.0 *will* come at a cost, as the 1.0->2.0 upgrade wasn't free ($20 maybe?).
As we get closer to mid-July, the rumor sites will become more and more active. Just this morning there's something new...
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/06/leaked-photos-show-new-iphone-hardware-autofocus-compass/Looks like the compass & improved camera are more or less a done deal. Now that *could* pose a difference from past iPhone updates, as those are not insignificant hardware updates. Existing iPhones obviously can't be given a compass or an autofocusing 3.2mp camera.
Another thing to keep in mind with iPhones is that if you're buying from AT&T, you will have to agree to a 2-year contract (just like you do with every phone). However, one aspect that isn't sometimes mentioned is that unlike any other contracted-price phone, with the iPhone you can upgrade to a new iPhone mid-contract at the reduced, new-contract price. In other words, you pay $199 today for an iPhone 2.0 w/ 2 year contract. In 6 months, if you decide you want an iPhone 3.0, you *should* be able to waltz into your nearest AT&T store and buy an iPhone 3.0 at the discounted (probably $199) price, even though you're still under contract from the original purchase.
This is different from most phones, where if you wanted to upgrade to something else while under contract you'd probably have to pay the non-contract price, which is usually considerably more expensive than the 'new-contract' price. You just end up with a new 2-year contract at the time of sale. Then you could turn around and sell the iPhone 2.0 for probably more than you paid for the new one.
Now of course, AT&T and/or Apple could change this policy. If they do, they're going to have a lot of ticked off iPhone customers, as this was the policy for V1 -> V2 iPhone upgrades.
