AT&T said it would finally be providing iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS customers with multimedia messaging capabilities via a software upgrade Sept. 25.

The MMS capabilities were one of the most-heralded features of the iPhone 3.0 software because it plugged a nagging hole in Apple’s mobile platform. Rivals like Research In Motion (NSDQ: RIMM)’s BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, and many entry-level phones have been able to send MMS messages for years.

AT&T didn’t offer this messaging capability when the 3.0 software was released in June because it wanted to ensure its network could adequately handle the traffic. This has garnered ill feelings from some iPhone owners, as well as a class-action lawsuit that alleges the second-largest U.S. carrier misrepresented the iPhone’s capabilities.

“The unique capabilities and high usage of the iPhone’s multimedia capabilities required us to work on our network MMS architecture to carry the expected record volumes of MMS traffic and ensure an excellent experience from day one,” AT&T said in a statement. “We appreciate your patience as we work toward that end.”

While AT&T technically will miss their “end of summer” deadline by a few days, the move may help it squash growing complaints about the carrier’s quality of service from a small, but vocal, group of iPhone owners. AT&T has been investing heavily to improve its 3G network, and it is also deploying 850-MHz spectrum to improve coverage in major metropolitan areas. Improvements in service could help AT&T retain iPhone subscribers even after it loses exclusivity of Apple’s popular smartphone.

The Sept. 25 software update will be available through iTunes, and it will not be available for the iPod Touch or the original iPhone. The carrier also said it would be offering tethering in the future, but did not get into specifics about the launch date or pricing.

Apple iPhone Apps, a site with no known track record (which is also down right now) just leaked a July 17 release date and a bunch of specs for the next iPhone. They look fishy.

The July 17 release could technically be possible, since it’s on a Friday and Apple’s been releasing their iPhones on Fridays, but the specs are weird.

• 32GB and 16GB storage (up from the current 16GB and 8GB models)
• $199 and $299 price points to be maintained
• 3.2-megapixel camera (up from the current 2-megapixel camera)
• Video-recording and editing capabilities
• Ability to send a picture & video via MMS
• Discontinuation of the metal band surrounding the edge of the device
• OLED screen
• 1.5 times the battery life of the current models
• Double the RAM and processing power
• Built-in FM transmitter
• Apple logo on back will glow
• Rubber-tread backing
• Sleeker design
• Built-in compass
• The camera, GPS, compass and Google map combined will identify photo and inform about photo locations
• Turn-by-turn directions

So what’s weird? The OLED screen, for one. The 1.5x battery life, for two. And a rubber-tread backing/sleeker design for three. It’s still quite cost-prohibitive to use OLED screens on devices, and it’s difficult to see how Apple could shrink down the size of the device to make it “sleeker” while at the same time making the battery 1.5x. Maybe because they’re using an OLED screen?

It’s all very pie in the sky, so don’t take it as literal proof that the next iPhone will have this. And the rubber tread backing may or may not be this leaked image from MacRumors, which isn’t quite rubber, but more of a matte feel than the current version.

The 3G iPhone was launched by Apple in July this year, and Russia's three leading mobile operators said earlier they had agreed with the U.S. company to sell the product in the country.

The iPhone 3G, available in two versions with 8 GB and 16 GB of integrated memory, cost 23,000 rubles ($900) and 27,000 ($1,000) rubles respectively.

America Movil will sell the eight-gigabyte 3G iPhone for as little as 773 pesos (US$75) in Mexico for buyers who agree to a two-year, 799-peso (US$77) monthly plan that includes 400 minutes of calls and 200 text messages.

Its 16-gigabyte version, with double the memory, will sell for 1,877 pesos ($US182), according to an announcement by America Movil, Latin America's largest mobile phone service provider, which is owned by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim.

The price of the phone rises with cheaper monthly plans.

However, in order to sign up for a plan with one of America Movil's partners, you'll need a Mexican address, and other credentials since they're likely to perform a mandatory credit check before handing an iPhone to just anyone.

The Apple iPhone 3G revolutionized the mobile phone industry by breaking the rules and taking telecommunications technology a notch higher. This phone has it all—it is equipped with e-mail, web-browsing, and local Wi-Fi connectivity among others. The iPhone 3G has faster 3G data speeds compared to its 3G-capable counterparts.

Another function that made this phone exceptional is its Assisted GPS (A-GPS) feature. This built-in feature allows users to use GPS to locate the nearest hospital, gasoline station, bank and other important places. iPhone 3G also has up to 5.5 hours of talktime and about 72 hours of standby time. In addition to these features, the screen of this phone is ideal for viewing images and watching videos from the Internet.

This phone is specifically designed to enhance mobile phone experience in the 21st century. This phone is one of the easiest phones ever with a touch screen feature that allows users to make selections by simply touching the screen. iPhone, iPhone 3G's predecessor, was Time Magazine's 2007 invention of the year. The latest iPhone is out to outdo its predecessor's success.
Now, what we'll have:

3G
GPS
Video Camera
Improved everything

AND…

8GB version for $199 and 16GB version for $299!!!

check the full log of live translation from WWDC'08 HERE

New iPhone will have next things:

1.Infineon PMB6952 / S-GOLD3 six-band UMTS / HSDPA transceiver;
2. Murata LMRX3JCA-479 tri-band amplifier;
3. Sony SP9T antenna switch for GSM / UMTS dual mode;
4. ARM 1176JZF-S – Main CPU (same as in 1st gen iPhone);
5. Skyworks 77427 chip – UMTS / HSDPA tx 1900MHz, rx 2100MHz;
6. Skyworks 77414 chip – UMTS / HSDPA 1900MHz;
7. Skyworks 77413 chip – UMTS / HSDPA 850MHz;
8. Internal build model number: n82ap (1st gen iPhone was model m68ap);
9. UMTS Power Saving option – on or off; and
10. Hooks for Global Locate Library (GLL), software that handles A-GPS related commands for the host processor.

Many sites say, that item #10 shows us that iPhone will have built-in GPS reciever. But there's no GPS-recieving chip itself in the list.

So, it could mean, that new iPhone will have external GPS module. Anyway, we'll see it soon.

Some photos of new 3G iPhone appeared on flickr.

Matt Hickey wrote in CrunchGear:

It's thinner than the current model, for sure, with a more MacBook Air-like bezeling. It's got stereo speakers on the back and what appears to be the same screen as the current generation. But the real news here isn't the Exchange support, but the front facing camera for iChat AV.

Hmmmm.. Looks like they are real!

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