With just over a year after Apple birthed the first iphone, the long-awaited, next-generation iPhone 3G has arrived bearing a mildly tweaked design and a load of new features. With access to a faster 3G wireless network, Microsoft Exchange server e-mail, and support for a staggering array of third-party software from the iPhone App Store, the new handset is the iPhone we’ve been waiting for. It still lacks some basic features but when compared with what the original model was year ago, this device sets a new benchmark for the cell phone world.

The 3G technology gives iPhone fast access to the Internet and email over cellular networks around the world. iPhone 3G also makes it possible to do more in more places: Surf the web, download email, get directions, and watch video even while you are on a call. With fast 3G wireless technology, GPS mapping, support for enterprise features like Microsoft Exchange, and the new App Store, iPhone 3G puts even more features at your fingertips. Plus we all know that iPhone combines three products in one – a revolutionary phone, a widescreen iPod, and a breakthrough Internet device with rich HTML email and a desktop-class web browser.

The 3G iPhone Home Screen has instant access to whatever you need. The Home screen takes you to iPhone applications and Web Clips with a single tap – even when you are on a call. And no two Home screens are alike. That is because you can customize yours with whatever applications and Web Clips you choose. Plus, you can customize you Home Screen, Add Web Clips and no matter where you are on iPhone, one click of the Home button takes you to the Home screen. And you can go back to what you were doing at any time.

Phone Calls – with 3G iPhone, making a call is as simple as tapping a name or number. All your contacts appear in a list you scroll through with a flick of your finger. And Visual Voicemail plays your messages in any order you want, just like email.

Email – on 3G iPhone looks and works just like email on your computer. With support for popular email servers and providers – including MobileMe, Microsoft Exchange, Yahoo! Mail, Google Gmail, and AOL – and most industry-standard IMAP or POP mail systems, iPhone puts email in your pocket.

Internet – 3G iPhone features Safari – the most advanced web browser ever on a portable device. And with 3G and Wi-Fi, you can browse the real Internet really fast. iPhone also syncs your bookmarks from your PC or Mac and has Google and Yahoo! search built in.

iPod – With its beautiful 3.5-inch widescreen display and Multi-Touch controls, iPhone is also one amazing iPod. Browse your music in Cover Flow and watch widescreen video with the touch of a finger.

SMS – With a chat-style view and an intelligent Multi-Touch keyboard that predicts and suggests words as you type, iPhone texts smarter than any smartphone.

Maps with GPS – Find your location, get directions, and see traffic all from your phone. Maps on iPhone 3G combines GPS, Wi-Fi, and cell tower location technology with the Multi-Touch interface to create the best mobile map application ever.

iTunes on 3G iPhone – Buy music over the air from the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store on iPhone. Find a Wi-Fi hot spot and tap the iTunes button. Then take your pick from more than 6 million songs.

App Store – The App Store is coming soon. And when it is here, you will find applications in every category, from games to business, education to entertainment, finance to health and fitness, productivity to social networking. These applications have been designed to take advantage of iPhone technologies such as Multi-Touch, the accelerometer, wireless, and GPS. And some are even free. You will download them wirelessly and be able to use them right away.

Calender – iPhone makes it easy to make plans. The built-in Calendar goes with you anywhere, works with a tap, and syncs seamlessly to the calendar on your computer.

YouTube – iPhone keeps you entertained with a YouTube application that opens right from the Home screen, so you can watch YouTube wherever you are. Videos load fast over 3G or Wi-Fi. Find a video you like? Bookmark it or share it with a friend.

Camera – With a built-in camera and an advanced photo application, iPhone is the most photo-friendly phone ever. It takes snapshots, automatically syncs photos with your PC or Mac, displays albums with the flick of a finger, and posts pictures directly to a MobileMe Gallery.

Stocks, Weather and Notes – Get stock quotes and weather reports with a tap. Use Notes to jot down information you want to keep with you, remember for later, or share via email.

And last but not the least a calculator on 3G iPhone combines the simplicity of a pocket calculator with the power of a full-featured scientific calculator.

Overall, though, a lot is improved and a price cut that significant really is incredible.