3G iPhone: No UK launch event next week

We're sorry to have to break it to you, but if you live in the UK, you probably won't be able to buy a 3G iPhone next week. How have we come to that conclusion? We contacted an Apple spokesperson to find out if there's going to be a UK press event next Monday, to coincide with Apple's Worldwide Developers' Conference, and they said no.

Normally this wouldn't mean anything, but when Apple's about to launch a new product internationally, it tends to organise a press event in London and stream a video feed of the US show. The absence of a shindig here has made us think Steve Jobs isn't going to announce the 3G iPhone for every market -- although a US launch is very likely indeed.

What will probably happen is that it'll come out in the US first and then other markets, including the UK, later in the year, as with the original iPhone. We seriously hope we're wrong, but it's unlikely that Apple would launch such an important device in the UK -- particularly as 3G is much more widespread here -- without making some kind of hoopla about it.

Either way, make sure to visit CNET.co.uk next week to check out all our Apple coverage and find out whether or not we're going to have to wait to get our hands. Alternatively, you can watch our 'exclusive hands-on with the 3G iPhone' (note the date we posted it) and keep on dreaming. -Andrew Lim