UPDATE (June 9, 2008): go here for the offical launch date and new 3g iPhone info.

Today, Boy Genius Report published an AT&T memo that it is restricting staff’s vacation requests between June 15th and July 12th. The reason for the restriction is “to ensure adequate store staffing and to give everyone an equal opportunity to benefit from an exciting product launch.” AT&T expects “heavier than normal customer traffic” in their stores due to an “exciting Summer Promotional Launch”. The same type of restrictions were in place during last year’s iphone launch. 

For the international market, Apple seems to have abandoned the exclusive single-carrier model that they have established in current markets. Both Telecom Italia and Vodafone independently announced that they have signed agreements with Apple to provide the iPhone in Italy. 

In addition to Italy, Vodafone also said in a statement (without providing further detail), “Later this year, Vodafone customers in Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey will be able to purchase the iPhone for use on the Vodafone network”. 

And don’t forget about the canadian iphone deal that Rogers Communication made with Apple for later this year.

Now on to some possible 3g iphone photos. These photos show the rumored extra sensors on the front. Then again, it could just be another apple knockoff from China.

(source)
 

You’ve heard it a million times, but it’s finally true. The iPhone is coming to Canada, after nine months on the market, and selling 5 million iPhones in select countries (along with another million on the world’s black market).

On April 29th, Rogers Communications Inc. announced that they have come to a deal with Apple and will offer the iPhone in Canada later this year. Canadians who are too scared or technologically challenged to use a hacked iPhone can finally rejoice - we are no longer an oppressed peoples.

Ted Rogers, President and CEO of Rogers, issued the following brief statement:

“We’re thrilled to announce that we have a deal with Apple to bring the iPhone to Canada later this year. We can’t tell you any more about it right now, but stay tuned.”

No other details are provided, but the announcement should provide some assurance to Canadians that the iPhone will finally be available to them.

According to recent rumors, Apple is about to introduce their next generation 3G-capable iPhone around June. So we would assume, Rogers will skip the first generation of iPhone and move directly to the 2nd generation iPhone.

The upcoming iPhones are rumored to include 3G network capability, built in GPS, 3MP camera, black plastic backing, and reduced weight and thickness (down to 9.6 mm). If you’re lucky, there might even be a front camera for video conferencing. And dare we hope for an updated bluetooth profile for file exchange and stereo headphone support? Of course, these are just rumors. The super secretive Apple will no doubt keep it under wrap until this June or July. blurrbbery will have an in-depth review once it’s released.