Steve Jobs expected to return and launch low-cost iPhone


5 Jun 2009

Steve Jobs is expected to return to the role of Apple CEO in time for Monday’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), where it is thought he will unveil a US$99 iPhone and a Video iPhone device.

Jobs, who went on leave six months ago to recuperate from pancreatic cancer, is understood to have also suffered from issues related to hormone imbalance.

But according to reports from the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times, Jobs is on the mend and is expected to return to the company in the position of chief executive.

According to the Financial Times, Apple is expected to unveil a cheaper iPhone priced at US$99 to US$149 at the WWDC.

It will be one of a number of iPhone devices expected to debut, including the iPhone 3.0, which may come with video.

According to the Wall Street Journal’s technology columnist Walt Mossberg, the new iPhone will have a large number of new features. Some reports have suggested that the number of new features could run up to at least 100.

More than 17 million iPhones have been shipped worldwide to 80 countries.

It is understood that Carphone Warehouse, which will be selling the device in Europe, has upgraded its inventory lists to include 16GB and 32GB iPhones that will come in black and white.

By John Kennedy