Looking for a new mobile phone? If you never got on the iPhone NZ bandwagon (or your blackberry needs and update), you’re in luck.

Google Phone has been confirmed for release in New Zealand within the first half of this year. The phone, which uses Google’s open source operating system Android, will be available on the Vodafone network.

The Google Phone, a second generation version of the T-Mobile G1, will feature WiFi, a 3.2 megapixel camera, GPS capabilities and a touch keyboard.

The official price for the iPhone 3G was released just 90 minutes ago – although telecommunications provider Vodafone’s website has been sparsely accessible since then due to overloading.

The entry level 8GB model can be bought for the cheapest upfront price of just $199, upon signing up to a 24 Month Plan with 1GB of data for a whopping $250 per month access fee. Minutes and texts are included in this package.

For a smaller ongoing fee, the new iPhone 8GB model is available for an upfront price of $549 with the monthly plan price set at $80/month for 250GB of data.

Similarly, the 16GB iPhone ranges from $349 (1BG plan) -$699 (250MB plan).

The iPhone goes on sale in 3 stores at 12.01am Friday in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and nationwide at 9am.

Image from Flickr.

The latest version of the Apple iPhone, the iPhone 3G has just been announced to be released in New Zealand, Australia, Italy and Portugal on the 11th of July. In New Zealand the iPhone is being launched on the Vodafone network.

“We are very excited to bring iPhone 3G to many of our customers across Europe and emerging markets in the coming months” said Frank H. Rovekamp, global CMO, Vodafone Group.

“Vodafone’s extensive, high speed and reliable networks mean customers can enjoy a great Internet and communications experience on their iPhone 3G.”

There are very few phone manufacturers who could have launched a new version of one of their phones in the way that Apple have done over the past few days. Their new iPhone is being heralded as a break-through device that will change the smart phone market.

Vodafone have been careful not to annonce any pricing of the iPhone 3G for the New Zealand market yet, however the iPhone 3G is being shown for sale on Apple’s US site starting at $199 USD. In New Zealand their media release says;

“iPhone 3G will be available via Vodafone on contract price plans which will include great value data bundles.”

Hopefully the NZ pricing will follow suit and look to be substantially subsidised by Vodafone.

Image from Flickr.