As college students, so many of us may not be able to afford the “exotic” iPhone 3G or be willing to switch over to AT&T. Many of us may also be “CrackBerry” addicts.

It is obvious that this new version of the iPhone has 3G (faster internet than dial-up, but slower than broadband). So what?

In early 2005, Verizon Wireless released its first 3G phone, the LG VX8000, when they launched V-CAST, their 3G network. As are many new products and services, it was tested out in big cities at the beginning and then spread throughout the United States. As of today, and for the past two years, Verizon has ensured that Binghamton, N.Y., has coverage while AT&T’s 3G does not.

Remember when everyone had that slick new RAZR from Verizon or Sprint? That phone actually had 3G! In fact, just about every phone since then has had high-speed mobile internet. Who could’ve imagined that the world would covet something with old technology? Shouldn’t have Apple released the original iPhone with 3G too?

Don’t misunderstand me here … I love Apple and am obsessed with my MacBook. What bothers me here is that Apple is expected to be a leader in innovative, new technology. What they have done is nothing more than introduce to the world the first “touch screen phone”, a concept that has spread across the mobile telecommunications industry rapidly. Less than a year later, Apple updated their marvel to meet today’s standards. As great as the phone may be, taking advantage of the 3G here in Binghamton won’t happen until November at the earliest, as I was told at the AT&T store.

Another cheap shot that has been tossed at you with the 3G is that it is advertised at half the price of the original. In fact, it is truly more costly than the original. The new rate plans with the phones are $10 more. As you lock yourself to AT&T for two years, you are paying, over time, $40 more for the phone than you would’ve dished out earlier all at once.

For now, the iPhone is receiving more than its fair share of hype from everyone. This is simply because no phone has been intended to directly compete head-on. The newest stream of Verizon touch screen phones is a lot simpler and has less attractive features than that of Apple and AT&T’s moneymaker. There have been rumors going around that BlackBerry is releasing the Storm this October exclusively on Verizon. It will sport a completely touch screen interface and put the iPhone back in its place.

Old technology is supposed to stay in the past. Creativity is what brought Apple to life. Show me something original and impress me, Steve Jobs, just like you have in the past.