Now that the dust has settled from Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, we've had time to answer some of the most pressing questions relating to the iPhone 3G. Steve Jobs unveiled the next version of the popular handset to kick off WWDC, with the new iPhone arriving in Stores on July 11.

Although there are still some things we don't know about the iPhone 3G--and probably won't until we've had some extended face time with the updated phone--here's what we've figured out after talking to AT&T, scouring the Web, and racking our brains.

What does the "3G" in the name mean?

If you're familiar with iPod naming conventions, the term 3G might make you believe that Apple is releasing its third generation of iPhone. No, you didn't sleep through an iPhone product introduction--3G in this case stands for third-generation mobile technology. It's a wide-area wireless technology that allows for much faster data transmission than the EDGE network used by AT&T with the iPhone right now.

How much faster is it than the current iPhone?

AT&T says that the iPhone 3G will have typical download speeds as high as 1.4Mbps versus average data speeds between 75Kbps and 135Kbps on its EDGE network. During Steve Jobs's keynote, it took 21 seconds to load a graphics-heavy Web page using 3G versus 59 seconds on EDGE. Similarly, an e-mail attachment took 5 seconds over 3G and 18 seconds on EDGE.

Of course, Macworld contributor Glenn Fleishman pointed out in his 3G guide last week that comparing 2G and 3G browser and e-mail attachment loading times isn't the most revealing exercise. The most important thing to know about 3G is that data transfer speeds will likely be faster than what iPhone veterans are used to--and more important, that there's room for 3G to grow.

Is 3G available everywhere? What happens when I don't have 3G coverage in my area?

AT&T's 3G coverage map shows the areas where you'll find fast data speeds.

AT&T's 3G network only covers most major metropolitan areas. The company says 3G service is currently available in 280 U.S. metropolitan areas, and the company plans to offer 3G service in nearly 350 metro areas by the end of 2008. If you're in an area without 3G coverage, your iPhone will instead get its data over the slower EDGE network (which has much wider availability). 

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