The 2X scenario is taken from Apple’s fine print, and seems to indicate the average speed increase during testing. Funny thing is, this average speed increase assumes the 3G network is even available, so again, we’re talking metropolitan areas, where EDGE is getting crappy reception in order to boost the speed increase significantly. In the midwest, the new iPhone will be 0X faster, since it will just default to EDGE. That’s not to say we won’t see bursts greater than 2X, but if 2X is the average, there will also be times we see it move data at speeds just slightly above existing EDGE speeds.

Regarding the 2.5G statement, it’s playa-hatin’ to be sure, but let’s not forget that the community coming up with these standards does not consider it ridiculous to consider EDGE implementations as 2.75G. In fact, there is some discussion that the top-tier EDGE implementations are actually considered to offer 3G speeds, despite not touching UMTS’ higher tiers. So technically, we’re not wrong if we decided to call the “old” iPhone a 3G device.

The camera was the big thing I was hoping for, but a video-conferencing enabled iPhone would certainly not have been underwhelming. Same goes for stereo bluetooth support, a thin slide-out physical keyboard to put CrackBerry fanbois in their place, no more carrier exclusivity, factory unlocked handsets, and an “open” SDK to make jailbreaking unnecessary.

Regarding Enterprise support, I’m not sure that is aimed at pleasing existing Iphone users, as much as it is to attract people that have held off on buying an Iphone until such support was provided.

How can you rate the GPS interface until it comes out and you test it? Personally as the original GoogleMaps app was pretty darn slick, I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt until I try it out. Plus GoogleMaps got better with updates and with the GPS receiver in there, they can improve the interface with minimal effort.

The use of “2 times” on their main page is very logical. 2.4 or 2.8 isn’t as easy to remember, especially taken in context with their pitch, “Twice the speed at half the cost.” “2.435 times the speed at 49.9% of the cost” just doesn’t have the same ring to it… As for the actual numbers, the example they showed in keynote took 59 seconds to download on EDGE, 21 seconds on 3G, and 17 seconds via WiFi. So that is 2.8 times faster than the EDGE. Unless that was a total fabrication, how does that jive with your theory that 2.4 times is absolute best case scenario?

As EDGE was previously commonly referred to as “2.5G,” are AT&T haters going to continue to refer to every AT&T network improvement as 2.5G? I mean I certainly am no AT&T fanboy, but if EDGE was “2.5G” and their version of “3G” is 2.4-2.8 times faster, shouldn’t we at least call it 2.6 or 2.7G

As for people calling the new version thinner, that was the rumor prior to the official announcement, but I haven’t heard anyone call it thinner after the official specs revealed it is, well, not thinner.

In the end, if you are happy with your gen one Iphone, especially given the fact you want to stay with T-Mobile, I say good for you. Quite frankly without T-Mobile supporting 3G, all you would get is a phone with GPS (that you already ruled as poor) at $400 (as the rebate won’t apply to you anyway). Me, I will get a new Iphone with GPS and at least twice the speed of mobile internet for $199.

Just out of curiosity, if 3G isn’t good enough, half price doesn’t float your boat, and GPS doesn’t score points with you, other than a nicer camera, what wouldn’t have underwhelmed you? I think the waffle maker app is still at least a year off. Mmmm, waffles…