“I would have posted this sooner, but I just can’t put down the new iPhone 3G,” relates Eric Benderoff (chicagotribuine.com). “Blame the 3G speed. The faster network connection is such an improvement over the first iPhone that you’ll be hard-pressed to stop using the new iPhone because it truly has become a mini Mac in the palm of your hand.”

The iPhone 3G earns a four (out of five) mouse rating from Jason Snell (macworld.com), who reports that the new iPhone “improves on the original iPhone’s audio quality, offers access to a faster data network, and sports built-in GPS functionality.“ It also provides access to “the exciting new world of third-party software” and to “new Exchange syncing features.”

It’s the software, maintains BusinessWeek’s Stephen Wildstrom, that “separates the iPhone from the pack.” And, he predicts, “the App Store will turn that gap into a gulf.” That’s because the iPhone “provides a unique combination of an extremely capable device, millions of customers hungry for ways to expand its usefulness, and an enthusiastic (crazed, one could say) community of developers.”