iPhone 3.0 MMS arrives…for additional fee? [update]

Proving that only Apple can take a feature that everyone else has and turn it into a product announcement, Apple today announced that the iPhone 3G would support MMS when the 3.0 software becomes available in the summer. MMS will enable users to send text messages that also include pictures, audio, maps, and contact information. MMS is already available on most cell phones and mobile devices, especially those with embedded cameras.

Video, however, is not supported, and users of the first generation iPhone will be unable to use the MMS software, due to a difference in the hardware, according to Apple.

The iPhone 3.0 software will be free to iPhone users when released. iPod touch users will have to pay $9.95 for the upgrade. Apple is releasing a developers beta today.

[Update: As we mentioned during our iPhone 3.0 event live blog, it's likely that iPhone 3G users looking to take advantage of MMS will have to pay extra to do so. Apple's iPhone 3.0 web page contains the following disclaimer with their MMS announcement:

* MMS messaging is available only on iPhone 3G; fees may apply. MMS may not be available in all areas.

The bold on that is our emphasis. It'll be interesting to see what AT&T charges for this, considering there's already an extra fee for basic SMS at the standards iPhone rate level.]

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