Oh we've all known that Apple will eventually come out with a 3G iPhone, but when AT&T's Chief Executive Officer Randall Stephenson says, "You'll have it next year," we're all going to listen.

Stephenson doesn't give an indication as to how much it'll cost, that's up to Apple CEO Steve Jobs who "will dictate what the price of the phone is."

Jobs plans to sell 10 million iPhones worldwide in 2008, and so far Apple had sold a "mere" 1.4 million handsets through the end of September. Even with 10 million iPhones in everyone's pockets, that would give Cupertino only 1% of the mobile-phone market.

Of course this is all part of Apple's grand plan.

Introducing a 3G iPhone will still allow for the slower EDGE iPhone to penetrate the market - just at a lower price (and subsequently a faster pace). The 3G iPhone will likely also pack more features, which will make it the must-have mobile phone/music player once again.

And who wants to make bets that a "Mobile iTunes" will be part of the package? At 3G speeds, and unlimited bandwidth packages, streaming music (and talk, and sports) on your iPhone will be commonplace.

Long live planned obsolescence.

[Bloomberg via Engadget]

If you've deactivated an XM radio in the past, you have the opportunity to get 3-months of free service as part of a holiday promotion. Starting on Friday, November 23rd, anyone with an inactive XM radio (purchased at retail) can get three free months of XM Satellite Radio service - regardless of when the radio was purchased or received.

The value of the three months of service is applied over the first six months of a subscription when activating between November 23rd and December 31st, 2007.

It's a neat promotion to bring back customers who have deactivated receivers just sitting around. It's also a blanket promotion for folks looking to buy satellite radio this holiday season - so if you buy a receiver for someone this year, they can use this promotion.

Very smart.

If you want to take advantage of the offer, just go to visit xmradio.com or call 1-800-XMRADIO. This offer also applies to subscriptions added to existing accounts under the XM Family Plan. (Wow)

The offer is not valid for those radios purchased under a separate promotion. All other radios are eligible for this promotion only when they are activated (or reactivated) between November 23rd and December 31, 2007.

Terms: The value of three (3) months free service will be applied over the first six (6) months of service. Offer applies when you activate service on any eligible XM radio between 11/23/07 and 12/31/07 and maintain uninterrupted service for at least six (6) months. Subject to penalty fee if six (6) months of continuous service is not maintained. Offer valid for purchases made in continental US only. Offer subject to additional terms, fees, and eligibility restrictions available at xmradio.com.

I'm really impressed with this promotion. That's one heck of a deal and really great idea. The fact that it applies not only to new radios, but it applies to older inactive radios as well. Really, really impressed.

Looks like CompUSA is clearing out some old stock. This Black Friday deal is for a free XM Sportscaster receiver after the $30 eRebate.

No word on the activation or any pre-paid subscription details. I'm sure you'll need to pay something for the XM subscription, but you'd want to do that anyway if you're giving it as a gift to someone.

[via BFAds]

Continuing with the Black Friday watch, here's one from CompUSA. They're offering up a Sportster Replay for $49.99 - that's after a $40 savings and an addition $40 eRebate.

BFAds isn't sure, but you may need to activate the receiver at the store during purchase.

But... it's the old-school Sportster Replay. What gives? There's better deals than this for the newer generation Sportster 4. Oh right, it's CompUSA.

[via BFAds]

"Bargain" doesn't really describe this deal. Anything better and they have to pay you to walk home with one.

This Black Friday promo from RadioShack includes a free Sirius Stratus receiver with carkit, but only if you purchase a $49.99 Sirius card. Which is fine, since you need to pay for the service anyway. Without the card, the receiver is $29.99.

For most people (read: not satrad maniacs like you and I), a Stratus would do just fine. And as a gift, this one's a winner in my book.

Thanks Jeffrey!

Here you go bargain hunters, Circuit City will be offering up the Sirius Starmate 4 for $49.99. That's a whopping $70 off the original price.

Add to that, they're promoting the Sirius "card pack" which includes 3-months of Sirius service, activation, and a 30-day guarantee for $49.99. Not necessarily the best deal in town, but it does make including a Sirius subscription with your holiday gift pretty easy.

[via BfAds]

Uber-cheap receivers are always appreciated, and Sirius is putting their InV on the block for a mere $19.99 at Circuit City on the blackest of all Fridays.

That's a $20 savings off the regular price, and $10 cheaper than what Sirius is currently selling it for themselves. At that price, it could be a stocking stuffer.

You gotta love woot! Today's offering is a Delphi Skyfi2 XM receiver with Boombox and Car Kit for $55 ($49.99 + $5 shipping).

There's no trial subscription this time around, and the unit is a refurb, but it does come with a 90-day warranty. So get on it wooters!

[woot!] 

Since Sirius and XM both have participated in woot! events, why not do something in a Jellyfish Smack Shopping event? My wife is totally addicted to Smack (...like Artie?) and it looks like woot on steroids, might be a good way to generate some interest.

Has anyone else seen these Smack shopping events? Here's their blog that shows different events.