iPhone 3GS arrives

The iPhone 3GS has launched in the UK, promising a much faster experience than with previous models.

Apple claims the new iPhone 3GS (the S stands for speed) is more than twice as fast as its predecessor, the iPhone 3G, which was launched nearly a year ago.

Running the brand-new iPhone 3.0 operating system, it includes a better camera than the first- and second-generation iPhones - 3-megapixels as opposed to 2 - and can also shoot video footage.

However, it comes at a price - you can pick one up for free as long as you sign a 18-month, £75 per month contract, or a 24-month, £45 per month contract.

Other contracts will require you to pay out up front as well - more details can be found on the O2 website.

Many current iPhone owners have expressed outrage at the lack of free or discounted upgrade deals available and have even set up a petition to demand that O2 "offer existing iPhone customers a reasonable way to upgrade to the iPhone 3GS".

At the time of writing 5,668 people had signed the petition.

You can also buy an iPhone 3GS through the Apple website or from The Carphone Warehouse.