3G iPhone In Bidding? [Updated]

The Commercial Times is reporting that electronics maker Hon Hai is competing to make the next iPhone (via MarketWatch).

The news comes as Gartner is clarifying recent claims that the new phone has already been ordered by Apple. Via Information Week:

That report later got circulated on the Web, where the comments were misinterpreted as a Gartner prediction, Dulaney's boss, Bob Hafner, said.

Gartner doesn't know whether Apple has actually placed an order for 3G iPhones, but the researcher does believe the next version of the touch-screen smartphone will have those high-speed capabilities. "If Apple was to place an order, than 10 million would be a reasonable number," Hafner said. "And we absolutely believe that in the next-generation iPhone 3G will be there."

As to rumors of Apple placing an order for the high-speed phones, Hafner said, "We have not got confirmation that an order had been placed."

Multiple reports have pegged the 3G iPhone to be released in 2008. '3G' is a fast mobile data technology that allows for broadband internet access on mobile phones. The iPhone currently uses EDGE (2.5G) technology, which is most similar to dial-up speeds.

Update: Dow Jones is now reporting that Hon Hai has secured the contract [via CNN Money]