Wal-Mart to chop $100 off iPhone 3GS price

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it will cut $100 off the price of Apple Inc.’s iPhone 3GS 16GB model beginning May 25. The device will now retail for $97 with a two-year contract.
The price cut lends further evidence that Apple could be set to unveil a new device the week of June 7 at an upcoming Apple developers conference in San Francisco.
The new price undercuts the $199 AT&T Mobility and Apple sell the same device for through their outlets as well as the $99 AT&T Mobility is currently charging for the previous 3G 8GB model.
Apple recently noted that the publication by an online site of information and pictures of a missing iPhone prototype thought to be of the next-generation device could cost the company as consumers could put off buying the current model in anticipation of the new model.
Wal-Mart began selling the iPhone in late 2008, offering the 3G 8GB and 16GB models for $2 less than the going rate at other retailers. The price difference though small was seen as significant as Apple has historically held retail partners to strict pricing rates on new devices.
No word yet if other iPhone retailers will match the price cuts.