No surprise here, but an important milestone nonetheless. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved Apple's upcoming iPhone for release in the U.S. A thumbs up from this particular government agency is a key (and essential) hurdle all wireless devices must earn before entering this country.

Unfortunately for iPhone aficionados, the FCC kept most information regarding the iPod/phone/Internet gadget close to the vest due to an Apple confidentiality request, so there's nothing new to learn from the agency's usually more forthcoming approval pages. That is if you’re interested in things other than a whole lot of technical test result data regarding radio frequency exposure and the like.

Here's an image highlight where the FCC ID label will be located on the iPhone

In related news, Steve Jobs recently said Apple may open the iPhone to third-party applications after all. According to Jobs, the company "is wrestling with" the idea.

Many have been particularly critical of Apple's initial statement that it would not allow others than itself to develop software for the iPhone, making it a closed device.

They've gone as far as to say that the iPhone can't be considered a smartphone without a vibrant developer community to support it. All smartphone platforms, from the Palm OS to Windows Mobile to Symbian to RIM BlackBerry and the various permutations of Linux (i.e. ACCESS Linux Platform), enable third-party development.

Another factor Apple may be considering is the ‘ chances in the enterprise. Many companies like to extend their in-house corporate applications to handhelds and smartphones. They won't be able to do this if the iPhone is closed to third-parties.

AT&T, the exclusive carrier of the iPhone in the U.S., and Apple are due to ship the device next month in two configurations: a 4 GB edition for $499 and an 8 GB model for $100 more.