The device has not yet received a price, but the rumors are already flying about a possible iPhone tie-in.  Engadget Mobile and others claim that AT&T will offer unlimited MicroCell iPhone calling for $20 a month.  Reportedly with AT&T Internet, the fee drops to $10 a month, and with AT&T Internet and landline service it goes away entirely.  Reportedly the device will also support 3G data and text message transmission under existing plans.

Currently, AT&T offers iPhone service plans for $60 for 450 daytime rollover minutes, $80 for 900, $100 for 1350, or $120 for unlimited.  Using the new service users may be able to save money by opting for a cheaper plan and calling from their home location.  It is unclear, though, whether the device would first burn through the users' rollover minutes, or whether it would start in unlimited mode.

At any rate, the device may at last prove a cure to the iPhone's perennial signal quality complaints.

The second big piece of iPhone news is that Apple has reportedly opened an investigation into why some users with OS v3.1-equipped iPhones are experiencing poor battery life.  Reportedly, AppleCare teams are emailing customers lists of 11 questions and an app that tracks and reports battery life to Apple.

One key issue is whether the battery life is truly bad, or whether the OS's battery indicator is merely faulty.  Describes one of the reported questions,"When you notice a power drop, does it seem to be a legitimate power drop, or rather an issue with the battery icon indicator?"

Apple is reportedly emailing users who complain about battery life on its forums.  The company is warning customers that install the application not to sync their phones as the battery logs it creates are very large.  They suggest disabling it after Apple has received their information.

Its unclear exactly when or how Apple might use the feedback to improve the iPhone's OS, but its certainly good to see the company taking action on this reported issue.