As expected, at its Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple today announced the latest additions to the iPhone family, the iPhone 3GS. The new phone comes in two models - 16GB and 32GB, selling for US$199 and $299. They will be available on June 19. It also announced more features and a June 17 release date for the iPhone OS 3.0.
The iPhone 3GS
The new iPhone 3GS offers:
- Overall faster performance (Apple claims the phone is about twice as fast as the iPhone 3G, though it also says attachments open 3.6 times faster and web pages load almost 3 times faster)
- Faster network connection - 7.2 Mbps 3G connection
- The increased capacity noted above (the iPhone 3G topped out at 16GB)
- A 3 megapixel camera with autofocus
- Camera can recording video at 30 frames/second
- Onboard video-editing software, also share over text, email, YouTube
- Voice control interface letting users dial and control iTunes by voice; the phone can also speak what songs are playing
- An onboard digital compass and new compass app
- Improved accessibility based on the phone speaking content
- Built-in support for Nike+
- Hardware encryption (targeted at business users)
- Improved battery life
iPhone OS 3.0
The OS will be released on June 17. It will be free for iPhone owners and a US$9.95 upgrade for iPod touch users (as usual).
In addition to what had already been announced, the new OS adds:
- Despite iPhone OS 3.0 supporting it, AT&T will not support multimedia text messaging (MMS) until the end of the summer in the U.S.; 29 carriers worldwide will have it
- The ability to rent and purchase movies, TV, and audiobooks over the air
- Parental controls and ratings for apps, iTunes content, etc.
- Tethering, which employs the iPhone as a mobile network connection for computers; connects over Bluetooth and USB; 22 carriers in 44 countries support it, but no word if AT&T will support it; tethering does not require additional software and will work on Mac and PC
- Autofill of passwords in Safari
- Find my iPhone feature for lost phones via MobileMe; includes remote deletion of data as an option
- Support for 30 new languages
- Purchases within apps now supported, works in paid apps only (allows things like magazine subscriptions or buying additional content for the app)
Other News
Other news from the event includes:
- Apple has cut the price of the 8GB iPhone 3G (not 3GS) to $99 for an entry-level model. That price is effective today
- Apple demoed a turn-by-turn directions GPS app from GPS heavyweight TomTom with spoken directions to great response. Also introduced was a car kit that holds the iPhone in landscape or portrait mode, amplifies GPS, charges the phone, and attaches to windshield or dash. The kit will be released this summer.
- The company also said that the iPhone and iPod touch has combined to sell over 40 million units to date.
Comments
So, Sage Sam, when will you be upgrading to tell us of all the glorious iPhone 3GS goodness? I want an in-the-flesh review!
And, second question, how lame is the name? 3GS? It’s like we’re back in the days of the Apple II… GS.
I was kinda hoping for something a bit more groundbreaking for the new iPhone. I didn’t bother with the last version, but will upgrade this time, but was hoping Apple had a few stylistic or software changes that had the wow factor.
I guess I’ll still upgrade, but certainly not because Apple have wowed me in any way.
I also wish we had a choice of airtime provider as they have a tie in with O2 in the UK, which means if you want an iPhone, that’s who you after go through, whether you like their tariffs or not. Bummer!
Stuart
iPod Repair
I am using iPod touch 2G in India and registered in iTunes India stores. I tried upgrading my iPod touch OS to 3.0 but message comes as ‘not available in India Store.’. Is there wayout to buy OS 3.0 for iPod touch 2g other than iTunes? Or when it will be available in India stores?