So here it is. The new iPhone. The iPhone 3GS (the S stands for ‘Speed’). First of,props to Daring Fireball to getting nearly all the predictions right about the iPhone and Snow Leopard.
The iPhone 3GS (a certain mouthful for a company that usually sticks with simple model names),comes with a better camera,built in Nike+,a better battery,built-in compass,and much better performance (i.e. speedier CPU/RAM). They priced it at $199 for the 16gb and $299 for the 32gb.
Beyond hardware,the new iPhone also (finally) has the ability to not only record,but also easily trim videos. The videos can be easily uploaded to MobileMe,Youtube,MMS or email. The camera (3.0 megapixel) has improved a lot to allow for autofocusing (tap the screen on what you want to focus),autoexposure,automacro,and improved low-light shots. It also has a new compass application that integrates with Google Maps (similar to the G1) to tell you which direction you are facing (awesome for cities…I hate walking for a block before realizing I am going the wrong way). Finally,Apple has also added voice control (something my dad’s Philips phone had around 12 years ago?). You activate it by holding down the Home button,and then can control both the phone and iPod funcationlity (What song is this,Play artist/album/song,Play songs like this).
They also dropped the price for the iPhone 3G 8gb to $99 (not a bad deal at all given all the new stuff coming for iPhone OS 3.0). True you don’t get all these awesome features (ok.. I take that back,the new camera is actually a godsend),but it’s still a great phone for just $99.
With iPhone OS 3.0 (also showcased) coming out in just a bit,the $99 is a very enticing option indeed for people who were holding out,and throws the gauntlet to other smart and dumb phones which retail for a LOT more.