Apple launches iPhone “3G S”

WWDC 2009 kicked off with an Apple keynote address at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, and it was a much-anticipated keynote that did not disappoint, for the most part. The two hour long keynote with Phil Schiller delivered new updates to the MacBook Pro line, also going over the iPhone OS 3.0 software again (since the March event), and also delivering the next iteration of the iPhone hardware.

Called the ’3G S’, the next iPhone looks no different from the iPhone 3G on the outside, but will be about 2x quicker with a faster processor and also will support for OpenGL ES 2.0, which will significantly improve 3D graphics. The cosmetic appearance of the iPhone 3GS dismisses all previous rumors of a black bezel and rubberized backing. However, both the 16 GB and 32 GB models of the 3G S will come in either black or white casings.



One of the much-awaited features of the iPhone 3G S hardware is the improved camera. The phone will now feature a 3 megapixel camera with autofocus, and also be able to record video and edit. The Camera application will also be enhanced with the ability to do auto exposure and white balance on photos, increase the low-light sensitivity, and ‘tap to focus’ to change the focus point in a photo. The autofocus also will feature an auto ‘macro’ mode which allows the camera to focus as close as 10 cm. Video will be recorded in 640×480 resolution with 30 fps and audio. There will be basic video editing (trimming of video/audio) and all videos will be saved to the Camera Roll.

The iPhone 3G S will also come with Voice Control, a much requested feature since the first iPhone. This will allow users to simply say ‘dial’ and a contacts name to call them. The feature will also work for the iPod app to control playback. Saying “play more songs like this” will immediately activate the Genius feature of the iPod.

Battery life has always been an issue with the previous iPhones, but the new iPhone 3G S promises to deliver better battery life. Schiller quoted about 9 hours of WiFi, 10 hours for video, 30 hours of audio, 12 hours for 2G talk time, and 5 hours of 3G talk time.

The 16 and 32 GB models of the iPhone 3G S will be priced at $199 and $299, respectively, in the United States, and will go on sale June 19th. Perhaps in a nod to difficult current economic conditions, Apple will continue to offer the existing 8 GB iPhone 3G model for a mere $99. However, iPhone 3G S pricing for existing iPhone 3G users who made their purchase less than twelve months ago will apparently be $599-699 according to AT&T’s website or $399-499 according to Apple’s website, prompting outcry from iPhone 3G users (see the “Apple and AT&T are at war” commentary” in this issue).

The introduction of the finalized version of the iPhone 3.0 operating system yielded few surprises. The new software will be available for all current and previous iPhones for free, and on all iPod touch models for a $9.99 fee. Notable new features will include copy and paste, push notifications, tethering, and MMS messaging, although the latter two will not be immediately available to AT&T iPhone customers. The new software will be released for download on June 17th. Keep an eye on iProng.com for a hands-on iPhone 3.0 report on the 17th.



Read iProng Magazine’s 41st issue featuring The Crystal Method, iPhone earbud shootout and more