June 8th, 2009
Apple introduces the iPhone 3GS, drops price on 3G to $99
At today’s World Wide Developer’s Conference keynote, Apple announce a new, faster version of the iPhone: the iPhone 3GS. The S stands for Speed.
The new device is 2.1x faster to launch Messages, 2.9x faster to launch a big web page. It includes OpenGL|ES 2.0, and has 7.2MBps HSDPA built-in.
Besides the faster processor, the big draw for the 3GS is its new 3.0 megapixel camera. It features:
- Tap-to-focus - tap an item in the photo to focus on it. Resets the light balance too.
- Improved low-light sensitivity.
- Automatic macro photographs (10cm).
- Video capture, 30fps VGA.
- Videos show up in photo library. You can trim them, share via emal, MMS, YouTube, MobileMe.
The new 3GS also features voice control. You hold down the home button for a few seconds in any application. Commands that you can say start floating around on the screen. Say one of them and it happens. Examples: “Dial scott forestall”, “play the killers”, “play more songs like this”, “what’s playing now”.
Other features:
- Built-in digital compass.
- New accessibility settings.
- Nike+ support.
- Hardware data encryption.
- Improved battery life. 9 hours on WiFi, 10 hours watching video, 30 hours audio, 12 hours 2G talk, 5 hours 3G talk.
- Greener materials, packaging.
Price and availability:
The iPhone 3GS will be available in 7 countries on June 19th for $199 (16GB) and $299 (32GB). Both come in black and white. The old 3G will continue to be available, but at a lower price-point: $99. All prices are for AT&T new and qualifying customers and may vary on other carriers.
Ed Burnette is a professional developer and author of several articles and books about computing including Hello, Android: Introducing Google's Mobile Development Platform, 2nd Edition. For disclosure of Ed's industry affiliations, click here or to view his full profile click here.
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| 06/08/09
