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iPhone 3GS faster and longer-lasting, with same looks
Apple announced the next iPhone, and they're calling it iPhone 3GS. What's that "S" stand for? Speed, says Apple. It looks a lot like the current iPhone 3G, but Apple says it will be able to perform many of its functions (weasel word alert) "up to" two times faster.
On board is a new 3-megapixel camera with autofocus and improved low-light sensitivity. It now has a special macro mode, along with automatic white balance and exposure. Beyond that, it's able to capture video at 640 x 480 at 30 frames per second. If you want to edit that video, there's a new video editing app included, letting you trim clips using multi-touch control.
Another welcome improvement is extended battery life. Apple says the iPhone 3GS will last nine hours using WiFi, compared to six hours before, will play video for 10 hours, up from seven hours with the iPhone 3G. You'll get 30 hours of audio playback is opposed to 24, and 12 hours of talk time on 2G instead of 10 hours, but 3G talk time is the same at five hours.
iPhones will be offered in three different flavors: a 32GB model selling for $299, a 16GB for $199, and an 8GB iPhone 3G will still be available, but now it will cost $99. All will be for sale starting June 19.
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Via Apple
By richpit at 3:00 PM ON 06/08/09
Dang...another iPhone that I can't have!
By Ecoteric at 3:20 PM ON 06/08/09
Apple sure does not how get people to spend their money: every year release a new iPhone with 10% more features and the same basic device. "I gotta have the new new new iPhone! this one has 3 new features that the first one should have had two years ago!"
By Jahallabal at 3:32 PM ON 06/08/09
Yeah a new iPhone! I have the 3G and there is no problem with the battery life. I just turn off 3g/2g, wifi, bluetooth, gps and lower the screen all the way down. I get about 10 hours. If I shut it off I get a week!
By nilus at 3:51 PM ON 06/08/09
Any word on a trade in program for those of us with 3Gs already.
By Maj at 2:13 AM ON 06/09/09
Jahallabal : My phone gets six days of standby with wifi and bluetooth turned on, because, you know, it doesn't use them when there aren't any devices I want to connect to in range.
Duhrrrr.
By PaulyJ at 6:31 AM ON 06/09/09
It a pitty it only has a 3 mega pixel camera when yesterdays phones already have at least 5 mega pixels other than that i would trade in my old iphone for the new one
By JP at 9:34 AM ON 06/09/09
I love this blog too.
By Gouged at 11:16 AM ON 06/09/09
Here's some fine print worth noting-- the extra $400 for current owners under contract, courtesy of AT&T and Apple:
"Requires new two-year AT&T wireless service contract, sold separately to qualified customers; credit check required; must be 18 or older. For non-qualified customers, including existing AT&T customers who want to upgrade from another phone or replace an iPhone 3G, the price with a new two-year agreement is $499 (8GB), $599 (16GB), or $699 (32GB). Visit www.wireless.att.com for eligibility information."
Outrageous. There needs to be a class-action suit against this ludicrous robbery.
By Scanner at 6:19 PM ON 06/10/09
Anybody stop to think that there are some people who have not been sold on the iPhone, and extra features might eventually win them over? The 3mp camera doesn't impress me, but I'm starting to become interested, which is probably their intention for those who weren't initially impressed when the iPhone came out to begin with and so far. Try to think outside the box, amigos... it's not JUST about you.
By Pdawg at 9:09 AM ON 06/12/09
Yay 32 Gigs!! What's that? You can only use those 32G's the way Apple wants you to? What is the point? May as well just get an 8 Gig.
By jms at 10:40 AM ON 06/12/09
The 499(8 gb)/599 (16gb)/699 (32 gb) for existing iphone users is not right. There is no 8 gb, and for existing customers it is 200 more than a new person for "early upgraders".
What I am wondering is if the 3g cases will work. (yes, I am getting one - my current phone is 4 years old and I can't read it outside in bright light anymore).
By Chris at 4:09 PM ON 06/12/09
If you can wait....let your contract expire and then get the low price.....did this method when I got the 3G.
By Twilight at 11:46 AM ON 06/13/09
I agree with Scanner. I waited because the first two iPhones didn't sell me. Now that the 3Gs will have turn-by-turn direction capabilities and a larger capacity, I'm seriously thinking about it.
My one major complaint is AT&T being the only carrier not supporting tethering 6/19 and talking about charging up to an extra $30/month to use tethering (so much for "unlimited" data plan). Apple needs to open up the iPhone to T-Mobile and any other GSM carrier in the US so we can get reasonable pricing and support.
By phoneboy at 9:46 PM ON 06/15/09
The Price is way to high for current ATT customers to switch over unless there Current Plan is ready to be renewed. Sure hope the 3G signal is better with this Infineon Chipset. Guess the 3gs is the 3rd generation iPhone. Maybe they get it right this time.
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