Apple iPhone 3G update

Well it has been a couple of days since Apple announced the iPhone 3GS, the dust has settled and reality bites again.

So what did we really get out of all the rumours that were circulating prior to the WWDC keynote?

On the hardware/firmware side there is:

• More memory – 16Gb and 32Gb models
• Faster processor – 600MHz (from 412Mhz)
• More RAM – 256Mb (from 128Mb)
• Faster graphics chip
• Faster wireless – up to 7.2Mbps where available
• Better Camera – 3Mp autofocus camera
• Video recording
• Improved finger resistant screen
• Improved battery and power consumption
• Tethering – use the iPhone as a modem
• MMS messaging
• Magnetic Compass
• Integration with Nike+ shoes

So whilst there were no earth shattering new announcements, the hardware improvements do go a long way to make the iPhone a better device. I actually expect that the lesser touted features of faster processor and more RAM will make the iPhone a better device. My 3G iPhone has lots of memory issues running the more demanding applications because of the 128Mb limit. The other big improvement is the battery and power consumption allowing you more use of the iPhone without having to worry about saving your battery.

Whilst tethering and MMS are features that many users have been requesting they do come at a cost. In the US the sole provider AT&T currently do not support it though they say they will late summer, same with MMS. In the UK both MMS and Tethering will be available but will be chargeable extras.

One of the best things about the new models is that they are exactly the same size as the iPhone 3G. Why is that important? Well it means that all the accessories for the 3G will fit and work with the 3GS. This compatibility is something that many people find frustrating when updating phones. Well done Apple.

The price points for the iPhone come in at:
US: 24 mth 8Gb iPhone 3G $99, 16Gb iPhone 3GS $199, 32Gb iPhone 3GS $299
UK: 12 mth 8Gb iPhone 3G £97, 16Gb iPhone 3GS £184, 32Gb iPhone 3GS £274
UK: 24 mth 8Gb iPhone 3G £0, 16Gb iPhone 3GS £87, 32Gb iPhone 3GS £175

This makes the UK and US pricing pretty similar, but you do need to bear in mind that you are tying yourself into a 2 year contract.

Overall this is a good upgrade to what has become the iConic leader in SmartPhones, With the iPhone 3G holding the position at the bottom of the range it looks like Apple have decided that there is still good life in the product yet. For those of use who were early adopters the introduction of newer devices is a bit of a problem. More about that later.

With just a week to go before the Apple WWDC 2009 the Moscone Conference centre in San Francisco is getting prepared for the biggest Apple event of the year. The Apple Logo is being applied to the outside of the building, and the inside is being decorated with banners.

Just like last year the emphasis seems to be on the iPhone and AppStore with no visible marketing material for the Mac or OSX, but these are early days and we can only get a glimpse of what is happening from the workforce erecting the banners and displays.

Thanks to Adam Jackson’s flikr pictures for images of the Moscone Center.

Certainly the leaked images that have been posted look genuine and came from the same site that showed images of the first generation 3G case which proved to be accurate.  So what do we have so far:

• Rubberised coating for rear case
• Illuminated Apple Logo on rear
• 32GB option
• front and rear cameras
• 3.2 Megapixel camera
• Video recording
• MMS
• OLED Screen (I pray this is true, OLED is amazing)
• 1.5x battery life
• FM Transmitter
• Compass

So quite a few features that if true will be very welcome.  Certainly the increased battery life is desperately needed and an OLED screen would be ground breaking.  I confess I’ve never really bothered with MMS on those phones that support it, I much prefer email or to tweet an image but I recognise it has been a major omission for those who are heavy users of it.

What I am hoping for is iChat support or better still proper support for some of the better IM clients such as Adium but it remains to be seen if the push-notification system will allow an IM app to function.

Still my daughter is primed to gain a hand-me-down iPhone 3G come launch and so she’s a happy bunny and I’ve major surgery late Summer so a new iPhone will come in very handy when I’m stuck in the hospital and during the lengthy recovery process.

To be continued Jul 17th…….