First Look Into Apple iPhone 3G S

Apple finally lifted the curtains over its widely speculated new version of iPhone, called iPhone 3G S. The iPhone 3G S claims to be much faster than its previous versions and comes with some 100 new features. Apple's vice president, marketing, Phil Schiller made the announcements at the company's annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco (And yes, contrary to wide speculations, Apple's renowned chief executive, Steve Jobs, did not appear).

Phone 3G S goes on sale from June 19 in the US. The phone reportedly will see its India launch in August 2009. With the new device Apple aims to take on the newly-launched iPhone rivals galore. So, here's looking into the all-new iPhone 3G S.

2x Speed
Wondering what the S in Apple iPhone 3G S stands for? It's the faster speed, double that of the original model claims Apple. The new iPhone 3G S can perform tasks up to 3.6 times faster than the previous second-generation model. Apple claims that it is the 'most powerful iPhone ever made.'

According to Apple, Web pages will render in a fraction of the time and users can view email attachments faster in iPhone 3G S. Also, the new device's updated 3D graphics promise enhanced gaming experience. Apple says everything you do on iPhone 3G S is up to 2x faster and more responsive than ever.

3MP Camera
With iPhone 3G S, Apple has finally fulfilled a long time wish of its fans by increasing the megapixel count of its iconic device. The new phone now packs an improved 3 megapixel camera with video capturing, auto-focus mechanism and editing capabilities.

Last year, iPhone was widely criticised for retaining the same 2 megapixel in its 3G model. The phone's camera has a built-in autofocus and a handy new feature that lets users just tap on the display to focus on an object.






Video Recording
Yes iPhone 3G S now has a video recording, a sorely missed out feature in its earlier two models. Users can shoot high-quality VGA video in portrait or landscape mode. They can also edit videos and share them.

Speculations were high that Apple will unveil a higher-resolution camera and a possible support for digital video recording.

Voice dial and memos
The voice control feature in the iPhone 3G S allows users to dial by saying the name or number. It also enables playing of music by artist, album or playlist and to pause the music, play the next track and turn on shuffle.

The iPhone can be told to "Play more songs like this" or can be told to say the song being played. There's also a new Voice Memos application that lets users do audio recording.





Built-in digital compass
The new version also packs a built-in digital compass that will help users locate their way. The new Compass app will automatically reorient maps to match the direction. While unveiling the new operating system software, iPhone OS 3.0, Apple said that the iPhone will become a full-fledged GPS device with iPhone 3.0.

The new upgrade will enable users to receive turn-by-turn instructions for driving similar to those in use on GPS navigation devices.

Cut, copy & paste
Another sore miss out feature makes its entry in the new model. Yes, cut-copy-paste is there now. The new iPhone 3.0 software adds this one of the most sorely missed feature in the existing iPhone 2.0.

Apple said the third generation of iPhone software will let users copy information from notes and Web pages, and let people move text between different applications. Users will be able to cut, copy and paste words and photos, even between applications.

Multimedia messaging (MMS)
MMS capability, another feature high on the wishlist, is finally here. Apple iPhone 3.0 will offer multimedia messaging capability with the new 3.0 software allowing users to send each other photographs from the phone. Earlier, users could send text messages or snapshots via email only.

Landscape keyboard
Want more room to type on the software keyboard? Here comes the landscape keyboard in the new model. The new device lets users rotate the phone to landscape to use a larger keyboard in Mail, Messages, Notes and Safari.


"Find My iPhone"
Another interesting feature that debuts is "Find My iPhone." The feature is designed to help users in case they misplace their device. Senior vice president, iPhone software, Scott Forstall, said that with "Find My iPhone" feature users can use Apple's online Mobile Me service to locate lost or stolen devices.

"It will show you on a map where your phone is," he said. "You can send it a message and it plays an alert sound whether or not you left it in silent mode." The feature also lets people remotely erase all data from lost or stolen iPhones, then reload the information using iTunes if they are reacquainted with their devices.

Spotlight
Search features have also been enhanced in iPhone 3.0 with the addition of Spotlight. This will enable users to search not only their contacts, but also calendar entries, notes, email and even apps on the device.












Internet tethering
Another most sought after feature in the iPhone makes its entry. The new model will let users surf the web from practically anywhere. This feature will let users share their 3G connection on iPhone with their laptop.

Users who are away from their Wi-Fi network will be able to use the iPhone's broadband connections to connect their laptop to the Internet. This feature will work via USB or Bluetooth.

Battery life
iPhone's new model also boasts of improved battery life. Apple claims the new model will support up to 12 hours of talk time, 30 hours of audio, 9 hours of Wi-Fi, 10 hours on video playback, and 5 hours 3G talk time.

The current 3G iPhone promises 5 hours of 3G talk time, 10 hours of 2G talk time, 5 hours of 3G Internet time, 6 hours of WiFi Internet time, 7 hours of video playback, 24 hours of audio playback, and 12.5 days standby time.

Memory capacity and pricing
As expected Apple has unveiled a higher 32GB version of the iPhone 3G S. The new model will come in choices of 16GB and 32GBmemory capacity. The iPhone 3G (second generation) comes in 8 and 16GB model versions.

As for the pricing, the 16GB iPhone 3GS will cost $199, and the 32GB model will come with a price tag of $299. The price of the original 8GB iPhone 3G dropped to $99 from $199. For the new iPhone 3.0 OS users having the previous generation software will have to pay $29 to upgrade.

Source : TOI