Posted on 06/14/2009 1:20:58 AM PDT by Swordmaker
If the calendar is about to flip over to summer, it must be time for Apple to roll out another smartphone. Just as summer 2007 saw the release of the original iPhone and last summer brought us the iPhone 3G, this year, weve got a new model to obsess overthe iPhone 3G S.
And we wont have long to wait before this new phone winds up in our hot little hands. Apple announced the iPhone 3G S during Mondays Worldwide Developers Conference keynote; it plans to release the iPhone 3G S next Friday, June 19.
Cant wait until then to find out all you can about the iPhone 3G S? Weve perused Apples product pages, talked to company executives, and made some educated guesses about what you can expect from this latest addition to the iPhone family.
How is this iPhone different from the iPhone 3G?
Well, theres an S in the name. You noticed that, right?
Actually, as far as Apple is concerned, the S is more than just a humble naming convention. The S simply stands for speed, Apple senior vice president for worldwide product market Phil Schiller told the WWDC keynote audience, and as far as the company is concerned, thats the main selling point for the iPhone 3G S.
According to Apple, this is the fastest iPhone yetup to two times faster and more responsive than the iPhone 3G. Specifically, Apple says that apps will launch faster and that it will take less time to jump between apps, say, by clicking a link in an e-mail to open a Web page in the mobile Safari browser. Speaking of browsing, Web pages should render faster on the iPhone 3G S, too.
How much faster? During the keynote, Schiller quoted a few numbersloading a game was 2.4 times faster on the iPhone 3G S than on the iPhone 3G. Viewing attachments was 3.6 times faster. Loading the NYTimes.com Web page was 2.9 times faster. And so on. Of course, well have to wait until the new phone ships to verify these numbers or confirm if the improved performance is that noticeable.
How did Apple boost performance?
The company isnt really sayingit tends to be rather tight-lipped when it comes to the iPhones innards. But were reasonably confident that the iPhone 3G S sports a faster processor than its predecessor and that its operating system has access to more RAM. There could be changes to the display circuitry, too, which would account for Apples claims that the iPhone 3G S offers a better gaming experience.
According to T-Mobile in the Netherlands, which appears to have accidentally posted the specs for the iPhone 3G S, the latest version of the phone includes 256MB RAM, up from 128MB on the iPhone 3G, and a 600MHz processor. That would be an improvement from the 412MHz version found in the iPhone 3G.
You said a better gaming experiencehow so?
The graphics should be more responsive. A faster better, quicker, snappier experience, is how senior director of worldwide iPhone product marketing Bob Borchers put it to us. For starters, Apple says the new iPhone supports Open GL ES 2.0, the latest 3-D graphics API for mobile devices. But the graphics hardware itself also appears to be significantly improved. The graphics processor is reportedly the Imagination Technologies PowerVR SGX, a powerful mobile chip that takes advantage of Open GL ES 2.0 to provide advanced shading and rendering capabilities. The result is an iPhone that, according to some developers, will rival dedicated gaming handhelds.
OK, so what else is different?
Just looking at the surface, not all that much. In fact, were wiling to bet that if we set an iPhone 3G S next to an iPhone 3G, youd be hard-pressed to tell which is whichat least until you flipped the phones over. Then, you might notice that the fine-print writing on the back of the phoneyou know, the part that lists the phones capacity and tells you that its designed in California and assembled in Chinais now color-matched to the silver Apple logo. The screen is covered with a new oil-resistant, or oleophobic, coating, making it easier to wipe off fingerprints. We watched an Apple executive take an iPhone 3G S and wipe it off with his shirt sleeve, something that wasnt too effective in removing smudges with earlier models.
Then again, physical changes usually arent the focus of these iPhone updates. Apple puts its effort into upgrading the software features offered in new phones.
What are the new features in the iPhone 3G S that arent in the iPhone 3G?
In addition to a new built-in Compass app, compass features are integrated into the Maps app. In Maps, tap the current location button to display where you are on the mapthats a feature youd find with the original iPhone, the iPhone 3G, and even the iPod touch. But tap the location button again, and the map will re-orient itself to the direction youre facing. Turn east, and Maps will rotate to that direction. It should make navigation much easier.
This iPhone also supports voice control. You can now dial the phone by holding down the Home button for a couple of seconds and then commanding your iPhone to dial Joe Blow (or any other contact in the iPhones Contacts list). You can also speak a phone number instead of a name, and Voice Control will dial that, too.
In addition, you can ask your iPhone 3G S to play musicspecific songs or playlists, for example. Say Play Know Your Enemy, and the iPhone 3G S, after repeating your command back to you, will begin playing Green Days latest single. You ask the phone what song is playing, and it will tell you the title and artist; you can also invoke the phones Genius feature by saying Play more songs like this, to play songs similar to the one youre currently listening to. Voice Control supports 21 languages.
Apple has also included Nike+ functionality in the iPhone 3G S. This means thatas with the second-generation iPod touchyou dont need to attach a Nike+ dock-connector dongle to your iPhone to use it with a Nike+ sensor in your running shoes; the receiver is built into the phone (and the Nike+ app is pre-installed).
Those worried about security will be happyperhaps even excitedto learn that the new iPhone also includes hardware-based encryption of all data on the iPhone. Combined with the new wipe-it-clean option of Find My iPhone and encrypted iPhone backups in iTunes, this means that unless you leave your iPhone unlocked without a password, your data is safe from all but the most skilled thieves.
Ive heard that the camera is better in the iPhone 3G S. Is that true?
A cool new software feature in the Camera app is tap to focus, which lets you select what the camera focuses on. By default, the camera focuses on whatever object is in the center of the display, but if youd like to focus elsewheresay, an object in the backgroundjust tap on the object on your iPhones display. The camera not only changes the focus but also adjusts the exposure and white balance, as well. The camera also includes an auto-macro mode, allowing you to get very close to the objects youre shootinga major failing of previous iPhone cameras.
So can this iPhone finally shoot video?
Yes, the iPhone 3G Ss camera can do one other thing you couldnt do on an iPhone 3G or original iPhoneshoot movies. To be specific, thats 30fps VGA video, which you can shoot in either portrait or widescreen orientation. You use the same Camera app, which on the iPhone 3G S features a simple Still/Movie switch. In Movie mode, you start recording by tapping on a red record button thats in the exact same spot as the button that snaps still images; tap the button again to stop recording. Video is saved in the iPhones camera roll, alongside your photos. The video-recording mode provides the same auto-focus, -exposure, and -white balance features you get when shooting stills. And yes, when you shoot video you also capture audio through the iPhones microphone.
How much does the iPhone 3G S cost?
The answer to that question is not as straightforward as you might think. The price Apple touts for the 16GB iPhone 3G S is $199; a 32GB model costs $299. And if you dont already have an iPhoneor you arent otherwise an AT&T customer using a subsidized phonethats the price youll pay. If you are a current iPhone owner, though, the situation gets a little trickier because of your service contract with AT&T. How far along you are in your two-year contractand what model iPhone you usewill determine exactly how much upgrading to an iPhone 3G S will cost you.
The basic rules in the U.S. appear to be: If you purchased the original iPhone, youre immediately eligible for new customer pricing (otherwise known as Apples advertised $199 and $299 prices). If you purchased the iPhone 3G, AT&T subsidized the cost of that phone via the two-year contract you signed, so you dont get the lowest price. However, if you purchased the iPhone 3G more than a year agoand remember, it hasnt quite been a year since the iPhone 3Gs debutyou should be eligible for AT&Ts early upgrade price on the 3G S: $299 and $399 for the 16GB and 32GB models, respectively. So if you bought the iPhone 3G on opening day (July 11, 2008), youll be able to buy the 3G S at a partial discount on July 11, 2009. (Note that this will require you to extend your AT&T contract until two years from the new purchase date.) If you purchased the iPhone 3G more recently, the prices are $399 and $499. Oh, and youll also have to pay an $18 upgrade fee regardless of which price youre eligible for.
But wait, theres more! Its also possible to pay AT&Ts $175 early-termination fee to cancel your current contract and then start over with a new contract, paying a lower price for the iPhone 3G S along with a $39 activation fee; however, theres no requirement for AT&T to treat you like a new customer, so this approach is risky. (Plus theres a chance you could lose your phone number.)
That seems simple enough, right? Unfortunately, the real-world experiences of Macworlds editors and readers indicate that the situation isnt quite this straightforward. AT&T uses an internal formula based on numerous factors, including your tenure as a customer, your billing plan, and your bill-paying history, to determine which upgrade price youre offered. Weve seen all sorts of different prices when various members of our staff and their friends and relatives have punched in their phone numbers on Apples Web site. You wont know what deal AT&T is offering you until you ask.
Can you explain the pricing of this phone? I got a subsidized phone last year, but am not eligible now. Can I cross-upgrade and give my 3G to my wife? If Ive got an original iPhone, do I have to pay the higher upgrade price? What are AT&Ts 3G S rate plans? And do I need to upgrade at the AT&T Store, the Apple Store, on the web, or somewhere else? Help!
The pricing of the iPhone 3G S has engendered a lot of strong feelings, and understandably so. We will be devoting more coverage to this issue in the days ahead. The short version of the story is, when you buy a subsidized iPhone in the U.S., AT&T is actually paying part of the cost of that phone directly to Apple. AT&T gets that money back via your phone bill over the course of a two-year contract. If you want to get a new phone within the contract period, AT&T hasnt had a chance to recoup its investment in your last phone, and things get complicated. We hope that AT&T will be working hard in the next week to better communicate what customers options are.
We assume that if youve got a family member who is eligible for a full upgrade, AT&T will find a way to let you transfer the remaining portion of your iPhone 3G contract commitment to that person and let you do a regular upgrade to the iPhone 3G S. Or swap SIM cards after the fact. Or something. Perhaps were too hopeful about AT&T, but given the massive amount of iPhone users on AT&Ts network, we think the company will realize that allowing iPhone fanatics to upgrade in as many different ways as possible will only help its business. We shall see.
The good news about the iPhone 3G S upgrades is that they seem to be much more widely available than in the past. You seem to be able to upgrade via either Apple or AT&Ts Web sites, or either companys retail stores.
Ive already got an iPhone. Should I upgrade to this one?
It depends on a variety of factors. If you have an iPhone 3G, youre not going to get the special $199 and $299 prices that Apple is touting, at least not for a while. That makes the upgrade a lot less appealing. And getting an iPhone 3G S means committing to another two years of AT&T service in the U.S.
If you routinely make calls when driving, the iPhone 3G Ss Voice Command feature may keep you from driving your car into a tree, by allowing you to call while keeping your eyes on the road. For many people that will be the feature that sells the phone.
But theres one vitally important thing you should keep in mind: Many of the features Apple touts in its iPhone 3G S guided tourincluding copy and paste functionality, MMS support, the new Voice Memos app, and search capabilitiesare part of the iPhone 3.0 software update, which is available to all iPhone owners for free starting this Wednesday, June 17, though not all features are available to owners of original EDGE iPhones, such as MMS. (iPod touch users will have to pay $10 to upgrade to 3.0.) So if those features are more appealing to you than the improved camera, new compass, and Voice Control feature, youre probably better off sticking with your current phone.
The upgrade story from the original iPhone is a bit stronger. Owners of original iPhones will likely be able to upgrade at the lowest prices. Youll gain GPS and access to the much faster 3G data network, as well as all the new iPhone 3G S features we detailed above. And the iPhone 3G S will offer you at least twice as much storage space as youve got nowand imagine how spacious it will feel if you go from a 4GB original iPhone to a 32GB iPhone 3G S!
So which new features are exclusive to iPhone 3G S?
Good question. From what we can tell, heres a complete list of features that are found only on the iPhone 3G S; in other words, you wont get them on your iPhone 3G by installing the iPhone Software 3.0 update:
Will existing accessories and cases for the iPhone 3G fit the iPhone 3G S?
Given that the form factor hasnt changed at all, cases should fit. It also appears that any dock-connector or headphone-jack accessory that works with the iPhone 3G will work with the iPhone 3G S. On the other hand, Apple has whipped out a surprise or two in the past related to new capabilities (as well as limitations) of the dock connector port, so we cant swear all dock-connector accessories will work. But the most likely scenario is that all existing accessories will work with the iPhone 3G S.
And dont forget that one of the cool new features of iPhone Software 3.0 is the capability for iPhone software to work directly with hardware accessories. All iPhones and iPod touches should gain this functionality through the 3.0 software, but since the hardware differs between the models, we dont yet know if there will be hardware accessories that work with the 3G but not the 3G S. (Were pretty sure there will be accessories that take advantage of new hardware features of the iPhone 3G Ssuch as the digital compassand thus wont work with other models.)
When will the AT&T network support the new high-speed 7.2 HSPA network that the iPhone 3G S supports?
According to Macworld contributor Glenn Fleishmans story explaining 7.2Mbps networking, AT&T claims that the network will start appearing on cell towers later this year. However, the full upgrade of AT&Ts 3G network wont be complete until 2011.
No other iPhone can do Voice Control. What allows the iPhone 3G S to pull it off?
I love flash. Will this new phone run Flash? And does its camera have a flash?
Adobe would love for Flash to run on the iPhone, but Apple has demonstrated no interest. The iPhone still doesnt run flash.
The iPhone 3G Ss camera does not have a built-in flash (just like the camera on previous iPhone models didnt have one). Given the new access that app developers have to the dock connector, perhaps some clever developer will find a way to trigger an external flash unit attached via that port. Well see.
Hey! I bought an iPhone 3G on May 9. Can I turn it back in for an iPhone 3G S?
Yes, if you bought an iPhone 3G between May 9 and June 19 you can return it for a restocking fee and replace it with an iPhone 3G S.
How does the battery life compare to the iPhone 3G?
Apple says the battery life for the iPhone 3G S is longer than what youd get from the iPhone 3G. Specifically, the company is promising nine hours of Internet access on Wi-Fi, 10 hours of video, 30 hours of audio playback, and 12 hours of 2G talk time. The five hours of 3G talk time on the new model is consistent with the estimated talk time of the previous iPhone 3G.
Can we stream live video?
Depends on what you mean. Can you stream video youre taking on the iPhone 3G S? We dont think so, though who knows what third-party apps might be able to accomplish? Its not included in the cameras basic functionality. The iPhone 3.0 does offer app developers access to streaming functionality, meaning you should be able to watch live video more readily on the iPhone in the future. But out of the box, no, live video isnt part of the base iPhone 3G S experience.
Will the iPhone video recorder be on par with the Flip-type cameras?
Its early days yet so we dont know how the iPhones camera will work in low light. We do know, however, that it shoots standard-definition video only. Many (if not most) of the current generation of pocket camcorders shoot 720p high-definition video.
Does it support A2DP and AVRCP?
The iPhone 3G Sas well as the iPhone 3G with the iPhone Software 3.0support A2DP, which lets you stream stereo audio over Bluetoothfor example, to headphones or speakers. Its not yet clear if either model will support AVRCP, a feature of Bluetooth that lets you control audio and video devices over Bluetooth.
Is A2DP for all system audio, or app specific? In the Tom Tom app, can I still use a headset for hands-free?
Were anxious to get our hands on the iPhone 3G S hardware to test this, but in the meantime, iLounge provides a summary of A2DP functionality based on the latest developer release of iPhone Software 3.0 and an iPhone 3G.
Will the iPhone 3GS charge via FireWire again? (Hey, FireWire is back on the MacBook Pro.)
Dare to dream, but almost certainly the answer is no. Apple switched to the USB-only method of charging in order to reduce the amount of circuitry on the interior of its devices. Accessories have been updated to use this new method. Theres probably no going back.
Can Voice Control on the 3G S be used with Bluetooth headsets?
Voice Control is triggered by either holding the Home button down or holding down the button on your iPhone headphones. When we asked Apple executives if other devices such as Bluetooth headphones and car kits would be able to access Voice Control, they suggested that the makers of those devices would find a way to trigger that same action. Thats not exactly a yes, but its an encouraging sign.
in a sentence, what does the S get me?
Speed, swagger, sleek, sexy, sense-of-direction, and sinematography. Its possible that we made that last word up.
Will the compass and GPS work even when there is no cell signal?
Yes. As long as youre on Earth and Earth still has its magnetic field, the compass will work, though if youre standing near a giant magnet, you might get skewed results. And although the iPhone tries to use cellular signals to speed the acquisition of your location (a process called assisted GPS), if youre out in the backcountry and you give your iPhone enough time to find all the satellites in the sky, it will be able to pinpoint your location. (It wont, however, be able to display it on a map unless youre using an app that includes pre-loaded maps. The good news is that there are a few of those now and a lot more on the way, including both turn-by-turn direction apps and apps more oriented toward hiking and mountain biking.)
I want to know if Apple will have a separate App Store for the 3GS apps, since they will have different features.
Apple hasnt said anything about this. Were guessing that two things will happen: Developers will write apps that simply behave differently on the different devices, and eventually the App Store will add some sort of compatibility filter that makes it clear that certain apps only work on certain devices.
How many minutes of video can the 32GB iPhone GS hold?
By our back-of-the-envelope calculations, about a zillion. Seriously, it will depend on how much media youve already got loaded on the device. But a lightly-loaded 32GB iPhone should be able to capture hours and hours of standard-definition video.
Will my old, deactivated iPhone 3G still work without AT&T service as an iPod touch?
Yes.
About that oleophobic coating: Will it prevent me from using protective films for the screen, or all-over treatments like InvisibleShield or BodyGuardz?
Great question, and one for which we dont yet have an answer. Zagg, makers of the InvisibleShield protective coverings, told a Macworld reader that itll be testing its products with this new screen as soon as it get its hands on the iPhone 3G S.
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how does iphone run youtube without flash?
Thanks, good post!
YouTube has converted all YouTube clips to H264 video format. iPhone supports the H264 video codec in Quicktime. Flash is unnecessary for this purpose.
Does anyone recall the “naysayers” and the “nattering nabobs of negativity” talking about the iPhone either failing or never going anywhere or never catching on?
LOL...
Someone should keep a list of their names and bring the iPhone up again, to them in the future, if they ever decide to try their hand again, doing their idiotic future forecasts on a new product from Apple... What a bunch of idiots they were...
Yes, but now the iPhone is at the mercy of websites that use H264 format... just what is it that Apple wants to achieve by avoiding Flash?
Can’t thank you enough for posting this, Swordmaker. I bought my iPhone 3G on May 11 and did I feel screwed when I heard about the new 3G S and the price reduction on the 3G.
I’m so relieved to read that there is a remedy for the recent buyers. Don’t know if I’ll get the refund and keep the 3G (which will have to be done today), or if I’ll go for the new 3G S. Probably the latter. Twenty dollars is a small price for the newest gadget.
Wish either of these phones would let me tether.
Is the monthly service plan much more expensive for an iPhone? I’ve always used the simplest of cell phones, but it’s time for me to renew my contract and I can upgrade.
I bought my 3G back last September, and AT&T was offering me the ‘subsidized’ price of $399, generously with the requirement of a 2 yr contract. Soo, I’m gonna sit this out until they come to their senses because I very much want the 3G S. And I’m guessing they will eventually come to their senses because no one in their right mind is going to pay $399 and up WITH a 2 yr contract.
It will be solely because if you use the internet, which you can’t now, you will have to get a data package to cover the use at a reasonable price. That will up your bill by $20-$30. Otherwise, no difference.
Thanks - it looks like a fun toy, but I may take a pass!
I too will taker a pass.
My cheap little LG phone has internet, GPS, video and still camera, games if I want - and I can talk and text! Why would I need a compass? It’s easy to orient by the sky. I only had the internet option for a few days before canceling, I found I preferred a full size screen.
It’s not always easy to orient by the sky, especially on cloudy days. Not sure if you’ve ever actually used an iPhone, but they are fantastic (I don’t have one yet, but can’t wait).
This is why I'm keeping my current iPhone 3G and just loading the updated software, which gives most people the most critical new features.
Features like video and gaming available only with the new phone hardware are directed at kids. I'm older and don't need these features.
I'd like to have the compass, but I'm not paying an extra $200-$300 for a compass.
More expensive compared to what? This is the first time I’ve used AT&T. And frankly, AT&T is what made me delay getting an iPhone for so long. I wish Apple had chosen another service provider.
But I really wanted that iPhone so I bit the bullet and now I’m an AT&T customer. I got the cheapest plan which is $49.99 a month for 450 minutes and 4 or 5000 night and weekend minutes. Because the plan is for the iPhone, you have to pay an additional $30.00 per month for unlimited data service. Obviously these prices don’t include the taxes, fees, and other government gimmes. You have to pay extra for texting (which I think is ridiculous), but the minutes do rollover and you get unlimited calls to and from other AT&T users (mobile to mobile).
I kept my Sprint service on my old (circa 2001) phone because my plan is really good and I get night calls starting at 7 pm. AT&T starts the night calls at 9 pm.
It works out okay because some of my friends are on Sprint and others are on AT&T.
I know that the capability exists to tether the iPhone, but it’s not offered yet. I suspect AT&T is trying to find another way to gouge its customers.
Hope that helps. And I do love the iPhone. My Sprint phone is as simple as yours — no camera, no texting, but it makes and receives phone calls!
It's the simplicity of the interface that has put all of this within reach enough to stir her curiosity. Now she just loves it. I don't think I can put a price on that.
bttt
It is still only offered on AT&T, the worst cell phone company for reception and coverage. Get 5 miles outside Denver and coverage ends. I travel to a far corner of Colorado for hunting and AT&T has no coverage. Verizon has continous coverage.
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