iPhone 3GS and Firmware 3.0: Is this what you expected?

by Powerful / June 8, 2009 4:51 PM EDT

iPhone-3GS. iPhone enthusiasts, greetings! June 8th is here, and the new iPhone 3GS was unveiled. If you're wondering what the "S" stands for, don't think I misspelled it—a new generation of iPhones has just been launched. But what does it offer? What's new? Keep reading for more…

iPhone enthusiasts, on June 8th, a new range of iPhones, the iPhone 3GS "S" (for Speed), was released to the press and the public. This new model doesn't change on the outside, but it does on the inside, and it was announced at WWDC 09. It's faster (with double the RAM) for multitasking, has a more powerful camera that records video, and a battery that lasts up to two hours longer. Although there's no front-facing camera (which was widely speculated), several new features have been added. The main one is its new camera, which this time records video, and although many were already doing so through jailbreaking, this version is official. With three megapixels, it has autofocus that can focus on any part of the image, a macro option, and improved light and contrast sensitivity.

Back to video: it records at 30 frames per second and features automatic focus, contrast, and sensitivity adjustment. A video editor is also included. Furthermore, thanks to its new battery, this phone can last up to 10 hours in video mode or 9 hours browsing the web. Another new feature is that many of its functions can be controlled by voice.

Apple has not forgotten current iPhone 3G users, who will be able to enjoy the OS 3.0 Starting June 17, the update will be free for all iPod touch users, but will cost $9.95. Apple says there are approximately 100 new features in total. The current 8GB version will remain available for $99 in the US, while the 16GB and 32GB versions will be exclusive to the new 3GS and will cost $199 and $299, respectively, also in the US.