Straight from Apple's site:
http://www.apple.com/... Let's take a look at the new features:
"The Fastest iPhone Ever"
Claims that the new 3GS is up to twice as fast as the 3G model. Seeing as we don't know any hardware specs, nor can we trust Apple's tainted advertising reputation, we'll just have to wait till the phone comes out and becomes subject to real world tests.
However, Apple claims that "launching messages is 2.1 faster, load the NY Times in Safari: 2.9 times faster." (Gizmodo) If this is true, then WOW, what a great improvement.
Video
30FPS at VGA resolution (640 x 480) is outstanding. Shame on Apple for making me install Quicktime (bleh) just to watch their demo video. Anyways, the demonstration looks great!
A full 30FPS with no lag or stutters, however, I'm a bit skeptical because the video was not made with a real iPhone 3GS in a real world scenario. You heard me, the video was made to look like a real world demo.
Just look at the guy holding the iPhone; there's no way anybody could hold the phone that steady.
You be the judge: iPhone 3GS Video Demo. This better not be another Apple marketing gimmick.
3-Megapixel Camera
Pretty cool tap to focus feature. Autofocus isn't a big deal; it's been around for years and is just another thing for Apple to over glorify. The macro and low light are outstanding though. Check it out: iPhone 3GS Photos
Voice Control
Been out for years and there's a reason nobody uses it: because it always sucked. Will the iPhone's voice recognition and decoding be better? We'll have to wait and see. But why, oh why, is Apple touting a feature that's been around forever like it's hot out the oven?
Compass
Pretty cool, but really only useful if you're walking around. GPS does the same thing (gives you your heading), but needs a few seconds of data before it can determine your heading.
Google Street View + the compass is a good combination, since you could basically turn your body and the Street View would line up with what you're looking at.
Cut, Copy & Paste
LOL!!! It only took three revisions to get this feature. . . Being able to copy/paste pictures is nice, however.
Landscape Keyboard
Again, it only took three revisions. . .
Messages
Multimedia messages to be exact. Going along the same lines as my last two comments. Even more depressing, read the fine print: MMS support from AT&T coming in late summer.
Search
Exactly like the Universal Search incorporated in the Palm Pre. Palm beat you to the punch on this one, Apple.
Accessibility
"These features include the VoiceOver screen reader, a Zoom feature, White on Black display options, Mono Audio, and more." How useful. .
Internet Tethering
Pretty much the biggest fail. What's been around for years and years, finally comes to the iPhone. But there's a kicker, its not offered in the United States. "Tethering is not currently offered in the U.S. and some other countries." Sucks.
Voice Memos
Isn't there already "an app for that"?
Nike + iPod
No comment except for, "Wow, that's nice?"
Stocks
Isn't there already "an app for that"?
YouTube
Don't tell me it took three revisions for YouTube functionality.
As the title of this post says, Apple has definitely found success in some areas, but most definitely failed in others.
The speed increase, video recording capabilities, compass, and camera functions are all impressive. Apple could've wowed even more people if it ditched the low 480 x 320 resolution screen in favor of a WVGA 800 x 480 resolution screen.
In other areas, however, Apple is playing catchup with long time available features like copy/pasting, landscape keyboard, MMS, and YouTube functionality. Internet tethering is also a big let down, but blame AT&T for that one.
The inclusion of Voice Memos and Stock tracking as part of the iPhone's 3GS main features is pretty pitiful. Having these items on Apple's main features web page makes it look like they're trying too hard by padding the feature list with crappy "extras" if you will.
When the original iPhone came out, it was full of innovations. Now on its third revision, while still introducing some new features, you can't deny that Apple's playing catch up as well.
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