Apple iPhone 3GS: New iPhone, New Features

The Apple iPhone 3GS has arrived! If you're wondering whether you should upgrade your current iPhone, or maybe make the leap to getting your very first smartphone, we're providing a list of changes it features over the previous generation. Let's take a look.

Faster, More Powerful Processor

According to Apple, the "S" in 3GS stands for "speed", and they're not lying. A new 600MHz CPU blazes ahead of the older models' processor at nearly double the speed, allowing better, faster, more responsive applications and (importantly!) better gaming. The iPhone OS interface runs more smoothly and feels less laggy than it used to.

More Memory

The new iPhone has double the previous model's RAM (Random Access Memory): 256MB. This allows for smoother performance and more complex and powerful applications, as well as the possibility (whenever Apple decides to allow it) of multitasking. We'd also go so far as to say that the increased RAM might improve battery life as RAM-writes consume less power than flash memory writes. In conjunction with the faster processor mentioned above, applications start and web pages load considerably more quickly.

More Storage

While the older iPhones came in 8GB and 16GB flavours, The new iPhone hits the shelves with 16GB and 32GB of flash memory storage. Certainly enough to use as decent iTunes-synched portable media player, especially with that nice big widescreen. The iPhone can certainly replace older iPods, although maybe not in terms of battery life.

3-Megapixel Digital Camera

The iPhone's digital camera has been improved in resolution, as well as functionality. Really decent features are massively improved macro capability (you can take close-up shots of very small objects) and selective focus. Selective focus is enabled by simply tapping the screen on the object you want to focus on. This is particularly great for portraits.

Video Camera

In addition to the (improved) digital camera, you can now shoot video at a very smooth 30 frames per second. This gives you the capability to shoot videos and post them on YouTube immediately. A real boon for amateur journalists.

Better Battery Life

Always a drawback of such a powerful smartphone, Apple has improved on the battery life of the iPhone 3G, especially impressive considering how much faster it is. You'll likely get a full day's use out of one charge.

Built-in Compass

The new iPhone features built-in compass hardware that you can use by itself just like a normal compass, or show your orientation as you use the GPS navigation features or the included Google Maps application, even rotating the map relative to your orientation. In a deft move by Apple, it can even be calibrated to align with true or magnetic north. And it works regardless of the attitude of the phone, so you can place it horizontally or vertically on your car dash.

Tethering

You can now use your iPhone as a wireless broadband modem, effectively a USB dongle, to connect your other devices (laptops, desktops, netbooks) to the web. Very useful when you're on the move and need to do serious work.

MMS

The earlier model iPhone didn't feature Multimedia Message Service support to many users' chagrin, considering how common the feature is on other cellphones. You can now send your friends and family pics, video and sound clips directly from your iPhone 3SS!

Cut, Copy and Paste(!)

Finally, Apple's inexplicable ommission of this basic feature has been rectified. It's now possible to easily select and copy text, making the trading of links and quotes infintely easier.

Improved Accessibility

For users with impaired vision or dexterity, the iPhone has a large number of improved features, like system-wide zoom and magnification, as well as black/white inversion, which many people will find improves their ability to read on the small screen. Also included is the new VoiceOver functionality, which literally reads out loud whatever's on the screen. A subtle, but decent improvement is a landscape keyboard that will certainly help users unable to get to grips with the previous phone's rather small portrait-only keyboard.

Voice Control

Apple has also included a means of hands-free operation which makes it safer to use as an MP3 player when driving. Of course we can't recommend that you use the phone when driving, but you can select contacts verbally, which is a feature that has long been lacking on iPhones. Simply tell the iPhone what you want to hear or who you want to call, and it'll call them up.

Improved Security

With two new security features, the hazard of losing a device as valuable and full of personal info as your iPhone can be lessened. The new "Find My iPhone" feature allows you to actually find your iPhone using Apple's MobileMe service. If it's lying near you, you can make it make a noise to help you locate it under the obfuscatory pile of clothes in question. If it's elsewhere, you can force it to display a message to assist a finder in returning it to you. If neither option works, you can use the rather more terminal "Remote Wipe", a self-explanatory faeture that permanently destroys all the personal info on your iPhone.

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