WWDC: Apple unveils iPhone 3GS

Posted on 8 Jun 2009 at 20:04, by Simon Aughton

Apple has unveiled a new iPhone, the 3GS whose S stands for speed. Everything, from browsing to app loading is two- to three-times faster, the company says.

The exterior hasn’t changed, but there is a new, three megapixel camera with autofocus—and in software, tap to focus on a specific item—auto exposure and auto light balance. Not to mention auto macro allowing close ups to within 10cm.

Video makes its debut on the device—30fps VGA with audio, again with auto focus and auto white balance. Videos can be trimmed on the phone and uploaded directly to Mobile Me and YouTube or sent via MMS.

Voice control has been added, for dialling and for music. You can, for example, tell the phone to start Genius or “play all songs by The Killers” or, à la the iPod shuffle, simply ask it what is playing.

Nike+ support has been added and, with a nod to business users, hardware encryption.

Battery life has been improved: 12 hours of 2G talk time or five hours of 3G talk time; nine hours’ use on Wi-Fi; 10 watching video; or 30 hours of audio playback.

The new iPhone will be available in the UK within a week and a half; price to be confirmed.

Apple has also announced that the new iPhone OS 3 software for both the phone and the iPod touch will ship on 17 June. Apple previewed the new features earlier this year, but did announce one new trick. Mobile Me subscribers who lose their phone will be able to send a message to the handset in the hope that it has been found and will also be able to remotely wipe the phone, restoring it in iTunes once it has been returned.

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