After two years of self-denial, I finally took the plunge last January and bought the Apple iPhone. Now this:
Apple has just announced a new version of the iPhone: the iPhone 3G S. The “S” apparently stands for “Speed,” with Apple indicating that the new device is “the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet.”
There will be two versions of the iPhone 3G S available: 16GB for $199, and 32GB for $299, and they’ll both be available on June 19th. Meanwhile, Apple also announced that it would be dropping the price on the current generation iPhone – iPhone 3G – to $99.
Other features of the iPhone 3G S include “longer battery life, a high-quality 3 megapixel autofocus camera, easy to use video recording and hands free voice control.” The device will include version 3.0 of iPhone’s OS software, which adds “more than 100 new features,” most notably copy/paste, MMS, and a new “find my iPhone” feature that helps you track down a missing device.
Video and cut/paste. Finally.
See you in two years.
My contract is up in September. There’s going to be some very interesting appliances available by then.
I got my 8GB iPhone 3G last August. The “S” may have to wait. I hope the 3.0 software upgrade will address the sucky battery life I currently experience…
Lex, you should get most of the bennies (cut and paste etc), just not video and the compass.
Apparently you have to own your phone for 1 year to get the list price. Less than that and it’s $200 extra.
The OS upgrade is free.
Alternatively you could downgrade this phone to a family member and get the new one for yourself. Would help if you could push the bill onto them too.
Phones are just another tech device, in that the second you buy one it is obsolete. Same with cameras, computers, what have you. Don’t obsess over newer versions coming out.
Of course, if you were/are an Applephile, I’d always wait until AFTER WWDC to make hardware purchases.
Okay, you got me. WWDC?
Worldwide Developers Conference http://developer.apple.com/WWDC/
Wait…. let me get this strait… you couldn’t copy and paste? Really?
jrp RE: Battery life… it is unlikely that the software is going to fix a battery life issue… from what I’ve read most 3G phones have significantly shorter battery life then the previous 2G version of the phone, due to the higher output radio needed. I have a few executives that are less then pleased with the battery life of they’re new Blackberry Bolds (3g BB), which if I recall was why it was delayed almost a year. The battery life of the BB Bold is only 60% of the BB 8820 it replaced, with a larger (heavier) capacity battery. Hope I’m wrong though because if Apple figures out a way RIM won’t be too far behind.
Don’t despair completely Lex. Cut and paste is coming to the iPhone you have right now. It is included in the iPhone OS 3.0 update which will be available for all 3G iphones. The better camera and voice command will require the new phone, however, word on the street is that if you bought your current phone after December 08 you are eligible to upgrade for $499 instead of the normal non-subsidized price of $699.
Randy K,
Yeah, 3G is a real power drag, and the glass and steel monstrosity where I work oftentimes reduces my iPhone to a 4oz “Searching…” paperweight. So I usually turn 3G off to get reliable reception and somewhat better battery life. Too, I turn the “location services” off unless I’m traveling, to save power.
Infuriating at times, but I’m an apple-phile… nonetheless.
Kevin is right on the money. After one year you can upgrade.
As for upgrading the OS to the 3.0 , let others live the pain that is a dot zero and wait it out a bit.
Or you could “jailbreak” your phone – not for the faint of heart as yo can brick your iPhone – and have lots of nice features not offered by Apple such as tethering, video capture, and others (not that I have the pineapple logo on my iPhone
).
Battery has been about the most disappointing issue and replacing it voids the warranty.
While I would like the faster rendering, processor, and apple supported C&P, MMS, and other stuff, waiting or upgrading isn’t happening.
Also, should you any of you chose to get an iPhone, check slickdeals.net forst for deals. Sometimes AT&T has a 20-35% cashback in conjunction with Microsoft Live/Bing Cashback. I got 25% off my iPhone in December with cashback.
And so, where on your blog are the links/instructions allowing us to get away with this, ummm, techno tyranny?
Respectfully,
A Crackberry addict in dire need of conversion…
I’ve been messing with microcomputers since 1975. The next iteration has always been a step ahead, usually. The 1st generation Mac wasn’t much to write home about, but it improved after Jobs left Apple, and it’s better with Intel processors now too. If the price would come down to something reasonable, they might overtake the PC type machines and bury Microsoft.
If only it worked on Verizon. . .
sigh. . .another year of waiting.
Come on! Apple is well known for their yearly upgrades… the wife and I have been extending our T-mobile contract for just this reason…
G3S Iphone, here we come!!!
Most phone stores have a 30 day “no questions asked” return policy.
A buddy just bought one the other day and made sure that he could return the iphone if a new one was introduced this weeks wwdc.
A little late for you but not for others.