Apple announces nextgen iPhone 3GS model, to be available June 19 2009
June 8, 2009 by dennis
Today at the WWDC Apple has finally unveiled the much rumoured next generation model of the the iPhone 3G, designated by Apple as the iPhone 3GS.
What exactly will be new in this iPhone 3GS? We’ve compiled a full list of changes (below) for your convenience.
Battery life: Apple stated that the iPhone 3GS will have longer battery life than the iPhone 3G. However, no exact details were given as of yet.
Camera: The iPhone 3GS will feature a 3 megapixel camera with video recording features and autofocus — a clear and much wanted improvement over 2G/3G iPhone’s 2 megapixel photo-only camera.

Data networks connection: The iPhone 3GS features a faster kind of 3G mobile internet connection than the iPhone 3G did. To be exact, the 3GS features support for 7.2 Mbps HSDPA, while the 3G iPhone only supports max speeds of 3.6 Mbps.
Hardware: iPhone 3GS features the following new hardware additions:
- An in-built compass that shows you true North and South directions, while playing nice with GPS feature and Google Maps.
- Support for Nike + iPod feature: using an optional Nike + iPod sensor ($19) with a Nike + shoe the iPhone 3GS can track miles run or sync with the latest generation gym equipment.
Internet Tethering: Finally, the iPhone could be used as an internet tethering device for your other devices (laptop and desktop computers, etc)… Although, Apple writes that this feature will not be available in the USA (no word on Canada, yet), but if it’s in-built into the iPhone 3GS, it’s no doubt that some iPhone hackers will find a way to activate this for everyone.

Processor: Apple hints that the iPhone 3GS features a much more powerful CPU than its predecessors, although no exact details were given as of yet. How do we know? Apple writes: “iPhone 3G S takes advantage of the OpenGL ES 2.0 standard for stunning high-quality 3D graphics, making mobile gaming and other graphic intense applications better than ever,” and clearly one would think that a faster than currently available in iPhone 3G CPU (and probably graphics processor) is needed for that.
Software: The iPhone 3GS will come with iPhone firmware v3.0, bringing some much requested software features, such as:
- Cut, Copy & Paste feature.
- Expanded parental controls.
- Find My iPhone feature that works together with MobileMe so you can locate your lost iPhone on a map, send a message that will appear on the screen or play a sound to help you find it even if your phone is set to silent. If you cannot find your iPhone, you can erase all data and content on your iPhone with the new Remote Wipe feature.
- Landscape keyboard in mail, SMS, and other apps.
- MMS support.
- Spotlight Search to search across iPhone or within Mail, Contacts, Calendar and iPod.
- VoiceMemo feature, that will allow you to use your iPhone as an audio recorder.
- VoiceOver, a screen reader that speaks what appears on the iPhone 3GS display.
- Zoom feature that allows you to magnify your iPhone’s screen wherever you are.

Storage/Memory: Say goodbye to the 8GB iPhone model! Say hello to the 32GB iPhone model: the iPhone 3GS will come only in 16GB and 32GB models
Voice Control: Apple has added invaluable voice controls to the iPhone 3GS. Now you will be able to talk to your iPhone: “Simply speak the appropriate commands into the built-in microphone or headset microphone to dial by name or number. With voice control you can play your favorite music by artist, album or playlist and activate the Genius feature by saying “play more songs like this.” You can also tell iPhone to pause the music, play the next track, turn on shuffle or ask, “What’s playing right now?”,” Apple writes.
As for the prices: the iPhone 3GS will be available at $199/$299 for 16GB/32GB models. It will be available on June 19, 2009 in USA, Canada, UK, Germany, France, and about 13 other countries.
P.S.: please note that we’ve created a dedicated iPhone 3GS news section here at iPhoneWorld.ca to allow you to keep track of iPhone 3GS news as they come.
Tags: app, Apple, application, apps, Canada, Google, GPS, hack, iPhone, iPhone 3GS, News, OS, UK, USA
Related posts:
- iPhone 3.0 OS firmware to be available on June 17, 2009: list of confirmed features
- Fake iPhone 4G photos, iPhone OS 4.0 jailbroken, free iPhone apps, NEW iPhone HD in June rumour from AT&T – iPhone World Links 04/17/2010
- iPhone firmware v3.0: problems and solutions
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