Mobile Phones
Features
It's the Inside that Counts!
So what more features does the 3GS model have over its predecessor? Well, we have broken them down into the various categories to give you a look into what's been dished out on the latest model.
Multimedia
The real makeover is not in terms of its aesthetics, but rather, what's under the phone's hood. Users who kept complaining that the iPhone doesn't have enough multimedia functions can now sigh some form of relief. For instance, the on-board camera, which was previously a fixed-focus 2-Megapixel camera with no zoom and no flash, has been upgraded to a 3-megapixel camera with auto focus and a touch-based manual focus mode. It still lacks zoom and flash functions to better assist the camera mode.
While it doesn't rival other camera phones in the market (such as the 12-megapixel Samsung phone), we have to agree that the iPhone 3GS churns out better looking images than the previous model as you can judge later in our performance assessment. For one, it has a convenient tap-to-focus function that lets you touch an area of the image that you want to focus on, and the camera will ensure that the subject is sharp and clear. This is great if you want to focus on a single face in a crowd.
Users who like to film short home videos would also dig its new video recording feature, that promises to record footage at 30 frames per second. It doesn't have a zoom function, nor a built-in flash unit, but it does give you the capability to upload the videos directly to your MobileMe account or YouTube account. This works over Wi-Fi and 3G connections, which means that you can practically upload videos as and when you fancy.
Navigation
Another great feature that lost sheep would appreciate is the Compass function that is integrated with Google navigation maps so that you can find your way around the city easily. The compass app is a godsend that points you in the general direction of North. What's even more impressive is that it also doesn't matter which way you're holding the phone - be it facing upwards or pointing vertically to the ground - the compass will still give you a good idea of which direction you are facing.
Voice control
Voice Control is a spiffy new addition to the iPhone 3GS' feature set, which we believe most users would probably be psyched up about how intuitive it is. Simply by pressing and holding down the Home key, you will activate the Voice Control menu, and you can start speaking into the microphone to launch commands. The phone also offers numerous suggestions for what commands you can use (take for example, "Call Philip," "Play next track," and more). This feature is not only convenient, it is also a great tool for the visually impaired who cannot see the menu of the phone screen.
iPhone 3.0 Operating System (OS)
But what really gives you a reason to break the piggy bank to snag the iPhone 3GS is the fact that it comes packed with the 3.0 revision of the operating system, which contains a myriad of features that have long been on the wishlist of iPhone fans. Like the Copy and Paste feature that allows you to Select, Copy or Cut text and Paste it just about anywhere on the iPhone. What makes this somewhat common feature different from that of its competitors is its Undo the Paste selection, simply shake your iPhone and shake it again to retrieve your text back. Talk about revamping an otherwise boring feature!
Folks have also been crying out for MMS features for the longest time and finally, their cries have been answered by Jobs Almighty. Simply snap a picture (or choose one from your stored files), type in a short message, and you can zip it over to your pals.
Another exciting new feature is the "Find My Phone" function, which lets you hunt down your missing iPhone by enabling the settings on it with the help of MobileMe, Apple's Web-based service. Just log on to the MobileMe account and your iPhone's location will be displayed. If you are afraid that your phone has been stolen (and that your incriminating photos of you in your birthday suits will be discovered), you can remotely wipe off all your data with the touch of a button.
This just a smattering of highlight, but to learn more about these features and more, you can check out our Top 20 List of iPhone 3.0 Operating System Features that HWM has compiled for your reading pleasure in the upcoming August issue; so watch out for it at your local newstands! We move on to performance aspects of the iPhone 3GS on the next page.
