Apple have been coy about the definitive hardware specifications for their new iPhone 3G S, refusing to confirm exactly how much more RAM and what exact processor jump the smartphone has over the previous-gen iPhone 3G. However nobody obviously told T-Mobile Netherlands about the veil of silence: they’ve outed the processor as a 600MHz chip, paired with 256MB of RAM.
If the LG Decoy’s integrated Bluetooth headset appealed, but the phone itself didn’t, then pay attention: MoGo are planning to release a range of new hard cases that will include a super-slim Bluetooth earpiece. Initially released as an iPhone 3G (or iPhone 3G S) case, the MoGo Talk not only stores but recharges in the dock.
Video demo after the cut
A newer, more capable graphics processor in the Apple iPhone 3G S will likely prompt the App Store to segment into one version for high-performance apps, such as complex games, that will only run on the newer handset, and another version for software that still supports previous models like the iPhone 3G. The component in question is the PowerVR SGX which, unlike the iPhone 3G’s PowerVR MBX, supports Open GL ES 2.0. That’s good news for developers looking to push the boundaries of current mobile device graphics, as 2.0 supports more refined shading and textures; unfortunately, apps coded for 2.0 won’t necessarily be compatible with Open GL ES 1.1.
We know there’s a lot of you out there undecided over the iPhone 3G S, and to be frank it’s not the obvious game-changer many expected Apple to deliver at WWDC 2009. Until we have hands-on experience with the phone, there’s no telling quite how great the speed improvements will turn out to be; instead, we have Apple’s own iPhone 3G S guided tour video.
Video tour of the iPhone 3G S after the cut
Apple may have invited TomTom up on stage to demonstrate their iPhone satnav app, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be the only company keen to tell you where to go come OS 3.0’s release on June 17th. Navigon have announced that they’ll be releasing an iPhone PND app of their own, MobileNavigator, with support for Reality View Pro, Real Roadsign Pro and Lane Assistant Pro.
Apple’s WWDC 2009 keynote was certainly packed full of announcements, as you’ll know if you followed along with our liveblog yesterday. As is usually the case, Apple have now made the whole thing available to stream, so if you’re curious about the TomTom iPhone OS 3.0 demo, new MacBook Pro range or want all the details on the iPhone 3G S, head over to watch the full 2hr video.
If you’ve been thinking about an iPhone 3G and can’t see yourself tempted by the specifications of the freshly-announced iPhone 3G S, now is the time to buy. Apple intend to keep the 8GB iPhone 3G on sale alongside the iPhone 3G S, so as to “extend their audience”, and to do that they’ve cut its price from $199 to $99. Effective today, you can pick up a brand new iPhone 3G 8GB for under a ton; interestingly, the AT&T press release says that “options are available to purchase [the iPhone 3G 8GB, iPhone 3G S 16GB and 3G S 32GB] without a 2-year contract”, though doesn’t go into details.
Cut-price iPhone 3G 16GB details after the cut, plus 3G S upgrade costs
Of all the software brought out to demonstrate the developing capabilities of Apple iPhone OS 3.0, the most interesting has to be TomTom’s turn-by-turn navigation app. Both a software app and an accompanying car kit were announced, complete with Points Of Interest (POIs) and both 2D and 3D mapping.
Video demo after the cut
If the prospect of an iPhone 3G S doesn’t appeal, and you’re quite happy with your iPhone 3G or iPod touch, you’ll be pleased to hear that as of June 17th iPhone OS 3.0 will be available. Apple demonstrated the new software update today at their WWDC 2009 keynote, and while much of it was a rework of the original OS 3.0 launch, there were a couple of surprises (plus upgrade costs). Headline features include tethering, “Find My iPhone” and speedier Mobile Safari.
Apple have announced the iPhone 3G S, a super-fast version of the iPhone 3G where the “S” stands for “Speed”. Packed into the same casing as the existing 3G model, the 3G S has a 3-megapixel camera with autofocus, auto white-balance and the ability to record VGA resolution video at 30fps. It also supports 7.2Mbps HSDPA, network depending, and has a faster processor that, Apple say, makes everything on-average twice as fast.
SlashGear JP
