New iPhone 3GS - is that it?

Tom Dunne

Details here.

More here.

I can't help but feel underwhelmed. Not a whole lot of wow factor, more of a catch-up with other phones.

Anyone think the same?

Board Senseless

I'll take a major speed update over the stuff people were speculating about. I've literally thought to myself "I don't need a bunch of new crap just make what's there run faster." This is perfect for me, and it'll be easier to get at launch than the 3G.

cpu-dude

It was a refresh to go with 3.0. Good spec now I agree but it's silly that you have to have the 3GS in order to record video - it's not a hardware limitation (Cycorder).

Tom Dunne

I suppose the Open GL support is something to look forward to - Crysis on the iPhone anyone?

Also, wtf is Nike+ and why should I want it?

Oafley Jones

The 3GS is where the iPhone should have been at launch 2 years ago. All it does is correct the various oversights e.g. mms cut & paste that the original lacked.

Board Senseless

I imagine when it comes out you'll be able to see the difference in recording quality. I've used two video recording apps on the 3G and they weren't great. It's either bad quality and instant or decent quality and having to wait for encoding.

redman

Very dissappointed, seriously considering the new Palm Pre now.

But maybe there'll be some good deals on the iPhone 3G now!

Tom Dunne

Oafley Jones wrote: »

The 3GS is where the iPhone should have been at launch 2 years ago. All it does is correct the various oversights e.g. mms cut & paste that the original lacked.

Don't get me started again.

They weren't oversights, they were design decisions. Remember, MMS wasn't big in the US when the original iPhone was being designed. Neither was 3G, neither were camera phones and so on.

No mention of Google Latitude support, or did I miss it?

Board Senseless

redman wrote: »

Very dissappointed, seriously considering the new Palm Pre now.

You're going to have to wait for a GSM version.

jester77

Tom Dunne wrote: »

No mention of Google Latitude support, or did I miss it?

That's coming, don't know if we'll see it next week though!

Tom Dunne

redman wrote: »

But maybe there'll be some good deals on the iPhone 3G now!

Conveniently enough, I am out of contract with Meteor next Monday.

If I can get the current iPhone 3G for a decent price, I will be switching.

TinCool

I'm kinda relieved after having just splashed out for a 16gig 3G one a couple of weeks ago. I'd have no real interest in the camera or video. Speed increase would be nice but the 3G is fast compared to what I've moved from (N82).

Looking forward to installing the 3.0 OS though. Looks very nice.

Deep Thought

Am somewhat dissapointed.

Was looking for this to really push me into going over to o2 and getting it.

I was also looking at N97 and tbh, apple havent done it with this.

In saying all that, as gadgets go, the iphone is cracking.:D

May just go with the $99 3G and 3.0 firmware.;)

Frankmagnet

£342 on the apple uk site for the 8gb iphone 3g. I take it pay and go is the same as PAYG?

Says pay and go prices for the 3gs from o2 are coming soon.

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone?mco=MTE2OTU

cahirhennessy

Is it just me or was Ireland missing from the list of countries getting the 3gs? Anyway, it doesn't offer anything too revolutionary, so I'll be giving it a miss. The video quality is that of an N95 circa early 2006. Wow.
Gimme a spotify app and I'll be a happy bunny.

Dades

I'm actually pleased that they haven't produced something so much slicker that it makes my contracted 3G obsolete. But definitely disappointing for those who held off to see what they were going to come up with.

Now let's be having 3.0, thanks!

redman

Kahnyl wrote: »

You're going to have to wait for a GSM version.

Yes, apparently 2 months

faceman

I also find the iPhone underwhelming. It feels like they are just fixing the things that should have been there from the start. 3.0 will fix most of those things for the rest of us.

Deep Thought

Does anyone know does the 3Gs allow bluetooth connectivity to other devices such as my Macbook or my handsfree or even my mates bluetooth enabled phones to send them mms ?

Dman001

I'm actually quite happy about it all. Sure there are very little new features but this keeps the price low. I was hoping for a front facing camera but then I reliesed that I'd only use it once or twice like my old 3G Phone. I think I'll take the dive this year and buy one. With a price of less than €300 for a 32GB it's still better than competitors. Some features like video capturing and copy and paste should of being there since the beginning but I really like how they implimemted this features like the video editing. Plus we can look forward to do the hundreds of other feaures 3.0 will bring like Bluetooth headphone support (A2DP?) and Youtube Account support.

Tom Dunne

Szondi wrote: »

Does anyone know does the 3Gs allow bluetooth connectivity to other devices such as my Macbook or my handsfree or even my mates bluetooth enabled phones to send them mms ?

I don't think you can send MMS via bluetooth on any phone.

Are you thinking of file sharing, such as pictures/sounds/video via bluetooth?

Danbo!

Tom Dunne wrote: »

Also, wtf is Nike+ and why should I want it?

Nike chip in your runners, keeps track of your running. Available at the moment USB format, but now will link through the phone.

Dades wrote: »

But definitely disappointing for those who held off to see what they were going to come up with.!

Yup, I held off. I started off unimpressed with the iphone (circa 3G release) and never really wanted one, until the March 17th 3.0 announcement. I've always loved the UI, but there was things lacking until then, copy and paste, and an improved apps system (purchase in apps, etc..)

Todays announcement wasnt great tbh, everything that was announced that impressed me is available from the 3.0 update. I'll be waiting to see o2's prices on the 8Gb 3G and itll probably be that, although I am tempted by the speed of 3GS. Camera/MMS I have no interest in personally. Although I hope tomtom doesnt rely on the digital compass, and hopefully newer apps wont require too much processing power that leave 3G users lagging behind.

Jesus, f**k apple!! they didnt make this decision any easier for me at all GRR!!:mad:

thealltimelow

32gb ger my 16 is full after a year must see about gating a 32gb one then

Dman001

I think Latitude is available through Safari now. AFAIK there won't be a special App for it and it won't be implimented with Google Maps

Frankmagnet

Take it we will be looking at 600e + for 32gb on PAYG if we get it sold like that at all.

seamus

I think they're following the Star Trek curse. All odd-numbered iPhones aren't that great.

Happy enough to hang on till late 2010 now and I'll pick up that year's version

ShaneU

Itunes store down for anyone else? podcasts won't update either

Deep Thought

Tom Dunne wrote: »

Are you thinking of file sharing, such as pictures/sounds/video via bluetooth?

Thats it exactly Tom

Is there another App out there that does it ?

Danbo!

Frankmagnet wrote: »

Take it we will be looking at 600e + for 32gb on PAYG if we get it sold like that at all.

Yeah, knowing o2 itll be doubtful that they'll be kept at 480 and 589.

What are the chances of the 8Gb 3G being available for half price like the states (240) on PAYG?

Corholio

Going to the US very soon, will i be able to get a $99 iPhone 3G on non contract??

cahirhennessy

Nope. Contract only.

Board Senseless

No, it's only $99 with an AT&T ball and chain.

I found it hilarious that MMS and tethering won't be supported at launch by AT&T. They really are the mess I heard they were.

Oafley Jones

Corholio wrote: »

Going to the US very soon, will i be able to get a $99 iPhone 3G on non contract??

No. The $99 price is contract only.


edit. I think he/she got the message.

Frankmagnet

You don't need a monthly contract to get an iPhone 3G. There are three models to choose from:

iPhone 3G 8GB - £342.50
iPhone 3G S 16GB - £440.40
iPhone 3G S 32GB - £538.30

Dont think I will be getting one so!!

http://shop.o2.co.uk/update/paygo.html

cojomo2

how would 1 go about finding out what European countries will be getting this on pay as you go from june 19th?

want to book my cheap flight as soon as i know..

Blaster99

I've been waiting for this day for a couple of months because I need a 32GB Touch and figured I may as well wait for the new version. No word about it what so ever, though. I presume it will be launched along with the 3GS.

thepostman

Nothing special really happy I went ahead and got the 3G. Not happy though I cant get the bleedin' thing to work.

Arathorn

The Tom Tom application announcement is interesting, wonder how much it will be

Danbo!

Blaster99 wrote: »

I've been waiting for this day for a couple of months because I need a 32GB Touch and figured I may as well wait for the new version. No word about it what so ever, though. I presume it will be launched along with the 3GS.

Touch updates are expected in September. I'd buy one now, cant see any major advances in it, except for perhaps a camera added?

copacetic

Oafley Jones wrote: »

The 3GS is where the iPhone should have been at launch 2 years ago. All it does is correct the various oversights e.g. mms cut & paste that the original lacked.

3GS doesn't correct either of them, version 3.0 sw that you can put on a 3G phone next week does.

3GS is definitely evolutionary, but it has pretty much everything that was seriously expected to be in it so not sure exactly what people were expecting

Frankmagnet

copacetic wrote: »

3GS doesn't correct either of them, version 3.0 sw that you can put on a 3G phone next week does.

3GS is definitely evolutionary, but it has pretty much everything that was seriously expected to be in it so not sure exactly what people were expecting

Bit too expensive dont you think copacetic?

tbaymusicman

I only bought one last month am i screwed if they drop the price::(:( i ****ing new i should off waited dam you steve jobs haha

Blaster99

Stee wrote: »

Touch updates are expected in September. I'd buy one now, cant see any major advances in it, except for perhaps a camera added?

Price mainly. They usually double the storage for the same price. Otherwise I couldn't really give a toss. Maybe the faster CPU would be nice too but I only really use it for music and very occasionally for browsing. I can't wait until September, though.

copacetic

Frankmagnet wrote: »

Bit too expensive dont you think copacetic?

it's the same price as the one it's replacing but you get double the memory at each price point and extra features, so no I think it's better value.
Possible not worth it to upgrade though.

from my post on the other thread, in the US at least a new contract used to get you a 3G with 16GB for $299, for same
price you now get a

3GS with HSDPA support, 3MP with autofocus. video recording at 30fps vga.
Voice control, compass, 32GB capacity, 20% more battery life, and
(although not clear yet exactly how much) faster uP and more RAM.
(twice as quick for a lot of tasks)
Also Inline remote for music control in headphones, new oil and fingerprint resistant
finish. bluetooth 2.1

Presumably it will be the same here, I mean there is a case that just getting 32GB instead of 16GB for the same price is a major deal for people?

I can certainly see how people might not upgrade, as there could be better to come within the year., but if going for one for the first time its a much better deal/phone for the same price.

Frankmagnet

copacetic wrote: »

it's the same price as the one it's replacing but you get double the memory at each price point and extra features, so no I think it's better value.
Possible not worth it to upgrade though.

from my post on the other thread, in the US at least a new contract used to get you a 3G with 16GB for $299, for same
price you now get a

3GS with 3MP with autofocus. video recording at 30fps vga.
Voice control, compass, 32GB capacity, 20% more battery life, and
(although not clear yet exactly how much) faster uP and more RAM.
(twice as quick for a lot of tasks)
Also Inline remote for music control in headphones, new oil and fingerprint resistant
finish. bluetooth 2.1

Presumably it will be the same here, I mean there is a case that just getting 32GB instead of 16GB for the same price is a major deal for people?

I can certainly see how people might not upgrade, as there could be better to come within the year., but if going for one for the first time its a much better deal/phone for the same price.

Its $499 of the 32gb one for ineligible upgraders in the states.

Dont get me wrong i really like the look of it and would get one if i could afford one. £540 on o2 uk site as PAYG is just a bit steep imo.

copacetic

Frankmagnet wrote: »

Its $499 of the 32gb one for ineligible upgraders in the states.

Dont get me wrong i really like the look of it and would get one if i could afford one. £540 on o2 uk site as PAYG is just a bit steep imo.

yeah, but thats for people who want to break out of a contract they signed up to with their eyes open. people buying one who aren't tied in to a contract somewhere else get a much better deal.

Not sure how much people expect them to be, any sim free/payg phone with similar features is a similar price.

Frankmagnet

copacetic wrote: »

yeah, but thats for people who want to break out of a contract they signed up to with their eyes open. people buying one who aren't tied in to a contract somewhere else get a much better deal.

Not sure how much people expect them to be, any sim free/payg phone with similar features is a similar price.

Might be because I got the 3G last year unlocked in New Zealand for the rough equivalent of 500e that I think 625e is a bit steep.

Would love the 32gb and my 80gb ipod is on its last legs but it looks like it would be the 16gb i might have to go for.

CivilEx

As a current 3G owner I will add my name to the list of those feeling underwhelmed today. Looking forward to the 3.0 software though.

BTW O2 have confirmed that they are continuing to be the only official Irish carrier.

Spotted a mention of AT&T's tethering plans of around $70 per month? It makes this country look positively cheap to own a mobile

Bicky

The 8/16gb iphone is currently 169/229 euro on the iphone 175 plan.
I take it the price for the 16/32 will be more on the same plan?

I am disappointed in the event because i was expecting something new and exciting. The leaks and rumours built it up so much that it lost the appeal.
That said i stillthink it is a great piece of kit and i am looking forward to my first iphone.

Purple Gorilla

I'm upgrading from an iPhone 2G so I'm getting the dad to move over from Vodafone onto the iPhone bill and I'll pay for the iPhone itself

I'm happy..hopefully the 3GS will sort out the ridiculous start-up time compared to other phones!

I've always wanted a compass on my phone

MiCr0

engadget mobile did a nice comparison between the old and the new
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/06/08/iphone-3g-vs-iphone-3g-s-the-tale-of-the-tape/