Is the New iPhone 3GS Worth All the Hype?

On June 19th, 2009, Apple will release a new version of the iPhone. It seems like yesterday the iPhone 3G was released. I stayed with my original version using the ‘edge’ network because I didn’t want to pay $240 in addition to the price of the phone. Wondering how I calculated $240? if you multiply the $10 extra you’d have to pay above the current rate of $20 per month by 24 month (a 2 year contract), that would be $240.

The benefits did not outweigh the extra cost, so I didn’t make the jump to 3G. Apparently, others felt the way I did. they went back to the drawing board and came up with the new iPhone 3G S where ‘S’ stands for speed. I’m must admit the extra cost is now worth it. Here’s why.

Finally, Apple decided to give into the backlash and allow video recording. This is huge when you see a smartphone of this stature recording videos.In addition to recording videos, there are basic tools to edit those videos. That was a wow factor in my book. I especially liked being able to email or MMS those videos. while we are on MMS and texting, with the 3GS, you’ll be able to turn your phone horizontally to send text/MMS messages.

Then, there is an improved 3-megapixel camera that capture these videos and still pictures. When taking these still pictures, you’ll be able to set the focus point of the shot by tapping on the screen. This would allow you to take better shots.

Of course there was an increase in storage from the current largest 16gb to 32gb. The iPhone has an updated processor for speed which gives the ‘S’ in the name.

Another wow factor was the voice recognition aspect of the phone. now hands-free while driving will truly be handsfree. say a name and it will find and dial that contact’s number. Dictate your things to do list or find an artist or a playlist simply by voice recognition.

There is a built in compass that works with an improved GPS. In addition the phone’s map will orient to the direction you are going. Zooming in goes much further with this version, and the headphones are new and improved with multi-button remote and volume control keys.

Internet tethering is now allowed. You’ll be able to connect your 3Gs iPhone to your Mac or PC and connect to the internet on your computer using your iPhone. This might not be as good as USB broadband cards, but I’m sure it would be better than nothing to many iPhone owners.

The last feature I’ll mention is probably the biggest of them all. The 3Gs iPhone now supports cut and paste. if you are a previous iPhone owner, you know how big a deal this is.

So is the new iPhone worth all the hype? Most definitely. Apple has caved into the critics and have produced another master piece.