Review: iPhone 3G S
I just got my hands on the iPhone 3G S and as revealed in the WWDC keynote “the S stands for speed”! This thing is lightning fast. As soon as I scrolled through the contacts list I noticed how much smoother the screen redraws are. Menu and slider controls don’t seem to hang as much and all the apps I have tried open really fast. Now this alone does not a new iPhone warrant but…..
I really want to talk about three great (as in 3G get it) new features that make this a must upgrade. First, voice controls!!! The voice control feature works when dialing from contacts and controls the ipod similar to the new ipod shuffle. No more one handed, stick shifting, knee on the wheel driving just to cue up your favorite Rick Astley song.
Next up is the compass. Cool enough if your into orienteering or marine navigation but the cool thing about the compass is integration into google maps. I have often used the map app as both a motorist and pedestrian and it works great until you lose your bearings when surrounded by skyscrapers. ”It says walk north to 3rd street. Which way is North?” Now with a click of the location icon google maps shows not only your location but also your direction of travel.
Last but not least is the new camera with video. The video quality is only VGA and you need to hold the phone in landscape mode to avoid letterboxing your video but Apple is really on the way to an all in one device. I was planning on buying a Flip Mino before vacation this year but with the iphone 3G S there is no real reason. I look forward to all the exciting apps that are sure to be built around these new features.
