Monday, June 08, 2009

Scoop: new iPhone 3Gs

Looks like this:


...and features this:


...plus a lot of amazing features. I'm afraid all the others just have to prepare to be crushed for awhile, yet.

No word yet on the all-important when or how much.

I plan to update later. But you can check the liveblogging with me HERE.

UPDATE: well, that was fast. Thanks to the CNET blog:
  • $199 for 16GB
  • $299 for 32GB
  • $99 for the current 8GB
  • Available June 19
Woot! So glad I waited!


UPDATE II: Apple has a 15-minute guided tour here.

Bad day for the competition.

However, if our free-market economy can survive Obama and the Dem Congress — and that's an if — it's a bright future for the consumer.

UPDATE III: still more specifics here.

UPDATE IV: side by side comparisons here.

UPDATE V: Wirefly, who'd really really rather we not buy iPhone, puts up a pretty thorough comparison chart here. I don't think they help their case.

30 comments:

Aaron said...

"The phone has between zero and 50 percent better battery life on video, Wi-Fi usage, and talk time."

LOL.

So Dan, are the three of us who are getting new Iphones on for texting each other on the day we get them?

DJP said...

That works.

Aaron said...

I've heard rumors that At&t may be lowering the cost on the data plans for the IPhone. Noticed that the 8GB Iphone (not 3GS?) is now $99. Wow.

I think my wife and I will probably go with 32GB models. I now have her checking with AT&T on our discounted rates and where we should get the phone. Don't believe we get discounts on the hardware.

Aaron said...

According to some business reports, AT&T will have the IPhone up for pre-order tonight after 5PM EST. Apple's website looks like they already have them (for preorder). I may have to go through AT&T's premier site, so I'm hoping AT&T is on the stick soon.

CR said...

Make that four of us but I think I may wait until my current contract expires with Verizon on September. I think there are cancellation fees if I cancel early.

DJP and Sir Aaron - You guys can buy early and deal with all the initial bugs that way, Lord willing, by September, all the kinks will be worked out and I'll have a good phone. Thanks buddies.

The Squirrel said...

iDolatry! Repent!

~Squirrel

Aaron said...

NP, always happy to help a brother out.

So Squirrel you're not getting one then, huh? Maybe this one? nut

Fred Butler said...

However, if our free-market economy can survive Obama and the Dem Congress — and that's an if — it's a bright future for the consumer.

Apple and Steve Jobs are probably in bed with them all.

The Squirrel said...

Sir Aaron:

LOL-I guess that's the phone for me!

:o)

~Squirrel

threegirldad said...

So the Palm Pre was the next "iPhone killer" for maybe 48 hours.

DJP said...

LOL, yep, I'm afraid that's about right.

Aaron said...

I just got back from the AT&T store (had to buy McDonalds for my daughter for keeping her out so late). My wife and I now have the new IPhones on order, scheduled for delivery on the 19th.

It took a lot longer than I thought. I was the only one who preordered today (at that store).

threegirldad said...

OK, so who wants to give me one or more reasons why I would regret getting the 8 GB model?

Aaron said...

It's still the great phone it was yesterday. It's just that the new phone has a lot of new features including a faster processor.

DJP said...

I'm not certain how many of these upgrades are part of the OS upgrade, and thus applicable to the 8GB as well.

The new has 3Mpx as opposed to 2Mpx. It has longer battery life, faster processor, and (I assume) more RAM - but that's an assumption, albeit an educated one. It's got some fingerprint-resistant finish. It's got a built in magnetometer that makes it so maps can locate you, tell what direction you're going in, and orient the map in the direction you're facing.

There's also some way to locate it if it's lost or stolen, and there's a way to send a kill command, and wipe your data, if it's stolen. Again, not sure if that's hardware or software.

Aaron said...

here you go.

comparison chart

Aaron said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Aaron said...

here is another one to look at.

http://theappleblog.com/2009/06/08/iphone-os-3-0-some-things-you-knew-and-some-you-didnt/

Kristine said...

You are merely tempting this particular reader towards jealousy, you know.

Looks really and truly awesome ;)

VcdeChagn said...

There's also some way to locate it if it's lost or stolen, and there's a way to send a kill command, and wipe your data, if it's stolen. Again, not sure if that's hardware or software.

This should be software interaction with the GPS. I have the feature on my current Windows Mobile phone through software (third party and not built in like the new IPhone).

Of course, ATT's network is the main reason I will never own an iphone :(

Based on the quotes in this article (http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=19417) it sounds like ATT sort of got thrown under the bus today.

Aaron said...

I don't put much stock in those quotes. Nobody is ever happy with their cell phone service. Working for the government, I've been subjected to Nextel, now Sprint for many years. Horrid reception pretty much everywhere. Maybe it's the phones. When I was working in the Philippines, my AT&T phone worked (my personal cell) but my Sprint did not.

I would love to try Verizon's network...but AT&T has those rollover minutes which is great for someone like me who has huge swings in cellular usage.

I don't recall if I ever had Verizon in So Cal. I had L.A. Cellular which became AT&T ultimately.

threegirldad said...

Well, you won't have too much trouble finding people where I live who say that very thing (e.g., "I'll buy an iPhone the second any other carrier offers it"). Verizon would certainly be my preference. Of course, I've traveled enough to know that this situation varies wildly around the country. My biggest beef with AT&T is their intentional shackling/blocking/lagging behind wrt certain features. The fact that I'm even considering an iPhone when AT&T is my only choice is a testament to the sheer appeal of the thing.

So, the 3.0 software supports the 8 GB model, offering "100 new features." Lower res cam, slower speed, shorter battery life, for $99 -- or "better, better, better" [but how much better, really?] for $199. Decisions, decisions...

DJP said...

Yep. I wish it were Verizon. I have Verizon at present, and love its coverage. However, the brains (and beauty!) of the operation has decreed that we're moving to ATT, so....

Aaron said...

any particular reason why she decided that way? I know my wife and I had to make a decision. It came down to Verizon and AT&T, both whom offer very similar discounts for law enforcement. Ultimately it just came down to the rollover minutes. I really didn't have enough experience with Verizon to compare the coverage (and coverage for most only really matters where they live and work).

I know some friends that just absolutely love Sprint...but my work line is Sprint and its horrid.

DJP said...

I b'lieve primarily because of relatives who have ATT.

Aaron said...

yeah, that makes a big difference on cell phone cost. IF you can call everybody you want to talk to without using minutes, then you can save big.

CR said...

While Verizon may have better wireless phone services than ATT, with the funcionalities of the iPhone, ATT is proven and Verizon won't be. iPhone has much more superiority functions than Blackberry and ATT is just more tested than Verizon.

I believe Verizon can in the future be a superior iPhone type service when it's ready to do so.

Aaron said...

Maybe...but At&T has extensive upgrades planned from now thourgh 2011. They spent a ton of money getting the Iphone and securing contracts. Isn't Verizon taking over Alltel too?

I do think that competition would be good for customers of both.

Aaron said...

While I was on my trip to DC, I read an article in USA Today that said that part of the AT&Ts network problems come from the Iphone. Apparently the IPhone uses a ton more data because it constantly commuicates with the network and because people use their Iphones more than the average user.

Ok, has anybody else ordered their Iphone? Stores are set to open at 7AM for those who did.

Aaron said...

Ok, for all who are planning to buy the new Iphone. At&T offers a car charger, case of your choice, and 2 year service agreement for $100. It's not a bad deal.