On Monday, Apple released details on the latest iPhone model and new OS. The iPhone 3GS will go on sale in Canada and the United States on June 19. Consumers can choose between a 16GB or 32GB model. The 3GS will also run iPhone OS 3.0, which is scheduled for release on June 17. According to Apple, the new operating system has over 100 new features.
New to the iPhone 3GS:
- hands-free voice control for making calls and operating
the iPod application.
- a built-in digital compass
- higher-quality graphics
- longer battery life
- video recording with editing capabilities that
allow you to trim the start and stop points of your clips
- a 3 megapixel camera with macro focus and
tap to focus, which automatically re-adjusts focus and exposure
according to where you tap the screen
- the ability to send photos and video by e-mail
or MMS
- 7.2 Mbps HSDPA support
Apple also introduced a new set of accessibility features on the iPhone 3GS. For the visually impaired, a Zoom function magnifies the entire screen and White on Black reverses colours for higher contrast. VoiceOverreads the display out loud so users can make calls, read e-mail, browsethe Web, play music and run applications. For the hearing impaired, Mono Audio combines left and right audio channels.
New to the iPhone OS 3.0:
- the ability cut, copy and paste
- MMS
- Spotlight Search
- Landscape keyboard
Monday brought several other announcementsfrom Apple, including the official release of Safari 4 for Mac OS X andWindows. The Web browser is available as a free download, but requires either Mac OS X Leopard v10.5.7, Mac OS X Tiger v10.4.11, Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista.
The company also unveiled the new Macoperating system, OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, and the new server operatingsystem, Mac OS X Server Snow Leopard. Both are scheduled for release inSeptember.
Apple also updated the MacBook Pro line,with notebooks available in 13-inch, 15-inch and 17-inch models. Thenews focuses on the 7-hour battery, which Apple says will provide up to 40 per cent longer battery life.
Apple’s App Store remains the largest applicationstore in the world, with over 50,000 applications. Over 1 billion appshave been downloaded by customers to date.
