This is what I just posted on facebook, but below I'll go over this more in detail:
So far, the best review, I've seen of the iPhone 3GS and I've read a few. Most of the new features are standard on most smartphones these days, so it is nice Apple included them now (cut & paste), MMS soon, landscape texting, video camera, & voice recorder. I like the faster processer (can't be that much faster) & bigger hard drive. An added bonus for 3G upgraders is you don't have to buy new accessories.http://reviews.cnet.com/smartphones/apple-iphone-3g-s/4505-6452_7-33674173.html?tag=nl.e723Just so you know, most reviews you've read so far in the last week are just speculation because people were writing reviews on something that was just announced and they had not even touched one, but more importantly, used one over time. So, just like the last 2 iPhones (original 2G and last year's 3G), I waited to see reviews from actual users to see how things went. Let's not forgot that the last 2 iphones had problems at launch (1st iPhone had really bad volume/earpiece levels, software update made it better, although I wouldn't say it fixed it; 3G iPhone couldn't hold a darn signal and during calls they would drop because it was switching from 2G to 3G all the time, again a software update made it better). Let's also not forget that with the first iPhone many customers had problems activating, which took anywhere from a day to a week and the 2nd iPhone people couldn't activate right away because Apple's servers crashed release day coinciding with the 2.0 software release. Anyways, that's the past.......
So far, it looks like yesterday's 3GS launch went smoothly. I'm thinking it is partly because the 3.0 software was available a couple days earlier, so those on the previous iPhones didn't bombard the server. Good idea Apple, but it would of been nice if you had the 3.0 available around the time the Palm Pre came out a week earlier to take away some of their thunder. Marketing-wise, I think that would of been a better move, but Apple or AT&T must of not been ready to do so is what I'm thinking.
The jump from the original iPhone to the 3G iPhone was a jump in speed. The 3G network upgrade (which is standard on all recent cell phones at the time) was much better than the 2G (aka. EDGE) network. Now, I've had tons of cellphones over the years (ie. ebay, work discounts, and swapping sims make it easy to do on AT&T) and I got used to the 3G networks already that in a way, the iPhone was a step back in regards in regards to cellular network, but the other benefits were good. Bigger hard drive storage space is always better although you can have a ton of music and pictures, limited storage space makes putting movIes on your iPhone a pain. Why? Because when you have a lot of videos on your iPhone, the syncing process takes longer (right Domingo? lol). Going into the early to mid 2000's, there were already a lot of phones out there that let you play music, but the intergration was never really that good in my opinion until the iPhone. But, enough about that 'cause you want to know will I upgrade from 3G to 3GS, right? That's what I've been getting at work, on email, on text messaging, and in person.
I know a lot of people are happy with the 3.0 software upgrade. I for one am shaking my head. A lot of the features that were added: (cut & paste), landscape texting, video camera, voice recorder, and later this summer MMS and tethering are standard features on cell phones from a few years back. (Anyone ever hear of HTC? If not look up their phones as you'll be surprised.) So, Apple is giving us what the rest of the world already had, so in the iPhone world, we are happy. Should these of been available on the 3G a year ago, yes, but I'll go over that later on. But, are those new features enough to make an existing 3G iphone owner, buy the 3GS? Maybe not, since those features are now available on the 3.0 software update from this past week.
What would make me upgrade to the 3GS?
Bigger hard drive space as I have a lot of music on my computer and these days when you buy blu-ray discs, they tend to give you an itunes version of the movie on a separate disc.
Faster speed- although something that takes 4 seconds to pull up now taking 2 seconds isn't that big of a deal. Now, this is still a tricky selling point because although it has a faster processor than its predesessors and pulling up programs will be faster, it won't take advantage of AT&T's faster network because it isn't fully upgraded yet. The network speed isn't expected to be ready to go via AT&T until 2011 and with the way Apple is, we'll have 2 more iPhone models by then.
Video camera- although this isn't something I'll use very often, it will come in handy when I don't have my Cannon with me.
Digital Still Camera- 3.0 megapixels will always be better than 2.0, but Apple could of done at least 5.0 as that would of made many people upgrade. Many cell phone cameras overseas have way better still/vid camera options out there.
Voice control- I don't plan on using this to call people very often as I don't like to talk on the phone while driving anyways, but I like how it interfaces with your music.
Battery life- I'll have to see it to believe it, but if you use your iPhone a lot, this would be great to see.
The major factor that I'm thinking about is
PRICE. 2 weeks ago, AT&T said they that wouldn't let existing 3G owners upgrade at the subsidized (discounted basically) price. So, I'd have to pay $499+tax+upgrade fee for the new 32 gig iPhone? Well, on Wednesday night, AT&T loosened up a bit and instead of being eligible in early August, I am eligibe now.
One thing though about Apple bugs me. At some point (maybe now as I heard that lines weren't that long at stores although they let people order online now), consumers are going to get tired of Apple releasing a new iPhone every year with minor changes. It would only make sense to continue at the pace of iPhone releases if there was something big to switch for. For example, 6.0 megapixel video camera/recorder, front and back camera lens for video chat, a phone that transforms like a decepticon or autobot, etc......... Apple is treating the iPhone like a new car model every year with minor changes and they are still alienating those on TMobile, Verizon, and Sprint. Plus, AT&T charges too much for service, data, and text messaging plans. It would be in the consumers' best interest if the exclusivity of AT&T was gone- competition among the cell phone providers would mean better rate plans for us. My 2 line family plan cell phone bill cost more than what I pay DirecTV and I probably watch more tv than I even talk to people these days.
My advice to those that have asked- if you have the original iPhone, you should consider the time to upgrade now. You should be eligible (2 years up now), you'll soon have access to MMS which the original phone's chip won't allow (so I've read), subsidized price is good, and you'll notice the difference in speed. For existing 3G owners, it's really an issue of money. I don't think spending full retail of $499+tax+upgrade fee is worth it if you can't get the discount on a 32 gig, when most of the features are already in the 3.0 software. You'll only be losing a few seconds of speed, a video camera (someone will make an app for the 3G, there's already one for jailbroken iphones), and a compass. If anyone uses the compass as the reason to upgrade, I don't know what's wrong with you..haha. Besides, most of you have families now, so money is really the issue for you.
If you don't have an iPhone at all, I think this would be a good time. Basically, the iPhone 3GS has everything that I, Paul Togonon, expected it to have when the original one released. As for me...............bigger hard drive, possibility of faster speed, better battery life, I don't have to buy new accessories since the size and everything hasn't changed, I get the discount NOW, AT&T will waive my upgrade fee, I have a small crack on my existing back cover of my 3G iphone, and you know there will probably be 3GS specific apps using GPS and the faster chip.............................. I already made my decision, although I won't stand in lines. I guess you can figure out what I did. Hope I helped someone out with my rambling.
