New iPhone 3GS features

June 11, 8:11 PMiPhone ExaminerDaniel Nations

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As expected, Apple confirmed the newest iPhone at the company's World Wide Developer Conference. The iPhone 3GS is a nice upgrade over the iPhone 3G, and many of the new features have been popular requests since Apple introduced the original iPhone, like the ability to shoot and edit video.

The new iPhone 3GS will be available on June 19th with both a 16GB version for $199 and a 32GB version for $299. Here's a rundown of the new features added with the iPhone 3GS:

• Faster processor. The S is for speed, and the iPhone 3GS certainly has speed. Clocked at more than two times faster than the iPhone 3G on certain tasks, the 3GS will produce a nice performance increase.
• Longer battery life. Not the sexiest of the new features, but perhaps the biggest gripe on the iPhone is the poor battery life, so any help here is good.
• 3 megapixel camera with auto-focus. This is the first thing you'll notice when you get the new iPhone in your hands. Not only can you take better pictures with the iPhone 3GS, but you can zoom in and out by touching the screen, record video and even edit the video.
• Voice control. This is a nice addition that has been an all-but-confirmed rumor since the new iPhone operating system was released. Voice control means you can play a song just by asking for it and even access a Genius-driven playlist with a voice command.
• Magnetometer. Okay, this one doesn't have anything to do with the X-men. The Magnetometer is what allows the iPhone 3GS to act like a compass, which is really going to come in handy for those of us that are directionally-challenged. (And I'm sure we'll get some really interesting apps that make use of this feature!)
• Improved 3D graphics. This new feature is flying a little under the radar, but in the long run, it's probably going to make the biggest difference. The iPhone 3GS not only has improved hardware-supported 3D graphics, but it also supports Open GL 2.0 ES. Basically, this means we'll see a big improvement in games designed for the iPhone 3GS.
• HSDPA network support. AT&T's HSDPA network is even faster than the 3G network, so not only does the iPhone 3GS have a faster processor with better 3D graphics, it also has a faster Internet connection.

In addition to all the new goodies, the iPhone 3GS uses the iPhone 3G as a springboard, so it still has the same features as its predecessor like built-in GPS, Bluetooth, a 3.5-inch touchscreen and a whole bundle of apps available through the app store.