After spending a bit of time looking over the technical specifications of the new Apple iPhone 3Gs, I’m really not that convinced that it’s worth the upgrade for those with an iPhone 3G – especially at this point in time (just on 12 months since the launch of the iPhone 3G).
If you take out the slightly better camera (3 megapixel), video recording capability, larger storage capacity (up to 32GB) and improved processor speed, there’s really not much separating the two…especially once iPhone 3G customers get their hands on the v3.0 software update on June 17.
The new v3.0 software introduces some long-awaited features like a landscape keyboard, MMS and the ability to cut, copy and paste. There’s also some neat functionality such as Bluetooth Internet Tethering, which allows users to share their iPhone’s Internet connectivity with a laptop computer. In addition, there’s enhancements to some of the standard iPhone applications (ie. Calendar and Stocks), an iPhone-wide search capability, and support for the next generation of iPhone applications such as ‘peer-to-peer’ games.
Overall, it’s a quality software upgrade which will be welcomed with open arms by iPhone owners around the world. Disappointingly, there’s still no Flash plugin for Safari (and not much in the way of a justification, either), but I think Apple have still succeeded in delivering a quality upgrade.
With this in mind, I certainly won’t be rushing out to get the new iPhone 3Gs when I’ll soon have an upgraded iPhone 3G in a week. Sure, it still can’t capture video or billboard-quality photos, but that’s not why I went with the iPhone in the first place!
In closing, let me say that, in business terms, I think Apple are making a mistake by launching the v3.0 software and the new iPhone 3Gs within a few weeks of each other. Surely, iPhone 3G users are going to be less inclined to upgrade their device if they’re about to get a nice upgrade to it?!
Happy iPhoning to you all…
Worth the wait for the next upgrade. Who knows, some app developer now with the 3.0 update might release a video capture for the 3g. Wait and see. I’m waiting plus I aint gonna pay 700 plus dollars for an upgrade since I can’t upgrade at the moment since 3g only came out less than a year ago. Best to wait.