Apple iPhone 3GS - Full Review and Test

Apple iPhone 3GS Launched a few weeks ago via Rogers Wireless, the new Apple iPhone 3GS has been put through its paces and our experience with the new upgrade is that it does offer features that might benefit power users and those relying on the iPhone’s 3G data functionality and speed. Regular users, those whose use of the iPhone is primarily to make calls, listen to audio and run a few non graphic intensive applications- we fell the iPhone OS 3.0 upgrade is more than enough to sustain their current iPhone 3G handsets. Overview The iPhone 3GS is so named for the overall increase in Speed. A new 600 MHz ARM processor powers the new models. The extra horsepower is further boosted by improvements to the graphic architecture with a PowerVR SGX graphics chip that now enables 30 frames per second video recording at VGA mode. RAM has also been doubled from 128MB to 256MB as has the 3G data throughput of 7.2 Mbps where available. Our initial impressions of the iPhone 3GS is that it is clearly twice as fast than the iPhone 3G, especially when rendering complex websites or when loading graphics intensive games. The increased RAM and the graphics boost do make things run a lot faster. Even negligible tasks like booting up or synching with iTunes are much faster because of the new components. Not to take anything away from the iPhone 3G, which is still an excellent device, but next to the 3GS it just seems slower. Compass, camera and voice commands The iPhone 3GS also offers a digital compass that works in tandem with the GPS and Google Maps to enhance location and direction based applications. The compass is accurate and although a bit gimmicky, is a good thing to have. Apple also bundled the Nike+ component that interacts with the Nike sensors for managing and tracking your workouts. All you need are the Nike+ sensors and you are good to go. Shutterbugs will love the improved 3 Megapixel cameras that does video, offers geotagging, auto-focus and white balance plus exposure. A neat add on is the touch-to-focus feature that can help when separating an object from the foreground. The camera, even at 3 Megapixels, sealed the deal for us since we often need to take snapshots of events, products or people but don’t want to lug our digicams with us. The addition of video is a big bonus, especially since videos can be edited in camera and uploaded to MobileMe or YouTube. One of he biggest pluses for us, and a good enough reason to upgrade, is the availability of a 32GB model that is even more storage capacity than some netbooks offer. As a journalist who often needs to bring a camera, voice recorder, video recorder and notebook on the road –the iPhone 3GS with its new features is an astonishing replacement. The Voice Memos function works great and we managed to get a clear interview from a person in a noisy bar. Audio can be easily synched to one’s PC and filed away or even sent as an email attachment. We’ve not really had a chance to use the video feature much but the results so far have been good. The quality of video and audio is as good or better than a Flip video camera. Although not in HD (which is fine for most uses), the video is crisp and clear even in a darkened concert venue and can be shared instantly via email or upload to YouTube. The camera and its auto white balance, auto focus and auto exposure makes taking photos on the fly a lot better. Is there marked difference between the 2 Megapixel camera and the old 2 Megapixel camera, it doesn’t seem to be noticeable. The increase in storage on the high end from 16GB to 32GB, however, give users more room to play with in terms of the number of files they can keep. Unchanged yet Reduxed Apple kept the basic design of the iPhone 3G for the iPhone 3GS and for us who have already spent a small fortune on cases, accessories and battery extenders (like the amazing Mophie Juice Pack Air) can breathe a sigh of relief. Apple focused on squeezing even more features in the package and adding only one once more of weight while extending the battery life by 30% specially for web surfing on Wi-Fi. Tethering, currently being offered by Rogers Wireless to those with a data plan greater than 1GB a month, works exceedingly well and is surprisingly fast. iPhone 3G or 3GS owners with a netbook or notebooks should be able to access the web and email from their cottages this summer without much fuss provided they have the coverage. The screen seems similar to the iPhone 3G and side-by-side there is very little difference. The iPhone 3G S also features a new fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating that attracts fewer smudges and wipes off easily. With its speedy processor, increased storage space and multimedia and communications features, The iPhone 3GS is a handheld computer as much as it is a phone. An evolutionary, rather than revolutionary leap, the iPhone 3GS is the definitive smartphone to beat today.

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Apple drops prices, boosts MacBook Pro lines

Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla Adding faster processors, larger memory capacities (up to 8GB), FireWire 800 plus a SD Card Slot, Apple refreshed its MacBook Pro line by formally inviting the unibody 13’ inch MacBook to the fold. More after the break. Available in Canada this week, the new MacBook Pro 13 starts at $1,399, offers a backlit keyboard, a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM, 160GB HD and most surprisingly a built in 7-hour battery (non-user removable). A 2.56GHz model is available for $1,749 and offers a 250GB hard drive and 4GB of RAM. The entire Macbook Pro line now has improved battery life, thanks to an innovative but non-user replaceable battery that was introduced in last year’s MacBook Air. The addition of a Firewire 800 port on the 13’ inch MacBook is also a welcome addition that many users were clamoring for. For the 15-inch MacBook Pro, a new 7-hour battery (built-in), a 3.53GHz, 2.66GHz or a 2.8GHz processor with 4GB RAM (upgradeable to 8GB), up to 500GB hard drive capacities. NVDIA GeForce 9400M is standard on the base model. You can still get the white polycarbonate MacBook, which is a great value at $1149.00 and offers a 2.13Ghz processor, 2GB RAM and a 160GB Hard Drive. Apple also announced the availability of Snow Leopard for a surprising price of $29.00. $100 less than previous OS X updates. Snow Leopard will be available in September. One month before Microsoft’s Windows 7 is released. Snow Leopard is an evolutionary upgrade to the Mac OS and will be faster to install than the previous version and will also reclaim around 6GB of disk space. Offering reduced prices on its most popular hardware and its operating system shows that Apple Inc. is seriously challenging the perception that they are expensive and out of reach.

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Next revision Netbooks going from Tiny to Slim and Light

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla Netbook manufacturers are redefining the form factor of the latest batch of Netbooks and moving from the 9-10 ' inch subportable style and moving to slim and light designs with larger screens and keyboards. Using the latest low-consumption processors as well as improved battery technology and design cues taken from Apple's Macbook Air, we see prices going up a bit accompanied by better functionality, increased connectivity, HDMI video out and improved battery life. About a year ago, many mocked the Apple Macbook Air for being slim but sparse in features and overpriced. Apple's take at a subnotebook went towards a thin and light profile but sacrificed much in terms of functionality, lack of input and output as well as fixed battery made the Macbook Air seem inflexible. Cheaper than Air The newer netbooks from MSI, ASUS, Acer and others are touting slim-and light profiles but promising increased battery life (due in part to Intel's Atom low-voltage processor). Many of the new skinny netbooks are taking design cues directly from Apple's Air but since these are clad in plastic, offer cheaper components and come in a variety of operating systems (from Ubuntu to Windows), they are a lot cheaper. -Asus Eee PC Seashell 1101HA Netbook Looking very similar to the Macbook Air is Asus's 1101HA Netbook, also dubbed the seashell. Touting a long (they claim 11-hour) battery life and a weight of 2.42lbs and a 10' inch glossy screen-Asus seems to be going for style, portability and longer battery life. Asus Asus does include two USB 2.0 ports, multiple audio jacks, a 1.3MP camera, 160GB Hard Drive although its long-life battery is not easily replaceable since it is sealed within the body. Early reviews have been quite good and if we were in the market for a netbook for travel, Asus’ seashell would definitely be on our shortlist. -Gigabyte ThinNote S1024 Under two pounds and touting a 10-inch screen, Gigabyte’s S1024 flaunts a Windows XP OS is powered by Intel’s Atom Intel processor and can be topped off with 6 cell battery and can be had for roughly US$600. Gigabyte goes light with the s1024 Should it be made available in Canada, the ThinNote will offer a compeptetive feature set including 2 USB 2’0 ports, 60 or 80 GB HD capacities, SIM slot for 3G Internet connectivity (should be standard on netbooks by now), a 1.3Megapixel webcam and a surprisingly meager 1GB or RAM. Gigabyte may not have the brand recall of many of its competitors but this feature set and a good price point should make its ThinNote a viable choice for new netbook buyers. -MSI X340 Known for its Wind line of netbooks, MSI has upped the level of design, integration and sexiness of its thin and light 13’ inch line of laptops. The lines, contours and the shape of the X340 are textbook Macbook Air design replicated in shiny plastic. A more economic Intel Core 2 Solo (1.4Ghz) processor runs things inside the MSI but the battery life is surprisingly short for a light notebook and we think it is because of Windows Vista. The MSI does offer a generous and reasonably fast 320GB hard drive, 2GB of RAM as well as HDMI and Wi-Fi in b/g/n flavors making it transcend the netbook plane and level up to specs seen in a serious business notebook territory although the US $800 price point might put some people off. We expect more thin and light models in 9-11’ inch screen netbook and notebook configurations to continue hitting the market hard, specially as the back-to-school sales come closer. People clearly want power and convenience but are going for style, light-weight and functionality.

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Make Mine Mophie Juice Pack Air

Not getting a new iPhone 3G? How about doubling battery life on the old one? As avid iPhone 3G users we often wonder why our battery life seems to deplete during a day of relatively light usage. We use 3G, yes, but have Bluetooth and location services turned off unless we really need them. The idea of having a technician crack open our iPhone to replace the lithium-ion battery which is likely to be just as sucky in a year's time. There are some great solutions for external battery packs for the iPhone 3G but while these add ons have flashlights and even speakers - they seem to bloat the iPhone 3G's size. Mophie's Juice Pack Air, on the other hand, offers the functionality of a protective case but also adds a 1200 mAh capacity battery that all but doubles your iPhone 3G's battery life. Mophie is no stranger to making iPhone and iPod battery solutions. Their juice pack line for iPhones have been boosting battery life since the first revision of the iPhone. The Juice Pack Air brings this technology and pares down the dimensions to an acceptable size while maintaining great additional battery life. For users who detest charging their iPhones or who are looking at long-haul flights or weekend camping trips -now have the backup battery capacity for twice the battery life. The Mophie Juice Pack Air fits iPhone 3G's snugly but cover the accessory chariging cable (which is unfortunate for those who want to use external accessories and connectors. Mophie does offer a proprietary sync-cable which is a USB 2.0 powered connector for charging and synching. The Mophie battery can be enabled via a small switch in the bottom of the device which feeds power to the iPhone and begins to charge it until it is full. The idea is simple, convenient and works great. Currently available in Apple's retail stores, the Mophie Juice Pack Air is selling like crazy. We were able to get a unit from Apple Eaton Center Store but were told that they are in short supply. A quick visit to Mophie's website confirms that users will need to wait a few weeks for stock to be replenished. Check back for our long term test on the Mophie Juice Pack Air for the iPhone 3G in the coming days.

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