WWDC '09: iPhone 3G [S] it is!

Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in... it's a new iPhone, and it's called: iPhone 3G [S].

If you were following the live coverage of yesterday Apple's WWDC '09 or if you've been keeping up with the latest news, then you must have knew it already that the rumors were right; Apple did introduce a new iPhone after all along with refreshed MacBook line-ups and upcoming new Snow Leopard.

Like me, some of you might have been surprised to learn that one of the last minute rumors and the most unlikely to be taken serious rumor was actually the right one. When I heard about how John Gruber of Daring Fireball got a tip that there's a new iPhone model passed around at Apple with codename: "iPhone 3GS", I thought that was just a(nother) rumor. But apparently the tip and John's hunch were right on the money, he speculates the "S" moniker stands for "speed" and he's right.

Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing confirmed what the "S" means when he was on stage at WWDC '09:

"The S stands for SPEED. Because 'this is the most powerful, fastest iPhone ever made.'
Averages 2x speed increase. OpenGL ES 2.0 support. 7.2Mbps HSDPA.
Launching messaging is 2.1x faster, loading SimCity is 2.4x faster, viewing Excel 3.6x faster, loading NY Times 2.9x faster.
The new iPhone 3G [S] is a REALLY fast phone."

There are of course many other features that come with the new iPhone hardware, the iPhone 3G [S]. But I don't think you need me to write them all over again here, you must have memorized them all and you can even mention them one by one with your eyes closed. But just in case you haven't know what to expect from the new iPhone 3G [S], then you can visit Apple's iPhone website for further information. And for more thorough and complete feature guide, including the whole WWDC '09 coverage (MacBooks, Mac OS X, iPhone OS 3.0, etc.), I recommend Gizmodo's WWDC '09 round-up.

Is it really worth it?

Even though Apple has jam-packed the new iPhone 3G [S] with some new features which can't be found in the previous models (iPhone Classic & 3G), for users and consumers that really is not what matter most. Talking about a new model means only one thing for owners of the old model: is it really worth it to upgrade?

Before we get into that, let's take a quick look at the iPhone pricing plans now: the 16GB iPhone 3G [S] will costs $199 and $299 for the 32GB model, meanwhile the old 8GB iPhone 3G is reduced to $99. See the live photo shot below of Phi Schiller's presentation of iPhone pricing plans, photo is courtesy of Gizmodo.

So Apple maintains the low price of its iPhone models most probably in order to fight the newly launched Palm Prē™, the prices sound great for new AT&T subscribers. But not for current AT&T subscribers with on going contract, they must pay higher price to get the new iPhone 3G [S].

AT&T spokesperson Mark Siegel told Macworld that to upgrade the 8GB iPhone 3G will costs $299, the 16GB iPhone 3G [S] is $399, and the 32GB iPhone 3G [S] costs $599. In addition, customers will have to pay an $18 upgrade fee. Plus only if AT&T deems eligible the subscribers for an upgrade, which depends largely on how far along they are in their contract. AT&T subscribers should check their eligibility status, which they can do via Apple's online store or AT&T's web site before purchase, just to make sure.

With these kinda pricing plans, can Apple still sway the iPhone users to buy the new model instead of tempted to switch to the other side? (the cué goes to Palm Prē™ *wink*) Apple-fans' loyalty is currently put at test...

iPhone 3G [S]: Newer, faster & packs 'oleophobic coating'... (Huh, say what?!?)

From all of those exciting new features in the new iPhone to make you drool for it, there's one particular feature that you and I need to learn before we perfectly know it. Apple is touting the new iPhone 3G [S] carries a new featured technology on its screen called "fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating." Yeah, ohkay I understand completely the first line: "fingerprint-resistant", but how about the latter? "Oleophobic" sounds like a disease, or like a scary new symptom to me. ~LOL~

An eagle-eye JAiB reader named Everette has spotted details within Apple’s ‘How To’ pages for the new iPhone 3G [S] about that "oleophobic coating" thingy:

To clean iPhone, unplug all cables and turn off iPhone (press and hold the Sleep/ Wake button, then slide the onscreen slider). Then use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don’t use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, alcohol, ammonia, or abrasives to clean iPhone. If your iPhone has an oleophobic coating on the screen (iPhone 3G S only), simply wipe your iPhone’s screen with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove oil left by your hands and face.

So after the long explanation, basically in short "oleophobic" means oil-resistant. Thank you to Everette for the find, thanks to Patrick J. from JAiB for the news, and of course many thanks to both of them for helping us learn a new word today. ;-p

iPhone 3G [S] out June 19th, but accessories are out now

Unlike the MacBook lines which become available right away after the WWDC '09 event, the new iPhone 3G [S] is set to be released into the market on June 19th. But even though the handset is yet available right now, third-party add on makers like iLuv has already launched a new accessory line designed specifically for the iPhone 3G [S]. According to Jasmine France from iPhone Atlas; iLuv's accessories selection is made up almost exclusively of cases with one car accessory thrown in for good measure. Check out iPhone Atlas' gallery for pricing and details.

What's up with the new iPhone naming?

No pun intended at the beginning line of my post up there, but seriously what was Apple thinking when they decided to add an [S] behind the already exist iPhone 3G name? Can't they come up with a better name? To think of it, at first I thought it was kinda silly but now I much more like the sound of "iPhone Video" instead...

I have to agree with Nilay Patel from Engadget who said about the new iPhone's name: "Let's face it, 'iPhone 3G S' is a pretty clunky name." ;-p

There are two kind of ways to write the new naming which is widely accepted: iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G S. But I wanted to use [S], so it would be more like how Apple writes it in the official logo.

These days we're being bombarded with unique and catchy names for smartphones; beginning from BlackBerry Bold, T-Mobile G1, HTC Magic, Palm Prē™, and now iPhone 3G [S]. It's getting weird-er, and funni-er. Thank goodness that Apple didn't call the [S] as "Super", like what Dr. Cullen did with his own version of iPhone 3G [S] below. (* Note: the Flickr link has been deleted for copyright reason)

But perhaps to call the new iPhone with nickname like "Super" is quite befitting, just like what Mr. Besilly from iPhone Savior has said about Dr. Cullen's image: "The fantastical idea of the (S) in iPhone 3GS being more appropriately fitted with the correct Super Hero emblem is not that far off from what true cult of iPhone fanatics would like to believe about Apple's epic 2009 upgrade. It's much more powerful!" ;-)

Look! It's a phone! It's a smartphone! No, it's an iPhone 3G [S]!! ~LOL~