With a month like this for Apple fans where do we begin?
We have new iPhones and a new MacBook Pro lineup announced at Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in early June and now available. Snow Leopard, a souped up version of Apple's current OS Leopard was introduced and will ship in the Fall (hey where is Windows 7 anyway?). Apple CEO on leave Steve Jobs coming back (part time at least) to work after a major disclosure about his medical condition being a liver transplant. And it doesn't end there. I tell you MacTribe readers things are really heating up so lets get started.
New iPhone 3GS: Enhanced Speed and Performance
Since it's very first incarnation, the now well regarded collectors item 4GB version of the iPhone from the Summer of 2007, new releases have followed a path of building anticipation like no other phone out there.
With all due respect to others in the category of ultimate smartphones, like Google's Android, or the new Palm Pre, new iPhone releases are in a league of their own in terms of generating interest, media buzz and loyal followers.
The question really is what's changed in this new version since the last round?
When we iPhone lovers got our 16GB version with upgraded software last Summer we were feeling pretty good.
This new release easily surpasses the older version with more than superficial upgrades.
Now lets look at what's new and what continues to be good.
With its high-resolution 3.5-inch diagonal touchscreen and crisp resolution of 480 x 320 pixels, the iPhone 3GS has increased processor speed and includes a longer battery life. It now supports the new OpenGL ES 2.0 standard for gaming apps and
also includes user friendly video recording built-in which you can easily upload to YouTube or Flickr. Another nice upgrade is the punchy 3 megapixel autofocus camera on board for better images. IPhone 3GS also includes the new iPhone OS 3.0 mobile operating system with many new features such as Cut, Copy and Paste, Spotlight™ Search, landscape keyboard and more. iPhone 3GS customers of course have access to more than 50,000 iPhone applications from Apple's ever growing App Store.
The Facts:
- Users still require a 2 year contract with AT&T to operate. No Verizon in sight yet.
- The processor now runs at a smooth 600 MHz far superior to previous versions.
- Now with twice the memory a pumped up 256MB of RAM
- Also twice the drive capacity with 32GB of space for goodies
- Onboard camera now shoots at 3.0 megapixel resolution
- Voice Control is new and actually works
- A real compass is now included
- Software has been upgraded to iPhone OS 3.0
- Battery delivers five hours of talk time or internet use
- New pricing for iPhone 3GS is $299 for 32GB version while the 16GB version is now available at $199.
In a nod to the shaky economy Apple is now offering the original iPhone at 8GB for a very reasonable $99.
Over a Million Sold Already
Apple has announced that it sold over one million iPhone 3GS models through Sunday, June 21. This is only three days after its initial launch. In addition, six million customers have downloaded the new iPhone 3.0 software in under a week.
"Customers are voting and the iPhone is winning," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "With over 50,000 applications available from Apple's revolutionary App Store, iPhone momentum is stronger than ever."
New MacBook Pro
Overshadowed by iPhone 3GS at the WWDC, these new MacBook Pro's come with some nicely revved up features.
Available in 13" 15" and 17" inch versions, starting at $1,199, $1,499, $2,499 respectively, these machines now sport processor speeds of up to 3.06GHz.
With up to 8GB memory and 500GB hard drive storage capability, the Macbook Pro is the creative pro's best friend. Every new MacBook Pro features an advanced built-in battery that now lasts up to 7 hours (8 hours on the 17-inch model) per single charge.
Steve Jobs Coming Back
Apple has announced that CEO Steve Job's medical leave is at least partially over.
He will be returning on a part time basis this Summer. Jobs had been rumored to be possibly terminally ill but Apple recently disclosed that he is the recipient of a new liver transplant and that this was the reason all of the medical rumors started. The return of Jobs in good health cannot be underestimated, not many companies are so directly tied their founder in terms future fortunes. Apple faithful are hoping this time Jobs is as good as new.
Snow Leopard: Brrr
Since the immensely popular debut of Leopard in 2007 there has not been much clamor for a large scale upgrade to the Apple operating system.
Always liking to be the innovator, Apple has been quietly dishing out bits and pieces about a new operating system called "Snow Leopard."
Previewing this new release at WWDC, Apple seemed to emphasize its built-in support for the latest version of Microsoft Exchange Server, so you can use Mail, iCal, and Address Book at home and at work etc. This is signifigant because even Windows latest OS for the PC doesn't feature this support. We'll be looking forward to testing this new OS before its release in the Fall.
