The iPhone 3GS release frenzy is winding down a bit and I’ve had a little time to reflect. I have purchased each new iPhone model on release day and have even procured spare iPhones to use as back-ups along the way. Why do I need more than one iPhone? I don’t know. What I do know is that this is crazy. I can’t really keep this up if Apple is going to release a new iPhone every year, can I?
Of course, this train of thought prompted me to think of what could possible be changed hardware-wise in the next iPhone generation. An even better camera? Definitely. A slimmer or smaller design? Possibly. A high-res screen, perhaps with OLED technology? Faster internals to keep up with more demanding firmware and apps? Perhaps. But will these things be enough for me to upgrade yet again? Can’t I just be happy for more than 12 months with my shiny new iPhone 3GS?
To be clear, I haven’t been the kind of girl to keep a cell phone for very long, ever. I think that my first-generation and 3G iPhones have been the cell phones I’ve kept the longest, putting me at a maximum of 1 year of cell phone monogamy, so to speak. But, even while I had my iPhones, I was tempted by other phones. The Blackberry Storm called to me with its large screen and empty promises of stability and usability. The T-Mobile G1 flirted outrageously, flaunting its Android operating system while vaguely pretending to be slim and svelte. The Pre was probably the most tempting, slyly reminding me of fond memories of past Palm devices, but the 3GS easily drew my attention once it was released.
Regardless, I am happy with my new 32GB iPhone 3GS (the 16GB I started out with is being returned). I still look fondly at my factory-unlocked 3G, but its slowness compared to my 3GS is noticeable enough to make me think it’s going on eBay sooner rather than later. And I suspect that, despite my best intentions, Apple will again woo me with a new device next year.
In related news, Apple has posted a couple of helpful bits of information on their support site. They’ve published this chart showing Bluetooth profiles under 3.0 for all iPhone models here:
Note the incomplete implementation of the AVRCP profile that does not permit skip forward/backward and fast-forward/backward capability even if your accessory has controls for these functions.And, they’ve also published a chart of 3.0 capabilities by iPhone model, which can also be called a “See what you’re missing by not buying the latest iPhone model” chart as well:
Sneaky boogerheads.
My iPhone 3GS vs. 3G vs. first-generation iPhone comparison review is coming along. I want to include some video samples and I’ve been waiting for some nicer weather to get some good video of my dog running around like a nut in the yard. According to the forecast, Saturday will probably be the day for that as it looks like we’ll get a brief reprieve from this endless cloudiness and rain.
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