With iPhone 3GS, Apple Takes a Bite Out of the Competition at WWDC 2009

The Apple Worldwide Development Conference (WWDC) 2009 is in full swing and you would not believe what they have come up with now. From a new member or the MacBook Pro line to a $99 iPhone, Apple is taking a bite out of the competition. The WWDC 2009 is running from June 8-12 in San Francisco and is completely sold out. For those of you, who couldn't make it; allow me to give you the scoop on some of the latest offers from Apple.

iPhone 3GS

First, the newest iPhone to hit the market (to be released next week in the US and a few other countries) is the iPhone 3GS. The S stands for speed. Phillip Schiller, Apple Senior Vice President of Marketing, says the iPhone 3GS is "...the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet." (http://news.cnet.com/tech-video/?tag=mncol;latest )

CAMERA: The zippier iPhone 3GS sports a 3 mega-pixel camera that not only takes great pictures but also has an auto focus. Still not impressed? Well, it also takes video-up to 30 frames per second- with audio.

VOICE CONTROL: The iPhone 3GS also includes a voice control application where you can register your voice on your iPhone and just speak what you need. You can say "Call Bob" and it will dial Bob's number. If you have more than one number for Bob, it will ask you which number you want to use. You can also say "Dial 555-555-1234" and the iPhone will dial that number for you. Maybe you want to listen to some tunes. Tell your iPhone "Play song ...." And it will play that song, "Playlist" to launch your playlist and even ask your iPhone "What's playing now" and it will tell you the title and artist of the song that is playing.

DIGITAL COMPASS: Have you ever needed a "You are here" sticker? The iPhone3GS now has one! It includes a digital compass that will show you magnetic north or longitude and latitude. Just a tap of the pen and it will show you on a map exactly where you are.

New Applications

The iPhone 3GS comes with many new applications, one of the most exciting is the ZIPCAR locator. Now, we don't have ZIPCAR here, but if we did this would be my second favorite app. The first would be the iPhone locater, but I will get to that one in a second.

ZIPCAR: If you don't know what ZIPCAR is, you are missing out. Available in 28 states and provinces in North America and London, the ZIPCAR takes car rental to a whole new level. ZIPCAR is a for-profit company that offers a car sharing program. Instead of renting a car or even owning a car, ZIPCAR has taken a big step towards saving money and the environment. Simply go to ZIPCAR's website and register. Then, you are mailed a universal key that works with all ZIPCARs. Next, make your reservation online or with a text from your cell phone either by the hour or by the day and it includes gas and insurance. Then you go to the ZIPCAR lot and find your car. On the iPhone, you get a virtual remote to help you locate your car and unlock it. It also helps you find the nearest ZIPCAR to you. (www.ZIPCAR.com )

iPhone Locator: This has got to be the coolest feature I have ever seen on a phone or anything for that matter. Have you ever lost your phone? Had it stolen? Apple has found the cure to lost and stolen phones. If you lost your phone, the iPhone OS 3.0 has new software that will help you locate it. This new software pinpoints on a map where your phone is through a membership with MobileMe. Then, you can send a message to your phone that will sound an alert (even if the phone is on silent) and post a message saying "This phone is lost. Please call 555-555-1234" on the screen. If you lost it in your house or maybe the kids hid it, it will continue beeping until you find it. If your phone has actually been stolen, you can send a command to your phone and erase all data on your phone so it will not fall into the wrong hands. If your phone is recovered, simply plug it into iTunes to recover all of your data. Now if they could just put this feature on my keys...

$99 iPhone

This was the best announcement at the WWDC. Phillip Schiller announced that they are dropping the price on the iPhone 3G. Starting today, June 8^th, Apple is offering their lowest priced iPhone ever. The 8GB iPhone 3G, which was introduced just last summer, is being offered for only $99. Apple is trying to make it where iPhones are affordable for everyone.

Check out all the latest Apple has to offer with video clips on CNET at http://news.cnet.com/tech-video/?tag=mncol;latest