Apple iPhone 3GS review

In use, the faster processor only makes itself felt in the more demanding applications. A side by side comparison with an iPhone 2G showed no perceptible difference in firing up applications, but when it comes to web browsing, pages render at a faster rate and zooming in and around with the iPhone’s signatory pinch and zoom technique. Google Maps also was noticeably sprightlier and when you’re moving around to get a sense of where you are, a smoother experience is much appreciated.
A real test is Google Earth – on the iPhone 3G it’s somewhat sluggish, while on the 3GS, it’s smooth, making it more user friendly.
Digital Compass
In the 3GS, Apple has actually included a hardware magnetometer compass into the device, meaning it’s very accurate. The standalone compass application is a rather overstylised old-style compass and the only options are whether you want it to show you the difference between True North or Magnetic North.
This app is likely to be redundant for most many people, except perhaps hikers, but this group are likely to want something more hardy and robust that an iPhone. Touch the ‘locate me’ icon at the bottom left though and it fires up Google Maps and pinpoints your location. Double-tap the ‘locate me’ icon here and the blue dot that represents your position gains a triangular sweep, which will show you the direction your facing, which is very handy for orientating yourself in unfamiliar surroundings.
The compass also means that the 3GS can now be used for turn-by-turn directions, and a TomTom application has been announced. This could see the iPhone now be adopted for drivers in dispatch firms, though it would admittedly be a rather expensive route to take.
Voice control is a new feature, and operates by holding down the home button. Naturally it’s not perfect and can’t be trained so to call anyone in my family involves saying the surname incorrectly. However, it does work as long as you understand its limits and it should be a very useful addition as it means you can dial safely by voice when using a Bluetooth headset in the car.
The Voice Memo application is represented by an old school microphone and tapping the screen will show it picking up the levels. If you’re an inveterate voice message taker you can label messages into categories. Messages can sent via email or the new MMS function now available in iPhone 3.0 OS, and it’s even possible to trim your messages using a very neat drag and slide feature.