Gadget Carnival

Apple’s iPhone 3G S, the latest generation of the iPhone, has been announced just one year after Apple announced the iPhone 3G. The iPhone 3G S has some sweet new features including larger storage options, a faster CPU, HSDPA support and a better camera all for the same price as the current set.

Speed
The addition of the “S” is for “speed,” said Phil Schiller, Apple senior vice president. Apple says the iPhone 3G S operates two to three times faster than the first- and second-generation iPhone hardware.

Memory
The two new models hold 16 GB ($199) and 32 GB ($299), compared with 8 GB and 16 GB for the existing iPhone 3G.

Camera
The iPhone 3G camera supports video capture. All that video will eat up a lot of storage fast. The camera also supports 3-megapixel images, compared with 2-megapixels shots for the existing iPhone camera.  It does finally support auto-focus, but it’s still not up to par with other flagship smartphones. Plus, this iPhone can now shoot video at 30 FPS with auto lighting and auto focus.

Onboard Compass
With a built-in digital compass, the new 3G S knows which direction you’re facing. The compass makes the onboard Google Maps application smarter; it now positions itself to match the same direction you’re facing. We’ll see a lot more interesting apps that take advantage of that compass.

Operating System
Also unveiled was new feature of what is called iPhone 3.0 Operating System, which will be available June 17. The software will be a free upgrade for existing iPhone owners and $9.95 for those who own the iPod touch, which does not have a phone, and uses wireless networks to connect to the Internet.

The new iPhone 3G S will be available on June 19, 2009 in the States with the rest of the world getting on July 9, 2009.