To Upgrade or Not: the iPhone 3G S Dilemma

However unlike the iPhone 3G, which ended up being a complete revision of its predecessor, the June 19 release of the new iPhone 3G S offers only subtle yet noticeable improvements. iPhone users must now decide if the new device offers enough value to justify ditching their existing iPhone 3G and contract.

The biggest dilemma lies with early adopters still barely one year into their 3-year wireless contracts. Since the iPhone only arrived in Canada last year, the question is most difficult for Canadians. The iPhone 3G S fills the gaps and shortfalls of the two previous versions. Its improvements, upgrades and new features place Apple once more at the forefront of the mobile device arms race. But is it worth making a switch?

The iPhone 3G S comes preloaded with the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system. While the operating system upgrade is available free for all existing iPhone and iPhone 3G owners, and at a cost of $10 for the iPod Touch, the full and complete potential of OS 3.0 remains reserved for the new iPhone 3G S.

The new operating system enables Spotlight Search, Cut/Copy/Paste, Landscape Keyboard, Multimedia Messaging, Stereo Bluetooth and Voice Memos on all existing iPhone devices. However Voice Commands, Video recording and functionality that use a built-in electronic compass remain exclusive for the iPhone 3G S.

Voice Commands

One of the most amazing additions to the iPhone OS 3.0 is voice recognition. Unfortunately this is available only on the iPhone 3G S. First and second generation iPhone owners were left out of this particular feature for reasons not immediately obvious other than as an incentive to upgrade.

Voice commands on the iPhone 3G S would make for a significantly safer experience if you tend to use the phone a lot while driving.