Apple unveils new iPhone 3G S

Apple unveiled the newest iPhone, dubbed the "3G S", at its WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) in San Francisco yesterday.

It's the latest release since the company's popular iPhone 3G hit shelves last July. According to Apple, the "S" in the new name stands for speed, which addresses a performance boost expected to make the phone work up to twice as fast as the 3G.

One of the most notable features is a 3-megapixel camera (previous models have a 2-megapixel camera) that not only shoots stills, but now shoots video at 30fps.

Users can edit the video directly on the phone by tapping the screen in a program similar to iMovie. The camera also has a new auto-focus and auto-white-balance features that make close-up photos possible and account for varying light conditions.

A digital compass will give the phone improved GPS navigation, so mapping applications can give users directions relative to the direction they are facing.

Voice-activated controls are also new to the iPhone 3G S. When an application is loaded, users can ask the phone to perform tasks like calling a contact, playing a particular song or, using Apple's Genius program, users can ask the phone to "play more songs like this one."

The iPhones 3G S will cost $199 for 16GB and $299 for 32GB, available June 19. And Apple isn't sending the iPhone 3G to the chopping block just yet -- instead they're slashing its price to $99, available immediately.

The iPhone's new operating system, iPhone OS 3.0, will be available on June 17 to all iPhone users. It includes a number of improved features:

• - Text editing that allows for cut, copy and paste
• - Spotlight, a search feature that allows you to find certain files or programs on your phone
• - Send messages with text, video, photos, audio, locations, and contact information.
• - Greater accessibility for users with visual or audio impairment