Apple iPhone 3GS sets new standard for video convenience

The latest version of the iPhone is a hit… with Apple reporting an astounding one million units sold in just the first three days since its launch. I’ve spent the past week testing it all out and besides the faster speed, one new feature particularly stands out for me – the iPhone’s new camera and its ability to record video.

Lots of phones can record video. But the quality of the new autofocus 3 megapixel camera in the iPhone 3G S takes this mobile touchscreen phone to a whole new level.

Here’s a YouTube version of my NBC package showing a series of still images and videos taken with the iPhone:

Not only does it shoot video, you can also edit it… trimming the start and end points. And it can be instantly uploaded to YouTube. It took me a little over four minutes to upload a three minute video via Wi-Fi. Using AT&T’s 3G network, a similar video took about five minutes. That’s pretty quick for such a task.

BTW, the iPhone 3GS video clips also easily import into Final Cut Pro.

For me, theses new features make the iPhone 3GS the only gadget I need to carry. Sure you can find higher quality cameras. But none as convenient.

Here are two other features unique to the iPhone 3 GS that have turned my head:

Speed - The S in the 3GS name stands for speed. And although the AT&T network needs lots of improvements, there is a faster processor in this phone and web pages, applications and screen draws all are noticeably faster. When those AT&T promised tweaks to the network take place later this year, this will be nothing less than dazzling.

Battery Life – The new “Find My iPhone” feature requires Push notification to be on. On my previous models, Push really drained my battery, typically by mid-afternoon. So I was a little leery of that when I enabled Push on my five e-mail accounts. Some apps, like AP Mobile, also have Push features to deliver things like sports scores and news. But I have been very pleasantly srprised to find that the battery lasts me pretty much all day. I run it from about 8AM to 8 or 9PM every night before I charge it and I’ve yet to get that 10% warning.

I’ve previously posted the entire Apple news releases on the 3 GS listing all the specs and details. But after having it in hand for the past week I can only say that once again, Apple’s iPhone sets the standard for the entire smartphone industry. There is simply nothing on the market that comes close to its usability. convenience, choice of applications, design or pure fun.

From the pure wow factor to the intuitive and speedy way the new iPhone 3GS responds to gestures, voice and touch, the iPhone continues to be the single most revolutionary tech gadget of this still new century.