Software features

Much that is new to the iPhone 3GS takes place at software level – and current iPhone users can get most of this functionality via a free update from Apple to OS 3.0 and OS 3.1.

There’s a faster web browser and MMS (multimedia messaging) support which initially takes a little while to be activated, but then works as advertised.

The search function has also improved. Previously limited to the Contacts application, you can now perform searches across Calendar, Mail and Notes applications – and overall, it works well.

We found the cut-and-paste functionality, which enables you to copy text to and from emails, for example, easy and intuitive to use. There’s also push notification within applications, which means you can automatically be sent messages, such as invitations from other gamers to play a multiplayer game.

Other features include a compass that rotates the maps view to align a map to the direction you’re facing, and voice control that lets you speak the names of songs or playlists to play and people to call. There’s also a new Voice Memo application, which is easy to use and allows you to record and trim audio clips then send them via email, MMS or sync them with your Mac or Windows PC.

For gaming fans, you can now play games peer-to-peer over wireless networks, and support has been added for connecting and controlling third-party devices that plug into the iPhone.

Disability features

The iPhone 3GS has new features to help those with disabilities. For the visually impaired there’s VoiceOver, which speaks the content onscreen, a White on Black feature to make screen text easier to see, plus a universal Zoom feature that can magnify the whole screen.

The Mono Audio feature makes it easier for those with hearing loss in one ear to use earphones.

Lost your phone?

If you sign up to Apple’s MobileMe service, a nifty feature called Find My iPhone will track down a lost iPhone 3GS and show it on a map on your PC. Alternatively, you can remotely send a message to its screen (asking for its return, perhaps?) or play a sound (even if it’s set to silent). As a last resort, it even lets you wipe its memory of data remotely.

The MobileMe integration also lets users access Apple’s iDisk online storage anywhere and share files with others. You can publish photos and video taken with the iPhone directly to a MobileMe online gallery.

Extra applications

As with the previous iPhone, you can download and use applications from Apple’s App Store – so far, over one billion applications have been downloaded from a selection of around 50,000 titles.