It’s been a big day for Apple fan boys and girls — the annual Apple World Wide Developer Conference is underway; it’s like Christmas for hipsters.  Anyway, Apple has unveiled the third generation iPhone, the 3GS, along with some aggressive pricing for it and previous models — the iPhone 3G drops to $99 for the 8 GB version — and even more location-based services (LBS) capabilities. In addition to assisted-GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular-based location determination, the iPhone 3GS has a built in magnetometer and digital compass.

It sounds like Apple is really trying to overcome the problems the previous versions of the iPhone had with location. A run down of the 3GS’ LBS, as they regard mapping and navigation, according to Apple:

• the digital compass rotates maps to always match the direction the user is facing; it can also be used on its ownfacing. You can also use the compass on its own.
• turn by turn directions or a highlighted map route and track; users can specify they’d like walking,  driving directions, or public transit directions with bus/train schedules (I’m assuming availability depends on where you live).
• live traffic information, indicating traffic speed along the user’s route in green, red, and yellow highlights.
• Location finding by address or keyword
• switch between map view, satellite view, hybrid view, and street view

As for the mythical TomTom navigation app, which has been around for awhile and rumored even longer, will also be available along with a car kit later this summer, TomTom said today; the app will be available for download from the iTunes app store, according to TomTom — and one would assume the Apple app store as well. Just how the TomTom software differs from the onboard nav software in terms of capabilities I haven’t been able to determine – a sexy, British voice perhaps?

The 16 GB iPhone 3GS will go for $199; the 32 GB version for $299 in the United States — that’s with the usual two-year AT&T contract attached. Apple says it will begin shipping on June 19. No word yet on pricing and availability outside the USA, but Apple says the 3GS will be available in some 80 countries “in the coming weeks.”

Comments are closed.