The New iPhone 3GS

The iPhone 3GS was not what manic Apple fans expected when Apple announced that it would be updating its iPhone range. So called leaked images that appeared on iPhoneHacks.com suggested an updated shell which seemed to follow a path of common sense, but when Apple reveled the iPhone 3GS on the outside it in no way differed from the previous model (the 3G iPhone). A deeper look into the iPhone reveals, where the time has gone, the hardware upgrade has been significant, with the new iPhone 3GS now boasting speeds twice as fast as its predecessor, and with a software update the ability to use quirky functions such as voice commands and the much needed MMS functionality.

The real question which is still unanswered asks how well the iPhone 3GS stacks up against is many rivals, with the likes of Nokia, Palm and even Samsung and LG all wanting to get in on the iPhones action, one must question if Apple has done enough to fight off its rivals to maintain the iPhones must have appeal.

My personal opinion suggests that a physical reconstruction of the iPhone could have helped increase the length of those lines outside the many Apple stores early on release day, but by only changing what is on the inside of the iPhone, many consumers decided to stay at home. Another dilemma that pre-existing iPhone customers face is the fact that networks such as o2 (in the UK) have told customers that the only way they can upgrade their iPhones is if they either see out their full contracts or if they buyout their existing contract, and therefore then start a new one with o2. With the average customer on a 18 month mobile contract the first option can seem like a long wait and the second option a huge waste of money. Both of these reasons may obviously in the future lead to a fall in consumer satisfaction and thus in the long run could hurt Apples profits.

Nokia set to Dampen Palm's mood

Just as people in the industry thought Palm had finally created a mobile device that was worth talking about, Nokia have come along and blown the touch screen mobile phone industry out of the water. Nokia's new installment the N97 out on the 27th of June is sure to dent Palms chances of an unprecedented level of success in Apples domain.

The fact that the Palm Pre still does not have a confirmed release date in Europe and also the fact that Nokia has always seemed to dominate the European market should be listed amongst some of the concerns that Palm should have.

On looks alone I personally believe that the N97 wins hands down, this coming from a person who held out on buying a iPhone after seeing the Pre at CES. Again I seem to have changed my mind and at the moment I expect to get myself a N97 when my contract eventually roll overs.

The most favorable thing about Nokia is it generally provides its mobile phones to all UK network operators, so it will also be a hassle free device. This compared to Apples allegiance to O2 and and Palms agreement to provide the Pre exclusively to Vodaphone...

As each day passes the mobile industry provides us the consumer with an ever increasing number of exciting products, the only let down in the industry now remains the problem of exclusivity, why can't Apple, Palm and any other manufacturer who only provides to certain networks provide freely so that customers may shout rejoice!!