San Francisco, CA – June 8, 2009 – Apple kicked off its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) with major announcements, including the launch of the iPhone 3GS, aggressive price cuts, and updates to its MacBook lineup.
iPhone 3GS: Faster, Smarter, More Affordable
The star of the event was the iPhone 3GS, with the “S” standing for speed. Apple touted it as the “fastest, most powerful iPhone yet,” featuring:
- Improved performance: Twice as fast as previous models, with 7.2 Mbps HSDPA support.
- Enhanced camera: A 3-megapixel sensor with autofocus, auto-white balance, and video recording at 30fps.
- Voice control: Hands-free commands for calls, music, and apps.
- Battery life: Up to 40% longer usage for video, music, and calls.
- Accessibility features: Text-to-speech for visually impaired users.
Pricing & Availability:
- iPhone 3G (8GB): Dropped to $99, available immediately.
- iPhone 3GS: Priced at $199 (16GB) and $299 (32GB), launching June 19.
MacBook Upgrades: Longer Battery, Lower Prices
Apple also refreshed its MacBook Pro lineup:
- 15-inch MacBook Pro: Now starts at $1,699 ($300 cheaper), with an SD card slot and up to 7 hours of battery life.
- 13-inch MacBook Pro: Rebranded from MacBook, starting at $1,199 with FireWire support.
- MacBook Air: Updated with faster processors and a $300 price cut.
iPhone OS 3.0 & Developer Highlights
The new iPhone OS 3.0 (free for iPhone users, $9.95 for iPod Touch) introduced:
- Cut/Copy/Paste and MMS (though AT&T delayed support, drawing groans).
- “Find My iPhone”: Remote tracking and data wiping for MobileMe users.
- TomTom GPS app: Full navigation with a windshield mount accessory.
Demo Glitches & Crowd Reactions
Despite excitement, technical hiccups during demos—including a failed science experiment and guitar app malfunction—drew rare criticism. Attendees also grew restless during lengthy software showcases, signaling impatience for hardware reveals.
Conclusion
With faster iPhones, cheaper entry points, and laptop upgrades, Apple delivered a strong WWDC—though the absence of Steve Jobs was palpable. The event underscored Apple’s focus on speed, affordability, and ecosystem expansion, tightening its grip on the mobile and computing markets.
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