iPhone 3GS Capable of Play HD Video

[Fahad]

A post in Chinese-language site weiphone.com (Translated link)
indicates that the iPhone 3GS is can play back 720p and 1080p video encoded in H.264 using the built in video player, suggesting that Apple is currently placing arbitrary limits on the device, either to save battery life and keep it's functionality more consistent with that of prior iPhone OS devices.

[marc]

Well for what its worth, I have the 3GS and the OpenGL tests I have done on it so far are indicating it is one hell of a powerful handset graphics wise.

The graphics capabilities for games are roughly that of the PSP, Sega Dreamcast & early-mid PS2 games. That is without taking into account any future firmware updates which will probably improve the performance of the device as the OS gets leaner

[Fahad]

Well for what its worth, I have the 3GS and the OpenGL tests I have done on it so far are indicating it is one hell of a powerful handset graphics wise.

The graphics capabilities for games are roughly that of the PSP, Sega Dreamcast & early-mid PS2 games. That is without taking into account any future firmware updates which will probably improve the performance of the device as the OS gets leaner

I think new iPod will be even faster as it have more space for CPU and GPU as it does not have GPS, phone, camera (for now) and other things

[marc]

I think the new iPod may be slightly faster but not as significantly as the iPod Touch 2G was over the iPhone 3G. The 3GS is already running a fast processor whereas the iPhone 3G processor was the same as the iPhone 2G's. The iPod touch 2G was beefed up spec wise as at the time Apple were actively pushing it as a gaming device.

Extra space will not make any difference whatsoever, extra space is usually gotten rid of and iPods are thinner than iPhones. Besides that the components barely vary in size as they are designed to the same spec but just use newer technology.

[GrandMasterBit]

I think the new iPod may be slightly faster but not as significantly as the iPod Touch 2G was over the iPhone 3G. The 3GS is already running a fast processor whereas the iPhone 3G processor was the same as the iPhone 2G's. The iPod touch 2G was beefed up spec wise as at the time Apple were actively pushing it as a gaming device.

Extra space will not make any difference whatsoever, extra space is usually gotten rid of and iPods are thinner than iPhones. Besides that the components barely vary in size as they are designed to the same spec but just use newer technology.

other point is that they can invest in it, hmm like they can add faster processor and GPU and not make it double the price of an iPhone as they have cut cost on GPS etc...

[marc]

other point is that they can invest in it, hmm like they can add faster processor and GPU and not make it double the price of an iPhone as they have cut cost on GPS etc...

Given the fact that iPod Touches sell for a fraction of the cost of the iPhone to start with I don't think that logic holds true. For Apple to spend more on developing an iPod Touch they will want to sell it for more. Apple is a company trying to turn a profit, innovation only happens when it is cheap enough for them.

[Omi]

And yet they still don't come off cheap like Dell. Gotta give them some props.

-Omi

[DoFoT9]

this is some pretty good news for those people that constantly connect their ipods/iPhones to HD TVs.. i only hope that it looks/sounds good enough on the TV and has no lag/blocking!

p.s. sucked in to the Zune they cant use it to their advantage anymore

[marc]

And yet they still don't come off cheap like Dell. Gotta give them some props.

-Omi

But unlike Dell, Apple aren't cheap! You certainly end up paying for the quality you get from Apple products. For example, everyone is raving about the new iMacs, sure they look nice but performance wise they don't even come close to my 2 year old Intel Quad core PC which I built for a quarter of the price of the current top of the range iMac. You are paying solely for the design of the iMacs and the privilege of using OSX

[Omi]

And well, thats why I use a mac.

Often I have considered saving money and buying a hackintosh but truth of the matter is, I like things to look good. I don't want screws and stickers and lines and bumps everywhere.

Macs suit my rather minimalist style, and they are quality machines running a rather tasty OS. Maybe i'm drinking the cool aid but that sounds nicer than a beefed up hot rod that needs a water cooler to keep it at touchable temperatures in a big plastic glowing case running vista.

-Omi