New features that techie moms will love
iPhone 4 also has a lot of great new features from a faster processor to a slimmer body. These four things are just the top of my list as mom who loves technology.
The camera upgrades - Many complaints exist about the camera on both the iPhone 3G and 3Gs. The iPhone 4 boasts a camera that is five megapixels and offers both a rear facing camera (like the one that exists now) and a front facing camera (so you can actually see when you're trying to snap a photo of yourself with your kids). It also has a 5x zoom, whereas with the current 3Gs iPhone you had to download an app in order to get the camera to zoom. Lastly, the LED flash should make it a pretty decent on-the-go type camera!
FaceTime video calls - I think that many parents, grandparents and extended relatives might be exited about this feature. Simply tap the button and you can have a video conference with whomever you choose. Of course, there are a few caveats with this feature. Both parties of the video call must be using the iPhone 4 and it won't work on anything but WiFi connections as of release. (It sounds like that might change but, for now, you have to do it at home. Or McDonald's.)
Multitasking - For those familiar with the current iPhones, you know that in order to use most apps, you have to exit out of another, save for the iPod feature. Just today I was running with my iPhone and I wanted to tweet but I couldn't as I would have had to exit out of the running app, thus losing the time I had already logged. The new OS allows for users to use more than one app at a time. Hooray!
HD Video Recording - Not only does the iPhone 4 have HD video capability but it comes with iMovie so you can edit your movies right on your phone. Now you don't have to sync with your computer, load it into whatever editing program you use, and then upload from your computer. This should be a great way of sharing more, quality videos with those in your life!
More techie mom reviews of the iPhone 4
Other moms have been weighing in on the upcoming June 24th release as well:
- The iPhone Mom talks about the things she's interested in, including the NetFlix connection
- BizzieMommie asks if others are pre-ordering their new phone
- Digital Mom Blog simply says, “Mommy likes.”
- Today's iPhone talks about iParenting with the iPhone 4
Having read a lot about the phone since the announcement, I have to admit that I'm pretty excited. As I just got the 3Gs in August of last year, they haven't yet bumped up my eligibility date as of yet. I'm almost OK with that as the hubbub will die down a little, it will be in store when I'm ready to purchase it and I have time to budget accordingly. I will be getting it when I can. More over, if I can get my hands on one before I'm able to buy one, I'll tell you about it!
So, tell me: what features are you most excited about with the new iPhone? Will you be buying it?
Jenna Hatfield, aka @FireMom on twitter, also writes at Stop, Drop & Blog and The Chronicles of Munchkin Land. When she's not busy lusting after the new iPhone, she works as a freelance writer and newspaper photographer.
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Photo Credit: Apple
I still am loving my Droid ;).
Posted by: Jen @ One Moms World | June 09, 2010 at 10:36 PM
I am personally most excited about the camera upgrades. This is in part due to FaceTime which I am glad for basically standardizing video calling. But like you said, the times at which I can actually use FaceTime is limited. The simple fact that it only works between two iPhone 4's means I will likely be waiting a good amount of time before I can have FaceTime conversation with anyone I know.
However, there is an application called Knocking Live Video that I feel makes up for all the shortcomings of FaceTime. Not only does it work from iPhone to Android and works over the 3G network, but it is also built around a social network model which I tend to enjoy using more than other simple video calling services. Just the other day, I was able to send live footage of my little brother scoring a goal during his summer league lacrosse game to his mother who was attending a seminar out of state. Something his mother would have otherwise missed and something I would have never been able to do if I had to constantly worry about a wifi signal. Their website is www.knockinglive.com which has links to download from both the iTunes app market and the Android market. I highly recommend this for anyone and especially to those that find themselves at least a little frustrated about FaceTime.
Posted by: Matt | June 10, 2010 at 04:39 PM
I'm starting to want an iphone. I will have to go back to work first, then convince my husband. It will never happen! LOL!
Posted by: Mandy W. | June 15, 2010 at 08:19 AM
Have you had a chance to play around with one yet? If so, have you experienced any coverage/antenna issues?
Posted by: Daniel Honigman | July 06, 2010 at 12:23 PM