As Chase explains, “the best camera” refers to the fact that whatever image-capturing equipment you have on you is the best at the time; for many people, that means their iPhone, iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS.  With The Best Camera app, you can take photos, add effects (see below) and then share them on the social site, via your Facebook and Twitter page, via email, or simply save them into your camera roll, all from within the one application.

Chase has also published a book intended to show off exactly what’s possible from the iPhone’s camera, and with tips as to how to make the most of it.  The application can be downloaded here [iTunes link] while the book is available from Amazon.

Overview:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lotlwm38OM[/youtube]

The Best Camera app walkthrough:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvV4V59bVXs[/youtube]

We’ve had a number of unconfirmed tips over the last few days about this so we figured we’d post it… apparently it seems that Rogers in Canada is in the process of shipping iPhone 3GS 8GB flavor handsets to stores. Again, unconfirmed, no idea on pricing (we have no clue where to start on that) but we felt it was newsworthy to at least let you guys know what we’re hearing.

[via BGR]

The WildCharge works via connecting the zero-profile conductive strips on the base-plate with contact-point nubs on the back of the iPhone case. What’s special about it is the fact that you needn’t line up the phone with the strips; just placing it down at any angle is enough.

The “skin” case for the iPhone is priced at $34.99, while a bundle including the base-plate is $79.99; both are available to order now. We’ll have a full review of the WildCharge wire-free charging system for the iPhone 3GS very soon, but until then enjoy the unboxing video and gallery.

[vms c0c690931222ff4467bb]

Optical Widgets For Life Enhancement (OWLE) takes its shot at better stability and enhanced audio with this attachment, complete with a 37mm camcorder lens and front-facing microphone.

Simply snap an iPhone 3GS into this game controller-like mount, plug its front-facing microphone cable into the phone’s headphone/mic jack, and it’s ready to shoot.

[via Dvice]

To get started right now, go to purplera1n.com. Download it. Make sure you have windows (but not 7), the latest iTunes installed, and an iPhone 3GS with 3.0 firmware. Connect your iPhone normally. Click “make it ra1n”. Wait. On bootup, run Freeze, the purplera1n installer app. Hopefully you’ll figure out what to do from there. Best tutorial gets linked to from purplera1n site. This tool is beta. Make sure to have everything backed up before running. Also if Cydia doesn’t show up after running Freeze, reboot.

Despite it doesn’t unlock the iPhone 3GS, but at least jailbreak it so that unofficial third-party apps can be installed and enjoyed on your new iPhone 3GS.

The jailbreak for Mac is coming soon, George writes.

[via On the iPhone]

Looks like the iPhone 3GS is now available in black, white, brown and pink :-) Anybody else with white iPhone 3GS experienced this? Check your phones…

[via Engadget]

Now, the Dev Team can use the same sort of technique as used in redsn0w to update ultrasn0w for Apple’s latest smartphone.  The team believe that the iPhone 3GS’ bootrom was finalized in roughly August 2008, so the emergence of 24Kpwn earlier in 2009 did not affect it.

The Team are now working on integrating the new technique into ultrasn0w, which they’ve warned will “take some time”.  Once that’s done, however, it will be possible to both jailbreak and unlock the iPhone 3GS.

Medialets ran the SunSpider test suite with Safari 4.0.1 on a 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo White MacBook (as a baseline for relative comparisons), Mobile Safari on the iPhone 3G with iPhone OS v2.2.1, Mobile Safari on the iPhone 3G with iPhone OS v3.0, Mobile Safari on the iPhone 3GS with iPhone OS v3.0, the “Browser” app on the T-Mobile G1 with Android OS v1.5 (Cupcake) and the “Web” app on the Palm Pre with Web OS v1.0.2

The results of the iPhone-based tests alone are rather astonishing and seem to indicate that many of Apple’s claims about the performance gains of their 3.0 OS and the iPhone 3GS may hold some water. Using OS 3.0 on the same iPhone 3G yields nearly 3X the JavaScript performance in Mobile Safari vs. using iPhone OS 2.2.1. The iPhone 3GS ups the ante by another factor of 3, bringing JavaScript performance on the iPhone 3GS to just 12X that of a full-powered desktop machine that has well over four times the raw processing muscle alone. The T-Mobile G1 running the “Cupcake” version of the Android OS completed the test suite in about 91 seconds. This makes it about a third faster than the iPhone 3G running Apple’s previous OS (2.2.1). The Palm Pre came storming out of the gate with speeds that closely rival the iPhone 3G running Apple’s latest iPhone OS.

For full details of the benchmark test, see Medialets’ summary of results.

Following Apple’s last week release of the iPhone 3.0 software update, we’re happy to announce that fring now supports the brand new iPhone 3.0 firmware , including the new iPhone 3Gs. What does it require of you!? Absolutely nothing! The version is already on your phone, ready for you to enjoy, with Apple’s latest and bestest yet.

Using your handset’s internet connection, you can interact with friends on  Skype, MSN Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ, SIP, Twitter, Yahoo!, AIM and  make your very own fring by adding fringAdd-ons.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1Eo1Ys4bqk&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

[via fring's blog]

As the video shows, in our OpenGL ES testing, the 3GS is generally close to four times faster than the 3G. Results will vary depending on the application but this is remarkable to say the least.

plasma’s pretty heavy on particle animation and fairly CPU intensive. The current build only uses features of OpenGL ES 1.1 and we’re considering taking advantage of some OpenGL ES 2.0 features for a richer experience on the iPhone 3GS.

As Daniel noted in his article, the graphics processing unit (GPU) in the 3GS is a PowerVR SGX, which seems to offer a very significant advantage over the PowerVR MBX Lite found in previous iPhone/iPod touch hardware. The GPU is likely where we’re gaining much of the improved performance in plasma. Increased RAM and cache sizes are also likely accounting for some of the better performance.

iPhone 3GS vs iPhone 3G 3D graphics test from IntoMobile on Vimeo.

[via TapTapTap blog]

Press Release:

Apple Sells Over One Million iPhone 3GS Models

iPhone 3.0 Software Downloads Reach Six Million

CUPERTINO, Calif., June 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Apple(R) today announced that it has sold over one million iPhone(TM) 3GS models through Sunday, June 21, the third day after its launch. In addition, six million customers have downloaded the new iPhone 3.0 software in the first five days since its release.

“Customers are voting and the iPhone is winning,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “With over 50,000 applications available from Apple’s revolutionary App Store, iPhone momentum is stronger than ever.”

The new iPhone 3GS is the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet, packed with incredible new features including improved speed and performance — up to twice as fast as iPhone 3G — with longer battery life, a high-quality 3 megapixel autofocus camera, easy to use video recording and hands free voice control. iPhone 3GS includes the new iPhone OS 3.0, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system with over 100 new features such as Cut, Copy and Paste, MMS*, Spotlight(TM) Search, landscape keyboard and more. iPhone 3GS customers get access to more than 50,000 applications from Apple’s revolutionary App Store, the largest application store in the world where customers have already downloaded over one billion apps. iPhone 3GS offers twice the capacity for the same price with a 16GB model for just $199 and a new 32GB model for just $299.** And iPhone 3G is available at the breakthrough price of just $99 for the 8GB model — a huge milestone for the high end smartphone market.

*MMS messaging is available only on iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS; fees may apply. MMS may not be available in all areas. MMS support from AT&T will be available in late summer.

**Qualified customers only. Requires a new two year AT&T rate plan, sold separately.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

[via SlashGear]

Dear Apple Customer,

Thank you for your recent Apple Store order. We appreciate your patience and apologize for the inconvenience caused by the delay in your iPhone activation.

We are still resolving the issue that was encountered while activating your iPhone with AT&T. Unfortunately, due to system issues and continued high activation volumes, this could take us up to an additional 48 hours to complete.

On Monday, you’ll receive an email from Apple with an iTunes Store credit in the amount of $30. We hope you will enjoy this gift and accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience this delay has caused.

Thank you for choosing Apple.

Sincerely,

Apple Online Store Team

“Your activation requires additional time to complete,” reads a message from iTunes for some iPhone 3G S customers. “Due to the current volumes, it may take up to 48 hours to resolve your issue.”

Apple has not responded to press inquiries regarding the delays, and it’s unclear how many customers this is affecting.

[via Information Week]

Physically the iPhone 3G S may not look much different to the iPhone 3G, but that “Speed” moniker certainly does make a difference when you turn it on.  It’s too early to quantify exactly how much faster the 3G S is over previous models, but what we can tell is that everyday tasks – such as flicking through homescreens, navigating message-filled inboxes and browsing long contacts lists – are now significantly quicker.  We’ve only had a short time to download a few of the more graphically-intense games, but they look visually more impressive too, no doubt thanks to the new PowerVR SGX video chipset.

Elsewhere, the camera – freshly updated to 3-megapixels – is a little faster to snap a frame, and comes with touch-focus selection.  That’s not a new thing in smartphones generally, but it works well with the iPhone 3G S’ huge preview window.  Shots themselves err on the side of over-exposure, both in stills and the new video recording, and Apple to continue to refuse any sort of manual control.  What you do get is the ability to trim video clips on-device before syncing with iTunes, sending via MMS/email, or uploading to YouTube or MobileMe.

The trimming system is easy to use, but our first impression is that it’s very basic.  There’s no way to merge or join clips, only chop off the beginning or end of them, and – more importantly – there’s no way to copy the video and leave the raw file intact.  Still, on-screen the playback quality looks great, certainly better than we’ve seen on other video-capable devices.

For the rest our our first-impressions, head over to SlashGear where we’ll have live photos and video throughout the day.  We’ll be putting together our full review, too, so if you have any questions you’d like answered, leave us a note in the comments!

[vms 5b314a80bdcb024f8e42]

The lines may be less impressive than in previous years, but we’ve a feeling that’s down to many people pre-ordering for home delivery.  Apple changed their tactics for 2009, switching back to allowing individual iTunes activation at home rather than demanding buyers stop by an Apple or AT&T store.

Later on this morning we’ll be meeting with an Apple VP to discuss the launch and talk about what makes the iPhone 3G S special.  Plus we’ll have our own hands-on first impressions with the smartphone, together with live photos and video.  Keep reading iPhone Buzz!