The Notes application under iOS3 is very similar. Notes sync only when your device is plugged in and connected to iTunes. There needs to be an over the air syncing solution between all three devices utilising the MobileMe push data system.

Basically, at the moment Notes can be synced between the iPhone, iPad and Mail app, but only via a hard-wire sync — not through MobileMe. What I overlooked in the iOS4 feature list is the ability to sync notes over the air the same way mail, contacts, calendars, and bookmarks are done already.

The way it should have been from day one.

Following up on the point made in the previous entry, in relation to the iPhone replacing the need for a point-and-shoot camera for a majority of users – the announcement of the iPhone 4 makes this statement even more plausible.

The largest complaint heard about the iPhone 3G S camera was poor quality images in any lighting condition apart from clear sunshine. The new LED flash ticks off this common problem and means images taken in overcast weather and enclosed rooms will be drasticlly improved over the previous phone. In addition to the image quality enhancements in the new rear camera, the system also supports 5x digital zoom, and the tap to focus I’ve grown rather fond of.

There’s even less of a reason now to carry around a Flip video camera for odd times when you’re wanting to capture better quality video as iPhone 4′s rear camera is now capable of recording HD video in 720p at 30 frames per second.

Aside from having to carry one (or two) less gadgets around, the greatest advantage the iPhone 4 holds over regular point-and-shoot cameras include the ability to send captured stills/video to the web at the press of a button. No need to plug in the camera, download media, head to a website and upload. It’s now a one step task to upload HD video to YouTube, send images and HD video via email, or send either still images or video via MMS.

The latter of the matters is the most safe of all listed, as I purchased a hands free kit which sits above the dash. The others however, are hazardous to some extent in most, if not all driving situations.

Due to the nature of the touch screen input on the iPhone, data entry requires 100% attention focus, unlike other devices where you can input data/write messages by ‘feel.’ Once data has been input into the phone, for example Google Maps, it’s easy to follow without having to apply 100% of your attention span on the phone.

This is where the Voice Control feature on the iPhone 3G S has my attention. No longer would using the iPhone while driving be ‘as irresponsible.’ Simply feel for the home button, hold it down and tell the phone orally what I want it to do rather than take my eyes off the road and flip through applications and input areas.

Instead of scrolling through contacts to find the person I want to call, simply speak their name. Same with changing songs, speak out the name and artist or playlist and it will begin playing.

While focus has been more directed toward the increased speed aspect and the video camera capabilities of the iPhone 3G S, Voice Control is the only feature which has potential to prevent serious injury, if not death.

Don’t text and drive, purchase an iPhone 3G S instead.

The two new phone features over the original – 3G and GPS really didn’t interest me much on paper, however now having had the phone in hand for a few months I’ve really woken up to the true power of 3G and GPS capabilities.

I’ll be the first to admit when in larger cities, and on occasion even my own I’m a little directionally challenged, which becomes extremely frustrating when my mates pick up on the fact, and chirp in my ear sarcastically at every wrong turn.

Google Maps on the iPhone has helped me a number of times working out directions for myself, friends, and family including figuring out traveling times and distances to and from different cities/areas, including bus times and walking routes when available.

How has having GPS on your phone helped you in the past few months?

Three days before its arrival in New Zealand, Vodafone NZ released a statement saying the iPhone would retail for just $199. Two days before release, my initial plan of picking up an iPhone on the morning of release was darkened with the phone plans revealed by Vodafone. Sure, you could get the phone for $199, but only on the high end $250 per month contract – on the cheapest plan, the 16GB phone was $699.

Five weeks later & I decided it wasn’t just lust that made me first want the iPhone, I was still wanting the phone even though I had decided to stay well away from the phone/Vodafone after they way they treated their potential iPhone customers when revealing pricing and plans. I placed an order for the phone against my initial plan.

Yesterday, my 16GB white iPhone 3G arrived on my doorstep. The base plan of 120 minutes, 600 text messages, and 250MB of data transfer for $80 is ridiculously overpriced in comparison to AT&T in America, but completely worth it now I have the phone in hand and friends are all fighting for their chance to play with it.