Best new feature has to be FaceTime video calls, worst new feature only in Wi-Fi

iPhone 4 FaceTime video calls but only on Wi-Fi

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has released the latest iPhone 4 today at WWDC. As expected it has front and rear facing video cameras to allow the hot new application -FaceTime.

FaceTime will allow you to video call your friends which is pretty futuristic, even if we saw it on Star Trek.

What’s not so hot is you have to be in Wi-Fi hot spot to make the call. Considering other phones have video conferencing on 3G, Jobs is polishing an apple here.

The phones go on sale June 24th, 2010. AT&T is allowing people to upgrade 6 months early if the contract ends in 2010. The 32 GB iPhone4 will cost $299 from AT&T.

Pre-orders start tomorrow in the US, France, Germany, UK and Japan. Apparently Canada has offended Jobs – we get them in July.

Jobs talked about new video advertising opportunities and also his payout of $1 billion to iPhone developers which is impressive.

iMovie for iPhone, letting you edit movies on the phone

The iPhone 4 uses the same A4 processor as the iPad and is said to me much faster. Other features include: 23% thinner, 4 X higher resolution screen, new larger battery for longer up time, 720 p HD video camera using H.264 codec, has a glass front and back, sides are stainless steel which acts as an antenna, supports Wi-Fi N protocol, and flash for 5 megapixel cameras. For all the details and the sales pitch, see Apple’s iPhone site.

During the demonstration of FaceTime, Jobs Wi-Fi connection failed to work, thus highlighting the real world that people live in.

The announce is being live blogged by both Gizmodo and Engadget. Gizmodo were barred from the event for pre-releasing the phone in April. Jobs should be thanking Gizmodo for the free publicity.

The iPhone 4 is being released in a world of increased competition. While Apple bragged up its 58% market share, that’s down from last year when they had 70% +. Google’s Android phones now have 23% of the market and gaining month by month. Unlike Apple which controls its own universe, Android phones are manufactured by several world class companies like Motorola, Samsung and HTC.

The new operating system is being dubbed iOS4 and will be the same across all platforms – iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. Apple says that the devices will share data and features, although older models may not have all capabilities.

The iPhone 4 is highly desirable but it will not stop the onslaught of other and better phones from its competitors. It’s still a pain in the butt that Apple refuses to support Flash. Most of the videos of today’s event were published in Flash and don’t work if you are reading this on an iPhone or iPad.

Are we allowed to own the iPhone and an Android phone without declaring personal bankruptcy? So many gadgets, so little time.