You've probably been hearing all about how Apple and Rogers (including Fido) are launching the new iPhone 3G S today. But you would also like to know if it's worth it for you to go out and get it.

You won't notice much on the outside because the 3GS -the S stands for speed- is identical in appearance to the iPhone 3G that launched in Canada just 11 months ago. With the exception of a film that helps the 3.6-inch touchscreen resist fingerprint marks and smudges, plus some new chrome lettering on the back, there is nothing visually about the phone - so your iPhone cases will fit the 3GS as well.

But on the inside, the iPhone 3GS has better components to help run twice as fast, something very noticeable when doing basic tasks on the phone. Battery life is better, so you can talk, surf the Web, watch video or listen to music for longer periods of time. And the camera has been overhauled by upgrading the 2-megapixel sensor of the iPhone 3G and implementing a 3-megapixel one in the 3GS that also supports video recording.

All that said, it's important to note that this launch actually follows the release of an update to the iPhone operating system software only two days earlier on June 17. The update is known as 3.0, and it is made up of over 100 features. All iPhone 3G owners are eligible to download and install the update for free through iTunes on their Mac or Windows PC. Those who have the iPod Touch can upgrade to the 3.0 OS, but it will cost $9.99 to do so. The iPhone 3GS, meanwhile, already comes with 3.0 built-in.

The bulk of the new features Apple has been touting are found in the OS 3.0 update, and not in the 3GS itself. But when combined together, the 3GS  packs plenty of punch. After spending a week with the 3GS, I can tell you what kind of experience you might expect from some of the key features.

Tethering

Tethering is a 3.0 feature that allows you to log onto the Internet on your laptop by using the iPhone as a broadband modem. It applies to all the iPhone models released so far, though you need to have a Rogers or Fido data plan of at least 1GB per month or more to take advantage of this feature. If you have all that, then you will find tethering a great feature that's simple to use.

Plug the phone into your Mac or PC, and under Settings, go to Network and flip "Tethering" on. You'll notice a set of instructions below that outline the setup process. iTunes will recognize that tethering has been turned on and direct you from there. The heavy lifting is all done seamlessly and automatically, so you should be up and running in a few minutes. You can also opt to go through this process by connecting the iPhone with your computer via Bluetooth (make sure that your computer has Bluetooth) for a wireless connection. It takes a bit longer to set up, but the key difference is that the overall speed of the Internet connection won't be as fast this way. With the iPhone connected via USB cable, watching YouTube videos and basic Web surfing were smooth experiences. It was a little more hit or miss when tethered via Bluetooth.

As useful and user-friendly as tethering is, the positives may be short-lived. Rogers and Fido are offering tethering as part of the monthly data plan you purchase with the iPhone, but it's only free until December 31. There will be a fee of some sort for the feature thereafter, but there is no information yet on what that will be.

Multimedia Messaging (MMS)

MMS is a new feature that allows you to send photos and video with text messages and email. With the 3.0 update, the Text app from previous iPhones has now been replaced by a Messages app that encompasses text and MMS together. The process to send MMS messages is pretty simple overall. For example, if you tap on the icon in the lower left corner of the Camera app, you're given an option to send the image as an MMS to anyone on your contact list via email, text or both. This works exactly the same way with video, too.

When receiving MMS messages, you can always save the images to your own photo library or forward them to other contacts, if you like. The messaging is "threaded" like it was before, meaning that messages are displayed in a conversational format. The cool part is that you can erase specific messages in the thread if you want. Tap the "Edit" button on the top right and checkmark and delete only the parts of the thread you want gone. Or you can copy a message from one thread and then paste it into another messaging thread, email or even your Notes app, among others.

Rogers has indicated that users won't need a data plan to use the MMS feature, but that "value packs" are the best way to go to save money from pay-per-use costs. They did release new MMS value packs today to coincide with the OS 3.0 launch.

The new Camera

The new camera is exclusive to the iPhone 3GS, and it includes the ability to record video. You can shoot clips in portrait or landscape mode at 30 frames per second and trim unwanted elements from those clips. A timeline at the top gives you a great perspective of where certain scenes are.

The still camera, meanwhile, takes better photos than its predecessor. One really cool thing - you determine where the lens focuses by simply touching the part of the image you want in focus. A white box covers the focal point, much like face detection features work on digital cameras. The sensor then adjusts the white balance and exposure to compensate for your chosen focal point. It's interesting to watch it happen, but the camera can sometimes darken or lighten an image too much if the focal point is too far to the side.

The camera's best performance is usually during daylight and well-lit settings. Photos in low-light are good, too, but without good lighting, they may not be acceptable. Without a built-in flash, the camera struggles to handle darker settings, though it's still definitely a step up from the iPhone 3G.

Voice Control

This is another feature exclusive to the 3GS, and it basically enables you to issue commands to the phone by speaking them into the microphone. Hold down the Home button for a couple seconds, and the Voice Control screen pops up and beeps, which is your cue to tell it what you want. In my first test, I asked it to call a number by simply saying, ‘call' and then reciting the number. But I could also just follow ‘call' with the name of a contact - and even specify between ‘home' and ‘mobile'.

More than that, I told it to ‘play only songs from Akon', or ‘play 90s Euro playlist'. I even asked it to ‘play more songs like this one' and it essentially shuffled songs together that matched what was playing. Voice Control always repeats what you've said, so you can confirm its accuracy, and you'll find it doesn't always get it right.

Even with its flaws, Voice Control is still impressive. It isn't trained by your voice, so it can understand commands from anyone, regardless of gender, age and accent. And it does a good job of hearing you, even when you're a little distance away. The only issue is that background and ambient noise can really confuse it.

Unfortunately, this feature won't work with Bluetooth headsets, so you're somewhat limited in the ability to drive hands-free and make and take calls using only your voice. Your only option is to use the speaker or try the included earbuds that come with the phone. The controls are on the right cord, and holding down the middle button can launch Voice Control.

Digital Compass and Maps

The inclusion of a digital compass is interesting on its own, but its true benefit comes in how it integrates with the Maps app. The Compass app can face True North (by default) or Magnetic North, depending on your preference. A reticle at the bottom left launches the Maps app to pinpoint your location.

If you're using the Maps app to navigate your route while driving somewhere, tapping the reticle at the bottom left twice reorients the map so that it faces the direction you're heading in. Unfortunately, this doesn't mean you will get voiced turn-by-turn directions as you drive along, since Apple hasn't included that in Maps.

Many of the other features from the 3.0 update include:

• Copy and paste for text and images.
• Voice Memo application for audio recording.
• Stereo Bluetooth for listening to audio with wireless headphones.
• Access to your iTunes account to purchase and rent movies directly from the phone.
• Access to your YouTube account for rating videos and posting clips you shot with the 3G S directly onto the video-sharing site from the phone.
• Shake to Shuffle for mixing your music playlists, or to undo an action you took on the phone.
• Find My iPhone for tracking a lost or stolen iPhone and wiping the data from it, if necessary. (This feature is only available to subscribers of Apple's MobileMe service).
• Push notifications mean that you will be alerted for not just text messages, but also for any other tidbit of information that you want to know about as it happens. This feature will be rolled out over time, as third-party developers have to apply it to their applications.

Rogers and Fido plans and phone costs

Rogers and Fido will offer their 6GB for $30 per month data plan for both existing iPhone users and those looking to jump onboard with the 3GS until July 31.

The 16GB iPhone 3GS will cost $199 on a three-year contract, while the 32GB will cost $299 under the same terms. The 16GB iPhone 3G is being phased out but will be available "while supplies last" for $149 on a three-year contract. The 8GB iPhone 3G will now be available at a reduced price of $99. If you're looking to avoid a contract, you can buy the iPhone 3GS outright for $699 (16GB model) or $799 (32GB).

If you have an iPhone 3G and you want to upgrade to the 3GS, you can do so, but it will cost you. Rogers and Fido are offering two scenarios that are only available until July 31 (these offers do not apply if you want to get an iPhone 3G).

Option 1: If you signed up for a three-year contract with your iPhone 3G within the last six months, then you can get $250 off the price of the 3GS. But you will also have to extend your contract by one more year.

Option 2: If you signed up for your three-year contract between July 11-September 30, 2008 - and spent an average of $100 or more per month on your phone bill - then you qualify for a $500 off the price of the 3GS. Plus, you will need to extend your contract for one more year.

More details on what Rogers will offer can be found here.

Should you buy it?

Whether or not you should go out and buy the 3G S is a matter of need vs. want. The 3GS is definitely a step up from the 3G, but I wouldn't consider it a great leap forward. If you consider yourself a relatively "heavy user" where you value speed and the new features that come exclusively with the 3GS, then you probably don't need me to convince you either way.

But if you're not sure that you would gain all that much from those features, then waiting might be the better move. The bulk of the new features are in the software update that you can get for free on the iPhone 3G anyway.

It all comes down to what you feel you need, rather than what you might want. Being in either of the camps I mentioned above should help you figure it out. But chances are, spending a little time with the 3GS will give you all the incentive you need to go either way.