[my] countdown to iPhone 3Gs

Most anyone that knows me is aware that there is about one thing on my mind right now: the triumphant return of the iPhone as my cell phone of choice.  A little background for you…

I was there on the launch day of the original iPhone in June 2007.  I had the phone until about November of that year, and don’t get me wrong, it was the most useful electronic device I had ever owned.  Unfortunately the financial commitment of having the phone was, at that time, a little bit much for me to handle.  I very reluctantly traded down to a Moto Razr for the rest of my contract.

Fast forward to the present.  I am eligible for a full upgrade coming up next week, and I am thrilled.  As I think back to having it before, it’s clear to me how much I used and how incredible versatile and useful it was.  I’ll be using it a ton for my own personal life (I guarantee that Tweetie, Facebook, and EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA Tour will be the first 3 apps I download), but I’m also gearing up for implementing it into my efforts for Hope.  So it’s got me thinking, and here’s what I’ve come up with:

• Video and still camera: This one’s pretty straightforward, but think mobile uploads from campus events to Facebook, YouTube, et al.  We are getting closer and closer to a truly “real-time” web.  Technology like the iPhone 3Gs will continue to challenge the limits of how quickly content can be disseminated to your presence on the web.
• GPS/Compass/Maps: Families are usually going to have a tour guide, but consider the way a specialized app with maps of your campus could impact the way they interact while walking around on a visit.  Suddenly we have the opportunity to provide custom content based on where an individual is located on our campus.  That’s pretty powerful.
• Voice Memos: This is a cool one for the whole idea of follow-up.  You’re meeting with a prospective student in a high school visit or college fair.  You could make digital reminders for how to follow up with that student.  Okay, so the technology is not new, but it is as part of the whole technology package in the iPhone.
• Tethering: Again, this isn’t new, but it will be really helpful for me to have this as I’m navigating the roads of northern Michigan.  The number of wifi hotspots out there is growing, but it’ll be nice to bring some 3G (or even EDGE) along for the ride.
• Mobile Web: Access to the entire Hope website at a college fair or high school visit = on-demand answers to questions that students and families might have.

Just a few thoughts as I count down the days (n=6) until I make the trip to the holy land the Apple Store and snag me a 16GB in black.  Have an idea that I didn’t list here?  Leave it for us in the comment section!