2011-10-05 07:36:44
Apple has unveiled the latest iteration in its iPhone range, but there was no
sign of the widely rumoured iPhone 5.
The iPhone 4S, as the model will be known, boasts an improved camera and
significantly extended battery life.
It will run the latest iOS5 operating system, which is set for release on 12
October.
The event was the first major announcement for new boss Tim Cook who took over
from Steve Jobs in August.
The iPhone 4S, which will go on sale on 14 October, will be available in 16GB,
32GB and 64GB models - in both black and white.
It has the same look and feel as the existing iPhone 4 which was launched 15
months ago.
However, Apple said that updates to iOS meant the phone would boast some "200
new features".
Shares in Apple fell by almost 5% within minutes of the eagerly anticipated
launch, with analysts saying that investors and Apple fans had expected the
latest version to be a more radical improvement over its predecessor.
However, the company's shares later regained most of their losses to close down
just 0.6%, albeit underperforming the NASDAQ index as a whole.
Voice control
Among the additions is an "intelligent assistant" that allows users to ask
questions aloud and receive detailed answers back.
Siri, which began life as a third-party app, was purchased by Apple in 2010 but
has yet to appear within its software.
Luke Peters, editor of gadget magazine T3, said that the software announcements
would do just enough to keep Apple fans interested in the face of strong
challenges from rival smartphone manufacturers.
"Some people were looking for a brand new phone and they haven't got that
today, so some will be disappointed," he told BBC News.
"But with the update to iOS5 and Siri that could be enough to sway people to
make the investment."
Disappointment
Other industry watchers were less charitable about the iPhone refresh, and the
non-appearance of the iPhone 5.
Gareth Beavis, phones editor at TechRadar said that the new hardware would
leave many people underwhelmed.
"It was quite disappointing. I think there is going to be a lot of anger from
users expecting something big bold and quite exciting after a long time of
waiting from the iPhone 4.
"People will buy this in their droves, but Apple has missed a trick by just
releasing the exact same phone again with marginally upgraded specs."
Details of the new phone were unveiled by Apple's Philip Schiller
For Apple's new chief executive, the event was as much about making a statement
about his leadership as it was new products.
Tim Cook had previously acted as interim boss, looking after the company while
Steve Jobs was on sick leave.
Unlike his charismatic predecessor, Mr Cook left the biggest announcement of
Tuesday's event to a colleague - marketing boss Phil Schiller.
"Maybe he wants to bring other people to the forefront by letting others speak
on his behalf," said Gregory Roekens, chief technology officer at marketing
firm Wunderman.
"But in terms of style, it was underwhelming. People were expecting iPhone 5,
but instead it's almost fixing the weaknesses the previous phones had.
"It will be interesting to see how people react to that."
Where is the iPhone 5?
Today, Apple introduced the world to its next smartphone, and it looks quite a
bit like the iPhone 4. That's because the new phone called the iPhone 4S is
essentially an iPhone 4 with slightly different insides. Nobody should be
surprised by this revelation, as the company has already done this once before
with the move from the iPhone 3G to the iPhone 3GS. But for the millions of
Apple fans eagerly anticipating a device that could wow their Android-equipped
peers, the lack of an iPhone 5 will sting for quite a while.
We have been hearing about an all-new iPhone for almost a year now, with
sketchy sources and leaked specs pointing to a larger 4" display, thinner
profile, and revamped home button. Leaked pictures of protective cases for the
mythical device pointed to rounded edges and a unibody frame much like the iPad
2. For the past few months, it was almost a given that the company was poised
to release a proper successor to the iPhone 4, and then when Apple announced
that it wanted to show everyone the next iPhone, we all got pretty excited.
But the event has come and gone, and what we have to look forward to isn't
quite what we were expecting. The iPhone 4S is, indeed, a ridiculously powerful
device. The phone is endowed with a beefy dual-core A5 processor that will
deliver the same blazing speed that it does in the iPad 2. Mobile gamers have a
lot to look forward to, including faster graphics and more robust games, and
app lovers will undoubtedly benefit from a doubling in processor speed.
Unfortunately, for everything the iPhone 4S is, there are several things it is
not. The general consensus seems to be that Apple may have dropped the ball by
not bringing an iPhone 5 to market this year. As the 4S was making its debut,
most technology buffs voiced their displeasure with a new smartphone that looks
no different than the one we've all had for a year.
Social networks are abuzz with the lack of an iPhone 5 reveal, and Twitter
users are still quipping one-liners like "iPhone 4S: The S means 'So, that's
it?'" But it wasn't just fans and industry insiders who took issue with the
announcement Apple investors seemed displeased with the lack of an iPhone 5
as well. Stocks dipped sharply as it became clear that an iPhone 5 simply
wasn't in the cards, but have since recovered a bit.
The bottom line is that despite what the iPhone 4S can do, it looks just like
the one that came before it. With its ultra-clear Retina display, the 3.5"
screen is impressive, but loses its luster quickly when placed along side the
massive displays of top Android devices. When the iPhone first launched, a 3.5"
display was a pretty impressive feature, but that simply isn't the case any
longer.
Another area in which the iPhone 4S comes up short is its network capabilities.
Everyone was expecting the new Apple smartphone to finally jump on the 4G
bandwagon, but again, the company clearly has other plans. The 4S won't support
LTE or new iPhone carrier Sprint's blazing WiMax network. Apple did its best to
put a positive spin on the situation, stating that the phone supports HSPA+,
which some providers refer to as 4G. Unfortunately, it didn't do much to win
over fans, as true 4G speeds are still out of the new device's grasp.
Fans, analysts, and tech junkies all tuned in to watch Apple announce the
iPhone 5, and for the time being, it looks like we'll all just have to wait.
The iPhone 4S will likely be a successful product for Apple, and the new
features like an 8-megapixel camera, 1080p high-definition video recording, and
Siri a built-in, voice-activated virtual assistant are great selling
points. But for those of us who have explored every inch of the current iPhone
4, all we can think about is 5.
This article originally appeared on Tecca
Apple unveils faster, more powerful iPhone
CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) Apple Inc. unveiled a new iPhone on Tuesday that is
faster and more powerful but stops short of a more radical upgrade. It said
Sprint customers will now be able to use one.
The new iPhone 4S has an improved camera with a higher-resolution sensor. The
processor is faster, which helps run smoother, more realistic action games.
It's also a "world phone," which means that Verizon iPhones will be able to
useable overseas, just as AT&T iPhones already are.
There had been speculation that Apple would reveal a more radical revision of
the phone, an "iPhone 5." The no-show leaves room for speculation that Apple
will reveal a new model in less than a year, perhaps one equipped to take
advantage of Verizon's and AT&T's new high-speed data networks.
There had also been speculation that Apple would include a chip that could talk
to payment terminals at retail stores, turning the iPhone into a "mobile
wallet." Competitors are starting to include this capability in their phones,
though the payment systems are still immature. Apple made no mention of such a
feature in the iPhone 4S.
Apple's stock fell nearly 5 percent.
Apple is including a "personal assistant" application called Siri in the iPhone
4S. It responds to spoken questions and commands such as "Do I need an umbrella
today?" It's an advanced version of speech-recognition apps found on other
phones.
The new iPhone also comes with new mobile software that includes such features
as the ability to sync content wirelessly, without having to plug the device to
a Mac or Windows machine.
The iPhone announcement came during Apple's first major product event in years
without Steve Jobs presiding. New CEO Tim Cook led the show after Jobs, who has
been battling health problems, resigned from the post in August.
Cook, wearing a navy blue button-down shirt and jeans, opened by calling his
nearly 14-year tenure at Apple "the privilege of a lifetime." Those in the
audience clapped as he entered, but the reaction seemed more muted than what
Jobs had recently received.
Cook said the latest iPhone, which came out in June 2010, sold more quickly
than previous models, but the iPhone still has just 5 percent of the worldwide
handset market. Apple is hoping to grow that with the new model.
Apple's new mobile software, iOS 5, will also be available on Oct. 12 for
existing devices the iPhone 4 and 3GS, both iPad models and later versions of
the iPod Touch.
Apple said Oct. 12 will also mark the launch of its new iCloud service, which
will store content such as music, documents, apps and photos on Apple's servers
and let people access them wirelessly on numerous devices.
Apple said the new phone will come in black or white. It will cost $199 for a
16 gigabyte-version, $299 for 32 GB and $399 for 64 GB all with a two-year
service contract requirement. It will now be available through Sprint Nextel
Corp., besides the existing carriers, AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless.
Pre-orders will begin Friday with availability on Oct. 14.
The previous version, iPhone 4, will now cost $99 for 8 GB. The 2009 model, the
iPhone 3GS, will be given away for free with 8 GB. Both also require a two-year
service contract.
Apple also touted the popularity of its products and unveiled a new line of
iPods, including a Nano model with a multi-touch display that promises to be
easier to navigate. Apple made no mention of its Classic model, which many
people had speculated the company might discontinue.
The event took place in Apple's Town Hall room, where the first iPod was
launched a decade ago. Cook said Apple has sold more than 300 million iPods
worldwide so far, including 45 million in the 12 months through June.
The iPhone came six years later and has gained millions of fans, thanks to its
slick looks, high-resolution screen and intuitive software. There were 39
million iPhones sold in the first six months of this year.
Apple's stock fell $17.15 to $357.45 in afternoon trading Tuesday.
Live: Apple unveils iPhone 4S
At a press conference at Apple's Cupertino, Calif., headquarters on Monday, new
CEO Tim Cook introduced the next iteration of its popular iPhone. While some
had hoped for a totally new phone (the "let's talk iPhone" messaging on Apple's
event invite led to rumors of an "iPhone 5") the company instead unveiled the
iPhone 4S, a reworked version with a faster processor, new antenna and better
camera--all of which may thrill gamers and amateur concert photographers, but
seemed to disappoint those who were hoping for a new design.
Below, some highlights from the event:
"I love Apple," Cook--dressed in a a dark shirt and jeans reminiscent of his
predecessor Steve Jobs--said at the start of the press conference. "And I
consider it the privilege of a lifetime to have worked here almost 14 years to
work in this new role."
While the event was centered on the iPhone, Cook--as Jobs used to do at
previous events--highlighted all of Apple's products. Cook said one out of
every four computers sold in America is a Mac, and that Apple owns 70 percent
of the portable music market with the iPod. (He also said Apple sold 45 million
iPods in the year-ending in June, and half went to people who had never before
bought an iPod.)
Cook noted that Apple has sold more than 300 million iPods around the world.
It took Sony 30 years to sell 220,000 Walkman cassette players, he said.
Despite the flap over the iPhone 4 antenna, Cook claimed that Apple leads the
world in customer satisfaction--with 96 percent of users claiming to be "very
satisfied" or above. Despite the booming sales, the iPhone makes up only 5
percent of the 1.5 billion cell phones on the planet.
Cook said 80 percent of American hospitals and 92 percent of Fortune 500
companies are testing iPads, and while other companies scramble to get into the
tablet game; Apple dominates sales on a scale of almost three to one.
The Apple's app store now boasts more than a billion downloads a month, and
to goose sales further they are now offering something called Cards, which
allows you to craft a message on your iPhone or iPad and then send that message
the old fashioned way--on high quality paper, in an envelope with a stamp
through the mail. As a bonus, you get a text message letting you know when the
card has arrived.
As expected, Apple unveiled its new operating system, iOS 5, for iPads and
iPhones--adding new bells and whistles to 10 different apps, including a
camera, which will now live on the lock-out screen and allow you to
pinch-to-zoom and auto focus on a specific face or object. It has red-eye
removal as well.
A new app called "Find My Friends" shows you if your iPhone-carrying kids
made it to school or exactly where your buddies are at the beach. It comes with
privacy and parental controls, and is one of the features of the new iCloud
service. iCloud stores music, photos, books and apps and syncs them across all
your Apple devices automatically and wirelessly. The free service comes with
5GB of storage.
There had been speculation that ten years after launch, the iPod would be
phased into extinction with the rise of the iPhones and iTouch. "We're still
making iPods," Apple's Phil Schiller said before showing off enhancements to
the iPod Nano.
After nearly an hour touting sales success and improvements to the operating
system and apps, Schiller finally segued to the announcement we've been waiting
for and unveils ... the iPhone 4S.
The phone's new 8 megapixel camera on the iPhone 4S has better sensors,
filters and a lens that is "30 percent sharper." The video camera now shoots in
1080p high definition.
Without an entirely new iPhone design to unveil, Apple appeared to milk a
press conference, underwhelm and ultimately annoy media and fans alike. Unlike
Apple events helmed by Jobs, this was no "game-changer." As one user put it on
Twitter, "It's like expecting George Clooney and getting your old boyfriend in
a new car."
[With reporting from ABC News' Bill Weir.]
iPhone 4S is Apple s next smartphone, no iPhone 5 in sight
Despite a year's worth of speculation surrounding the inevitable iPhone 5,
Apple spent today's press event talking about a brand new version of the
popular iPhone 4. It doesn't have a bigger screen, or sleek new form factor,
but it does give iPhone fans a new reason to be excited. The handset is called
the iPhone 4S, and even if you already own the current Apple smartphone,
there's a good chance you'll want to hop on board.
iPhone 4S: The S is for speed
The iPhone 4 was a big step up from the previous iPhone 3GS in terms of power,
and the 4S continues that trend. Sporting the same dual-core A5 processor that
graces the iPad 2, the 4S packs considerably more graphical prowess than its
predecessor. This means more speed in nearly every function of the device,
including playing the massive library of iOS games. The new processor is
roughly twice as fast as the previous chip, and can produce high-definition
graphics at 7 times the speed. That's a big deal, especially as mobile games
begin to approach console-like levels of complexity and scope.
The iPhone 4S sports a smart new camera
Camera gets bigger, smarter
But it's not just the guts of the phone that have received an upgrade, Apple
has given the camera some attention too. The camera's new sensor is a
supersized 8 megapixels, up from the 5-megapixel resolution of the iPhone 4.
The 4S camera is also designed to take pictures in low light, which has
traditionally been a huge problem for cameras built into phones. The camera is
capable of 1080p video recording, which will make all those candid clips even
clearer, especially when viewed on large screens, and it comes equipped with
image stabilization to avoid the shaky cam look of many videos shot with
smartphones.
Talk to me
Touchscreens are already a big step up from mobile keyboards, but the new
iPhone will let you find out information without have to actually touch the
device. Using a newly-integrated virtual assistant called Siri, users can ask
their iPhones for things like the weather forecast or good places to eat.
It even speaks back to the user. In the demo shown off at Apple's press event
today, Scott Forstall, Senior Vice President of iOS software, was able to hold
a brief conversation with Siri where the application found Greek restaurants
and even let him know how many shopping days are left until Christmas. Siri can
also convert your voice to text for messaging and calendar entries. You can
reply to text messages with your voice and then tell Siri to send it off, never
having to touch the screen.
Sprint joins the party
It's no surprise that Apple is widening its scope to include Sprint as a new
provider for the iPhone. In addition to the bounty of rumors that have hinted
at Sprint becoming a new Apple carrier, the iPhone maker is undoubtedly looking
to make the iconic handset available to as many customers as possible. With
Android handsets popping up left and right, there's no point in playing
favorites any longer, and Apple clearly knows that.
For its part, Sprint is doing everything it can to make its iPhone plans the
most appealing on the market. As the last major carrier with a still-intact
unlimited data plan, Sprint's network is ideal for smartphone users. The
company has been steadily ramping up its advertising campaign to highlight that
its unlimited data plan is the only one left, and it will undoubtedly push to
lure Apple fans to its ranks with the promise of capless network usage.
iPhone 4S, 4, and 3GS pricing
The iPhone 4S will be available in 3 sizes, and for three different prices
16GB for $199, 32GB for $299, and first-ever 64GB version for $399. All of
those prices are dependent on a new two-year contract with whichever service
provider you choose.
To sweeten the deal for would-be buyers who are yet to jump into the iPhone
pool or who are still using a 3G or 3GS model older iPhone models will see
steep discounts. The iPhone 3GS will now be available for free with a new
wireless contract and the current iPhone 4 will be available for as low as $99.
Apple and, presumably other retail outlets will begin taking preorders for
the new smartphone on October 7, and the device will officially launch a week
later on October 14.
This article originally appeared on Tecca