Apple unveils faster, more powerful iPhone 4S
INSIDE THE IPHONE 4S
Was it worth the wait? Deputy technology editor, Ben Grubb gives us the low-down on the new iPhone 4S, the hype and the anti-climax.
Was it worth the wait? Deputy technology editor, Ben Grubb gives us the low-down on the new iPhone 4S, the hype and the anti-climax.
October 14 launch, outright prices $799-$999
New Siri personal assistant feature
New iCloud service launching with iOS5 on October 12
Better 8-megapixel camera with HD video
First iPhone with dual-core processor and graphics
ANALYSIS: iPhone 4S an evolution, not a revolution
Want to sell your old iPhone? Here's the deal
Apple must 'do right thing' on price by Aussie customers: MP
Watch the full Apple keynote
Apple's newest iPhone left investors and fans wishing for more than a souped-up version of last year's device, at a time when rival smartphone makers are nipping at its heels.
The new iPhone 4S has a faster processor and upgraded camera and Australia will be one of the first countries where it is sold. It will be launched here next Friday.
New Siri personal assistant feature
New iCloud service launching with iOS5 on October 12
Better 8-megapixel camera with HD video
First iPhone with dual-core processor and graphics
ANALYSIS: iPhone 4S an evolution, not a revolution
Want to sell your old iPhone? Here's the deal
Apple must 'do right thing' on price by Aussie customers: MP
Watch the full Apple keynote
Apple's newest iPhone left investors and fans wishing for more than a souped-up version of last year's device, at a time when rival smartphone makers are nipping at its heels.
The new iPhone 4S has a faster processor and upgraded camera and Australia will be one of the first countries where it is sold. It will be launched here next Friday.
Telstra, Optus and Vodafone have confirmed they will stock the device, which will sell outright from $799 for the 16GB version.
Apple is including a "personal assistant" application called Siri, which 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, but will work only on the iPhone 4S, not previous models.
Apple demonstrated a variety of scenarios in which users of the new iPhone 4S seemed to hold a conversation with the device, managing calendar appointments, finding restaurants and inquiring about the weather.
"That was a pretty big step forward," said Forrester Research analyst Frank Gillett, who attended the launch at Apple headquarters. "To be able to just converse with your gadget. You've got more options than just poking and swiping at it with your finger."
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.
Apple was also expected to include a near-field communication (NFC) chip that could turn the iPhone into a mobile wallet but no mention of this was made at the launch.
Apple's stock fell nearly 5 per cent following the announcement.
New chief executive 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 Cook ceded the critical iPhone presentation to another executive, and failed to generate the same level of excitement and buzz that predecessor Steve Jobs was famous for.
Cook said the latest iPhone, which came out in June last year, sold more quickly than previous models, but the iPhone still has just 5 per cent of the worldwide handset market.
Apple is hoping to grow that with a new model. The iPhone 4S has an improved camera with a higher-resolution sensor. The processor is faster, which helps run smoother, more realistic action games.
The new iPhone also comes with new mobile software, iOS 5, that includes such features as the ability to sync content wirelessly, without having to plug the device to a Mac or Windows machine.
IOS 5 will also be available next Wednesday for existing devices - the iPhone 4 and 3GS, both iPad models and later versions of the iPod Touch.
Apple said next Wednesday would 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 would come in black or white. Bought outright, it will cost $799 for a 16 gigabyte version, $899 for 32GB and $999 for 64GB.
Telstra, Optus and Vodafone say they will stock the device in Australia but have yet to release specific plan details. Pre-orders open on Friday.
The previous version, iPhone 4, will now cost $679 for 8GB. The 2009 model, the iPhone 3GS, will cost $449.
It is difficult to compare pricing with the US, as Americans must sign two-year contracts. On the contracts in the US the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models can be had for $US199, $US299 and $US399.
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 new iPod Nano, which has 16 new digital clock faces and improved built-in fitness features, is available today starting at $149. Apple has also released new iPod Touch models starting at $219.
The event took place in Apple's Town Hall room, where the first iPod was launched a decade ago. Cook said Apple had sold more than 300 million iPods worldwide so far, including 45 million in the 12 months until June.
The iPhone came six years later and has gained millions of fans, thanks to its slick looks, high-resolution screen and intuitive software. Thirty-nine million iPhones were sold in the first six months of this year.
It remains to be seen whether the iPhone 4S can stem market share gains by phones running Google's Android software. Samsung Electronics, notably, is growing global shipments several times faster than Apple and is now estimated at within a hair's breadth of catching up in worldwide market share.
While the iPhone 4S sports many of the features leaked in tech blogs before the event, it lacked the "wow" factor that some were hoping for to sustain the popularity of the brand.
In some ways, Apple may have been a victim of past success. Product launches by Jobs, now chairman, had been some of the hottest events on the tech calendar.
The event, though as usual choreographed to a tee, lacked the oomph and pizzazz of Apple events in years past and sorely missed the star power that Jobs brought to the unveilings.
Heading into the event, many on Wall Street had questioned Cook's ability to lead the company as Jobs had. In terms of stage presence, Jobs was a tough act to follow.
While it did little to alleviate concerns about whether the company would stay a creative force to be reckoned with without its founder and visionary at the helm, analysts say the event's proceedings hinted at Apple's new team-based approach.
"What he did is let the team shine through," said Forrester Research analyst Frank Gillett. "What we may see is a somewhat different style, and frankly a healthy style that says: Look, this is a team that works together, there's a deep bench, it's not just one person."
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/apple-unveils-faster-more-powerful-iphone-4s-20111005-1l7nb.html#ixzz1alXS7FrI
