Apple has just confirmed that it will be releasing an iPhone 4S smartphone. This handset will have the same design as the original iPhone 4 but with a boosted set of tech specs. Phil Schiller was on hand at Apple's presentation event to assure us that the 4S was 'all new' on the inside. But what about the iPhone 5?
It looks like some of the rumours turned out to be true, as the iPhone 4S will indeed have a dual-core A5 processor (like the iPad 2) for speedier operation and graphics seven times faster than the iPhone 4. Downloads should also be twice as fast.
Phil Schiller then promised that this souped-up mobile would have a 'fantastic battery life', boasting eight hours of talk-time over 3G, nine hours of Wi-Fi surfing, 10 hours of video playback or 40 hours of audio playback.
Apple has also redesigned the phone's antenna. In fact, the iPhone 4S has two integrated aerials—one for sending signals and data and one for receiving signals and data. The iPhone 4S therefore shouldn't be subject to any Antennagate issues.
(Isn't it about time we heard someone say 'one more thing' by the way?)
Phil Schiller then went on to affirm that the iPhone 4S would be faster than the Motorola Atrix and the HTC Inspire 4G.
The iPhone 4S will have a new 8-Megapixel CMOS sensor in its camera. This will make the phone's camera 33% faster at taking pictures and bring improved light sensitivity for better performance in low light (+77%). Apple is also promising less digital noise. Note that the video mode has now been upped to 1080p resolution.
Here are some of Apple's test photos taken with the iPhone 4S:
100% size crop:
100% size crop:
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Phil Schiller then demoed the new voice-recognition function for 'writing' messages and entering data with speech-to-text technology. This function has already been available for a while in Android handsets.
Here, however, Apple has taken things one giant step further, as you can ask the phone questions—e.g. 'do I need an umbrella today?'—and Apple's new smartphone personal assistant will answer you. In this example, the phone replied 'it looks like rain today.' We then saw the iPhone 4S answer a whole series of questions and demands, such as 'what time is it in Paris?', 'find me a Greek restaurant in Palo Alto', 'give me directions to Hoover Town'.
To the question 'who are you?' the phone even replied 'I am your humble personal assistant'! The assistant, dubbed 'Siri', is therefore one of the major new features of the iPhone 4S, and is certainly the 'coolest' new function, according to Schiller.
However, these new functions didn't seem to impress the stock markets too much, as Apple's share price lost three points as Schiller presented the iPhone 4S.
The audience was then shown a promotional video for the iPhone 4S, which will be available in both black and white.
(OK, so where's the 'one more thing'?)
The iPhone 4S will be available as of 14 October (in the US, the UK and most European countries). US prices haven't budged for contract deals, with the 4S starting at $199 for the 16 GB version, while the 32 GB model will start at $299 and the 64 GB model at $399 on a 24-month price plan.
The iPhone 4S will start at £499 in the UK Apple Store and will be available to pre-order from 7 October.
The original iPhone 4 has seen its price cut to $99 on contract and the 3GS will be offered as a free handset with 24-month contracts.
So while some may be disappointed that Apple hasn't presented an Phone 5, others will be only to pleased to see the firm cutting prices on its older models.
And that's all folks!
At the end of the conference, the atmosphere looked pretty tepid, with the usual loud applause and cheering as absent as Steve Jobs and the eagerly anticipated iPhone 5.
It looks like some of the rumours turned out to be true, as the iPhone 4S will indeed have a dual-core A5 processor (like the iPad 2) for speedier operation and graphics seven times faster than the iPhone 4. Downloads should also be twice as fast.
Phil Schiller then promised that this souped-up mobile would have a 'fantastic battery life', boasting eight hours of talk-time over 3G, nine hours of Wi-Fi surfing, 10 hours of video playback or 40 hours of audio playback.
Apple has also redesigned the phone's antenna. In fact, the iPhone 4S has two integrated aerials—one for sending signals and data and one for receiving signals and data. The iPhone 4S therefore shouldn't be subject to any Antennagate issues.
(Isn't it about time we heard someone say 'one more thing' by the way?)
Phil Schiller then went on to affirm that the iPhone 4S would be faster than the Motorola Atrix and the HTC Inspire 4G.
The iPhone 4S will have a new 8-Megapixel CMOS sensor in its camera. This will make the phone's camera 33% faster at taking pictures and bring improved light sensitivity for better performance in low light (+77%). Apple is also promising less digital noise. Note that the video mode has now been upped to 1080p resolution.
Here are some of Apple's test photos taken with the iPhone 4S:
100% size crop:
100% size crop:
100% size crop:
Pocket Personal Assistant
Phil Schiller then demoed the new voice-recognition function for 'writing' messages and entering data with speech-to-text technology. This function has already been available for a while in Android handsets.
Here, however, Apple has taken things one giant step further, as you can ask the phone questions—e.g. 'do I need an umbrella today?'—and Apple's new smartphone personal assistant will answer you. In this example, the phone replied 'it looks like rain today.' We then saw the iPhone 4S answer a whole series of questions and demands, such as 'what time is it in Paris?', 'find me a Greek restaurant in Palo Alto', 'give me directions to Hoover Town'.
To the question 'who are you?' the phone even replied 'I am your humble personal assistant'! The assistant, dubbed 'Siri', is therefore one of the major new features of the iPhone 4S, and is certainly the 'coolest' new function, according to Schiller.
However, these new functions didn't seem to impress the stock markets too much, as Apple's share price lost three points as Schiller presented the iPhone 4S.
The audience was then shown a promotional video for the iPhone 4S, which will be available in both black and white.
(OK, so where's the 'one more thing'?)
iPhone 4 Slashed To $99 On Contract
The iPhone 4S will be available as of 14 October (in the US, the UK and most European countries). US prices haven't budged for contract deals, with the 4S starting at $199 for the 16 GB version, while the 32 GB model will start at $299 and the 64 GB model at $399 on a 24-month price plan.
The iPhone 4S will start at £499 in the UK Apple Store and will be available to pre-order from 7 October.
The original iPhone 4 has seen its price cut to $99 on contract and the 3GS will be offered as a free handset with 24-month contracts.
So while some may be disappointed that Apple hasn't presented an Phone 5, others will be only to pleased to see the firm cutting prices on its older models.
And that's all folks!
At the end of the conference, the atmosphere looked pretty tepid, with the usual loud applause and cheering as absent as Steve Jobs and the eagerly anticipated iPhone 5.
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