It started with weak applause, and ended with head-scratching. If you’re not a mobile technology freak, or an Apple-worshipper, you may not have heard about the BIG announcement and release from Apple – The iPhone 4S!
The iPhone 4 has been plagued with problems from the start – an antenna-signal-reception problem making users pull their hair out, and a camera that owners have been afraid or embarrassed to use because of the lousy photos. And I won’t even mention the ongoing disappointment with a battery that can never be replaced – oops!
This NEW smartphone seems more like an attempt to play catch-up, rather than set new standards for touch-screen mobile users.
Here is the gist of the NEW features of the iPhone 4S:
Siri
This is a freaky new addition to the iPhone, and I’m not sure if it’s something I would like. Here’s a description from Apple:
Now you can use your voice to use your iPhone. Just talk to Siri as you would to a person: “Do I need an umbrella?” or “Any great burgers around here?” or “Where’s the closest ATM?” Siri not only understands what you say, it knows what you mean. It figures out the right apps to use to find the right answer. Then, just like a personal assistant, it answers you. Siri makes phone calls, sends messages, schedules meetings, sets reminders, and more. How much more? Just ask, and Siri tells you that, too.
I think this would only work if you are ALONE – in your car, or a similar private space. If I saw someone chatting to their mobile device like this, I would think they are a bit - cuckoo!
Do we really want to just talk to our phones? Ask them questions? Whatever happened to talking to real people? Hmmmm, the jury is out on this feature. But I’m open to feedback from people who LOVE the idea…
Dual-Core
At this point I’m not excited. Many Android phones already have this function, so it really is just Apple playing catch up.
Improved Camera
Well it’s about time. The photo and video taking ability of the camera on the iPhone has been embarassing since day one. It great to finally see Apple stepping up and fixing their camera. Now it should almost be on the same level as a lot of Android Phones.
iOS5
This seems to be the pride-and-joy of the 4S launch, with 200 new features. I’m still undecided. These new integrated tools are hardly something that would make me charge out to get one. For example:
- iMessage – unlimited texts between 4S users (and iOS5 users). Well, most phone plans have unlimited texts, so that’s not so important.
- Twitter Integration – again, not a big difference to having the Twitter app
- Reminders – The current calendar app does this quite well, so I’m not sure of the real benefit here.
iCloud
Retina Display
Facetime Calling
AirPlay and Airprint
If you’d like to see the fancy schmancy video from Apple, please check it out below:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmfxfaeld0M
Fiona, this article is so full of factual inaccuracies it is difficult to take it seriously. It stinks of a link bait article to drive page views.
1. Camera – the camera on the iPhone 4 has received tons of praise for being an excellent camera. Megapixels alone do not dictate the quality of a picture.
2.iMessage – you refer to it as allowing unlimited texting between iPhone 4s users. This is incorrect as it will allow for free texting between any iPhone user that updates to the latest OS.
3.Twitter integration – have you used it? I have and it is not the same as having the twitter app. This allows for you send tweets on the OS level. If you are looking at a picture in your camera role you can tweet it right from there. Reading an article in Safari – tweet right from safari, the list goes on.
4.Reminders – has location based reminders, you glossed over that. Also, it’s another option for people who do not want to use their calendar as a task list.
5. Retina Display – the way you wrote your comment it looks as though you think this is new. It has been around since the iPhone 4. This is either an example of poor research/fact checking on your part or poor writing…who knows.
6. Airplay – has been around for well over a year. It’s not a new feature. Again, an example of poor research/fact checking on your part.
This articles reas very poorly as it is riddled with factual errors. By the way, you are missing an apostrophe in the word “Apples” in the title. That was mistake was apparently a harbinger of things to come.
Twitter: abnormalmarket
October 10, 2011 at 2:05 pm | Permalink
Hi Franz
Thank you for taking the time to comment on my post. And let me start by saying – this is NOT a press release from Apple, so I was not aiming for “factual accuracies”, so please don’t take my comments as such.
And as for being “link bait” – well, I didn’t realise my blog was THAT controversial. There seems to be a LOT more disappointed blogs about the iPhone 4S than just mine!
And now, in response to your points:
1. Camera – who are you kidding? I own a 3GS and quite a few friends own a 4 and EVERYONE agrees with me on this one, so sorry.
2. iMessage – ok, sure, but BIG DEAL!
3. Twitter Integration – again, not a big enough feature in comparison
4. Reminders – ok, sure, but BIG DEAL again!
5. Retina Display – What does this have to do with poor writing?
6. Airplay – Funny this one, like the Retina, you actually agree it’s NOT NEW!
Wanna know where I found these features? Check out – http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/
Ok, so my little blog reads poorly – ok then – please don’t read it! Ok I’ve give you the apostrophe, it’s a Cufons thingy, and my actual blog does have the apostrophe.
But overall, it’s ok, I get it. You’re a hard core Apple iPhone (especially 4S) fan – and that’s ok! You’re welcome to it.
But there’s no need to be so offensive. This is just a blog after all, not a research report sponsored by the New York Times!
Take it easy!
Hi Fiona,
Thanks for taking the time to read and reply to my posts. My frustration I think is that I hope to see a little more research/fact checking before things like this go up. But you’re right – it is your blog. As for me being a hardcore fan, I own an iPhone 4 and a Nexus S and use both. I do this so I that I can have balance when I comment on iPhone versus Android. In any event, I do appreciate you taking the time to respond. Not all bloggers do!
Frantz
Twitter: abnormalmarket
October 12, 2011 at 9:02 am | Permalink
Hi Frantz
Actually I spent more than usual research on this post, but then I just said what I believed anyway
Mostly I just got info from Apple’s website, which I thought would be quite reliable.
That’s great to hear you have 2 phones for a balanced opinion. We did the same here at Abnormal. I have an iPhone and my business partner has a Samsung Galaxy S2.
Thanks again for your feedback
It’s amazing how a negative apple article will stir up an argument.
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Twitter: abnormalmarket
October 10, 2011 at 6:22 pm | Permalink
Hi Kelli
Yes, I guess you are right
The thing is…. fundamentally, I like Apple and iPhones. I guess I’m just disappointed they are using all their energy to sue Samsung, HTC, Motorola, Amazon, etc…… instead of coming up with a really cool new phone.
Maybe the iPhone5 will come out next year and be awesome.
Do you have an iPhone?
Hi Fiona. Thanks a lot for sharing this. For me, I think, by looking at iPhone 4S, Apple is just trying to get more income from iPhone 4, since it’s not really selling well, and they still simply need some times to prepare iPhone 5 so that it will come out strong, stronger than any Apple’s rivals’ smartphone.
Andrew Walker´s last [type] ..New Bowery House hotel in NYC
How the hell is the iPhone 4 not selling well? Fact is, Apple doesn’t need to announce an iPhone 5 because few phones can match the 4 and/or iOS. It’d also be a poor business decision to revolutionize something which is still a hit with consumers.
Twitter: abnormalmarket
October 12, 2011 at 9:07 am | Permalink
Hi David
Thanks for stopping by our blog. I heard that iPhone 4 sales are falling in Australia, hence the ads on tv, and the price-drop in all stores (Apple and JB Hifi). I’m not sure if this is elsewhere though, like US.
I didn’t find too many blogs that were happy about the 4S. Many were disappointed with the lack of innovation that Apple has been previously famous for.
If you find any that are happy with the new phone, please feel free to share.
Oh….I been excited to have my own iPhone…But since this is a problem that you’ve pointed out, maybe I’ll leave it for a while in my wishlist…thanks…