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Apple's iPhone 4S, iOS 5 and iPod roundup: details, specs and release dates
Phew, what a day! Apple's done its fair share of introducing today, and now it's on us to distill everything down into something understandable by folks who don't have the time to pore over every single morsel of iPhone and iOS 5-related news oozing from Cupertino. You can relive our liveblog right here -- for everything else, get schooled below. iPhone 4S iPhone 4S officially announed, lands October 14th in sizes up to 64GB Sprint iPhone announced, getting both iPhone 4 and 4S Meet the new iPhone 4S AirPlay Mirroring coming to iPhone 4S iPhone 4S hands-on iPhone 4S vs. the smartphone elite iPhone 4S vs. iPhone 4 Post-event live broadcast iPhone 4S event video posted online iPhone 4S makes its way through the FCC Upgrade to AT&T iPhone 4S: there's an app for that iOS 5 iOS 5 will be available October 12th, iCloud launches the same day Cards app for iPhone introduced Find My Friends announced iTunes Match hits US 'end of October' for $24.99 Apple brings Siri voice recognition iPod / Mac / other news Six million copies of Lion downloaded since launch Macbook Pro and iMac are the best selling notebook and desktop in the US 16 billion iTunes songs downloaded, 300 million iPods sold 250 million iOS devices sold, 18 billion apps downloaded iPod Touch available October 12th in black and white, maxes at 64GB / $399 iPod nano now $149 for 16GB and $129 for 8GB iPhone 3GS 8GB is free, iPhone 4 8GB $99 AppleCare+ debuts for $99, covers accidental damage for a fee
Apple iPhone 4S keynote now available for streaming
As expected, Apple has posted the keynote for today's iPhone event. You can stream it over the Internet by pointing your browser to Apple's event website. To watch the video, you'll need to use a Mac with Safari 4 or 5 and Mac OS X Snow Leopard or Lion, an iOS 3 or later device with Safari, or a PC QuickTime 7 on Windows. Enjoy!
AppleCare+ debuts for $99, offers to cover accidental damage in addition to the standard fare
Once upon a time, the AppleCare Protection Plan was a service provided by Cupertino to extend out the life of your iPhone warranty for an extra year and enable Apple reps to help with additional customer service concerns. It still offers all of that, but now a Plus has been added to the title. The new plan was revealed as the cloak over the Apple Store lifted after today's keynote, with the boxes shipping out the same day as the iPhone 4S. What's so "plus" about it, you might ask? It's plus $30, for one, getting a price bump from $70 to $100. The good news, though, is that it also now offers two instances of protection from accidental damage... for a $49 fee each time. It's a fair deal less than shelling out full retail price for a fresh one, of course, but there doesn't appear to be any other new features beyond what we're already used to getting. Oh, except for "one more thing": whereas its predecessor could be obtained and activated anytime within the first twelve months of your purchase, it appears that AppleCare+ has to be bought at the same time as the valuable treasure it's protecting. We're still sifting through the fine print, so we'll holler if we come across any other changes. This raises the question: does the accidental damage handling justify the higher cost? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Apple's 'Let's Talk iPhone' post-event live broadcast!
Well, that was fun. If you wanted to read along with the liveblog, but couldn't hang with all of those words, or if you just need some help processing all of the Cupertino-based iPhone 4S-related excitement, stay-tuned. Tim Stevens, Darren Murph and a number of guest Fraggles (schedules pending) are live on the scene to help you wade through the deluge of news from today's Apple event.Update: And we're done! Check out video of the broadcast after the break!
iPhone 4S vs. the smartphone elite: Galaxy S II, Bionic and Titan
Now that we know how the iPhone 4S stacks up against the iPhone 4, let's take a look at how Apple's latest smartphone compares to its mightiest competitors on the other major platforms -- Android and Windows Phone. In Google's camp we chose the superlative Samsung Galaxy S II models (focusing on the announced US variants) along with the Motorola Droid Bionic for its qHD and LTE chops. We then picked the upcoming HTC Titan to bat for Microsoft's team. RIM's not included here since it's still stuck in the junior leagues. We left out the intriguing Nokia N9 because it's a niche player. Check out the fancy table after the break -- the results are pretty clear cut!
Original Siri service is dead, long live Apple Siri
If you scoffed at the news that Apple's Siri would only be available on the iPhone 4S, thinking that you could just use the standard Siri app that was still available on the App Store, then scoff no more. The freely available Siri app has been removed from the App Store completely, and as TechCrunch reports, the whole service is being taken down in advance of the official debut of the app as part of iOS 5. TUAW reader Luc reports that the current app now gives a note as it starts up that the app will be "leaving for home" on October 15th, so you have until then to enjoy the app as is if you happen to still have it installed. Presumably at that point, the old service will end, and you'll have to buy an iPhone 4S if you want access to the new service. This basically makes sense: Apple's trying to sell devices, and it wouldn't really work to have a version of the service out there running around for free, even if that service isn't as integrated. Apple's done the same thing with other companies they've picked up and made official, including CoverFlow back in the day. Unfortunately, if you're currently a big Siri user, then you'll have to upgrade your handset to keep using the service as is -- there is no built-in plan to let you keep using the current app.
Apple's site suggests unlocked iPhone 4S will be available
A question that's been on many people's minds today, including mine, is whether or not the iPhone 4S will be offered in an unlocked, contract-free option like the iPhone 4 has been for the past several months. I know I've been awaiting the answer to this question with great interest, especially with news today suggesting the iPhone 4S won't be available where I live until December. Wording on Apple's iPhone page suggests that it will be offered unlocked. The below excerpt is directly from Apple's FAQ for the device (relevant portions in bold for emphasis): If I lose my iPhone, can I buy a replacement iPhone? Yes. You can purchase a replacement iPhone from the Apple Online Store, an Apple Retail Store, or your carrier's store. Your price will depend on whether you qualify for a carrier subsidy. You can also purchase an unlocked iPhone from the Apple Online Store or Apple Retail Store and obtain a micro-SIM card directly from your supported GSM carrier. When I buy from the Apple Online Store, does my iPhone come ready to use? Yes, if you have selected a mobile phone carrier. When your iPhone arrives, all you have to do is turn it on and follow the onscreen instructions to set it up. There's no need to call the carrier or visit a store to complete the activation. If you have selected an unlocked GSM phone, you will need to acquire a micro-SIM from the supported GSM carrier of your choice and activate it in order to use your iPhone. Information in a footnote on both that page and the iPhone 4S tech specs page further suggests the iPhone 4S will be available unlocked: For those who are not qualified customers, are not eligible for an early upgrade, are purchasing an unlocked iPhone (for supported GSM wireless service provider networks only), or wish to buy an iPhone as a gift, see your carrier, an Apple Retail Store Specialist, the Apple Online Store, or an Apple Authorized Reseller for pricing. There's always the possibility that these snippets were mistakenly carried over from the iPhone 4's descriptors, but my fellow TUAW colleagues have long suspected that the iPhone 4S would be available unlocked just like the iPhone 4. No official pricing info for unlocked iPhone 4S models is available yet, but the smart money is on "expensive as heck" -- the 8 GB iPhone 4, available for US$99 with a 2-year contract, costs $549 without a contract. Extrapolating from the iPhone 4's pricing suggests the following pricing scheme for unlocked models: 16 GB iPhone 4S: $649 (the same as the unlocked 16 GB iPhone 4 from months back) 32 GB iPhone 4S: $749 (again, same price as unlocked 32 GB iPhone 4 was) 64 GB iPhone 4S: $849 We're not certain as of yet if unlocked iPhone 4S models will be available for pre-order on October 7th, but I'm betting they won't be; I think it's more likely that only carrier-locked models will be offered for pre-order, with unlocked models available on October 14 in-store and on Apple's site. I'm unwilling to wait until December and pay the extortionate prices Apple charges in New Zealand, and I'm also not signing another two-year contract with my existing wireless provider just to get the inexcusably paltry "subsidies" they offer. Therefore, I know I'll be lining up (metaphorically speaking) for an unlocked US model -- how about you?
AAPL takes a hit despite iPhone 4S news (Updated)
Apple's share price has dropped dramatically after today's announcement of the iPhone 4S. At 3:07 PM EDT, AAPL was down over $16 per share to $358.51, although it could recover before today's market close. While this doesn't look good for Wall Street's enthusiasm for the new device, the stock drop is actually quite normal for the day of an Apple announcement. We've seen similar results after announcements of most new Apple devices, with the stock usually recovering or rising the next day. The stock price for new US iPhone carrier Sprint doesn't seem to be reacting much in one way or another to the announcement. At press time, the company's stock was selling at $2.68 a share, down $0.06 for the day. Shares in Verizon and AT&T were relatively steady as well. Of course, most of the responsibility for the lackluster stock price for Apple could be tied to the world economic news today. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's comment that "The economic recovery is close to faltering" has resulted in an overall decline on the markets, with the Dow-Jones Industrial Average down 162, S&P 500 down 12, and NASDAQ down 17 at press time. Update: AAPL closed today at $372.50, only down $2.10 (-0.56 percent). The DJIA, NASDAQ, and S&P 500 all finished the day up. It's amazing what can happen with the market in only an hour... Turns out that the "hit" was more of a "hiccup."
iPhone 4S hands-on!
It's not an iPhone mini or anything, but it's the first iPhone with Siri. And that has to count for something, right? Right? While it's no iPhone 5 (not even close, really), the iPhone 4S is far from being "last year's iPhone," and the greatly enhanced camera, bolstered A5 dual-core processor and inbuilt voice command should provide plenty of reason for folks to upgrade if they're near the end of their contract. Furthermore, having the option on Sprint -- despite Apple almost announcing it as an afterthought -- is bound to make folks already entrenched on the Now Network think twice about what their next phone will be come upgrade time.We were able to spend a few quality moments with the refreshed iPhone 4 here at Apple's campus, the Sprint flavor no less, and as you might expect... it's an iPhone 4. But S-ier. Much in the same way that the 3GS improved the overall experience of the 3G, the 4S does likewise compared to the existing 4. The dual-core A5 chip is a laudatory improvement, and whisking about pages, loading the camera application and launching -- well, just about everything -- just feels zippier. As it should. The other major change, the antennas, weren't readily different at a glance, but as Mr. Cook stated, you'd have to be iFixit to notice (and we're sure they will).The most impressive part was the demo of Siri, the new assistant that lets you do just about anything you can do on your phone -- but with your voice. We tried to psych it out with a bunch of random requests, including the history of Chester, Vermont (a lovely town) and the best Ramen places in San Francisco. Siri never faltered, never missed a beat. It worked as well as Scott's demo up on the stage. There's nothing better to say than that. We even sent ourselves a few text messages, which Siri transcribed to a T. Of course, the lady on the other end still sounds eerily robotic, but we're hoping for smoother responses from the alien within in a future update.The 8 megapixel sensor doesn't look any different from the outside, but we're trusting that Apple's re-engineered the interior. We snapped a few photos in the demo room to test and not a one came out as great as the retina-bursting contrasty pictures of balloons and flowers we saw in the demo, but then again, we didn't have any balloons or flowers to capture.As for weight and feel? Just like the old king. We'll be updating this post with our impressions live from Cupertino, and are working to get you some better pictures to look at. Hang tight -- they're coming!Update: Sorry, guys, but this time around Apple isn't allowing anyone to take photos or videos of the new iPhone in the hands-on area at its event. But don't worry, we'll give you all that and more when we review it in the coming weeks!Relive the announcement in our liveblog right here!%Gallery-135711% %Gallery-135683%
iPhone 4S vs. iPhone 4: what's changed?
It's finally happened, after all the wrangling, speculation and aluminum dummies, we now know the truth. Join us as we delve into the nitty gritty of how the newest addition(s) to the Apple clan match up against last year's model.
iPhone 4S officially lands on Sprint
Good news Sprint customers, the iPhone 4S is a worldphone and is now available on your carrier. Late-breaking rumors from the Wall Street Journal hinted that the iPhone was heading to Sprint and now it's officially official. Just like the Verizon and AT&T iPhone, the Sprint version will be available for pre-order on October 7 and available October 14. Pricing with a two-year contract will be $199 for 16 GB, $299 for 32 GB and $399 for 64 GB.
Meet the new iPhone 4S
You can finally lay all that speculation to rest because here it is! Apple's set its latest iPhone family member free, and out into the wireless wild for your future consumption. Pictured above is the new dual-core A5 processor-equipped, dual CDMA / GSM iPhone 4S -- awash in Siri-enabled voice control. You can snag this black or white update on October 14th in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB configurations for $199, $299 and $399, respectively. Click through the gallery below to get intimate with Cupertino's latest smartphone refresh.%Gallery-135711%
Apple drops iPhone prices: 8GB 3GS free, iPhone 4 now $99
No big surprises here, but the iPhone 4S' older siblings are getting drastic price reductions. An 8GB 3GS is now free on contract, while the iPhone 4 is now only $99 with a carrier agreement -- that one bill gets you an 8GB iPhone 4. We've received no indication of cuts for other flavors of the old guard, but we suppose congratulations are in order for bargain hunters with limited iTunes libraries. Update: According to the Apple Store, the iPhone 4 is also "coming soon" to Sprint.
Sprint iPhone officially announced: iPhone 4 and 4S both on the way
Regardless of whether Sprint dropped $20 billion, or just the right combination of phrases to the right combination of people, Dan Hesse finally (finally!) has an iPhone to call his own. Despite The Now Network's stellar lineup of Android devices (and that increasingly valuable Everything plan), Sprint's been struggling to gain postpaid subscribers for as long as most can remember. Granted, the prepaid arm is doing alright, but without Apple's cash cow sitting on its shelves -- well, let's just say the company's shareholders are apt to be pleased with today's turn of events. As you might have guessed, the specs for Sprint's version perfectly match the Verizon model -- both have an EVDO radio for 3G within the US, and a GSM one for service outside the country. As with AT&T and Verizon, Sprint customers hankering for the 4S' dual-core A5 processor, 8MP camera, dual-mode radio and Siri personal assistant can place their pre-orders starting this Friday, October 7th, with the phone officially landing a week later, on the 14th.Update: And now that Apple's site is live again we're seeing that Sprint is getting not just the iPhone 4S, but the 8GB iPhone 4 as well. Screenshot from Apple.com after the break.
Apple announces the iPhone 4S
Apple has announced the next-generation iPhone, the iPhone 4S. Although externally it appears identical to the iPhone 4, internally it's seen many changes. It includes the same dual-core A5 processor that debuted in the iPad 2. Its graphics processor, which is also dual-core, provides up to 7 times the graphical performance of the iPhone 4's A4 chip. The iPhone 4S has improved battery life over its predecessor, and it now allows for 8 hours 3G talktime, 14 hours 2G talktime, and 6 hours of 3G web browsing. The iPhone 4S's wireless system has also been tweaked; the handset will now intelligently switch between antennas for optimal performance. This not only improves signal reliability, it also doubles the theoretical maximum speed from 7.2 Mbps on the iPhone 4 to 14.4 Mbps on the iPhone 4S. The iPhone 4S is also now a true "world phone" with integrated chipsets for both GSM and CDMA networks. This will simplify Apple's product lineup and consumer buying decisions, as there will be only one "model" of iPhone 4S that should work on virtually any carrier in the world. The iPhone 4S has a much-improved 8 megapixel camera that can shoot up to 3264 x 2448 images. Its backside-illuminated sensor allows it to capture 73 percent more light per pixel than the iPhone 4, and a five-element lens leads to photos that are up to 30 percent sharper than those on the iPhone 4. A new signal processor enables face detection and 26 percent better white balance. The camera also works much faster than on previous models; Apple claims it takes only 1.1 seconds to take the first photo, with subsequent shots having a delay of only half a second. The improved camera also features true 1080p HD video recording and video stabilization, a first for the iPhone. Like the iPad 2, the iPhone 4 can now mirror its screen via AirPlay or a cable connected to the dock. Perhaps the most anticipated feature of the iPhone 4S is its support for Siri, an "intelligent assistant" that enables recognition of voice queries and commands. We have further information on Siri itself available in a standalone post. The iPhone 4S is available in capacities ranging from 16 all the way up to 64 GB (finally!) and pricing with a two-year contract goes from US$199 for 16 GB to $399 for 64 GB. Pre-orders begin on October 7, with the launch taking place on October 14. No mention yet on any pricing for possible unlocked models, but hopefully they will be available for those of us who don't want to or can't commit to a two-year contract. iPhone 4S will launch on all major US carriers except T-Mobile -- Sprint is getting it -- and it will launch in US, Canada, Australia, UK, France, Germany, and Japan on October 14. 22 more countries get the phone on the 28th, with 70 more by the end of the year. Completely MIA from the event: the supposed iPhone 5 with a redesigned exterior. If you were waiting for a major redesign, keep waiting, because the iPhone 4S is the only thing new under the sun today.
AirPlay Mirroring coming to iPhone 4S, not just for iPads
That snazzy AirPlay Mirroring feature Apple showed off at WWDC earlier this year is back for an encore, and now it's strutting its stuff on the iPhone 4S. Previously we saw AirPlay piping an iPad 2 to the big screen by way of Apple TV, but the upcoming iOS 5 features seems to have broadened it horizons -- letting Apple handsets get in on the HDTV mirroring love. AirPlay not your thing? Don't worry, you can still score high-def mirroring action using a wired dongle. Skip on past the break for a peek at the accessory that will make your next $2,000 Halloween costume that much easier to build.
Infinity Blade 2 coming to iOS December 1
After pulling down $20 million in revenue on Infinity Blade (no seriously) it should come as no surprise that Epic just announced Infinity Blade 2 during Apple's iPhone 4S announcement keynote. Better yet: It's coming December 1. While Epic's Mike Capps insisted it's "only going to run like this on the iPhone 4S," it doesn't sound like the game will be exclusive to the new device. Also of note: Need, want, please, now.%Gallery-135728%
iPhone 4S officially announced: lands October 14th starting at $199 in sizes up to 64GB, coming to Sprint
What's this? The second coming of the iPhone 4? Sure enough, Tim Cook just pulled the covers off of the hotly-anticipated iPhone 4S here in Cupertino, making 2011 the first year in the company's current stint in the smartphone business that it chose to launch three new handsets (Verizon's CDMA iPhone 4 included, of course). On the outside the 4S looks exactly like its predecessor, but on the inside it's "all new." Apple has jammed a dual-core A5 CPU inside alongside a new dual-core GPU that supposedly boosts graphics performance by up to 7x. Up front is the same 3.5-inch Retina display we've all come to know and love, and around back is a glass plate. Those antennae around the sides (which caused many users so much trouble) have been revamped and iOS will intelligently switch between two different sets on the fly to avoid dropping calls no matter how you hold it. Those antennae are connected to a dual-mode GSM and CDMA radio that will let Apple's handset roam the globe while enjoying either 14.4Mbps HSPA+ or EV-DO Rev. A. %Gallery-135683% %Gallery-135727% %Gallery-135711%
iOS 5 will be available October 12, iCloud launching the same day
Mark your calendars, kids. Scott Forstall's on stage here at "Let's Talk iPhone" and just gave a hard date for iOS 5's arrival: expect it to hit next week, on October 12th, with Apple's iCloud service launching that same day. Though developers have been playing with it for four months now, this will be the first time the general, non-tinkering public gets to taste its 200-plus new features -- a list that includes Newsstand, Reminders, iMessage, WiFi sync, Find My Friends, split keyboards, AirPlay mirroring for the iPad 2 (and iPhone 4S!) and the Notification Center. (And, you know, greeting cards, if you're into that sort of thing.) iOS 5 will be free for iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches, while iCloud's standard 5GB of email / storage will come gratis to folks already using iOS 5 and Lion. Take note that if it's iTunes Match you're after (and you live in the states), you'll have to sit tight a few more weeks yet. %Gallery-135713%
iPhone 4S adds A5 processor, up to 7x graphics, arriving Oct. 14
As much as we were already aware that Apple planned on announcing an all new iPhone today, the California-based computer and mobile giant managed to keep information on the forthcoming hardware update relatively quiet (for once). And then, just minutes before the company's big iPhone presser was about to start, one of Apple's Japanese retailer sites accidentally pushed the info early, and now here we are: the iPhone 4S will arrive at Japanese retail in just under two weeks, on October 14, with an expected US and EU launch the following Friday. The mention has since been pulled, naturally, but not before our cohorts at Engadget snapped an image of the accidental announce. As the unveiling was premature, however, we've yet to see any official information on the new phone's specs. Reports on the hardware as recently as this morning pegged it as having the iPad 2's A5 chip set, 1GB of RAM, and a much improved 8 megapixel camera, though we won't find out for sure until, well, any minute now. No, really, the liveblog is already going. We're talking any minute. Update: And, as promised, the iPhone 4S is official, and here's what it's packing: an Apple-designer dual core A5 chip, which is up to 2 times faster, and "dual core graphics, which mean the graphics can be up to 7 times faster than in the previous iPhone." Apple's Phil Schiller added, "We see it scream on games." To show off said screaming, they debuted Infinity Blade 2 which we guess probably screamed. Apple promises a healthy battery life, an improved antenna design, and both GSM and CDMA radios in the device, making the 4S a true world phone. The iPhone 4S also features a new 8 megapixel camera, that's "also a lot faster." Update 2: Apple is finally finished showing off the iPhone 4S and here's what you can expect to pay for it: $199 for the 16GB variant; $299 for the 32GB variant; and $399 for the massive 64GB variant. The phone will be available on October 14, on Verizon, AT&T, and ... Sprint. Yup, Sprint's got itself the iPhone, finally.
