“Apple Inc’s newest iPhone left Wall Street and fans wishing for more than a faster version of last year’s device, drawing a rare outburst of criticism and disappointment on the Internet,” Poornima Gupta and Alexei Oreskovic report for Reuters. “Newly minted CEO Tim Cook ably helmed his first major product launch without former boss Steve Jobs, but failed to ignite the sort of excitement and buzz that the Apple co-founder once did. Investors and fans, looking to be blown away by some amazing surprise, sent the shares down as much as 4 percent.”
“Jobs did not show up as some expected. Cook, who took the reins from the Silicon Valley icon in August, and his executive team instead showed off a souped-up device that comes with voice recognition and a better camera, but it looked identical to the last phone and did little to lift the bar for smartphones,” Gupta and Oreskovic report. “‘It’s been 16 months and all you’ve got is an A5 processor in the existing iPhone 4,’ said BGC Partners’ analyst Colin Gillis. ‘It’s a mild disappointment, but they’re still going to be selling millions of units.’ WP Stewart portfolio manager Michael Walker said, ‘It’s kind of funny — if they have gone and called it the 5, the stock would have been fine, but they’re calling it the 4S, which is a disappointment to some. It’s a faster chip. The form factor is the same as the prior one, which might be a disappointment also to some people.'”
Gupta and Oreskovic report, The iPhone event took place at Apple Central — the same venue where the iPod first was introduced years ago — versus the larger, splashier venues of more recent choice such as downtown San Francisco’s Moscone center. The restricted attendance may have triggered a surge in online viewership, which slowed or crashed live blogs run by websites such as Engadget, Wired and Gizmodo.”
“Interest was high with Google emerging as a formidable competitor, but many fans came away disappointed,” Gupta and Oreskovic report. “‘Please note I will be selling some ‘S’ stickers for $0.99 so iPhone 4 owners have a cheaper upgrade option,’ wrote HAL9000 on Twitter. Tomlinsonr tweeted, ‘I’ll have a double helping of ‘meh’ with a side of ‘whatever.'”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Debacle. You either leak “no iPhone 5” to a credible outlet in order to tamp down anticipation beforehand or you name the damn thing “iPhone 5,” even if you don’t think it worthy, and be done with it. The former is far preferrable to the latter for integrity’s sake, but doing neither signals a worrying degree of tone deafness. Managing the media, not to mention peoples’ expectations, is part of your job now, too, Tim.
BTW, we are Day One iPhone buyers for every model and we will be buying iPhone 4S units on Day One, too. But we understand why iPhone 4S is different from iPhone 4 and that the 4S is simply the best damn smartphone ever made. We’re not just sure the general public is going to get it. Maybe Siri, if properly and widely demonstrated, will help sell it. Hopefully, Apple has some really good TV commercials ready to explain to the average Joe and Jane why they want an iPhone 4S. Otherwise we don’t expect to encounter any problems pre-ordering online or with in-store lines.
Related articles:
Apple underwhelms with iPhone 4S – October 4, 2011
Apple unveils new iPhone 4S with dual-core A5 and Siri intelligent assistant; launches iOS 5 and iCloud – October 4, 2011
Apple to launch iCloud on October 12 – October 4, 2011
Apple brings new features, more affordable pricing to iPod touch and iPod nano – October 4, 2011
Well the stock sure has recovered. Only down about 1%.
I guess when it all comes down to it, the Apple train is still moving full steam ahead.
Market moved up. Apple was just along for the ride. But every little bit helps. Pray for a market run up on good news from Europe because Apple stock isn’t going up anytime soon on it’s own merit. As much as it pisses me off to admit that. MDN is so right, what a debacle!
I am very happy with the design of the iPhone 4s, because I am an investor and an apple fan for decades. The iPhone 4s is the “perfected” iPhone 4, which is the most popular phone already.
Apple needs to be able to reliably build 10s of millions of these phones quickly, and without problems and bottlenecks. Remember, the manufacturer says these are very complicated and difficult devices to make, and the market for the device is now projected at over 100 million per year. An iPhone 4(s), with the kinks worked out and a huge spec boost is the “Perfected” iPhone, with a production line set up, experienced, and ready to hum.
Now, many would like to see a new form factor every few months, and some android will no doubt copy the rumored iPhone 5 design, but they will only need to build a few hundred thousand, or maybe a few million units and then be off to the next Apple copy. They will not come close to producing the total hardware/software/ecosystem package that is the iPhone 4s/4/3Gs line.
And next year, there will be a super fast LTE iPhone with expanded capabilities………. and a new form factor will come along.
For now, I am a happy fan and a very happy investor.
The nutjob fanatics were going to be disappointed no matter what was announced or who was there to announce it.
Talk about a pointless rant.
And the fanboys won’t ever take off the rose colored glasses! Haha
Bullshit. If Apple announced a liquidmetal unibody iPhone 5 with the 4S’ innards behind a 4-4.3″ screen, I’d be shouting from the rooftops and deciding which credit card to put the pre-order on. It wouldn’t have taken much more to excite the fan base. We weren’t even asking for 4G.
real talk
R2, i couldn’t agree more.
I am far more fan boy than troll, but i am disappointed that no newly-industrially-designed iPhone was released today.
I was hoping for no more than the 4S specs, but in a CURVED BACK design, with a bit more screen real estate (Happy for it to be wider) possibly gesture based home button and maybe a nicer material then the current glass back.
If it weren’t for the media, i wouldn’t probably have been expecting this, but there were some compelling evidence in favour with those cases hitting the shelves!
I had hoped at least that iOS 5 would be out today, i’m not really sure why they picked today, wouldn’t it have made more sense to do the media event to tie in with iCloud and iOS 5?
Not a nutjob fanatic, or an anti-Apple troll, just an admirer of Apple and owner of many of their products.
I was ready to buy an iPhone 5 (New exterior design) and so will be waiting for one.
i agree whole heartily. I will be sitting this one out. I think the 5 will be available early next year and I will buy that one. Three other die hard Apple friends of mine are planning to sit this out as well. Shame too, because I have some extra money burning a hole I’m my pocket.
Me too Keith. Im sure many others would agree upgrading from 4 to 4s just isnt worth it for most of us. Sure the isheep will go out and get it to impress their virtual friends (would they class siri as their friend?) but like yourself i will wait and see what the iphone 5 has to offer
So basically, you’re admitting you’re so shallow that a different metal composition in the body and a slightly larger screen is all it takes to get you excited. Go buy an Android if all you crave is different hardware specs.
That is the most retarded response I’ve read in a long time. Is that all you’ve got? Go buy an Android? If you have a disagreement with your girlfriend would you ask a stranger to f*** her? Dumb & stupid.
When you invest in rumors, prepare for disappointment dipshit.
This whole thing has been stupid, Apple is following their well established device rollout strategy for iPhones. Phil Schiller even introduced the 3GS to the same reactions. It’s now the second best selling smart phone.
Maybe there’s a PowerBook G5 support group you can join?
This whole iPhone ‘5’ thing was a fantasy from the start. The rest of us want/need a real phone, rather than the limited trivial imagination of online retards. Maybe you little bitches can all stay home next week and make my iPhone upgrade/Apple Store experience smoother? Until then I’ll be savoring your idiot tears.
Apple has always prided itself on ‘Think Different.’ Its product releases were always a joy to behold, a symphony of technology, design and software; cutting edge, always different, not following the crowd.
This release is the opposite of ‘Think Different.’ It’s more like ‘Think the same,’ or ‘Don’t think at all.’ Actually ‘Don’t think at all’ fits you rather well because you’ve obviously lost your critical mental faculties.
Actually if that’s all he’s got so have I. Go buy an Android, you can play keeping up with the Joneses every second day if that keeps you excited.
Wideopenvista, you’re the kind of jerk that gives fan boys a bad name. I too wanted a new design with larger screen and non- glass back. This 4 does what I need but I always thought it was crazy they did away with the curved design. You’re post doesn’t make even make sense since the processor and camera on the 4s ARE different hardware specs!!!!!!
So asking for a slimmer body and a wider screen on a phone you hold and whose screen you use constantly is shallow? These are not MINOR things, they’re everything.
Apple’s success is based on great design that always moves forward. Today they presented a model that’s over a year old with some marginally improved specs. Nobody’s excited about this, sorry. Nobody hates it, we all just have met today’s update with a shrug.
R2 is totally right.
I agree. Not much was really asked, but a new form factor would’ve kept things fresh….along with what they already gave us. It does feel as if they took a small step back. They needed to give up a little more for Tim Cook’s first true go, at CEO announcements.
14, 15 months later… this is all they got? Yeah, that’s a massive disappointment…
And Cards feels like a slap in the face. haha.
I think people were misled by the so-called “analysts” and the hype. Apple never indicated an iPhone 5. I mean, if that happened, would we then be contemplating the iPhone 6 already?
For what it is, the iPhone 4S should be taken just like the 3GS when it was significantly improved from the 3G.
MDN dissing Apple? Yeaow
All the time if you read closely. MDN are apple fans, not Apple apologists.
Despite what some will have you believe, there’s little blind faith here.
All the time? Puleez……….You’re an MDN apologist.
Even though MDN’s take on this one is CORRECT,
I wanna repeat what I have commented to the two articles before:
I am really disappointed of all who are disappointed!
I call LAME LAME LAME.
Not Apple, all of you who wanna complain on a day and at times like this, and Wall Street people.
LAME.
LAAAAAAAAAME.
(repeat ad infinitum )
OK I said it.
I bet you wish you would have saved that money you spent getting your Grade Twelve Equivalency now.
It wouldn’t be a drop in the bucket compared to what you’ve spent on gay porn, ya dipshit.
MAc95, I agree.
Again, peeps manipulated by rumors and analysts. Get over it already!
I’m getting an iPhone 4GS and you can keep money in your wallet or go for an Android but I’ll be showing off and fully utilizing an iPhone 4GS and when an iPhone 5 comes out, I’ll likely get that too.
What’s better than an iPhone 4GS ?????
Exactly!
“Exactly!”
Sounds like someone at MDN is a day trader. If you are long on Apple there’s nothing to worry about here. The 4S will do very well and it’s out well before the Christmas season.
Bad take MDN, I expected better from you. Once these things start selling like wildfire on the 14th (which trust me, they will), everyone that has poo-pooed today’s announcement will look like a shortsighted fool.
Uh-oh, Rob. MDN doesn’t have any bad takes. Just ask them. Your post and my reply will have a very short life here today.
iPhone 4 gallery has photos which are upside-down when you download them. Steven would hate that.
That said, Cook probably would hate that, too, but he can not check everything.
Correction: actually, I meant iPhone 4S’ camera photo gallery.
You’re fired! From : Steve Jobs
-Sent from my iPhone 5
I understand tech pundits that wanted new hardware, but investors should realize that, even though iCould and iOS5 were already announced and Siri was expected, these are features that will drive iPhone and iPod touch purchases this holiday season.
That’s just it. There *is* new hardware. It’s just that the phone looks the same externally. The internals have been upgraded significantly. I guess if they had just rounded off the edges everyone would have thought it was great.
But out here in China, where Apple considered a very profitable and large market, people mostly cannot take advantage of the new Siri and icloud,
There is no way to out sell those android phones like the samsung ones, they definitely have catches up in the game and Apple this time has been sitting on it’s laurel, by slightly updating the iPhone. Please don’t use the phrase “Talk about amazing.” in those ads, it really is not. And Tim, don’t perform like a COO, you are a CEO.
Between Siri, iOS 5, iMessage, the 1080p video, excellent still camera, much, much better cpu/gpu and the dual GSM/CDMA chip, this is an excellent and significant upgrade. They could have given us a somewhat bigger screen, but I couldn’t care less about the form factor.
I would like more details on how easy (or not) it will be to switch from one carrier to another.
Now about that “new” iPod touch? That was a waste of time. It is supposed to be the “gaming” machine but it can’t play the new Infinity Blade. It should have been given a better camera, at least on the more expensive models.
Apple’s strategy has become crystal clear: iPhone 4S – same body as 4, greatly enhanced insides = collect the proceeds from new sales galore. iPhone 5 in a few months – new body, same insides as 4S = collect the proceeds from new sales galore. It’s the planned obselence that has worked so well for so long for GM. Now we see if this strategy under the group of new, uninspiring Apple Inc. leaders, will work. I think not.
It’s going to work fine; not only do they have the current crop of ATT and Verizon customers, they added in Sprint. If ATT doesn’t buy out T-Mobile, Apple can work on adding them for the iPhone 5 launch. Soon iPhones will be available on every major carrier, and we might even see a low cost stripped down model available for the pay-as-you-go crowd.
Your lack of understanding is what’s crystal clear. Apple vastly improved the hardware and software of the iPhone with the 4S. It’s a new phone – just because it looks the same doesn’t make it any less of an upgrade. There will not be an “iPhone 5” in a few months. There will be an iPhone 5/6 next summer or fall. That’s 9-12 months.
Vastly improved hardware and software? Vastly? Really? Actually, no. Incremental changes, like an 8mbp camera that should have come out with the 4 originally way back in June 2010, are not VAST. Sorry.
The 4S will be around for 12 months, meaning the iPhone 4 design, from early summer 2010, will still be in our hands in the early fall of 2012. How old will the iPhone look and feel a year from now? It was already looking a little stale this summer.
And the 3GS is still around, too. It is still a great phone – a smartphone at the price (“free” with a 2-year contract) of a dumb phone.
Apple actually changed the guts of the 4S quite a bit – much better CPU and graphics performance, larger storage option, GSM/CMDA, dynamic switching antennas, etc.
It sounds to me as if you would be much happier with the 4S if Apple had included a few cosmetic changes to make it “seem” more different and tagged it with the next generation “5.” Well, they didn’t. But that doesn’t mean that it is not a great phone.
Android phones are hitting the market like cow patties from a large herd of cattle. Does that make them any better? The Droid or Galaxy flavor of the month does not seem all that much different than the one from last quarter or last year. The main change in recent history is that many Android phones are sporting battery-sucking “4G” connectivity that is also geographically limited.
I can understand striving for better in the future. But that does not mean that you have to be dissatisfied with the present.
” the group of new, uninspiring Apple Inc. leaders”
Huh? Who’s new in the group? SJ stepped down, Cook stepped up, but this group of leaders is far from new. And they’re all suddenly uninspiring now that Jobs has stepped down? Really?
Would this product announcement really have been THAT much better if Steve Jobs had done the show rather than Tim Cook?
The only problem with the “Wow” factor is that there really wasn’t any “Wow” to announce. Everyone knows pretty well what’s in iOS 5 and iCloud, and simply because there was no change in exterior form, the new iPhone is deemed a dud.
Maybe Apple should have glued foldable wings on it and called it iPhone 5? Would that have made that much difference?
People need to get a grip. It’s a great in-between step while the mobile providers get their act together and move to the next technology (LTE) in sufficient amount and coverage that it is useful to people. The fact is LTE is pretty sparse already, and current chips drain batteries like a rowboat with a screen door in the bottom.
This follows the pattern set by original iPhone; 3/3G/3GS, then 4 which was brand new design. The big news is the dual-antenna feature; retailers no longer have to keep two different models in stock, and 3rd party affiliates no longer have to make two versions of the same case. Sure, it doesn’t show on outside, but it’s a major difference.
Apple’s already got a decent reputation for accessibility, but if Siri lives up to the hype it could be a game-changer for the disabled. I’d like to see many of the features rolled into future iPads.
Instead of appreciating the features we got, everyone’s mad that Apple didn’t live up to THEIR expectations.
The dual-antenna feature improves reception, and doesn’t have anything to do with support for three cellular radios. That’s done by the baseband chipset (GSM, UMTS, and CDMA2000). The dual antenna design helps the phone better deal with multi-path interference, which is a leading cause of “WTF? Why is my reception bad here, but works fine two feet away?” kind of problems.
Really? Call it what you want, its still a really great phone. Its faster, has a better camera, more memory, Siri, plus all the iOS5 goodness baked in… what’s not to like?
Apple stock hasn’t been playing according to “normal” rules for a long time so who knows, but I think it will recover when they see how fast they sell.
Oh, and did you see that they now have a $0 option for all those who said they needed a “nano” iPhone. 3GS is a way better option than some stripped down 1/2 iPhone.
So, yeah, I can’t figure out how this is such a disappointment.
Picked up an extra 150 shares @ $357.00, with the stock ending at $372.99. The glass is half full as far as I am concerned, and I am not complaining.
Nice move.
Wish I’d had the cash to do the same. Good call!
Perfect timing! Drinks on the house?
people are just crying.
It’s not an iPhone 5…. World ends tonight!
I’ll probably pick up the new 4s in nov/dec now when I can upgrade, but I will not get the 2 year contract price. I’ll pay full price so I won’t have any problems getting a 5 next year.
Many think that the 5 will be next year with 4g/lte and apple didn’t announce it yet due to the battery drain issues with 4g/lte.
I wasn’t impressed with the iPod side today, nano still no Bluetooth… But yet clock faces!!!!! And still that wire coming out of your fancy watch to catch on everything while you run… Like I said earlier, I’ll stay with iPhone for music, iPod will collect dust.
WTF do you people want? A5 processor, 64Gb, better antenna, faster connection speeds, superb camera and proper HD video, Siri, iOS 5. So what’s the frickin’ problem? (Whiney voice) ‘oooooo, it’s the same shape, it hasn’t got an aluminium back, it hasn’t got a humungus screen…’
Shit, what a bunch of whiney little girls.
4S or 5, it does everything I could possibly want a smartphone to do, I can’t see anything not to like about it; Apple haven’t screwed up up an already superb device, and everyone, (read: media), is pissed about that.
Perfectly said!
Go f*** yourself trollope.
Fsck you,asshole!
Rorschach–well put!
Point very well made, Rorschach!
All I wanted was 4G LTE since I live in an area where coverage for it is good. I’ll wait for the next iPhone that comes with it.
No.
Apple just keeps on doing what they do best. Ignore the Internet whining. It’s mostly what the Internet is good at.
It has been said before, Apple could have released an iPhone 5 with a 8″ foldable screen with no visible crease, built in telaporter, microwave oven and a holographic display….
and there would still be bitching.
Apple did not hint at an iPhone 5. That was rumors.
Apple does not have to come out with a new phone every 12 months. That is one of the nice things I like about Apple. Good god the other carriers have how many new phones per month??
Apple does not have to change the form factor. The current shape was just introduced last year. The previous shape lasted 3 years. The only reason to make a change is IF there is a compelling benefit to do that. Apparently Apple has not come across one. I believe they have a fairly good R&D department that covers that.
I’ll leave you with this last note.
The iPhone 4 has been the best selling phone so far. Apple could have just done nothing and continued to sell ridiculous amounts of them.
Sometimes change is not good.
Many of the people complaining today remind me of the old story, “The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg”.
or of 3 year olds, “waaa, waaa, waa”.
Will Siri work on the iPad with iOS5?
From what I gather, it’s iPhone 4S only. Incorporating some of the features in future iPads would seem to be a no brainer from an accessibility standpoint.
““‘Please note I will be selling some ‘S’ stickers for $0.99 so iPhone 4 owners have a cheaper upgrade option,’ wrote HAL9000 on Twitter. Tomlinsonr tweeted, ‘I’ll have a double helping of ‘meh’ with a side of ‘whatever.’””
Great idea. I’ll sell ‘5’ stickers for $0.99, so people can have the best phone on the planet AND feel good about it!
Pathetic.
If Apple puts out this same phone with the same specs but just looked different than the iPhone 4 you would have seen people raving about it. The same thing happened when the 3GS came out and it sold just fine.
What has been exciting and bold of Apple has been their willingness, unlike more staid tech companies, of killing successful products and replacing them with wholly new, exciting designs. That is part of what makes Apple different from also-rans.
That did not happen this evening and for many, displays an uncharacteristic timidity and lack of pace.
This is going to be like the iPad debut.
stage 1 – everyone is soooo disappointed – “I’m not getting one”
stage 2 – Well I goes that Siri thing is kind of cool.
stage 3 – It does have a faster process and better camera and I can get it with 64Gb
stage 4 – Well, I am eligible for an upgrade . . . may as well get one
stage 5 – (Day of pre-order) Geez, Apple, why can’t your server handle the traffic? I couldn’t get in on the preorder.
stage 6 – How come Apple can’t make enough of these to meet demand.
stage 7 – what? they are going for $2000 on eBay?
stage 8 – better get out my sleeping bag to wait in line.
You know its true.
not this time.
Most definitely this time. He just described the release of almost every Apple product to date. People bitch and complain cause they don’t know what they’re talking about. The actual product comes out and it’s insanely great (as this one will be) and people can’t get them fast enough.
This phone is great, just because the outside doesn’t look different then the old model doesn’t mean dick.
SPOT ON!!!
Thanks, that’s the funniest thing I have read today. It’s ironic to me because I never “liked” the iPhone 4 design, but I understood that it was born of an interesting concept, that of the antenna on the outside of the phone. Hmmmmm. It WAS NOT designed just to look different like a new purse! When Apple finds another compelling reason to change the form factor, they will.
I liked the presentation:
•new processor
•new camera
•new software
the Siri stuff has potential.
4S sounds just about right. This is a seriously good upgrade. The mythical 5 phone next year will build on the 4S and, hopefully, will add 4G capability. I’ll wait. But I always planned on waiting for the next refresh cycle to replace my ATT iPhone4.
I’ll likely wait as well — I could trade in my iPhone 4 for $200 which would lower cost to $99, but I want to see if Siri lives up to the hype and if 3rd party developers can/will take advantage of the technology.
I sold my extra iPhone 4 for 400$ in 30 minutes on craiglist. 32gig that is. You should get more then 200$ unless it’s beat the hell up.
MDN Take : it couldn’t be put any better. Beautiful.
I have purchased then original iPhone, the 3Gs, and the 4. All very good and worth the money. I like what I have heard about the 4S. Excellent functionality improvements. At this point, the exterior is almost perfect. I don’t need a new shell. Or a bigger phone. At this point internal hardware improvements and new software functionality is exactly what I as a user would like to see. Apple is blowing away the competition with the current iPhone 4. The 4S raises the bar higher, with things like SIRI which I think could be very big. So, thank you Apple. I am glad you don’t get distracted by the idiot winds blowing through the blogosphere.
amen, GM
you know what? maybe if everyone stopped trying to guess and speculate what’s coming out, you’d all be a lot happier with final outcome. OOOH it’s the iphone 5 (they never said that) OOOOH it’s thinner and has a bigger screen (they never said that) This happens every time they release something. Why don’t you all close your mouths, sit back and watch with the rest of us. Do you get a prize for predicting correctly? Hell no you don’t!
16 Months and we get a speed bump and improved camera? U have GOT to be kidding!!! Huge flop!!! Huge!! MDN TAKE IS SPOT ON!!!
Also got the dual antennas; that will make a huge difference to overseas travelers who worry whether their phone will work. Plus a new model with 64GB; will increase acceptance of iPhone as a media player, at least till music in The Cloud is fully operational.
It’s not gonna be a flop, but it is a slap in the face. Apple should have handled expectations better, and promised SOMETHING to bring down the house at end of the events.
Cards was not it. 🙁
Apple can’t be expected to stop all the idiot children out there from getting their hopes up and imagining what’s going to come.
Apple did what Apple always does, release great products. If you let your imagination get away with you, then it’s your own fault.
1. Double speed,
2. better graphics,
3. better camera,
4. way better imaging,
5. dual antenna
All running on iOS 5
Is a great improvement. Speed bumps are for the dozens of Android phonies out there.
Amen
Just like the iPad. This will take some time for the dumb simpletons to digest. Basically, if it’s your turn to upgrade, do it, it no, wait for the iPhone 5. I will not be dumping my iPhone 4. But I wife will be upgrading to a 4s.
How very patronising.
I disagree. The people bitching and complaining now are pretty stupid. They’re too blinded by their own expectations to take this release realistically.
Calling people dumb simpletons is patronising. Calling people pretty stupid is also patronising, arrogant and demonstrates bad manners.
You know what, you’re right. I don’t know the actual intelligence level of the people posting here. I will say that some of them are acting very stupidly. I think being confronted by this level of childishness can some times cause me to forget my manners.
That being said, it’s hard not to come off as patronizing when so many are acting like children.
This was a time for Tim Cook to shine as the new CEO of Apple by bringing out something truly revolutionary, a phone that would blow our socks off with a presentation to match. What came off today was management by the numbers thinking, a conservative update that could have been achieved without all this waiting and brouhaha. It was by the standards of Steve Jobs a non-event, something more deserving of Samsung or HTC that would churn out imperceptibly changed models with no technological leaps.
The changes that were introduced today were announced by Steve Jobs in WWDC so in effect there was nothing new today. If Steve had been still in charge you can be sure that there would have been ‘one more thing’ to amaze us. That didn’t happen today which was extremely disappointing.
Waaaaa
Complete bullshit. These phones are planned years in advance. Steve just stepped down as CEO 6 weeks ago and is still chairman of the board which makes him Tim Cook’s superior in strategic questions. If Steve had thought this was a big mistake he would have stepped in.
This is exactly the same situation as 2009 with the 3GS. Whining fanboys to be followed by record sales.
How would Steve have stepped in if he’s on extended medical leave? He’s been elevated to chairman with a roving role, more like an Apple iconic figurehead, rather being involved in strategic decisions. This is Tim Cook’s baby, make no mistake. Besides Tim would have seen the transition coming a long way off and would have provided input if he felt that the direction Steve was taking wasn’t to his liking. This has Tim’s stamp on it. Steve didn’t give the presentation. Tim did. It was underwhelming to say the least.
Pay attention next time instead of falling asleep at the back of the class.
I think The Onion is spot-on here; nailed it!
http://www.theonion.com/articles/apple-new-iphone-good,26257/
What Apple should do is change the casing, don’t care too much about any improvement. No speed bump, no siri, no, better camera technology, just change the casing. Oh, and the name. That’s what everyone in this planet is care about. The look, not the contents. Now you know why people are so into Android.
WTF!!!!???? I hope you’re being sarcastic!!!!
Of course he is.
I think I will read fewer blogs and media posts to avoid the mass hysteria (and let down) that results from all those trusted sources that mistake their ass for the grand canyon.
There is already far too much stress in this world.
And I will purchase an iPhone 4S rather than a Dimsung.
The market reaction was just the pros doing their standard tricks of selling options and hyping the stock and getting out before any of Apple’s major announcements. It’s a transfer of wealth from the novices who want to play in the stock market to those who know the game.
Siri is like magic. In the long run, Apple will keep on its steep ascent in stock price.
No wonder Apple is so scared of Samsung, they’ve got nothing major to show for the time spent since the 4 was launched.
If you really believe that and aren’t just trolling, then you’re an idiot.
Agree with the mdn take but not quite a debacle….
See you on line – I’ll have my newspaper (I can fold it any way i want) and seat.
I hate apple for now.
iPhone 4S is a damn good phone.
Here is why the iPhone 5 business is disappointing:
We know it is coming. We don’t know when. This makes anyone wanting the now infamous iPhone 5 very hesitant to buy an iPhone 4S. This is the source of disappointment. We think “well, can I wait for the 5? or should I SETTLE for the 4S”.
It is psychological, but “disappointment” is an emotional noun
Of course we know when. Apple has never released a new iPhone sooner then a year after the old one. There is absolutely zero reason to think they’ll start now. From the specs of this phone it’s obvious they expect it to last till next year.
I hope they keep on the 16-18 month cycle for phones. Then I’ll be at my upgrade time when the next one comes out.
Tim is no Steve Jobs and he has made his mark as an underachiever.
Yep. An underachiever becomes the CEO of the world’s most valuable company. Makes perfect sense.
I’m getting it for siri. And you know what? I like the look of the 4. I don’t need a bigger screen and if I decide I do, guess what? There’s mirroring over Airplay.
I was a little bummed at first, but then I saw siri in action. That’s a game changer. Any techno phobic person can watch that, see the value of it and be afraid no more.
People are disappointed that we don’t have a new design to rally around. That’s idiotic. In the real world, the design of the 4 is still better than any other phone on the market and will be for years to come. And my old case will fit.
Adding Sprint alone will keep sales up. For every existing customer choosing not to upgrade there will be one new one at least. Not to mention its a world phone now. Using the 4S name frees up iPhone 4G for next year as well. Who knows?
I think it will be more like 2 or 3 people will upgrade for everyone who doesn’t
True, the new phone is not that exiting. But iOS 5 and iCloud are solid gold. And I see a number of big news that are good for iOS and iOS users because they mean growth, growth, growth:
– massive €150 price drop on prepaid iPhone 3GS
– Sprint added
– KDDI of Japan added
Those three will help iOS gain market share in America as well as Europe as well as Asia.
This entire iPhone 5 BS was just a way to manipulate the stocks to a low. All these false leaks and rumor BS are designed to do that. Now the buying begins.
64GB available model, faster processor, twice the ram, better camera AND………….far better ability to handle iOS5 than iPhone 4. I’d say the iPhone 4S is very satisfying. Those of you who desperately wanted a different “looking” phone seem to be missing out on what’s most important…………performance trumps looks every time. I was hoping for the iPhone 5 also, but am far from being irate about it. If it takes another 2 years for Apple to release iP5, I’ll be glad to wait…………because this seems to be how Apple continues to put out well-oiled machines, instead of the over-rushed, under-planned, poorly-executed pieces of crap seen in nearly every other mobile company around. And whether you admit it or not, once iPhone 4 doesn’t handle iOS5 TO YOUR LIKING (especially if you’re around someone with iP4S), you’ll gladly pay for the new one. Calm your nerves and focus on the big picture. The name and form factor don’t rate having a hand in how the device measures up. Form factor would matter if concerns were over attenna-gate instead of how DIFFERENT it looks.
+1
This was a FAIL IMHO, most users need a bigger screen, I for one was waiting to be blown away, I really wanted an excuse to upgrade my evo, ohh well maybe next year..
What people don’t understand is that Apple software runs fine on a single core chip, that’s what makes Apple amazing, going dual core will not make the phone that much faster. I would take a larger screen over a dual core chip any day…
nearly TWICE as fast isn’t that much faster???? what kind of standards do you have????? especially when you prefer a LARGER (not even BETTER) screen??
What I meant is that a dual core chip is not a ground breaking upgrade, therefore I would prefer a larger screen over a dual core chip. If you are an impatient user that needs the speed then good for you, I don’t need the speed, I need a screen where I don’t have to squint or zoom in to read the news, watch movie clips, etc..
Most users that already have the ip4 will wait for the ip5 unless they have cash to burn and can care less..
4in is not very much bigger then 3.5. It’s almost not enough to notice. 4 and 3.5 inches are diagonal measurements. Thats not .5 inches on the hight or width, it’s something like 1/4 inch. Double the speed is very very noticeable. With the retina display there is also very little squinting.
Hmmm… lack of pizzazz there.
Improved guts maybe, but from a promo perspective it needed some chrome strips and a magic ‘5’ on the case.
Unless, that is, a 5 is waiting in the wings for Q1 2012.
I wish…
I don’t get it. The nomenclature could have been more dramatic, but this is a dramatic upgrade, in every way except the form factor, which is more a question of fashion than other considerations. Siri, which seems to be lost in the shuffle, is close to mind-boggling. It is a unique, exponential leap in voice interfaces, an innovation that is going to change the landscape. Give it a break, guys. Short of the implant, this is impressive.
Well, I guess that’s it. It’s official. Apple is doomed. The day dawned fresh and bright with great hope for tomorrow. Tomorrow never came and yesterday took its place. The bright future was replaced with the dark past. An old-new iPhone 4S. When Steve left, so did innovation. Amazon is the new Apple. Jeff Bezos has replaced Steve Jobs. Apple investors are fleeing Apple and heading to Amazon to ride the Kindle Fire wave of revenue.
Apple has given up the smartphone fight and handed victory over to Google’s Android and partners. The Android smartphone vendors are able to design a completely new smartphone every month and put it into production. Apple spent a whole 15 months and skillfully managed to design the exact same smartphone they offered 15 months ago. Now we know why Wall Street hates Apple and the share price will be punished accordingly. On behalf of all fellow Apple shareholders I’d like to say, “Apple, thanks for mutton.” The pundits are having a field day disrespecting Apple. They wanted something brand new that they’d never seen before. Maybe this is just a bad dream and I’ll wake up. Maybe it’s just a Halloween prank and tomorrow Apple will announce the real new iPhone 5. Nah. Apple wants to see its own shareholders squirming and twisting at the mercy of the cruel media and Wall Street punishment squads. Now I know I’ll never live to see Apple reach $450 since Apple has started following the Motorola strategy (RAZR, RAZR 1, RAZR 1.5, RAZR 2.0) with the iPhone 4. The Apple empire is starting to collapse. Apple is truly doomed.
Look for Apple share price to be around $350 tomorrow and $300 by the end of the year no matter how much revenue they make. Sell now. Don’t regret later.
Go spread your special brand of FUD somewhere else.
All the positive comments here are purely defensive. It is trying to fit what has happened into a positive narrative. The update to the phone is conservative. That the update is conservative is reflected in the name 4S rather than iPhone 5.
As someone else said, conservative updates is generally what is expected from other companies, from other also rans. It is not expected from a company that we have learned likes to think different. That is why there is disappointment in the media and from Apple fans.
Apple didn’t give Wall Street what it wanted. Apple shares will be punished severely. Sorry, but this is how it goes. Apple is now the laughingstock of Wall Street.
What a joke.
Sorry, I’m an Apple investor, and this has been poorly handled.
I rarely agree with MDN’s usual “Apple can do no wrong” slant in their takes, but even MDN have it right this time.
For the sake of investors AND the company, they should have discreetly leaked that there was no iPhone 5 coming months ago.
Why it took so long to just bump the speed is a JOKE… I am worried that perhaps Steve Jobs left because he couldn’t bring himself to announce to the world it took Apple 16 months to upgrade the camera and processor.
And SCREW Siri/Assistant… that is software – they could have released the 4S in June/July and then launched Assistant NOW for the Holiday season sales period, and none of this speculation would have happened. If you recall the rumour was a 4S in June/July… why has it taken 4 months to execute this? There are no new major hardware launches to account for this delay (the iCloud/iOS5 stuff is software – not the same engineering teams).
I’m hanging on to my 3GS… There must be a 5 coming within the next 12 months and I’m not locking myself into 2 years of contract to be out of sync with the latest product by more than a year (I bought the 3GS on 24 months, and was happy to skip the 4, and even have a 4S for 24 months to then get the 5S), but now due to Apple’s random upgrade cycles, why would I want to do that? They will likely launch the 5 by June/July next year (~8 months), I will try and get onto that upgrade cycle now.
Tim Cook – you may know how to manage the back end within a bees dick, but you have no clue about managing the message and expectations. If Steve was at the helm today, he would have used his RDF to make everyone think the 4S was worth the wait… without the RDF we can all see, the delay is not justified.
Actually, I have now seen MDN is pushing the “just call it iPhone 5” barrow… sorry – I completely disagree with this.
Speed bumps are “S”, new designs are “next number”.
What should have happened was a discreet leak to manage expectations… especially when you see fanboys creating mock ups based on the rumours. This isn’t about the eventual product, this is about investors rightly being concerned that Apple can no longer innovate in design within a 12 month period. It should NOT take 16 months to upgrade a camera and a processor – not even Dell/HP struggle with that sort of “innovation”.
Calling it an iPhone 5 would not mask the fact it is an iPhone 4S.
Hosing down the expectations of an iPhone 5 is what needed to happen.
2. No 4G: The iPhone 4S does not introduce HSPA+ at 4G speeds, LTE, or WiMax. In fact, its HSPA+ radio isn’t nearly as fast as many had hoped. Rather than go for the gusto and support AT&T’s fastest HSPA+ network, it supports a middle-of-the-road HSPA+ network at 14.4 Mbps on the downlink. Sure that’s twice as fast as the iPhone 4, but with a huge percentage of Android smartphones already packing HSPA+ at 21 Mbps and 42 Mbps, or WiMax or LTE, 14.4 Mbps in the iPhone simply isn’t going to cut it.
Disappointed in Oct 4?
Watch this space, we will have the new Windows 8 smartphones in a few weeks that will knock your socks off.
All that you didn’t get from Apple and more.
Ya Mango! lol
Thanks for the laugh!
dev- “The update to the phone is conservative. That the update is conservative is reflected in the name 4S rather than iPhone 5.”
Logical and true. It is not the 5 because it is not “revolutionizing” (a standard Apple maintains).
But, seriously, have we hit the ceiling to what a phone can look like? The MacBook Airs can’t change much now, right?
Replacing the glass with a new material?
I really don’t think just naming it iPhone 5 would of changed anyone’s mood. People wanted something to show everyone else THEY have the new iPhone. S and 5 on a back of what looks like an iPhone 4 doesnt do that. Changing the physical design does. If apple just made it a round back being a little thinner and did nothing different, people would be raving about it. Literally the only thing apple didn’t do was make the phone look different or give it more screen real estate. Other than that this is everything everyone wanted and expect out of the hopeful iPhone 5. People aren’t seeing how great this new phone is because they cant flaunt it without saying it’s an S.
It isn’t about flaunting you have a 4S (I have a 3GS that looks just like the 3G)… it is about why it took 16 months to dropa faster processor and better camera in the device?!
It took them 12 months to upgrade the iPhone to 3G (better performance, new chipset – not just a faster chip) and then 12 to 3GS (just faster) and 12 more to 4 (with a new form factor and chipset)… What has happened to Apple execution that it takes 16 months for a speed bump!?!?
IF they launched this in June/July this would be a NON issue. The could have still launched the Assistant/iOS5 stuff today and that WOULD be news.
This is my concern as an investor. Apple would have previously done what I suggested above, provide the speed bump, boost sales (especially upgrades by 3GS users that had started to come out of the 24 month contracts), and then WOWED the world with the iOS5/Assistant stuff to boost the sales into the holiday season quarter.
The iPhone 5 rumours would have persisted for a release in June/July 2012 and EVERYONE is happy, Apple, customers, investors and Wall street.
Now I will give Apple the benefit of the doubt (I am long AAPL), and say perhaps the iPhone 5 was the intended product for today, but issues have prevented it’s launch, but this is exactly my concern – they are having trouble executing if they have had to delay the iPhone 5 due to production/design/development issues. It also reflects that they have lost the concept of managing the message (one of Apple’s STRENGTHS), as a discreet leak to the media that iPhone 5 was not coming would have prevented the ho-hum response.
You are right the 4S is a brilliant phone!!! It is just 4 months late (remember competitors had 1gig memory, dual processors, 8megapixel cameras before June this year)… and the “new” upgrade cycle and persistant rumours of an ACTUAL iPhone 5 mean that a lot of 3G, 3GS and 4 users will hold off upgrading now and locking themselves into a new 2 year contract. Cause in the end – my 3GS with iOS5 is also still a GREAT phone – and THAT all up is Apple’s problem here.
so you all are telling me, if it was a car with the same taillights but was twice as powerful and had more features than last years model but, WITHOUT a price increase, you wouldn’t buy one….
not if the manufacturer is known to do that and then come out with a redesigned model 6 months later
Car analogy doesn’t work here mate.
Reason is, iOS5 means those with last years model can upgrade the suspension, handling and interior features.
Sure the thing won’t accelerate as fast as the new model, but to the rest of the world, in day to day use, it looks the same, and does the same – so if you have a 4, why upgrade at all!?!? (And let’s be clear, Apple’s sales figures are made up a fair whack of units from people that have upgraded to get the new tech/features). This means that all 4 people are off the table now. Lot’s of 3G users upgraded to 3GS, as the speed bump and ACTUAL 3G performance (not fake 4G) was worth it.
So please use analogies, but realise when they are of limited use, because mobile phones are NOT cars, and the software upgrades are the clear difference.
im sure they have the iphone 5 already design and prototype already and the 4 additional wait months been hard on apple to dsecide wether to launch the iphone 5 or not … i think they came up to a decision to wait and see what the future galaxy s III will look like and what specs it will have!
The iPhone 4S will have the same 3.5-inch 960 x 540 Retina display as found on the 2010-era iPhone 4. Just today, LG (LG, for cripes sakes!!!) announced an Android handset that has a 4.5-inch 1280 x 720p HD display.
Apple is becoming further and further behind. Yes i know that ios is awesome but come on they needed to really knock this one out of the park with 4in screen and thinner design and all the other features they did have. and no more glass on the back. Did they not remember what happened with iphone 4 and all the broken backs?
This definitely wasn’t what was “expected”, so I suppose the disappointment is predictable. But the event threw up some very interesting questions and things that one can speculate about:
1) If there really wasn’t an iPhone 5 in the works, why did Apple not dampen the expectations with a well-placed leak, as MDN suggests? Or is there an iPhone 5 that was meant to be launched but something – technical or otherwise – just didn’t click in time for it to happen today? Remember the premature announcement of the white iPhone?
2) Was this a deliberate move to dash expectations? Let’s face it, Apple these days is expected to conjure up devices on a regular basis that leave the masses breathless. This is partly because Apple has been doing that for some years now – the company’s been a victim of its own success. But come on, folks, even the brilliant minds at Cupertino must have a ceiling. Is Apple running out of out-of-this-world things to invent? Maybe this is just the first step in bringing Apple fans gently back to earth. Maybe from now on, at least until some paradigm changes, progress is going to be incremental.
3) Disappointment or not, all the hype and speculation can only be good for the company. As it is sometimes said, all publicity is good publicity when you are in the business of selling things. So the disappointment – and temporary stock market reverse – may have been an acceptable price to pay in return for being able to hog the headlines for weeks. We do forget at times that Apple is a business whose bottom line is its bottom line.
4) …. and in line with that, it might be foolish for Apple to retire something that’s still a big seller. By all accounts, the iPhone 4 is still packing them in. Why replace something that still has many more miles to run? Just soup it up for another holiday-season push, and next year, if it starts flagging, bring in the iPhone 5.
Apple’s done that before with the iMac. It changed the iMac design radically a number of times, but the present design has been a winner, and all Apple has done in the past few years is to make some cosmetic touch-ups on the outside while turning it into an increasingly powerful beast on the inside.
One thing, though, even Apple has to admit – its failure to deny the iPhone 5 speculation has meant that the significant improvements it has made to the iPhone 4 have been made to look pedestrian.
Let’s see whether that disappointment carries over to the box office as people start shopping for the holiday season. I doubt this “disappointment” will have much of an impact. After the furor and fury has died down in the coming weeks, people will begin to see that the iPhone 4 has indeed become a much better machine.
.
Yep – the iPhone is a great seller, so why not do the 4S speed bump in June/July and just get it all over with!?
And as you said – they should have hised down the iPhone 5 speculation to avoid this occurring, UNLESS of course this is a demonstration of Apple failing to execute the iPhone 5 they WERE actually planning all along.
When the first iPhone came out, some people had this to say: Touch interface? That’s all you got? Microsoft phones have touch capability!
Now forward to today: an iPhone with AI via voice commands. Those same people are singing the same tune: What?! Are you kidding me? Better camera and bigger disk space? That’s it?
Mac friends, you are SO sleeping on the AI thing. Siri will do for the iPhone 4S what the capacitive touch interface did for the original iPhone.
MDN: I’m rather disappointed with your lack of vision. It is practically staring at you in the face.
Headline correction:
Apple iPhone fails to wow Pinheads and Morons!
Besides that, Apple should know better their customers as Pinheads and Morons and should have named the damn thing 5.
Everybody would be raising the new iPhone.
4s is not a phone for everyone, it’s a phone for people without an iPhone 4 😉
Apple is thinking about the big picture here, not just the people looking for whiz bang at every turn.
Siri Beta… new camera? these are all a move to and setting up the new iPhone 5, that I have a feeling will be amazing when it’s ready.
If this were just a ‘speed bump’ improvement, Apple wouldn’t have added the extra memory and wouldn’t have waited for iOS-5 to be finished before releasing the new iPhone.
The faster processor, double RAM and iOS-5 are all about enabling the iPhone with a voice interface and artificial intelligence (Siri). That’s clearly what Apple thinks will set the iPhone 4S apart from competitors.
Those who believe that Apple wasted the past 16 months since they didn’t introduce a new case/shell for the iPhone have it all wrong. Apple could have changed the case and added the A5 processor in six months … but that phone wouldn’t have impressed anyone and wouldn’t have allowed the iPhone to retain its leadership status.
Few have greater clarity of vision than Steve Jobs and his lieutenants. I say we give the benefit of the doubt to 4S and see where things stand a month from today.
You guys are warped, Apple brought a very good product to the table and all you people do is piss and moan that its not good enough. Screw you!!!
I have several Apple products an iPhone 4 is one of them, I may get the iPhone 4S, it is another great piece of tech from a company I like.
The media and all the fan boys are the ones who need to take responsibility for hyping everyone up for some miracle device that was never going to happen!!! You people are really rich you know that!!! A lot of people in the world will never be able to afford such a device and you snivelling brats are quarrelling about how Apple didn’t wow you.
I’m so disappointed in MDN if anyone you should know better.
No – not complaing about the product – it is brilliant, complaining about how it was handled, and what it may represent.
The fact is there is an iPhone 5 being developed, and it is likely if all Apple wanted to do was speed bump the 4, they would have done that in June/July (as they have done before, and should be more than capable of).
I think this is a great product, but now that the iPhone 5 rumours persist (and with good reason), then people like me wont upgrade right now (where as I would have immediately when my contract expired in June this year).
The product is brilliant, but nothing it delivers (in terms of hardware) couldn’t have been delivered in June/July.
And as I have said already, then today could have been about iOS5, and the share prices would have soared, not fell (despite the late recovery).
It also demonstrates a mistake in terms of managing the message and doing what Steve always did best – milk EVERY opportunity to maximse the wow factor. Today iOS5 (with Assistant etc) was launched which was a major WOW factor and the hardware upgrades WOULD have been a wow factor in June/July… my compaint is about TIMING of delivery and HOW the message was managed, not WHAT was delivered.
And this is why I invest in Apple, and am NOT a fanboy – I don’t think they do everything right… It isn’t whining, it is observation… Apple could have managed this MUCH better for the benefit of Apple, customers, investors and wall street types.
Manipulating the market…
I don’t care if it’s called an iPhone 4s, 5, Q, R2D2, or even iPhone Zune.
I’m getting it.
I’m disapointed, will still buy the iPhone 4s but it’s taken them 16 months to bring this small hardware upgrade out. I mean if it came out in June then great it’s more manageable. But really 16 months for an s sticker, a5 processor and a better camera… Ok a couple of other things too… Hmmm should have had an iPhone 5 too!
oh this is terrible!
– iOS 5 and all its advances really goes operational in a few days. been waiting 4 months.
– iCloud and all its advances really goes operational in a few days. been waiting 4 months.
– super new camera. i take a lot of snapshots.
– and how much better is the video? have to check it out.
– world phone at same price. now i can switch to Verizon since i travel a lot.
– battery life even better.
– a new voice system i might actually use. have to try it and see.
– everything is snappier.
but WAH! there’s no Pony! SOB! Apple didn’t add an integer! FAIL!
very disappointed. one year and a half and we still have the same design and model. I got tired of the iphone. iOS almost with all those icons. don’t you think guys that apples should have moved a little bit more far? is this what they can pull off in 1.5 years? very very disappointed. and please don’t tell me to go and get an android. I would like an iphone but time to stop with this model.
The truth is that it IS A GOOD POINT to ask “why didn’t you just call it the iPhone 5???”
It has an A5 processor, Siri, camera. Why not???
THAT IS THE DISAPPOINTMENT. Apple basically is saying “This isn’t it. This is just a slight upgrade”. Yes, I said “slight”. If it were the “awesome” upgrade then they would have called it iPhone 5!!!!!
NO, I’m not nitpicking what it is called. I am pointing out that they deliberately are leading us on, and showing us by omission that THIS IS NOT “IT”.
I was hoping for a larger screen. I have trouble reading the small print after a long day and I’m just 47 still with great vision (for 47). I want to get iPhones for my parents, who are 71, but the screen is just too small for them. Resizing everything is just not practical? I think 1/2″ would make a big difference for me at least and hopefully, them….probably a lot of others.
come on people. does it matter that much what they call this new phone? I believe Aapl was not going to call this new phone an iphone5 due to it having the same form factor as the 4.
This new iphone has all the makings of an iphone5 on the inside. but aapl is sticking with a body that is tested and works.
the iphone5 will look different…yes. next year it will arrive.
I am preordering since i have the 3gs. my contract is up with att, is sprint any good? they will prob have a good plan.
Aapl is going to sell out of these, as usual.
“the iphone5 will look different…yes. next year it will arrive.”
Right. So this is not it. Disappointed!! No way to skirt around that, IMO. The iPhone 4 is a great phone. The disappointment isn’t about Apple products. They are all great.
Disappointed the iPhone 5 did not debut. Next year is a year too late, not in my opinion, but in the expectation Apple has created.
Oh, and there is one more thing! 😉
I actually just do not like the iPhone 4 design. In my hands it feels awkward compared to the 3GS I currently own.
I also have a lot of friends that have cracked glass. I know they dropped it – blah blah – but in the end you cannot know you WON’T drop your phone EVER… I mean no one I know throws the phone on the ground, it is an accident, and the fact is the iPhone 4/4S design with raised glass above the frame on BOTH sides is more likely to shatter and/or break.
I have dropped my 3GS 3 times total (ironically last night was the 3rd) and due to it’s design it has not broken. A few scuffs on the metal frame (I don’t use a case AT ALL), but intact.
So between the shape (which looks thicker than the 3GS – even though dimensionally it is not), the way it feels holding it (slightly boxy) and the propensity to break if accidently dropped, I don’t want the 4/4S form factor… I was hoping for the return to a curved back (as rumoured) for the iPhone 5.
It is not whining because you have a preference.
IOS 5 needs an A5 processor to run. In order to release the new IOS 5 software Apple had to release a stop gap iPhone. 4S is that stop gap between 3G and 4G phones. When Apple can put a 4G, GSM and CDMA into 1 iPhone with good battery life. So far that I know that chip does not exist yet.
“IOS 5 needs an A5 processor to run. In order to release the new IOS 5 software Apple had to release a stop gap iPhone”
REALLY?!?! And so this is what they are telling 3GS users and iPhone 4 users (A4 chip) when they say they can upgrade to iOS 5?!?!
I agree they need the new A5 chip to run Assistant etc, but they didn’t have to wait until now to launch an A5 iPhone 4 (aka the 4S)… they could have done that in June/July (they had the A5 chip well before then for the iPad 2 launch), and then they could have released iOS 5 now without this debacle of people being disappointed… the disappointment is not about the hardware, it is why it took Apple 16 months to do what they used to do in 12 – and also the lacklustre (read near boring) selling by Cook… No one expects him to be Steve Jobs with his RDF – but seriously, there were points in that presentation when watching paint dry would have been more riveting… They SHOULD have leaked the fact there was no iPhone 5 to avoid all of this… UNLESS of course there is an iPhone 5 that they just could not execute on in time?
Either way this was a stuff up by Apple. Not their first, but not a great start for Cook at all.
They ha
Total disappointment. Won’t be buying it. I’ll be waiting for an upgrade that is worthwhile. Camera is hardly a reason to buy a new phone. iPhone 4 works fine for now. I have no need to throw more money at Apple.
@ Rick, this phone isn’t for you! It’s for the millions without an iPhone 4!!
I think you all miss the point of the iPhone 4s. Apple could keep coming out with new phones with new shapes to make the average person WOWed. And, I’m sure there is an iPhone 5 in out future, but seriously, they need to create millions of them in a very short period of time. Apple already has the best phone out there, why not make it better so it lasts longer in the product channel moving forward. iOS 5 and those new features will make your iPhone 4 seem new enough and that’s FREE… By the time you get used to those features an iPhone 5 will come out for you sissies that can’t understand the big picture. The goal is to set up an offering that puts iOS in everyone’s hands. People are paying for apps now, unlike when they first came out. It’s the software that is keeping your phone new..
This is no “debacle” this is a “tempest in a teapot”.
Personally I think it is a waste of time to be concerned about whatever temporary fluctuations happen to APPL stock, the trend long term is up. The day traders will manipulate to make their pennies, but who the f**k cares. Besides those f**kers have f**ked us long enough. Occupy Wall Street!
It’s Al Gore’s fault, isn’t it? Didn’t he “confirm” that TWO iPhones were on the way?