“Sixteen months of pent-up demand, and Apple gives us this? Consumers wanted the iPhone 5,” Andy Vuong reports for The Denver Post. “They got the iFail 4S, as it was quickly dubbed by the Twittersphere because Apple’s new smartphone features the same old design.”
MacDailyNews Take: Well, there’s a nice smooth media reception. Denver-area Apple Stores, you can cancel your October 14th stanchion orders.
“With so much hype leading up to new chief executive Tim Cook’s first product launch, Apple needed to unleash something special,” Vuong reports. “It didn’t deliver. The iPhone 4S is not thinner, and is slightly heavier, than its predecessor. It doesn’t feature a bigger, 4-inch touchscreen that’s been available on Android smartphones for more than a year, an update that analysts and consumers had expected. Like its predecessor, the iPhone 4S will boast a 3.5-inch display.”
Vuong reports, “In fact, the HTC Evo, released last year, still beats the iPhone 4S on two key features: screen size and access to a high-speed 4G mobile network. ‘Apple has been able to wow the world year after year since the iPhone was first introduced four years ago,’ said independent telecom analyst Jeff Kagan. ‘Not this time… This iPhone is really not much different than the current iPhone. So un-Apple like.'”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Debacle. Not the device, but the way Apple led it to the media slaughter.
Related articles:
The iPhone 4S is what Apple on cruise control looks like or something – October 5, 2011
iPhone 4S: Where Apple screwed up (what happened to the silver model?!) – October 5, 2011
It’s what’s inside Apple’s iPhone 4S that counts – October 5, 2011
Analyst: iPhone 4S is incremental stopgap; Apple saving ‘iPhone 5′ name for 4G LTE model in 2012 – October 5, 2011
New Apple iPhone 4S fails to wow investors, fans – October 4, 2011
Apple underwhelms with iPhone 4S – October 4, 2011
The writer of the article is a bloody moron. Not much different from the iPhone 4? I beg to differ…
Up until 2 years ago I was the strongest opponent to using Apple products, then I got to play on an iPhone 3GS and I was angry that I had prevented myself from trying Apple’s products for so long. Got myself an iPhone and love it to this day.
I must admit that I have was anxious for the 4th October announcement and was slightly disappointed when it didn’t say iPhone 5 but all in all the iPhone 4S is a nice machine. I think there were too many rumours going around causing a mass determination of what to expect on October 4.
If you read around as to why there’s no iPhone 5 you will find Apple had good reason to wait. Based on other patents Apple has filed and other technologies they’ve been working on the iPhone 5 will be brilliant. There are a few hurdles with the network providers that are also holding up the works.
As for the small screen and weight issues well……I think they are very minor, I like the size and feel of the iPhone 4. I’ve held a phone with a 4inch screen and it starts to become harder to use than iPhone 4 and let’s not forget having to use android for an OS, yuk. Don’t get me started on that OS.
I have the iPhone 3GS and am upgrading to the 4S because the S models are a huge improvement over the initial release of that model. I loved the look of the 4 and am very very happy that the look is maintained. The tear drop rumoured 5 did not appeal at all but I would have possibly got it if it had the rumoured features.
These media hounds are pathetic. What happened to their cries of “don’t judge a book by its cover.” This abject failure belongs to the media for their inability to see value beyond a shiny wrapper.
I think the iPhone 4S is a nice update to the 4. But – and this is where Apple screwed up – it did NOT merit a media invite. They should have just updated this on their web site home page. They got expectations up too high by inviting the media to a ‘special event’ that was not so special at all.
Where’s my 4-inch screen? WAAH!! I want my 4-inch screen!! SNIFFLE!! Apple sucks!! WAAHHHH!!! Where’s my extra half-inch of screen? WAAHHH!! All the kids at school have 4-inch screens!! SNIFFLE! SNIFFLE!
So far I can’t say I have read a single intelligent word written about this new iPhone by a website – bar none.
Ted Landau at Mac Observer.
Anyone who doubts that we are a nation of morons should be convinced by the stupid, ignorant outcry that has accompanied the launch of the new iPhone. “Give us a bigger screen, but also make the iPhone smaller and lighter.” You know… Bald, but with hair. It’s ridiculous.
Personally, I was quite impressed by the many changes under the hood. The built-in voice-recognition technology is especially intriguing. My advice to the nay-sayers is: Go out and get yourself an Android. That’s exactly what you deserve!
Well said!
Anatomy of a smear campaign: iPhone 4S is the Sarah Palin of smartphones.
Ugh.
Well THAT explains the lipstick on my phone!
-wait……
Nonsense. Unlike Sarah Palin, with the iPhone 4S (or any model, really), I really *can* see Russia from my house.
No, you have to lie when you say the iPhone 4S is useless.
iPhone 4s is a great, great phone- Sarah Palin is a psychotic, moronic chunk of feces on a stick.
My, aren’t we a sexist heterophobe….!
You’re kidding, right? @Aauramac has described Sarah Palin with painful accuracy. She is beyond dumb and psychotic; and if you support her, you are a danger to yourself and others. Simple as that. You are free to disagree.
Shit on a stick? That’s accurate?
No wonder y’all can’t see the real world.
And I’m a ‘danger’? Get real.
The danger is on the way, and it dam sure isn’t me.
(also, thanks for allowing me to disagree)
Idiots !!! that is what they are !!!!!!! These writers will never stop until they gain attention !!!
Here’s a prediction for you: the iPhone 4S will be the best selling iPhone ever. Not to mention that it’s a world phone, which means Apple only needs to make one kind, hence more profit. And it’s on Sprint now.
This “bungling” is something that will only matter to us super-geeks. Apple is going to be fine.
As far as this obsession with making the screen a half an inch bigger: it can’t be done with Apple’s current crop of apps. They’d all have to be rewritten, at great expense, or the device would simply have slightly larger pixels. What is the point? The screen size is here to stay, and it won’t be changed for the iPhone 5 either.
World phone? Siri seems to work for English with American accent but what about the other languages? The rest of the world…
Very reminiscent of the initial iPad reaction. Wait until people see iOS 5 and iCloud and Siri, etc. etc. running on it, then we’ll see what they say.
Screen size? Really? Isn’t that part of the problem with Android is the fragmentation of all the different screen sizes? Want a bigger screen? Buy an iPad.
No, not really. Different *screen resolutions* (number of vertical and horizontal pixels, irrespective of pixel density) is partly to blame for the Android fragmentation.
“In fact, the HTC Evo, released last year, still beats the iPhone 4S on two key features: screen size and access to a high-speed 4G mobile network”
Both so called key features don’t matter much. Both don’t give you a real function in real world. It would be nice to have them, but iOS 5 camera Siri has much higher value in real world. Why people are sooo addicted with numbers? The more I think of it, the more I realize apple has made the best choice.
I have this image of a horse, now dead, with “Apple iPhone PR” branded into its hindquarters being beaten continuously.
If you think the Apple failed to “manage expectations” leading up to the launch of the iPhone 4S, or can see a universe where Apple would have done anything differently, you’re either trolling or you really don’t know the company.
Here is the thing… Maybe the Apple could have handled the morons known more commonly as “reporters,” but I believe that the numbers (sales) will out them as morons. The iPhone 4S is spectacular! Who cares what it was named. It is the greatest phone in existence and will remain so until the Apple releases the iPhone 5. Reporters jump on the band wagon and regurgitate what they see being printed by other rags. They will all look foolish as the more intelligent Apple Prosumers purchase the latest and greatest iPhone.
iPhone 4, more than one year after its release, was the most popular smartphone in the world. Apple improved it significantly with dual cores, better graphics, better camera, both GSM and CDMA in one device, the ability to run Siri, and much more.
It doesn’t really matter what the media says, it matters what consumers buy. The majority of existing iPhone owners who will upgrade are upgrading from iPhone 3GS (or older). iPhone 4 owners are still under their two-year contracts, at least until next June. Yes, you can sell it on eBay and use that money to get an iPhone 4S, but most customers will not do that.
iPhone 3GS to iPhone 4 is a great upgrade, so imagine how they will feel about an iPhone 4S. For customers who are new to iPhone, they will be beyond thrilled with iPhone 4S. Over 90% of customers are “Very Satisfied” or “Satisfied” with iPhone 4; imagine how they will feel about an iPhone 4S.
iPhone 4S targets iPhone 3GS owners and new iPhone customers. Perfect shot. The NEXT iPhone will target current iPhone 4 owners.
That’s me, 3GS to 4S and damn happy about it! Sure, a radical new case would be interesting, but it’s kind of like complaining about the Mac pro case design.
The media leads the general public by the nose. Look at the empty suit in the White House – sorry, silly me, on the golf course – for proof.
Nice comment Ken1w. Please post it to the Denver Post link.
Expectations (from the usual suspects) lead to disappointment. “Those who say don’t know. Those who know don’t say.” Agreed on whether Apple handled the “unveiling” appropriately.
I actually like the design of the 4.
Change for the sake of change is not always good.
I kept my first generation iPhone and passed on the 3G because of several reasons, one being I never liked the design as much.
(I eventually got a 3GS because ATT finally turned on 3G in my neck of the woods)
Andy thought he’d have an easy assignment trashing the new iPhone.
Too bad he can’t remember his history. As George Santayana said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
I meant to quote that.
So did I!
MDN give it up, you’re making it clear that you’ve really gotten infected by the political elements you try to bring in.
Not all dual cores are equal ( hint A5: exclusively designed by Appleton kick ass)
Did I miss the memo? When has the Dever Post been the voice of customer opinion? What defines this yahoo’s expectation especially in an environment where the WSJ reports rumors? I too would have liked a larger screen but this was an upgrade in many ways. Is LTE nation wide? Is NFC widely used?
Does this really boil down to the name 4s versus 5? Or, are the nerds upset that the iPhone 4s doesn’t come with a feature that gives them some nookie after they go see the new Tron flick?
I love the iPhone 4S. I plan to buy two 16G models, one for ATT and one for Sprint. Apple’s event yesterday was uplifting. There will be lines and I will be in the one at the St. Louis Galleria. SIRI digital assistant is just mind-bending. iCloud eliminates my need to buy the 64G iPhone S. I am totally psyched!
The hype is the fault of the critics. Mdn expects apple to control the blog hype. When has apple ever got into explaining and correcting the critics on their release before their release. Apple would be auto correcting every Tom, Dick and Jane just so they don’t over hype their not yet released product. The iphone4s will break new records with even higher customer satisfaction. Where will the critics be then?
Apple might have done themselves a favor by NOT having a media event. Usually with processor bumps or other incremental improvements to their product lines the item just shows up in the store.
Not too many iOS devices have been received favorably by pundits. The first iPhone was considered slow because it was on the Edge network and no one would use it because it had no keyboard. The iphone 3G and 3GS were considered incremental updates. The first iPad was derisively called a big iPhone with a name that brought images of feminie products.
In fact, the reaction to iPhone 4GS reminds of the hate spewed by pundits and detractors on the iPad when it was introduced. In all cases the detractors were wrong and the iOS devices they belittled became best sellers that shook up the industry.
The 4S will become a bestseller, but I don’t think it’ll shake up the industry. Siri might start the ball rolling, but it’s like the long-forgotten “My voice is my password” feature in OS9 or thereabouts–people generally are self-conscious about saying stuff one-way, even though they don’t have a problem spilling every sordid detail of their lives over the phone to their BFFs in a crowded bus or subway.
The introduction of Siri technology into the iUniverse (I’d be surprised if this wasn’t incorporated in the iPad eventually) warranted the media invite. That alone makes this a pretty major upgrade, if not earthshaking.
And maybe there’s no 4G capability because Apple wants to be sure the network can handle the demand? They waited on 3G till they were sure…and there are still plenty of pockets where EDGE still pops up.
The writer is just pissed cause he was so wrong the day earlier
http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19025556?obref=obinsite
I can’t wait to order mine. Been an Apple fan since late 70’s and as usual we always see and go for the superior product… Regardless of the proddings and Lamentations of the lemmings.. Oh, my son wants one too, so make that two please. Idiots!
This article was written by someone at Micro$oft or Samsung…the iPhone 4S is utterly amazing by anyone’s standards, and no one can touch its capabilities.
Well, Micro$oft is now spelled Micro¢oft…
I find it annoying how they expected a new design as if Apple told them they were going to do so. I wanted a new design to happen because I love my iPhone 4 design and what ever they would have came up with would be worse. So to me I would still have the best iPhone. Though I doubted this new design. Because there isn’t a need for it. I hope they get over the iPhone so they can be left with their clucking androids. Screw them! I don’t care for their thoughts. Just annoyed by the seemingly annoyed masses.
You’re right about debacle MDN. But the simple explanation is that it’s got great new guts inside an old case. I’m getting one at 12:01 Friday morning because my 3GS pales by comparison. Apple created this debacle by producing mind altering products over the last few years in particular. No one came close. But it’s called marketing and nobody does it better than Apple and Steve. Consumers were used to Johnny I’ve world class designs. They were expecting the same thing this time. Apple decided to reuse the old case because it is profitable and the LTE phone (with new design) isn’t ready yet. It’s the smart thing for Apple to do. But as MDN has stated, they didn’t somehow lower expectations for this phone. Hey it’s Apple, they could have done that. And they should have done that. They failed not with the phone but with marketing the phone. It’s as simple as that. I know that it’s obvious but I wonder why Apple didn’t recognize it in advance? I’ll bet they don’t ever run into this situation again. Can’t wait for Friday morning! And I can’t wait to order my new LTE when it’s ready next year!! Oh boy!
I’m from Denver and totally embarrassed by this assclown. We’re not all idiots here.
For anyone who wants a 4 inch screen, just strap a magnifying glass to the front of your face and suddenly it the iPhone4 looks like it has a 4 inch screen.
On second thought, just stick the magnifying glass in your mouth and shut up already.
It sounds very un-Apple, but I just wish there were a better way of knowing what to expect. If we had know last January that the phone this year would be late and look the same, we might have appreciated the new functionality announced yesterday.
I was particularly hoping for an iPhone 5 because I never really liked the 4 design; sure it looks great, but my 3GS feels good in my hand and seems to survive drops. If I knew the next phone would be ready in July I might consider waiting. But man have I been wanting a faster phone for the last 5 months. Neither option seems great.
“With so much hype leading up to new chief executive Tim Cook’s first product launch, Apple needed to unleash something special,” Vuong reports. “It didn’t deliver.”
I agree, Tim Cook blew it!
Yeah, boy, Formula 1 cars have pretty much looked the same since they started. They must be the same as in 1956.
I’m sure they can’t get that kind of battery life on a 4G network.
re MDN take on how Apple should have damped expectation:
How does that work over time? Rumours are rampant beyond reason, Apple would wind up denying everything except what’s true, so we’d all know what was left would be real. It’s a slippery slope to announcing everything that’s coming well in advance, just like MS.
MDN are not the innocent bystanders they like to think. They do not simply collate the rumors. MDN is a contributor. An idle thought posted here is given every opportunity to become a widespread rumor. Every rumour is fed and nurtured to reach it’s fullest potential.
That may be fair enough, it is a rumour site. But you can not feed the monster and then blame Apple for not killing it with an air of indignation as if you had nothing to do with it. It’s hypocrisy.
In any case, what expectation of substance was not met? The name? Are you serious? The name matters? It’s a designation, not an objective rating! It wasn’t redesigned, but the need for that is a matter of opinion. Apple feel it’s a great design that cannot yet be bettered. You may not agree, but it’s all opinion and Apple are entitled to theirs. Plus it probably helps them launch a new model and better meet demand from day one, which is quite refreshing.
Bigger screen? Bad idea from the bigger number is better brigade. 4G likewise.
It wasn’t revolutionary, but it never again will be. The first iPhone was revolutionary. The first iPad was revolutionary. The newer models can only ever be evolutionary.
Hysterical speculation followed by hysterical reaction. So nothing new there, either!!
It’s Al Gore’s fault, isn’t it? Didn’t he “confirm” that TWO iPhones were on the way?
Remember what the critics said about the initial introduction of the iPad? They were wrong then and they are wrong now.
what a moronathon – the 4S is going to blow everything off the map… it will outsell every previous handset launch ever on the first day. There will be visual proof.
a 4.5 inch android phone screen 800×480 has 384,000 pixels.
a 3.5 inch iPhone screen – 960×640 has 614,000 pixels.
The iPhone display wins hands down. where’s the math in these reviews… it’s just multiplication. both the $99 4 and the $199-399 4S have 960×640 displays, so the higher resolution $99 iPhone 4 beats all of the 4.3 and 4.5in Android phones on the market.
4G technology is nice if like to walk around apologizing that your android phone ran out of batteries and you didn’t get that call or text… plans dashed, date with hot girl missed 🙁 when the 4G chipset goes 28nm and one instead of 2 chips for 3G fallback, then apple will release an iPhone 5. They’re not going to go out and release a 4G phone with 25% the battery life of the previous generation.
The press needs to get sorted – the iPhone 4s is way more usable than an android phone. RIP Steve.
It’s Al Gore’s fault. Didn’t he “confirm” that there’d be TWO iPhones?
Dlinkap local is the default domain name used by D-Link, a well-known manufacturer of networking equipment, to access the web-based configuration page for their wireless range extenders.
Dlinkap.local or 192.168.0.1 is the default domain name used by D-Link, a well-known manufacturer of networking equipment, to access the web-based configuration page for their wireless range extenders.