iPhone4World
15
October
2011
iPhone 4S Launches in the U.S. with A5, Better Camera, and Siri
Unboxing photos via ElectronistaStores along the east coast of the U.S. have now started selling the iPhone 4S with the rest of the country to follow over the next few hours. The worldwide launch has seen large crowds at several locations, though some readers are finding it specific stores or areas with few crowds.
New York City's 5th Avenue Apple Store did draw a large crowd but according to AppleInsider the line was shorter at that location than the iPhone 4 launch.
The new iPhone 4S comes with a faster processor, improved camera and new voice technology called Siri.
One person has already posted a side-by-side video comparing the video recording of the iPhone 4 to the iPhone 4S:
Siri, of course, is the new feature that many are anxious to try out. Apple has done a great job including many humorous responses in Siri. ThisisMyNext highlighted many of these:
Some early users are finding that Siri is having trouble with specific accents. Map integration also seems limited to the U.S. We expect to see many more reviews and evaluations of the device as it more people start receiving the device. Many early adopters are posting in our iPhone forum with questions and impressions of their new devices.
Apple saw more 1 million in pre-orders for the iPhone 4S with analyst predictions for opening weekend ranging from 2 to 4 million.
15
October
2011
Siri Can Make Calls from a Locked iPhone (By Design) [iOS Blog]
Weng Chin points out something he describes as a security flaw in the iPhone 4S with Siri. In this video, Chin demonstrates that a user can make phone calls from the iPhone 4S even while it is protected by the iPhone:
At 1 minute and 5 seconds in the video, Chin shows using Siri to make a phone call despite the iPhone 4S being locked. This seems to be by design, however.
Having Siri enabled while your phone is locked allows for you to continue to have hands free usage of your phone, even when in a locked state. Apple does offer you the ability to turn Siri off on the Lock Screen, if you prefer more security over convenience. In previous iPhones without Siri, users could similarly dial arbitrary numbers using Voice Dial even when the iPhone was locked. Apple similarly offered an option for Voice Dial to be turned off on the Lock Screen only.
At 1 minute and 5 seconds in the video, Chin shows using Siri to make a phone call despite the iPhone 4S being locked. This seems to be by design, however.
Having Siri enabled while your phone is locked allows for you to continue to have hands free usage of your phone, even when in a locked state. Apple does offer you the ability to turn Siri off on the Lock Screen, if you prefer more security over convenience. In previous iPhones without Siri, users could similarly dial arbitrary numbers using Voice Dial even when the iPhone was locked. Apple similarly offered an option for Voice Dial to be turned off on the Lock Screen only.
15
October
2011
Behind the Scenes of the 'iPhone 5' Case Gamble
Businessweek takes a look into the world of iPhone case manufacturers, a few of which had made gambles on what the "iPhone 5" was going to look like.
Since Apple doesn't share case designs until the final product is released, case makers rely on rumors and factory leaks to plan for their new cases. According to the CEO of Coveroo, "If you have a good sense that you have the right measurements and plans, then you can ramp up production." That said, he also warns that guessing wrong could risk losing millions in worthless inventory.
iPhone 5 case images from CaseMate
The article also interviews Tim Hickman of Hard Candy Cases, the same case manufacturer that we reported seemed confident in a tapered iPhone 5 design immediately before the iPhone 4S announcement. That company bet $50,000 that the new case designs would be dramatically different.
Since Apple doesn't share case designs until the final product is released, case makers rely on rumors and factory leaks to plan for their new cases. According to the CEO of Coveroo, "If you have a good sense that you have the right measurements and plans, then you can ramp up production." That said, he also warns that guessing wrong could risk losing millions in worthless inventory.
iPhone 5 case images from CaseMate
The article also interviews Tim Hickman of Hard Candy Cases, the same case manufacturer that we reported seemed confident in a tapered iPhone 5 design immediately before the iPhone 4S announcement. That company bet $50,000 that the new case designs would be dramatically different.
After three separate manufacturing partners in China sent him detailed 3D models of an iPhone with a widened, pill-shaped “home” button and a slightly tapered back, Hickman decided to roll the dice. He paid $50,000 to make steel moldings to mass-produce cases for the new design and, on the morning of Apple’s announcement, began taking orders on his website.Factories in China provide the leaked specs to these case makers in an effort to get their business. According to Hickman using these leaks "pisses Apple off". But guessing correctly can be rewarded with an early ramp up in cases with availability soon after a new product launch. It's this possible financial reward that has tied the case industry so closely with Apple rumors.
15
October
2011
Samsung Lawyers Also Struggle to Tell iPad and Galaxy Tab Apart [iOS Blog]
Developments continue in the wide-ranging patent dispute between Apple and Samsung, with judges in both the United States and the Netherlands making statements in favor of Apple although questions still remain.
Reuters reports that U.S. District Court Judge Lucy Koh yesterday ruled that Samsung's Galaxy Tab devices do infringe upon Apple's iPad patents, but noted that Apple must still show that its patents are valid in order for any action to be taken against Samsung. Koh repeatedly cited the distinct similarities between the iPad and the Galaxy Tab, even challenging Samsung's lawyers to differentiate between the two products.
According to NU.nl, the judge indicated that the 3G patents cited by Samsung cover essential technologies that must be licensed under FRAND (fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory) terms, but the terms Samsung had reportedly proposed to Apple were seen as high enough that they were not compliant with FRAND requirements.
Reuters reports that U.S. District Court Judge Lucy Koh yesterday ruled that Samsung's Galaxy Tab devices do infringe upon Apple's iPad patents, but noted that Apple must still show that its patents are valid in order for any action to be taken against Samsung. Koh repeatedly cited the distinct similarities between the iPad and the Galaxy Tab, even challenging Samsung's lawyers to differentiate between the two products.
Koh frequently remarked on the similarity between each company's tablets. At one point during the hearing, she held one black glass tablet in each hand above her head, and asked Sullivan if she could identify which company produced which.Meanwhile, Reuters also reports that a Dutch judge has denied Samsung's request for an injunction barring sales of Apple's iOS devices utilizing 3G technology. Counterclaims by Apple were also denied, with each party ordered to pay the other's court costs.
"Not at this distance your honor," said Sullivan, who stood at a podium roughly ten feet away.
"Can any of Samsung's lawyers tell me which one is Samsung and which one is Apple?" Koh asked. A moment later, one of the lawyers supplied the right answer.
According to NU.nl, the judge indicated that the 3G patents cited by Samsung cover essential technologies that must be licensed under FRAND (fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory) terms, but the terms Samsung had reportedly proposed to Apple were seen as high enough that they were not compliant with FRAND requirements.
15
October
2011
iPhone 4S Drop Test (Spoiler: It Breaks) [iOS Blog]
UnitediPhoneRepair posted a clip of a iPhone 4S "drop test". Of course, the iPhone 4S shares the same external design as the iPhone 4, and yes, it still breaks when dropped on its glass screen.
15
October
2011
Siri: Maps and Local Search for International Customers Coming in 2012
As we noted on our iPhone launch article, international iPhone 4S users are noticing that Siri won't provide them with Map or local business search information. Those features were demoed by Apple during the keynote but are limited to the U.S. market only.
Apple's Siri FAQ (via @dujkan) reveals that international support for those features won't be available until 2012:
Maps and local search support will be available in additional countries in 2012.
