Opinions - iPhone 4S response and new Apple videos

[HEXUS]

We look at what the world is making of Apple’s long-awaited launch.

Read more.

[warejon9]

Surely if the phone does something instantly, then doing it 2x quicker, well is meaningless? Meh never going to get an iphone, overpriced, especially when they cost more than a "gaming" computer.

[pauldarkside]

Surely if the phone does something instantly, then doing it 2x quicker, well is meaningless?

Or you could think of it as two somethings for the price of one.

Meh never going to get an iphone, overpriced, especially when they cost more than a "gaming" computer.

I can't fit my gaming computer into my pocket. Miniaturisation costs money.

[Mark@SCAN]

As a launch day owner of an iphone4 16GB I agree that the launch of the 4S seems like little more than an warmed over iphone4 and it's also a little later than expected. Had this come out in June/July I don't think there would be quite as much dissapointment.

I myself will be passing on the 4S and waiting for a "5" I think the addition of ios5 on my existing phone will be enough to see me through another 12+ months.

My first iphone was the 3G I then passed on the 3GS and went straight to the iphone4, so I am happy with a major refresh every ~24 months which also sees me nicely out of contract.

I think it is a testament to the iphone4 that people are comparing what is essentially 16 month old hardware/design warmed over to the likes of the Galaxy S2 which has only been on the market for a few months.

Smartphones are one of the fastest advancing area's of technology so it's inevitiable that new model's are going to come out that 1 up each other over time. I think the trick is knowing when to upgrade and sticking by your choice till you are at least out of contract.

[crossy]

Hmm, Siri looks quite good - but the devil in me thinks that there's some scope for some amusing mistakes (along the lines of the predictive text ones). e.g. instead of sending your wife a text that "your late by 30 minutes" it sends one that says "your date with dirty mistress". Like the Hal9000 allusion though.

I'm not sure about that quote from the Barclay's expert either - how can he claim that a sober-but-sensible launch like 4S is going to "increase market share" by persuading consumers to go for upgrades. By definition an upgrade doesn't gain you market share, or is he being generic and regarding any phone change as an "upgrade"?

I'd also take issue with the comment that Apple invented tablets - no they didn't! They did undoubtedly make the current generic design popular, and certainly also made them a consumer-desirable item. Both noteworthy achievements in themselves.

[Roobubba]

Is it just me, or can anyone else not bring themselves to click on those links? I just *know* it's going to be the usual all-American smug drivel, and I can't face it!

[[GSV]Trig]

Having watched the video's above how much is about the 4s and how much of it is about iOS5...

iOS5/Siri actually look pretty good, and it looks like iCould is pretty well setup as well..

[pauldarkside]

Is it just me, or can anyone else not bring themselves to click on those links? I just *know* it's going to be the usual all-American smug drivel, and I can't face it!

Nope, don't fancy watching the videos either. I'm sure we'll get to see enough of those adverts in the coming months as it is.

Typical Americans adding cheese to everything. Everyone knows you should use bacon

[Barakka]

I myself will be passing on the 4S and waiting for a "5" I think the addition of ios5 on my existing phone will be enough to see me through another 12+ months.

My first iphone was the 3G I then passed on the 3GS and went straight to the iphone4, so I am happy with a major refresh every ~24 months which also sees me nicely out of contract.

I think that's the thing... the 4GS is for the people that DID go for the 3GS and are now out of their 24 month contract.

In essence the way Apple does it with iPhones is similar to how car manufacturers work except their product lifetime is 5-8 years rather than a 24-36 months... With cars they release a completely new design/platform for a car, make it for a few years and then do a mini-refresh, spice up the specs to give it a couple more years before the complete redesign. In the same way it gives them a chance to refine what they put in the original design and maybe drop in a few new ideas that are ready, so anyone that wasn't ready for the design early in it's life may be ready now and will get a slightly more refined version.

[Mark@SCAN]

I think that's the thing... the 4GS is for the people that DID go for the 3GS and are now out of their 24 month contract.

In essence the way Apple does it with iPhones is similar to how car manufacturers work except their product lifetime is 5-8 years rather than a 24-36 months... With cars they release a completely new design/platform for a car, make it for a few years and then do a mini-refresh, spice up the specs to give it a couple more years before the complete redesign. In the same way it gives them a chance to refine what they put in the original design and maybe drop in a few new ideas that are ready, so anyone that wasn't ready for the design early in it's life may be ready now and will get a slightly more refined version.

Yeah it all depends where abouts you jumped on the iphone bandwagon, I have a couple of friends who's first iphones were the 3GS and they are now looking to get the 4S.

I think if your first iphone was the 3G then you would be on the same upgrade cycle as myself and looking to miss the "S" updates and go for the full refresh updates.

[Blademrk]

I'm a 3Gs owner and was looking at possibly getting a 5, I'm left feeling a little now as to wether to upgrade to a 4s or wait another year to get the next model (smilie seemed fitting)

[Mark@SCAN]

I would probably see what ios5 is like on your 3GS and then decide whether you can make it last another year... or more? for the iphone "5"

If ios5 runs like a dog on the 3GS then it's worth considering an upgrade to the 4S.

[3dcandy]

just seems really dull though...even the launch was dull. analysts not impressed either, many feel it's too little, too late. some even saying it's the beginning of fall from grace for apple!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15165048

[Mark@SCAN]

Interesting analysis about why we got a 4S and not a 5

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4925/w...-28nm-maturity

To be fair though I don't think this would make much difference in the UK/Europe anyways i'm pretty sure there are no 4G/LTE networks yet and won't be for some time to come?

[dangel]

Two words Apple need to worry about (or just try and block sale of)

Nexus

Prime

[HalloweenJack]

samsung allready trying to block 4s launch