10 Reasons to Buy the iPhone 4S

After introducing the iPhone 4S on Tuesday, Apple was met with an onslaught ofharsh criticism for essentially “not living up to the hype.” Several rumors regarding a completely redesigned handset seemed to set the wrong expectations.

But level-headed folks saw this coming a mile away. The Cupertino company pulled the same thing with the 3GS. Why recreate something brand new every year, when the cell phone business generally revolves around two-year contracts?

But does the fact that the iPhone 4S looks strikingly similar to its predecessor mean that it’s a bad handset? Of course not. In fact, in several categories, Apple’s new smartphone will still rank at the top of its class.

Here’s 10 reasons why you’ll want to buy the iPhone 4S:

1. Performance

Sporting the same A5, dual-core processor found in Apple’s latest tablet, the iPhone 4S is 2x faster than its predecessor. And its graphics processor got an upgrade as well. The new GPU is 7x faster than the chip found in the iPhone 4. These improvements will be most noticeable in resource-intensive apps, and especially in games. Look for developers to start utilizing the A5 to produce games with much better graphics and sharper details.

2. Camera

The iPhone 4S houses a state-of-the art 8MP camera, capable of taking 3264 x 2448 photos. That’s 60% more pixels than the iPhone 4′s camera, and it allows you to print out crystal clear 8×10 photos. Other new features include an improved illumination sensor, which will improve lowlight pictures, and an infrared filter to produce more accurate colors. And with Apple’s new custom ISP (Image Signal Processor), you can go from the homescreen to taking a picture, in 1.1 seconds. Now that’s fast.

3. Video Camera

Although the previous iPhone was capable of capturing HD video, it was limited to just 720 lines of resolution. The iPhone 4S is capable of shooting video in full HD, which is 1080 lines. The video camera also includes pro features like temporal noise reduction, which helps you record video in lowlight situations, and image stabilization to compensate for the shakiness that typically occurs when a camera isn’t mounted on a tripod.

4. Siri

The iPhone 4S will come pre-installed with Siri, your very own digital personal assistant. The responding-voice recognition system uses artificial intelligence and seemingly endless knowledge to answer your questions and help you with multitask. Siri can answer trivial questions, pull up restaurants and movie theaters, and even scribe emails and textmessages for you. The system stands out among other voice command technologies, because it understands plain language and has access to such a large database of information.

5. AirPlay Mirroring

This feature is aimed at folks who already own an Apple TV, but it’s one of the coolest additions in the new iPhone. With AirPlay mirroring, everything you do on your iPhone can be mirrored on your TV set via an Apple TV. That means you can browse the web, type an email, and even play games on the big screen — and it’s all wireless. Game developers are already taking advantage of the new feature, creating multiplayer racing games that you can play on your TV set, while using your iPhone as the controller. AirPlay mirroring is only available on the iPad 2 and the iPhone 4S.

6. Improved Antenna

Apple caught a lot of heat over the iPhone 4′s antenna woes. The debacle ended up costing the company a lot of bad publicity and millions of dollars in free cases. But this time around, Apple did its homework. The iPhone 4S touts a new dual-antenna design for improved reception, and houses a new feature that switches between the two for better call quality. And if your carrier happens to support HSDPA+, your iPhone 4S will be capable of downloading data at 14.4Mbps. That’s twice as fast as the iPhone 4 and on par with other “4G” handsets.

7. Battery Life

Even with the iPhone 4S’ new A5 dual core processor, 8MP camera, and the always-ready Siri assistant, the handset still manages to hold on to its predecessor’s amazing battery life. With Apple’s new handset you can talk up to 8 hours on 3G (14 hours on 2G), you can browse the internet for up to 6 hours (9 hours on Wi-Fi), you can watch up to 10 hours of video, and listen to music for a staggering 40 hours straight. And if you’re not a heavy user, the iPhone 4S has a standby time of up to 200 hours.

8. Design

Though a lot of folks were expecting a redesigned smartphone, the iPhone 4S is still a remarkable engineering feat. A year after its introduction, the device continues to be one of the slimmest (if not the slimmest) handsets on the market — even with all of its hardware improvements. The original iPhone 4 was heralded as “beautiful” and “striking,” and the iPhone 4S continues that trend. Though its 3.5″ screen might feel small in the company of other 4″+ devices, it helps keep the new iPhone portable enough to fit comfortably in your pocket.

9. Apps

The App Store doesn’t really need an introduction. Apple was first to strike it big in the mobile apps market, and it’s paid off for the company in dividends. The iOS platform is way ahead of the competition in the third party apps race. Not just in terms of quantity, but quality as well. Apple’s stringent app-approval process keeps out malicious software, and ensures (for the most part) that only quality software makes it into its ecosystem. The iPhone 4S will be able to run all of the App Store’s 500,000+ titles, as well as any new ones that come out that require Apple’s A5 processor.

10. Satisfaction

Apple’s products are synonymous with the phrase “it just works,” and the iPhone is no exception. It’s reliable, rarely (if ever) freezes or crashes, and doesn’t suffer from the fragmentation issues that plague other mobile platforms. Apple makes the hardware, and creates the software, and both work beautifully together to provide a pain-free smartphone experience. The numbers speak for themselves. Several recent reports have found that over 90% of iPhone owners are likely to buy their next handset from Apple. Expect the iPhone 4S to continue the tradition.

iPhone 5 Revealed: Larger Screen, Curved Back, Less Buttons

The image shown to the right is a design document for an iPhone 5 case, sourced to Mobile Fun from a Chinese case manufacturer. Luckily for us, the image shows the iPhone 5 and reveals some of the massive changes that have been made with the latest edition of Apple’s iPhone.

A CAD mockup of an iPhone 5 case from a Chinese case manufacturer

Soon after receiving the first image shown here, we were sent from a different manufacturer a mockup of how another iPhone 5 case would look. This release seems to corroborate many of the features indicated by the first image.

A mockup of a second iPhone 5 case, from a different manufacturer

If these images are authentic – and we have every reason to believe that they are – then the iPhone 5 is a radical evolution of the iPhone concept, and a bigger departure from the iPhone 4 than previous case images have shown.

Display

Starting with the front of the phone, we can see that the screen size has been extended considerably, from 3.5 inches to 4, although the overall size of the phone has remained the same. This has been accomplished by shrinking the bezel such that no space is wasted; the display stretches from edge to edge, and the top and bottom bezels have been considerably reduced in size as well.
It’s possible this ties into a patent filed by Apple a few months ago, which suggests that the extra space will be used for on-screen indicators and controls. These indicators could then be hidden, à la Lion’s full screen apps, to maximuse screen space for applications like 1080p video playback.

Form Factor

Another interesting point is the curvature of the iPhone 5. After going with a squared construction on the iPhone 4, Apple seem to have reverted to their curvaceous ways. The iPhone 5′s rear panel curves gently back around its edges, much like the iPhone 3G.
This likely means that the back will be metal, and could serve as a replacement for the iPhone 4′s unique side antennae which seemed revolutionary at the time, but caused so much trouble with call droppage last year.
On the other hand, Apple does have the capability to produce curved glass, after its purchase of a few hundred glass cutting machines, which were said to be too expensive for manufacturers. Curved glass doesn’t appear to be being used on the front display, but could very well make up the back.
The case shown in the design document does include a gap for the Apple logo; this may lend credence to rumours that the logo itself will serve as the iPhone 5′s attenae. This feature isn’t present on the second image however, so it may simply be a design choice between the two case manufacturers rather than a technical requirement.

Controls

Steve Jobs originally intended for the iPhone to be buttonless, but found he couldn’t quite get away with it. It looks like he’s some way closer to that goal with the iPhone 5; the physical home screen button has been replaced with a touch-sensitive ovaloid area which takes up the middle half of the bottom border. This area might be used for unique multi-touch gestures, given its increased size.
Another big difference is the placement of the side buttons; according to the design document these are now placed on the opposite side of the phone. The lock toggle is therefore quite close to the camera, but the volume buttons have moved much further down the phone, sitting just below the halfway point. It’s possible that these, and the lock button on the top, have been changed to be touch-sensitive rather than being physical buttons.

Conclusion

In a lot of ways the iPhone 4 was a mixed success for Apple, with a few design decisions representing a step backwards for the brand. This rethink of the iPhone design looks to combine the best features of the iPhone 4, some touches from iPhones gone past, and a trainload of exciting new developments. The iPhone 5 is rumoured to launch later this year, so soon we’ll see what Apple has wrought.

iPhone 5 Details: 3.7-Inch Screen, Home Button with Gesture Area?

Former Engadget editor Joshua Topolsky has revealed possible new information on the upcoming iPhone 5, but that information seems to contradict other recent claims. Topolsky reiterates from his previous Engadget report that the next iPhone is to be completely redesigned, and that it looks “more like the iPod touch than the iPhone 4.” The new phone will be thinner and have a "teardrop" shape which goes from thick to thin, similar to the MacBook Air.

Meanwhile, the home button will be doing "double duty" as both a button and and a gesture area.

this falls in line with testing we’ve seen for gestures on the iPad, and our sources say that gestures are definitely coming in a future version of iOS. The home button will likely be enlarged, but not scrapped altogether.

He also details that the screen will occupy nearly the entire front of the phone leaving almost no bezel. This information is consistent with some earlier rumors that suggested an "edge to edge" screen. In addition Apple is said to be doing very "interesting things" with bonded glass technology and even exploring designs where the earpiece and sensors are behind the screen itself.

Topolsky is also hearing that the screen may go up to 3.7 inches while keeping the same resolution. This would keep the DPI within the "Retina" display moniker at 312dpi. Finally, there are some hints that there may be some form of inductive or touch charging but this seems unconfirmed.

Joshua Topolsky is the former editor-in-chief of Engadget and is well connected with his previous rumors being published to Engadget. This information, however, contradicts some previous reports from Reuters which suggest the iPhone 5 will carry a very similar form factor as the iPhone 4. Notably, in the same original Engadget report that detailed the "completely redesigned" iPhone 5, Topolsky/Engadget had previously predicted that the iPad 2 would carry a higher resolution screen and SD card slot, neither of which came true.  

Next-gen iPhone parts reveal iPhone 4-like design

We are hearing from our connections with sources at Foxconn that the next-generation iPhone will include an iPhone 4-like design, and now we have some more information: parts.
Replace Base helped us get our hands on the dock connector and headphone jack flex. While these parts don’t look all to interesting to the normal eye, we had our friends at the iFixYouri iPhone repair shop take a look at these parts to basically confirm a few things.
First is that, indicative of these parts, the fifth-generation iPhone will have color options: black or white. This isn’t all too surprising – seeing we’re seeing a white iPhone 4 soon – but it’s still worth mentioning for fans of white devices.

Next is the iPhone home button. Some rumors from earlier this year pointed to future iPhones lacking physical home buttons. The dock connector for the iPhone 5 seems to refute all that as the home button connector is present on the piece.

Next is the headphone jack flex: It’s redesigned. Although the redesign of an internal part that the consumer will never see does not seem exciting, the engineering aspect of it certainly does. The connection piece to the iPhone’s motherboard usually sits at the top of the cable but on the next iPhone, it sits on the middle of the cable.

Apple moving the headphone jack flex motherboard connector elsewhere could mean that Apple might be making room for something new in the device. Our speculation ranges from a beefier processor, more storage, a bigger battery, a better camera, a 4G chip, a Gobi CDMA/GSM chip, to NFC. At this point there is no way to tell.
What we do know is..

that the fifth-generation iPhone’s size and shape will be similar – if not exactly same in size – to the iPhone 4 since the parts are the same size. That doesn’t mean Apple won’t pack in a bigger screen (external), an A5 processor, more RAM, and a metal back plate.

White iPhone 4 is Coming. 27 February.

Best Buy's internal inventory system is now listing the white iPhone 4 with a February 27th launch date, according to MacRumors.

We've received information today from a source sharing the above screenshot claimed to be from a Best Buy inventory database showing both 16 GB and 32 GB white iPhone 4 models listed with expected in-stock dates of February 27th. The SKU and model numbers associated with the entries are identical to those previously used by Best Buy when it was taking pre-orders for the white iPhone 4 prior to last summer's launch, pre-orders that were canceled when Apple delayed availability of the white versions.

The white iPhone 4 was also recently discovered in the inventory system of Vodafone Germany.

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iPhone 4 Skateboard Grip Tape Decal

SlickWraps has a $20 skateboard-inspired adhesive wrap for the iPhone 4 that’s complete with scratchy skateboard griptape on the back, faux woodgrain on the front and sides. All of the necessary cutouts are there, including one for the Apple logo in the back.

Take a further look at the skateboard iPhone 4 decal after the jump…

And for all you skate heads out there, Marsha and Haley will show you how to put together a skateboard…

Firemint Announces Real Racing 2 Will Be Available December 16th

Firemint has announced that Real Racing 2 will be available on December 16th for $9.99.

Real Racing 2 features include:
● 30 officially licensed cars
● 16 car grid against AI, and 16 player online racing – an iOS first
● Career mode with well over 10 hours gameplay and a range of event types
● Earn in-game currency to buy and sell cars, and buy upgrades
● 5 game modes: Career Mode, Quick Race, Time Trial, Local Multiplayer (8 players), Online Multiplayer (16 players)
● 15 locations with 40 miles of highly detailed race track
● Vehicle damage
● Online Save Game
● Game Center and Cloudcell integration, multiple profiles
● Wide range of control options
● HUD with minimap that can be turned on or off
● 5 camera angles including fully 3D cockpit view, and TV style replays
● Powered by Firemint’s exclusive Mint3D™ engine

Take a look at the trailer below...

                                

Apple Confirms the White iPhone 4 is Coming in Spring 2011

Apple signage has revealed that the white iPhone 4 is coming in 'Spring 2011', according to a photo posted by 9to5Mac.

That should dispel rumors that Apple scrapped the white iPhone 4 altogether. Another common rumor that the white edition will be a Verizon launch special is still unconfirmed.

Take a look at the photo below...

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Infographic: iPhone History And Specs [Pic]

Nielsen: Apple passed RIM to be the number one smartphone in the US

Though Android is gaining ground, Apple currently has the lead in installed base in the US.  Imagine if iPhone wasn’t just on AT&T, though?

More interesting demographics info at Nielsen.

Facebook app updated with Account, Privacy & Help Settings

Facebook for iPhone makes it easy to stay connected and share information with friends. Use your iPhone to start a conversation with Facebook Chat, check your friends’ latest photos and status updates, look up a phone number, or upload your own mobile photos to Facebook while on the go.
What’s New In This Version:
- Access account settings, privacy settings and Help Center
- Fixed a bug that prevented users from uploading photos to specific albums
The Facebook app is available for download from the App Store for free.

Facebook Updates iPhone App With Groups, Deals, Improved Places

Facebook has updated its iPhone app with Groups, Deals, and the ability to tag friends and add photos after you check-in with Places.

Facebook for iPhone makes it easy to stay connected and share information with friends. Use your iPhone to start a conversation with Facebook Chat, check your friends' latest photos and status updates, look up a phone number, or upload your own mobile photos to Facebook while on the go.

What's New In This Version:
- Groups: share photos and posts with small groups of friends
- Deals: discover great deals around you
- Places: tag more friends after you check in, add photos
- Various bug fixes

You can download Facebook from the App Store for free.

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*The app may not be accessible to everyone yet as it is being propagated through the App Store.

iPhone 5 to Feature NFC Capabilities for Remote Computing?

Apple's next iPhone may feature Near Field Communication technology for remote computing, according to a CultofMac source.

The idea is that if you wave your NFC equipped iPhone at an NFC Mac, the computer will load all your applications, settings, and data. This will let you work at the computer as if it was your own. Then when you move out of range the machine will return to its previous state.

Here's how CultofMac's source describes it:

"The Mac authenticates with the iPhone, which contains a lot of the information the computer needs, such as bookmarks, passwords and other data," said our source, who asked to remain anonymous. "The system would essentially turn any Apple computer into your own — like you’re actually working on your own computer. Same settings, look, bookmarks, preferences. It would all be invisible. Your iPhone would be all you needed to unlock your Mac."

"Address book would show their contacts, and the user would have full access to their information in the same manner they would if they were working from home. This same behavior extends to even showing the same desktop picture, mouse and keyboard settings, and would eventually extend to software licenses and passwords for websites such as Facebook."

"When a person walks away with their iPhone and away from the communication link with the Mac, the original settings of the Mac would be restored. All communications and storage of passwords stays on the user’s iPhone, leaving nothing stored on the computer. This functionality is extended to access a user’s home folder, which will be stored and accessed either through storage on MobileMe or by using the Back to My Mac feature to connect to the user’s home folder."

Apple recently hired NFC expert Benjamin Vigier as Product Manager of Mobile Commerce.

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White iPhones show up for reservation in updated Apple app

Looks like you won’t have to wait too much longer if you’ve been hoping/praying/wishing for a nice white iPhone 4 — as these have begun showing up as available to reserve if you’re using Apple’s freshly-updated Apple Store iPhone app….reserve your white iPhone today.

Want to see how sexy is the white iPhone 4? Click Here.

Verizon iPhone 4 Coming Soon, iPhone 5 in Development!

This news is taken from Wall Street Journal

Apple Inc. plans to begin mass producing a new iPhone by the end of 2010 that would allow Verizon Wireless to sell the smartphone early next year, said people briefed by Apple.

The new iPhone would be similar in design to the iPhone 4 currently sold by AT&T Inc. but would be based on an alternative wireless technology called CDMA used by Verizon, these people said. The phone, for which Qualcomm Inc. is providing a key chip, is expected to be released in the first quarter of next year, according to the same people.

An Apple CDMA iPhone would spell the end of the exclusive U.S. arrangement with Apple that AT&T has had since 2007, when the original iPhone debuted.

Separately, Apple is also developing a new iPhone model, said people briefed on the matter. One person familiar with the new iPhone plan said the fifth-generation iPhone will be a different form factor from those that are currently available. It was unclear how soon that version will be available to Verizon.

Spokeswomen for Apple and Qualcomm declined to comment; a spokesman for Verizon Wireless, owned by Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group PLC, declined to comment. 

GreenPois0n Jailbreak for iOS 4.1 will Support Hacktivation

 It's the time for some jailbreak news! We just noticed a new feature will be included in GreenPois0n jailbreak for all devices running iOS 4.1. The upcoming GreenPois0n jailbreak tool will hacktivate your device. Hacker p0sixninja member of Chornic Dev Team has answered someone asking about hacktivation support in Greenpois0n.

Caio Barros asking p0sixninja about the hacktivation:

@p0sixninja will gp hacktivate ip4.. please answer. i need to know

Hacker p0six ninja answered:

@caiolbarros yes

For those who don't know, hacktivation means a lot for users whose devices are locked on AT&T carrier and don't have the official SIM. You won't need to buy a phonebook card to activate your device. There still not ETA for the release, we will keep you informed about any updates (like tethered or untethered!), stay tuned!

Google Mobile App For iPhone, Now With Google Goggles [video]

One year ago we told you about Google Goggles, visual search for Android phones ( at the time ) , and back in June we told you that Google will bring the service to the iPhone. Today, Google finally integrated Goggles into their Google Mobile app…

In the vid above you can see a demonstration of Google Goggles. Search the web by taking pictures of landmarks, books, wine, artwork, or products.

Goggles is enabled only for English-speaking users, and since it requires an auto-focusing camera it is supported only on iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 running iOS 4 or above.

White iPhone 4 Looks Freakin Gorgeous!

 It's for Real, White iPhone 4 has been Unveiled and arrived, M.I.C gadget has got leaked images for White iPhone 4 Box and Unboxing it, they all seems awesome and I would change my black iPhone 4 for a white one!

Unboxing Photos:

The iPhone 5 built for 4G is COMING!!!

Lots of speculation is going around on the new iPhone 5... in HD!!

Verizon Wireless is currently testing a CDMA version of the iPhone 4 and 5 and Verizon confirms they are making network changes to bring the iphone to their network. The new iPhone 5 is going to be loaded with awesome new features like video chat on 3g and 4g (no longer restricted to WiFi only), face recognition and extreme downloading. (List of possible features below). Just when you think there is nothing else to come up with, more and more and more technology comes out. And it is on the rise, and not just at Apple, Inc!

This iPhone 5 will have dual core processors and higher and powerful graphic chips that can deliver higher video resolutions and better "still" images when taking pictures, AND it will make multi-tasking a breeze.

There are a few networks working on building a 4G network. T-mobile would be a likely carrier since they are GSM already. Sprint has a 4G network already... AT&T and Verizon Wireless are in the beginning stages. There are talks of Verizon Wireless getting iPhone sometime in 2010 but it looks like they will get it for sure in 2011 when the new iPhone 5 comes out.

Whether or not it will be 4G will be up to them!... can they build in time? They will definitely have the 3G version of iPhone, but with the new iPhone 5 (4g speeds) coming out, will they compete?! Regardless, there is much anticipation on how many people will leave AT&T for Verizon Wireless because of AT&T's lagging on app restrictions like Slingplayer and Google Voice and Skype (on 4g network, not Wi-Fi).

AT&T's restrictions have caused the percentage of people that are JailBreaking their iPhones to rise since Jail Breaking usually comes with Cydia which is the app store for jail broken phones. Most of the applications, ringtones, and even iphone themes!...are free with Cydia. Winterboard is part of the download, and it very easily add's the changes to your phone so you dont have to figure how to do it on your own...it is VERY automated.

The Palm Pre on Sprint and HTC EVO (Sprint now offering a 4G network) has made an attempt at being competitive with iPhone and Blackberry...and it seems they are making head way, although with the iPhone 4 released and the iPhone 5 on the way, they are sure to lose. Oh ya, the Blackberry Torch? = Nice try... but that browser is NOT full HTML.

iPhone 5 looks promising in terms of being sleek, packed with new hardware and finally less restrictions. Very exciting.

A few features of iPhone 5:


Thinner! With shiny glass back piece - 9.3 mm thick.

Face Recognition Security

Face Time (Video Chat) access on 3G AND 4G (available currently but only on 3G)

Custom SMS tones

Custom E-mail alerts with ability to assign different tones to each email address

A new, sleeker body design.

OLED screen.

Scratch proof and shatter proof screen

Wireless sync with iTunes

32G (basic) and 64G of memory. You're sure to never run out.

Extended battery life = 14 hours talk time on 3G and 7 hours on 4G. Standby 600 hours.

Hi Definition audio.

Messaging indicator light.

True GPS built in.

Epic Citadel - iPhone 3GS vs iPhone 4

Both iPhone running iOS 4.1
Both iPhone have no running background apps.

Looks like iPhone 4 have smoother and faster graphics thanks to the A4 Chip.