Apple’s claiming that the iPhone 4 represents the platform’s biggest advance since the original model’s intro back in 2007 — but does the argument hold water? Follow the break for a comprehensive rundown of the key differences between the newest member of the iPhone model and last year’s king of the hill, the 3GS!
Quadband GSM, Steve Jobs said, and you could hear the hiss of excitement as eager T-Mobile USA customers suddenly wondered if they’d be able to take advantage of the iPhone 4. Unfortunately, a quick glance at the freshly posted spec sheet confirms their hopes are in vain: the iPhone 4 supports 850, 900, 1900 and 2100 MHz UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA, not the 1700/2100 T-Mobile USA requires.
What does this mean? Basically, when the first iPhone 4 unlock hack is released – and we don’t expect it to take long after the smartphone hits shelves on June 24th – T-Mobile USA subscribers will still only be able to take advantage of quadband GSM/EDGE, just like on the current, triband iPhone 3GS.
For all our iPhone 4 coverage, check out the launch post and summary, then head over to analyst Ben Bajarin’s new column on the smartphone. Let us know what you think of Apple’s latest attempt in the comments!
Apple once again has built and delivered the most advanced mobile device in the market. Steve Jobs, during his interview at the Wall St. Journal conference last week, mentioned that his companies passion was to build the best products around and in this analyst’s opinion they have again set the bar by which other mobile phones will be judged.
This doesn’t mean that other competitors won’t catch up or include key innovations of their own, however for the time being the iPhone 4 and the newly named iOS4 is packed with innovation useful for everyday consumers and tech enthusiasts alike.
It may be easy for many people within the press – including the Apple naysayers – to look at today’s announcements and complain that there was anything truly innovative announced. Statements like these miss the broader picture of not only what Apple is doing but what Apple is doing for the technology industry at large. That being said, I want to highlight several things that require a deeper look.
Battery Life
Creating devices that don’t need to be recharged every few hours to every few days has always been a challenge for the industry. As manufacturers create more sophisticated technology onlookers are always skeptical of the affect on battery life these new innovations will have. This was true of many of the first few generations of iPhone, it’s true of many of the latest Android devices and many others.
Apple, however, with several of it’s latest product releases has made an all-hands-on-deck effort to solve this problem and release products with unparalleled battery life. The iPad for example is one of those products that when used one marvels at how long the battery goes. The latest MacBook Pro’s with all the latest silicon is still capable of 8 hours or more of computing.
With the iPhone 4, Apple has once again shown their commitment to delivering industry leading battery life in a mobile device. This is done thanks to the combination of the powerful yet efficient A4 processor and streamlined software enhancements in the new iOS.
Capture
The 5-megapixel optics introduced in the new iPhone hardware are an improvement over previous generations however there are still devices on the market with high resolution cameras. The newly supported ability to capture 720p HD video ranks with the more capable Android devices on the market but the real difference is the new iMovie application for the iPhone.
Again, at lasts week’s Wall St Journal conference Steve Jobs pointed out that he saw other devices than just the traditional PC becoming more then just consumption devices but having elements of productivity. He is proving this out with the iMovie mobile application that will give consumers the ability to now create home movies with their iPhone and instantly share those creations with friends and family. This has the potential to revolutionize how we think about creating home movies. This will also contribute greatly to the massive amount of digital data creation we are anticipating over the next five years.
The other interesting element is how iMovie was written to take advantage of touch computing, something I wrote about a few months ago. Apple has demonstrated again the way touch adds a unique element to the creation and creativity process by making it more intuitive. Again, demonstrating how touch computing may very well be how current and future generations create content in the years to come.
Getting some FaceTime
And there’s one more thing. If we weren’t already convinced that today’s keynote was 100-percent about the iPhone the “one more thing” sealed the deal. I know many people who were speculating it would be about Apple TV, or about a hardware update for the iPad. Instead Steve introduced a new application called “FaceTime” that utilizes a new camera placed on the front of the new iPhone. The purpose of this is obvious: video conferencing.
Yes other parts of the world like Korea, Japan and other parts of Asia are already doing this; Europe too. They have much faster pipes and cell infrastructure then we do, which is why Apple is leading the way in laying the groundwork for this technology in the US.
Apple FaceTime on iPhone 4:
At first, however, FaceTime will only work iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 and, for 2010 at least, only over WiFi not 3G; still, Apple is releasing a new set of standards that will allow for cross-platform video conferencing on mobile devices. Developers can also take advantage of this new set of standards and APIs to take advantage of this new front facing camera and can utilize this new hardware addition in creative ways. The only real bummer out of the gate is FaceTime’s limitation to WiFi, but we hope that over time AT&T or other carriers that the quadband GSM iPhone 4 may support can take advantage of this technology over the air.
Hnads-on with FaceTime:
Video conferencing and Tele-Presence has been a big buzz word around the industry the past year. Consumers have been slow to adopt many of these technologies but it seems that Apple is once again in a position to assist in bringing consumer video conferencing to the mainstream.
I believe the experience and Face Time application will be one of the primary innovations included in this phone that will help drive sales of this new device. Many of the innovations will challenge the rest of the industry to make products that meet a range of consumer demand and consumers will benefit. Most of all, I’m very excited to see how developers take advantage of this new hardware and what new consumer experiences develop because of it.
Steve Jobs, still standing on the stage at WWDC 2010 on Monday, finally unveiled the pricing for the next member of the iPhone family. Prices, whether you’re surprised or not, aren’t all that different than what we’ve come to expect from Apple, working together with AT&T, and there’s two models to choose from this time around.
You can pick up the 16GB model, in either white or black, for a paltry $199. As for the 32GB model, you’ll have to put down $299 to get your hands on it. Of course, those prices are with a new, two-year agreement, so keep that in mind, too. AT&T is changing things around to make sure that current iPhone owners can get their hands on the new model, and if you’re contract is set to end in 2010, some time in that year, then you’re automatically eligible for the new model.
The device will be on sale on June 24th, and it will be up for pre-order starting June 15th. As we’ve said in the past, the iPhone 3G is officially retired, and right now the iPhone 3GS, in its 8GB capacity, will only be $99. The iPhone 4 is going to launch in five countries: United States, France, Germany, the UK, and Japan. After that, and by the end of September 2010, the new iPhone will be in 88 countries.
It will feature new accessories, like a dock which will cost you $29.99.
But the most important part: iOS4 will be hitting the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G on June 21st. Unfortunately, if you’re on the iPhone 3G, you won’t be getting the full suite of updates. The update will be free to those owners, too. The iPod Touch, aside from the first iteration, will also get the update to iOS4 for free.
There’s a front-facing camera on the iPhone 4, and pretty much everyone assumed that with a front-facing camera, that means you have to have video calling. Apparently Apple agreed with all of you, because sure enough, it’s coming to the next version of the iPhone.
There’s a bit of a snag, though. While everyone would probably love to run around their city, using that AT&T 3G they know and love, to make all those video calls, Steve Jobs announced that the calls will be only made over WiFi for now. You can access a video call, from iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 that is, even from a regular on the fly, though, so that’s definitely interesting.
It features “amazing video and audio quality,” and that probably goes a long way due to the WiFi connection. It’s apparently WiFi-only in 2010, and the carriers “need to do some work” before it can get anywhere else. We imagine that’s something AT&T would want to work on, pretty quickly, as it’s one of the features that many people out there want, and want it right now.
When iPhone OS 4 (or should we say iOS4) was shown off a few months back, we had a pretty good demonstration of how Apple’s new, revolutionary mobile advertisement platform was going to work. But, it wouldn’t be an Apple keynote if we didn’t get to see it in action again. Of course, there’s a few more pieces of information in there that are worthy of mention, but we all know Steve Jobs just wanted to show it off again.
Apple are expecting to take 48% of the whole mobile advertising market, and wants developers to try it out. He apparently thinks that it will be a great success for them, too. And, considering the platform, and how many devices it would be on, that’s probably pretty accurate. Apparently they’ve $60m committed for iAds from advertisers in the second half of the year.
As for partners, here’s who you’re looking at (so far): Nissan, Citi, Unileve, AT&T, Chanel, GE, Liberty Mutual, State Farm, Geico, Cambells, Sears, JC Penny, Target, Best Buy, Direct TV, TBS and Disney all onboard! Now, keep in mind that this is all still breaking, so stay tuned to the liveblog to keep updated as it happens. And, we’ll have a video demonstration of iAds soon enough, so stay tuned for that, too.
Press Release:
Apple to Debut iAds on July 1
Over $60 Million in 2010 Commitments from Leading Global Brands
SAN FRANCISCO, June 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Apple® today announced it will debut its iAd mobile advertising network on July 1 on iPhone® and iPod touch® devices running its iOS 4 software platform. iAds combine the emotion of TV advertising with the interactivity of Internet advertising, giving advertisers a dynamic and powerful new way to bring motion and emotion to mobile users. iAd will kick off with mobile ad campaigns from leading global brands including AT&T, Best Buy, Campbell Soup Company, Chanel, Citi, DirecTV, GEICO, GE, JCPenney, Liberty Mutual Group, Nissan, Sears, State Farm, Target, Turner Broadcasting System, Unilever and The Walt Disney Studios. Apple has iAd commitments for 2010 totaling over $60 million, which represents almost 50 percent of the total forecasted US mobile ad spending for the second half of 2010.*
“iAd offers advertisers the emotion of TV with the interactivity of the web, and offers users a new way to explore ads without being hijacked out of their favorite apps,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iAds will reach millions of iPhone and iPod touch users–a highly desirable demographic for advertisers–and provide developers a new way to earn money so they can continue developing free and low cost applications.”
“iAd will allow Citi to reach millions of people on their iPhone and iPod touch,” said Lisa Caputo, executive vice president and CMO, Citigroup. “iAd gives us a remarkable level of creativity for creating ads to connect with our current and future customers in a more interactive style than ever before.”
“iAd is going to revolutionize mobile advertising,” said Rob Master, North American media director, Unilever. “With iAd, we’ve been able to create some of our most powerful and compelling ads ever. iAd is the perfect mobile format to reach and engage with our customers.”
iAd, which is built into iOS 4, allows users to stay within their app while engaging with the ad, even while watching a video, playing a game or using in-ad purchase to download an app or buy iTunes® content.
Developers who join the iAd Network can easily incorporate a variety of advertising formats into their apps. Apple will sell and serve the ads, and developers will receive an industry-standard 60 percent of the iAd Network revenue, which is paid via iTunes Connect.
iAds require iOS 4, which will be a free software update via iTunes 9.2 or later for iPhone and iPod touch customers. iOS 4 will work with iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and second and third generation iPod touch (late 2009 models with 32GB or 64GB).
*Percent of forecast based on an annual run rate basis, starting on July 1. US Mobile Display Advertising forecast from the report by JP Morgan, “Nothing But Net–2010 Internet Investment Guide,” January 3, 2010.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution with the Apple II, then reinvented the personal computer with the Macintosh. Apple continues to lead the industry with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system, and iLife, iWork and professional applications. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store, has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.
Apple has unveiled its new iPhone 4 after a couple wild, unprecedented months of leaks. Sure, it looks exactly like we expected it to (Steve compares it to an old Leica camera), with a glass front and back, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts, kids. The stainless steel band that goes around the phone is an antenna system, while also providing the main structure of the phone, though it’s plugged into the same old GSM / UMTS radio you all know and love — there’s a reason they didn’t call it the iPhone 4G. There’s also of course that front facing camera we were all anticipating, a rear camera with LED flash, and a new high resolution display that doubles the pixels in each direction (960 x 640) for a 4X overall pixel count increase — Apple calls it a “Retina Display.” It’s rated at 326ppi, which Apple claims is beyond the human eye’s limit of distinction. Check out an example of the new screen up against the iPhone 3G after the break. Similar to the iPad, it’s an IPS display, offering 800:1 contrast. Naturally, it’s still the same old 3.5-inch size. Under the hood is the A4 processor that runs the iPad. Despite the new engine (and the 25% thinner chassis), Apple managed to make the battery slightly larger, and the new handset is rated at 7 hours of 3G talk, 6 hours of 3G browsing, 10 hours of WiFi browsing, 10 hours of video, and 40 hours of music. Oh, and that WiFi? It’s 802.11n now. The camera has been bumped to 5 megapixels, with 5X digital zoom and a “backside illuminated sensor,” which now can also record HD video at 720p / 30fps.
On the software front, applications will automatically get high resolution text and buttons as part of iOS 4 (the OS previously known as iPhone OS 4), and with “a little bit of work” developers can make their entire app compatible with the new resolution display. Developers will also get access to a new gyroscope, giving devs “six axis” motion control between the gyroscope, accelerometer, and compass, with a new “Core Motion” API to deal with it all. Users won’t be left out in the cold, however: they can mess around with that new HD video using a brand new iMovie app, if they shell out $4.99 for it. If anyone’s feeling particularly frisky, iOS 4 even lets you switch your default search provider to Bing. Last but certainly not least, that new front camera is enabled for video chat using the new “FaceTime” feature. It’s a WiFi-only (for now) video calling feature that works from iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 with “no setup” involved, and can flip over to the rear camera if your grandparents get tired of your face.
The phone will be available in white or black, retailing at $199 for the 16GB model and $299 for 32GB. They go on sale June 24th, and AT&T will be giving some extra grace upgrade timing — up to six months early. The 3GS will be dropped to $99 and the 3G will disappear completely. Pre-orders start in a week, with 5 countries at launch (US, France, Germany, UK, Japan), with 18 more following in July. Apple will also be selling a first party case for $29, and a dock for the same price. PR is after the break, promo videos can be found here, and we got hands-on right here.
We’ve already seen the iPhone 3GS drop to under a $100 at Walmart, and Apple has now expectedly made that the official price point following the announcement of the iPhone 4. What’s more, the 3GS will now only be available in an 8GB version (it’s still not clear if both colors will be available or not), and that naturally also means that the iPhone 3G is now officially discontinued. Of course, there’s also still quite a few of the current iPhone 3GS models floating around out there, and AT&T will be doing its best to clear those out — you can now grab a 16GB 3GS for $149, and a 32GB 3GS for $199 on a two-year plan “while supplies last.”
That front-facing camera on the new iPhone 4 and a flood of leaks were a dead giveaway — the new FaceTime app brings video calling to the iPhone. Unfortunately, it’s WiFi-only at the moment, as Steve says Apple needs to work with carriers to support it on 3G. The FaceTime app is pretty cool — you can flip the image between the front and rear cameras and between portrait and landscape orientation, and the video call system is built on open standards like SIP, H.264, and AAC so it’ll work with other video calling apps as well.
We knew it had to happen eventually — iPhone OS has been renamed to iOS with the bump to version 4. Some 1500 new features are coming along with the name change, including biggies like multitasking, a unified inbox, app folders, and data detectors. Although Apple is encouraging devs to tweak their apps for the iPhone 4′s new Retina Display, iOS4 will also automatically redraw text and controls for existing apps to make them play nice with the new higher pixel density. Bing search integration has also been added to iOS 4 in addition to Google and Yahoo — Google is still the default, though. The golden master is available to devs today, and Steve says the 100 millionth iOS device — that’s iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad — will be sold sometime this month. That’s a lot of devices! We found out about most of the features of iOS 4 at the SDK event, so check here for the full rundown.
Apple says iOS 4 will arrive for the iPhone 3G, 3GS, and the iPod touch on June 21 — and it’ll be free to iPod touch owners for the first time, which is nice. Not all features will be supported across all devices: the first-gen touch is left out entirely, and the 3G won’t do multitasking, as we heard at the SDK event. We’ll see if there are any other limitations and let you know.
Apple’s claiming that the iPhone 4 represents the platform’s biggest advance since the original model’s intro back in 2007 — but does the argument hold water? Follow the break for a comprehensive rundown of the key differences between the newest member of the iPhone model and last year’s king of the hill, the 3GS!
