News From Apple's iPhone Event 392
Apple is currently announcing various things about a new iPhone; the CNN Live has coverage as it is happening. Watch for updates as more information comes in. For those of you who like to read instead of watch, PC Magazine is^W was^W is running a live commentary stream (it broke and then unbroke). The New York Times also has a working live stream which seems more reliable.
Update: 10/04 19:04 GMT by U L :Unexpectedly, Apple did not announce an iPhone 5, but rather an incremental update. CNet has a decent article about the features of the iPhone 4S. Additionally, all major carriers except T-Mobile will be getting the phone October 14th.
Wow (Score:5, Funny)
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Let's not forget about Engadget's liveblog [engadget.com] as well as the dozens that are out there. I really don't know why Apple just doesn't stream it live; the media can still do their live commentary on how awesome or boring something is.
Re:Wow (Score:4, Interesting)
from a PR point it makes sense - it makes it had for you to find exact details - makes people look different places.. also gives the perception that it is larger of an even than it is. (if it was so small then a single source could handle the job easy).
it's all part of the Reality Distortion Field Effect.
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And the tragic truth - so far at least it has been a nothing announcement. They've stuck the iPad 2 internals in the iPhone 4 case, and called it the iPhone 4S. Whoopdy doo. Oh and they tweaked the camera a bit...
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Re:Wow (Score:4, Informative)
Yep. The thing is over now, so here is the sum total of the announcement:
1. New camera. Has more megapixels. White balance may no longer suck. (That's the tweak.)
2. You can now take pictures using the volume up button. (Really? Not with a camera button? Really: double tap the home button, press the "camera" icon, press the "volume up" button. That's "ease of use," apparently.)
3. Remember how Android has a voice activation feature? iPhone is getting that now. Unlike the old "voice command" this one can now be used to search the web and enter text into text fields. Wasn't this available in Android 1? And as an app for iPhone?
4. "New" processor (it's the iPad 2's)
5. "Better than console game graphics." No, really. Seriously! They said that!
6. Remember how the iPhone tracked your location, and everyone got upset about it? The new one uploads the location to iCloud and this is, somehow, a feature. So you can locate your phone through the cloud. (It's in your house! Thanks, GPS!)
7. Antenna was redesigned. So you might be able to make calls and browse the web while holding the phone.
8. Now supports Sprint.
And that's it. That's everything.
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Yep. The thing is over now, so here is the sum total of the announcement:
1. New camera. Has more megapixels. White balance may no longer suck. (That's the tweak.)
2. You can now take pictures using the volume up button. (Really? Not with a camera button? Really: double tap the home button, press the "camera" icon, press the "volume up" button. That's "ease of use," apparently.)
3. Remember how Android has a voice activation feature? iPhone is getting that now. Unlike the old "voice command" this one can now be used to search the web and enter text into text fields. Wasn't this available in Android 1? And as an app for iPhone?
4. "New" processor (it's the iPad 2's)
5. "Better than console game graphics." No, really. Seriously! They said that!
6. Remember how the iPhone tracked your location, and everyone got upset about it? The new one uploads the location to iCloud and this is, somehow, a feature. So you can locate your phone through the cloud. (It's in your house! Thanks, GPS!)
7. Antenna was redesigned. So you might be able to make calls and browse the web while holding the phone.
8. Now supports Sprint.
And that's it. That's everything.
So you're saying that Steve left because he was too ashamed to be part of this announcement, and that whole sickness thing was just a coverup?
Though really I'm not sure what people expected. You know, other than an iPhone 5 instead of 4S. Do you think Apple's marketing department was crapping themselves with all the talk and excitement on the web for iPhone 5, knowing that there would be massive disappointment when they revealed... iPhone 4.1?
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According to Wikipedia, it was released Nov 2006 in Japan. The US version, although released later, was not upgraded.
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Ugh. This pains me. For the next few years, we can look forward to Apple fans repeating this talking point with a straight face.
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Re:Wow (Score:5, Insightful)
Oh and they tweaked the camera a bit...
This is a big deal. I've been using a Droid X since it came out and despite it having a dedicated camera button, when you go to take a picture, it takes friggin' forever to fire up. Being able to fire up the camera in 1.1 seconds is HUGE. Just think of all the opportunistic upskirts and nose picks you'll be able to automatically post to your Twitter account!
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I kinda doubt anyone did that.....all they were expected to do today was announce the phones, not actually sell them. Why would anyone sell their phone weeks before the one they want becomes available?
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Re:Wow (Score:5, Funny)
Going up and down fairly gracefully, continue to refresh and it will come up.
Am I wrong for finding this vaguely arousing?
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Yes, but this is post-Taco /., so I doubt you're the only one.
shocked (Score:5, Insightful)
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Give it a couple days, then everyone can scream "dupe!"
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Live? (Score:3, Insightful)
Maybe we could wait until the announcement is finished for the story to get posted.
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I'm holding out hope that they'll wait for the announcement to be finished before they post the dupe.
I'm not holding out hope that the dupe will actually contain any of the additional information. I'm pretty sure it'll just be a dupe.
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Because it's, like, live and happening now and stuff...
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The Apple fetishists are more than happy to see the reveal in slo-mo.
To me, Apple product announcements are like Hollywood movie trailers: There's no need to seek them out, they'll be shoved down your throat even if you try to avoid them.
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To me, Apple product announcements are like Hollywood movie trailers: There's no need to seek them out, they'll be shoved down your throat even if you try to avoid them.
something tells me you're not trying hard enough
Re:Live? (Score:5, Insightful)
The Apple fetishists are more than happy to see the reveal in slo-mo.
The other half are the haters that need a few minutes to cook up a rationalization of why each new feature isn't really a big deal. "7x the processing power for a device whose major selling point is the App Store? Pftbt lame."
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Maybe we could wait until the announcement is finished for the story to get posted.
Why? Speculation is where all the excitement and fun are (aside finding the flaw, like the antenna one, later.)
Once I see it has nothing I really need and the price (and plans) are excruciating, I go back to making tea.
Re:Live? (Score:4, Insightful)
Why? We didn't come here for news, we're here to argue!
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No, the camera is on the back, and the volume controls are on the side. It really takes no effort in particular to use the volume button.
I've been running iOS 5 beta for a while on my iPhone 4 for a while. You'll note that the iOS 5 upgrade doesn't magically upgrade my hardware, so re-using the volume button on the phone is actually pretty nice. And for the sake of consistency, you may as well use it on the new phones, too. And that means no dedicated shutter button that may actually never be used, or accid
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Rather than add a proper camera button like every other phone in existence since cameras were added to phones, you use the "volume up button."
These are the folks who brought you a music player without volume controls. Why would you be surprised by a camera without a shutter button?
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These are the folks who brought you a music player without volume controls. Why would you be surprised by a camera without a shutter button?
It's actually the fact that they removed the volume button on a previous device that makes it ironic that they find a second use for it now.
One thing's for sure... (Score:3, Informative)
Streams are hosed. (Score:2, Informative)
It seems to be all of them. Gizmodo, Ars, PCMag...
A dull event covered poorly. Yay!
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It seems to be all of them. Gizmodo, Ars, PCMag...
A dull event covered poorly. Yay!
Well there is one thing to follow - how well Tim Cook fills Steve Job's shoes. Better believe the show is more about the show and how Apple appears in it than the product(s).
news? (Score:2)
The only place I can find a working text report of whats happening is Mike Elgan who seems to be liveblogging on G+.
Octoshape Grid Delivery Enhancement? (Score:3)
Oh exploitable (Score:2)
"The camera app is now accessible from the lock screen. Double-tap the home button and you can go directly to the camera app, no password or anything required."
Hmmmm......
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How exactly are you going to exploit it?
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Re:Oh exploitable (Score:4, Insightful)
"The camera app is now accessible from the lock screen. Double-tap the home button and you can go directly to the camera app, no password or anything required."
Hmmmm......
what, does your nikon or canon require a password?
Cue appleheads (Score:2, Flamebait)
And... (Score:3, Insightful)
No iPhone 5, just iPhone 4s (Score:5, Insightful)
A year and a half later, all that they can offer is a slightly better camera, faster CPU, and universal (GSM+CDMA) mobile. :(
Most people including myself were hopefully for the thinner design, larger edge-to-edge 4 inch screen, metal back, NFC, 3D glassless display, 4G wireless data, etc. that were mentioned in the iPhone 5 rumours/hype. What a huge let down. No innovative must have features offer! Definitely not worth an update over the popular iPhone 4.
It also sucks that you still can't play video podcasts in the iPod Nano like you used to 2 generations ago!
In fact this entire iPhone+iPod refresh really is a big disappointment for me. I guess Apple does not think that hardware innovation is important anymore! What a great way to disappoint your fans, and have them look at other platforms that at least have some more frequent hardware improvements.
Re:No iPhone 5, just iPhone 4s (Score:5, Informative)
The good news is that the original iPhone 4 is now cheaper.
If you want new features this year, I think October 11 (Google/Samsung launch party) is the place to be.
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Most people including myself were hopefully for the thinner design, larger edge-to-edge 4 inch screen, metal back, NFC, 3D glassless display, 4G wireless data, etc. that were mentioned in the iPhone 5 rumours/hype.
You're in the wrong place. Try the Android section.
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I guess Apple does not think that hardware innovation is important anymore!
They do - just very iteratively. Why bring out one new product with new features when you can get there via three intermediaries that you can sell on to the "must have" crowd for hundreds of dollars a time.
It is Apple tactic No. 1, and Cook is full square behind it. They haven't become the highest value tech company by being nice! Apple are having their cake and eating it - huge profit margins on products that they can "update" by making tiny changes to it and a significant proportion of their loyal f
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Of course, putting in an A5 chip, nice 3D graphics, a much improved camera w/ 1080p video, Bluetooth 4.0, 14Mbps HSDPA, and AirPlay wireless video mirroring is a bit more than "tiny changes".
Sounds like a solid upgrade to an existing platform. Actually, sounds more like they pretty much gutted the interior and just reused the case. None of the specs are leaps and bounds ahead of the competition, but many people like their iPhones and this is a nice upgrade for most. The only people who should be whining
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Most people including myself were hopefully for the thinner design, larger edge-to-edge 4 inch screen, metal back, NFC, 3D glassless display, 4G wireless data, etc. that were mentioned in the iPhone 5 rumours/hype. What a huge let down. No innovative must have features offer! Definitely not worth an update over the popular iPhone 4.
While all of this is true, the refresh will still sell like mini-hotcakes. There are the people that jump at any new revision Apple puts out, the people that can finally have an iPhone on Sprint (there are still a LOT of people on Sprint) and the folks that actually are interested in the new features it provides. This will probably be like the iPhone 3Gs release in that its announcement was a bit less bombastic as its predecessor, but still enough of a worthy upgrade for many people.
The two problems I s
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4G wireless? You're right about that one point. Maybe the current chipsets are too power-hungry for Apple's taste.
Even with this ... really? Downloads are now available at 2X the speed of the iPhone 4, now up to 14mbps... other than downloading HD video to your phone (not streaming it, downloading it in bulk to watch later), isn't a 14mpbs speed still faster than most of the cel networks can reliably deliver? Its certainly faster than a lot of people's internet access over their DSL/cable modems.
Apple Disappoints -- Again (Score:2)
Re:Apple Disappoints -- Again (Score:5, Interesting)
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Is this really any different than Apple's strategy all along? Come out with a phone, and make incremental improvements each year. Every other year (except for 1-3g jump) has been the major refresh mark. If you come out with a majorly new product each year, you stand to alienate your customer base -- the majority of customers will balk at feeling pressure to refresh their devices every year. This puts people on a 2-year track, which also coincides with the term of carrier contracts.
And face it, Apple has nev
Apple must be getting hammered (Score:2)
This is the longest I've ever seen their website down. Come to think of it, I've never seen it down before.
Whoop, it's up. That was a solid 10 minutes at least.
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When I go to http://www.apple.com/ [apple.com], I get an "Access Denied" message. It works if I go to http://www.apple.com/iphone/ [apple.com], though.
www.apple.com down? (Score:2)
First time I've seen Apple's website go down (as opposed to the store) - someone messed up when updating the store perhaps?
http://www.apple.com/ [apple.com]
Access Denied
You don't have permission to access "http://www.apple.com/" on this server.
Reference #18.47efd4d9.1317755036.25f60c38
Anyone else seeing this?
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Apple "slashdotted" itself I guess. That, or maybe anonymous is up to some tricks...
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Yup. But the individual links work (ie, http://www.apple.com/iphone/ [apple.com])
Pass the popcorn and chocolate rain (Score:2, Funny)
Damn, the bitterness and whining in here is epic! You ponies are just the most fun I've had in eons.
Quick! More posts about how you can completely profile a human being you have never met down to their last minor psychological trait based on what smart phone they use. That shit is hilarious!
Re:Pass the popcorn and chocolate rain (Score:5, Interesting)
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Welcome to the new internet.
In case you have not noticed, "half" the world is on the net which means the number of morons out here quadrupled as well.
Try to read the comments section on your favorite news site, you will understand what I mean...
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Well, here it can be fun to watch people traffic in stereotypes (and weird oxymoron ones, like mainstream hipsters).
On news sites it's depressing because there is discussion of actual important issues, as opposed to what gadget someone watches their German BDSM porn on (not tat I know about any of that, no sir, not me). On the Right sites it's all "Obama am teh anti-Jesus" and on the Left sites it's all "If your child shows any desired to be a businessman, kill it immediately, for it is evil, and unclean in
Kinda sucks... (Score:2)
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You could try Sprint? I'm not saying they're better (in fact from my experience there is a good reason they're failing) but you could get the iPhone without dealing with ATT or Verizon.
iPod Classic Lives! (Score:2)
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Dr. Bob missed a perfect opportunity to inform us how chiropractic can cure the ills of carrying a giant chip on your shoulder.
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We might as well just demand equal hype for Dr. Bob's iChiropractic iApp for iOS which will iChange your iLife for the iBetter. It would be as reliable and accurate as the typical media event surrounding the launch of a mass-market consumer product.
Re:Yawn! Who cares? (Score:5, Insightful)
So, Slashdot brought you a story you wanted to read, which just happened to be created by the marketing department at Apple.
You complain about it, but here you are.
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Exactly, and I as a reader do not give fuck what Apple PR has to say. Slashdot is for technology, not for shills. If I feel so, I can say so.
Besides, it's funny how your logic is self-defeating. Why did not you just not ignore earlier comment if you did not like it?
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Whatever the product, let's wait until a few facts can be gleaned and the hype-blurb safely ignored.
Didn't they have a "Leave one in a bar then send goons to recover it and rough people up" event for this release?
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Your right... They should be a site that that consolidated tech based news across web to cover such things such as new product releases of technology.
Perhaps we should name it after some some part of a basic mainframe commands but obscure enough to to keep some people out. Maybe DividePeriod.org
Lets face the facts Ladies and Gentlemen...
Slashdot is a tech web site... Apple is the big name in tech... Information will be spread to the site.
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He had a bad sublaxion that caused him to accidentally post under his real username, outing himself once and for all as an above average troll.
RIP Dr Bob, you were as entertaining as you were frustrating (which, thanks to /. moderation isn't really saying all that much).
Re:Yawn! Who cares? (Score:5, Funny)
Quick! I need to click the link for the Apple story, then post about how I don't care! This is a great use of my time!
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Heh. It's extra funny when you consider that Slashdot is ad-supported and they pay attention to which stories generate more comments.
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/. should really be covering that auction of crumbs that fell from the One True Beard of RMS [pbuhb] instead.
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Great, now tanked is like bricked.
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Nonsense... this just shows your cluelessness. If you want a stock that does nothing but go up, then I have stock in Unicorn Inc. I'll sell you.
Fact: AAPL has been consistently going up for ages now. They have a great lineup now, and for the foreseeable future. They have a ridiculous amount of cash on hand, and time-and-time again the bitching of /.'rs preaching the "Apple is doomed" mantra has been proven wrong.
So it goes down 3%. BFD! Considering how high my AAPL holdings have gone up since I bought
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It was about $50/share when I bought some 4-5 years ago.
I'm not complaining.
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Actually, I'm not surprised at all, and kind of wish the fanboys who are raging that the new phone doesn't shit rainbows and have a '5' in its name would sell off more of their stock and depress the value even more so that I can afford to buy some AAPL for myself.
Re:Who gives a hoot (Score:5, Insightful)
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You seem to be having a difficult time with that.
Not at all... it just gets boring after a while. Reading the headline "ALL EYES ON APPLE" triggered it.
Looks like crowd behavior what's happening there. Trying to find missing identity in following a hype/crowd and feel good for a while.
Quite common.
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People who care enough to read live commentary on the event already know where to find that. I don't understand why we're getting this non-article telling us exactly nothing, when waiting an hour means you could have actual information to report.
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I do not care, its another iphone...
Ah, but the rumour is - you can actually make calls with this one!
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I do not care, its another iphone...
The fact that you're posting indicates otherwise.
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I do not care, its another iphone...
you do care, you took the trouble to post here
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geeze, best practices, people!
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Actually it looks like it's got on spec-parity with the Samsung Galaxy SII, give or take some software and a smaller screen (which might be a good or bad thing according to tastes). Apparently it's still the old thick iPhone 4 case, when all the leading Android phones got releases with a thinner case last Spring. I'm a little disappointed because an iPhone that doesn't clearly beat the competition could mean that the Android manufacturers will slow down their race to better features.
The single feature that
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You forgot the "Lame" at the end of your post.
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+1 ROTFLMAO!
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Re:For something far more rewarding... (Score:4, Funny)
The Onion's story [theonion.com] was an excellent summary of the event in advance I believe.
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I was a fan of the iPhone 3Some.
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I heard someone in the office say that the claim was 2 antennas make it communicate twice as fast.
The sad thing is, people will believe that, many people.
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The only comments I've seen regarding Siri claim that Android has had it for 2 years now. If they are talking about about voice recognition to dial numbers and play songs, then Apple has had that for years as well. If Android has had conversational, contextual voice recognition that seamlessly integrates all the core apps plus external information sources allowing the user to speak naturally, then a lot of marketing dweebs in several companies should be fired because I've never heard of it.
Anyway, I can'