Apple's iPhone 4S event seen lacking 'panache,' allowing Android to gain - Page 4

I dunno ....

If you look at my reaction in the Steve's Return topic, you can see that I and a lot more people feel a bit ....
"let down" is the only way I can think of to describe the way I feel after this Apple Event.

Not just on the hardware side, but, as much as I like Timmy, he's not Steve.
And what I mean by that is, his presentation seems like it's forced "AppleVibe".
He's even got on the black mock turtleneck, for criminy's sake.

Oh, well.
Given this debut, the good takeaway from this is that his presentation performance can only go up.
Way up.
And I say that because I love.

Who knows -- maybe they're saving Steve for the Apple HDTV unveiling.

Anyways I'm a bit confused by all the complaints...the 5 wishy washy ish was merely hope but all logic pointed to an incremental update a la 3G/3GS.

The iPhone 4 is still a capable phone and the 4S will continue to be...like many have said it is mainly for the 3GS holders and newcomers...NOT for the people with a 4. the 6 will come out and I'd bet top dollar the design will be different.

As for Android gaining off of this it's because Android is surely becoming more stable, the ecosystem is growing, people are wanting and pining for Android phones now. It hasn't permeated the mind as much as iOS (what has?) but it's known now. And with so many great companies coming out with so many great phones and with the platform itself stabilizing and (hopefully) beautifying it can still go up. And because the Apple news is here and won't be back for at least another 8 months Android will continue to make strides in tech and will pioneer new technologies first.

Honestly, the whole keynote was ridiculously boring...which upset me...like someone said Cook is no Steve Jobs and an issue is it looked like he was trying to be. The other speakers were boring as well.

Siri on the other hand...that was just plain awesome, and while I have Vlingo, Siri is like the super evolved cousin from a rich family comparatively.

I doubt I'd use it if I had it, but I like to have things.

Semi coherent comment over.

Welcome to AI. With you on your comments.

My mistake. I had the chance to hold my friend's Samsung Galaxy II in my hand and it felt lighter and thinner... The facts seem to suggest differently.
But from the touch and feel, the Samsung feels much better. It's a personal opinion. I am an Apple fan and I had the original iPhone and want to see the original creator succeed but I think it's a mistake for Apple be complacent and offer the same form factor after the long wait time...

He had on a black buttondown shirt -_-

but I agree he tried to be Jobs...he should've made this fully his own.

One of the better presenters is Vic Gundrata (sp?) for Google I/O he has a swag about him that isn't Jobsian. Cook needs his own swag

Steve Jobs cannot be mimicked.

The other reason for the simplistic language and the pointing out of basic family oriented apps etc is that Apple does not want to portray itself as a tech company. Apple has commoditized tech and speaks to the mainstream world which consists of average Janes and Joes, not geeks. Look at their iPad tv ads - completely devoid of tech jargon, specifications etc. I think the 'events' are geared towards the press who invariably will quote the speakers in the mainstream media. So the self congratulatory aspects have a function. To me, the most powerful part of this whole presentation was the Siri part, along with the Video - the guy running etc. 'Normal' people will relate to that more than tech stats.

Oh man, I forgot how painful it is to read these forums. A bunch of 12 year old fanboys rabidly defending apple products with no sense or logic.

I've been browsing some 'real' forums for a while now, and coming back here makes me loose faith in humanity for how much blatant stupidity is flying around.

I've watched some of Tim's presentation. I believe that he displayed warmth, sincerity and genuine affection for Apple. He's known to be intelligent, highly capable and very hard working. Tim Cook is a fantastic replacement for Steve Jobs as CEO of Apple.

I hear what you're saying but at the same time there is a limit to how thin and light you can make a phone and it actually be of any benefit. The iPhone is also heavier because it's FAR better made. I for one would rather a bit of extra weight in my hand for that solid quality. Weight can be reassuring too. Like you say though, personal opinion.

I think the iPhone 4 is a beautiful design, I don't see it being around for two years as being a bad thing.

Careful when you point fingers my friend. Whenever you do, you always have three pointed right back at you.

If there's one thing I've learned from the so-called "analysts" is that they are full of shit. These are the same fools who were saying Enron was a "buy" stock, back in 01.

I think he looked nervous as well as most people would be in his position. He was professional but the enthusiasm is too rehearsed. I think Apple should employ a 'spokes person' who would be very comfortable on stage and who could project 'real' enthusiasm. He could then introduce all the Apple dignitaries as need be. The 'show' has gotten so big that pro presenters are needed. Its the same for Google or MS, their presentations are really lame. Apple should lead the way here. Were they to the rest of the tech industry would follow in no time, guaranteed. I mean, these are nothing but marketing events after all.

Well it is awesome to have the tone lifted by a real grown man with valuable opinions. Really. And you've gotta be, what, 15?

I think Apple is going to do very well with the iPhone 4S. Apple has had historic success with the iPhone thus far because it is a high quality piece with a great user interface that integrates into Apple's reliable family of products and services. This is why people purchased various iterations of the iPhone through the years now when there was almost always an Android (or other) phone with better specs. So now, with the 4S, Apple has a phone that is tougher to challenge or exceed even on the spec sheet yet it remains an Apple product with the quality and integration into their "eco-system". It's the best of both worlds.

On a somewhat unrelated point, those who say Steve Jobs left because he anticipated an impending failure of the iPhone line and perhaps Apple itself to some degree because of this are morons. I mean for God's sake how stupid can people be? Steve Jobs was with the company since its formation in the mid-1970's and through its initial success and then resurgence in recent years. Yet he left because the new iPhone is a 4S instead of a 5 with a different case? That's why some of you think he left!?!?! Have you not paid any attention to his health issues?

The comments of some of these idiots would be funny were it not for the fact that they breed and vote.

[QUOTE=...One of the better presenters is Vic Gundrata (sp?) for Google I/O he has a swag about him that isn't Jobsian. C...[/QUOTE]

You must be on crack to compare Vic (it's Gundota btw) to Steve Jobs. It's an absolute insult to the man.

Furthermore, Vic Gundota will go down in history as being a righteous hypocrite for calling out Jobs and Apple as "Big Brother" while the company he works for copied/purchased its way into the market.

Why does'nt Google open source stuff that matters to them???

I don't really disagree, but just feel that that format strained patience even under Steve.

It was the man's first major gig - can we cut him some slack?

After reading this I think I'll stick with my HTC EVO 4G ...

Agreed. It would have been nice to see it come in other colours as well (metallic gray?). Again, a personal opinion but the curved design of the iPhone 3G feels much better if compared to the boxy iPhone 4. The glass and metal is really adding weigh. Let's also keep in mind that if we look at buying habits, the durability factor probably should not outweigh the lightness factor IMHO.
People trade in their phones usually after their contract expires and often, they purchase a case for extra protection anyways.

Jeff Bezos had no problem pulling off a Stevie in front of a much larger audience last week. I think it was the hall itself- felt like was down in some bunker. Town Hall?

Because it gives them something to bitch about.
I dropped mine a few times with no harm, but did finally drop and crack the back.
Simple order of a $30 replacement from a company in AU that included tools, and had a really cool transparent back.

Look at past pictures of Cook, dude. That's been his style for a while now. Jobs is not the first man to discover black shirts. His' style is not so much about wearing a black mock turtleneck. It's about not changing your shirt year after year. Simply by changing his shirt once a week, Cook would be totally his own man

well, i have exactly the same stuff you do (plus some macs), except my ATV is V.2 (and you should get one, it's only $100, if only to use iOS 5 Screen Mirroring with your iPad 2).

but i don't have your angst. we are all stuck in two year telco contract upgrade cycles (except for those who are rich, get phones from their business, can pass along their old phone to their spouse/kids, or are hopelessly addicted to gadgets and buy them compulsively). so the thing to do is straightforward: buy a new phone every two model cycles (might be some months longer than 2 years if you are an early adopter - have a little patience). it will always be a big leap technically from your last one because you skipped one in-between model, and you will be really impressed.

the super new 4S camera alone would be enuff for me. we take a lot of snapshots and some vids. all those improvements really really matter. i will only take a separate camera when i need zoom, like vacation. so if you take many snaps or vids, get a 4S.

FaceTime is fun, my wife loves it. if you have family that can use FaceTime at the other end too, get a 4S.

you have to be on AT&T with an older 3GS. now you can shop for better service/price with Verizon or Sprint. if your service is poor, get a 4S and switch to better service.

those are compelling reasons to upgrade if they apply to you. in addition to the otherwise much superior hardware (and style) of the 4S, and the 3GS' inability to support all the new features of iOS 5. and Siri is certain to continue to evolve and expand in capabilities on the 4S, something to look forward to.

LTE and NFC, etc. will be nice to upgrade to - on the next two year cycle - once they are fully deployed and debugged (which they are not today). i can wait until the iPhone 5S or 6 or whatever it's called for them.

So to swap anecdotes with you, I know of no one who is going Android, and know LOTs who've gone back to Apple now that their carrier offers it.
Android appeals to those for whom the device itself, and the hobby of futzing with it, is the whole point. For the vast majority of real users, its about what you do with it, and in that realm, Apple has Android in its rear view mirror.

But by all means, enjoy having to root your HTC phone to get rid of their spyware.

By releasing a new phone every few months simply for the sake of change, that people still can't upgrade to because of the CARRIERS' lock in?

The smart user does an every-other-year upgrade to coincide with their contracts.
If you upgrade every year (or every other month) then you're just a junkie.
No problems with that, just don't think everyone is similarly addicted.

AI should better vet their analysts... He is by far one of the least respected analysts in tech. In the race to the bottom, he is a stand-out leader. What does the financial press think of Alex? Fortune is not a big fan:

http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/03/...nded-in-guana/

Hear the crazy speak here: http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/tag/alex-gauna/

He is merely trying to manipulate his theory into reality, unfortunately for him, Pple has an earnings call coming up and investors will realize how meaningless his spec comparisons are.

lol word...I dread when Vic leaves the stage and the other uber geeky people take the stage. lol

He also ignores the fact that the iPhone 4 still outsells every new phone on the market, people seem pretty content with the design...

nah I don't mean he tried to look like Jobs (he didn't) but his movements and attempted delivery were badly done Jobsian.

Maybe the let's get ready t rumble guy can MC.

They waited an extra 4 months so as to sell the 4S with iOS5. Apple should have released the 4S this summer and just released iOS 5 on schedule.

Has anyone discussed just what the heck those cases we were seeing come out of China might have been for?

The exterior design is different, so as to accommodate the larger screen of the S2, as well as other upgraded internals and a larger battery. The S2 chassis when compared to the S1 is slimmer, lighter and larger in both width and length. Also the S1 is more of an oval shape compared to the more rectangular S2. And no, you don't really have to know the phones well to see that one is larger than the other and also shaped differently.

Here's a bottom edge view of both phones:



You can't compare the S2 vs S1 case with IP 4S vs IP 4 because as far as I know, the 4S basically uses the exact same chassis as the IP 4 CDMA version which fixes the antenna issue. I don't think most people disappointed by the 4S right now are only clamoring for the so-called "tear-drop" design of the rumoured IP 5. But rather, the larger 4" screen which accommodates that mock-up. And the lighter, thinner and less fragile aluminium unibody design. I can see why people are disappointed. The IP 5 mock-ups does look amazing.

Is it truly a world phone? Will it work in Japan (serious question)?

By 'real forums', I assume you mean the slew of HTC forums with everyone scrambling with advise on how to get the trojan spyware off of their phone.

The only 'fanboi-ism' here is coming from those who still think that Apple's products are about feature list.
They're about usefulness. And the public gets it.

oh you're one of those -_-

I bet you think every non Apple PC is like a cheap hooker with viruses.

An analyst who favors Apple is a "good" analyst.

One who disfavors Apple is a "bad" analyst.

Do I get a cookie?

Wait, are you serious? I asked that very question over in the Nano thread. I thought everything that was announced in the presentation (admittedly, I have watched it yet, only saw the feeds) was software and asked why someone needed to buy a new Nano. So are you saying that you got all of those new features on the previous Nano via Software Update?

Why are you referring to me by my first name (albeit, you misspelled it). Do you happen to know me? I am a geek, I will admit that. I love tech specs.

My primary complaint about Apple is that they are playing it too safe. iPhone 4S and iOS 5 feel like safe upgrades and do not do enough to blow the competition out of the water. Hardware-wise, iPhone 4S is about the equivalent mid-end Android phone. Lets get that out of the way.

Software and feature-wise, I am not impressed either. Siri seems gimmicky (ala Nintendo 3DS' 3D screen), but I will find out for sure how useful it turns out to be once I get my iPhone 4S next week. Apple was touting how fast the iPhone can snap pictures. It would have been nice to see some comparisons of the camera quality compared to competitors. Once the reviews come out next week, we will find out how the camera actually fares. I use a digital camera now because the iPhone 3GS' camera is not up to snuff. The iPhone 4S' camera might be a sufficient replacement.

I have voiced my opinions before on what I would like to see changed in iOS. Here are the two most frequently used features about my iPhone: Maps and Safari.

Maps. There are many toll roads in Southern California and I would love if I could configure Maps to avoid toll roads. Perhaps, add in navigation support to Maps. The revamped notification system is nice, but it is more similar to Android's counterpart part, so nothing to toot their horn about. I passionately hated the notification system in iOS 4.

Safari. I frequently use my phone's web browser at home rather than my MacBook Pro because it is just small and convenient. I frequently visit Memebase websites and they completely kills my iPhone 3GS. Safari's performance is heavily based around the amount of RAM available to the application.

Let me make one thing clear and it is that I am a very Apple oriented person. I have 2 iPhone 3GS' (soon to be 2 iPhone 4S'), 17" MacBook Pro and 3 iPod Nanos. The competition has become fierce in the smart phone market and my frustration is that I feel Apple is being complacent and not doing enough to innovate.

I'm not picking on you, but this just made be wonder. If the shape was the same, but had a plastic back, wouldn't the glass front be heavier, making it tend to fall face down? Kinda like the butter side of the bread hitting the floor?