iPhone 4S vs iPhone 4

The iPhone 4S has arrived and with it the panic from well over a million iPhone 4 users out there who suddenly feel the sweat on their brow and sinking ache in the pits of their stomachs because they no longer own the number one Apple handset in town. There are, of course, only three ways of dealing with this and, since Pocket-lint isn’t, officially speaking, inclined to advise drinking lighter fluid until you forget, then your choices are either to get pre-ordering on 7 October or to discover that the iPhone 4S isn’t actually that much better the iPhone 4. So, which is it to be?

As ever, we’re happy to help out with your decision making by laying both handsets side by side in virtual comparison and picking through their respective details. Naturally, the results are best viewed next to the iPhone 4S review itself but, for the time being, here is the iPhone 4S vs iPhone 4.

Form Factor

Tie: iPhone 4S

115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3mm, 140g

Tie: iPhone 4

115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3mm, 137g

Well, waddya know? After all those imaginative mock-ups, the iPhone 4S has the very same case as the iPhone that’s been known and largely loved for the last 12 months plus. So, well, it’s a tie then. The form factor has been good up until now and it remains good, if a little unexciting, still. It’s still pretty thin at 9.3mm and certainly light enough at 137g or even when 3g heavier. We might have all rather got used to the way it appears but the iPhone 4S will still be a good looking handset.

Display

Tie: iPhone 4S

3.5-inch, 960x640px, LCD with IPS

Tie: iPhone 4

3.5-inch, 960x640px, LCD with IPS

The one area where most iPhone users were probably crying out for an improvement was in screen size but the bad/good news, depending upon your point of view, is that that the iPhone 4S screen is identical to that of the last incarnation. It’s still got that outstanding pixel density but sadly not the real estate to back it up. So, for the time being, it’s a case of holding it closer to your retinas if you want to get a better look at whatever that film is that you’re trying to watch is. Better luck next year.

Engine Room

1st: iPhone 4S

Apple A5

2nd: iPhone 4

Apple A4

As with the iPhone 3GS, that “S” stands for speed and so the iPhone 4S processor set up is the big selling point over the older model, and this is one category where you want to be paying close attention. As predicted, Captain Cook and his crew have taken the Apple A5 chip from the iPad 2 and stuffed it into the guts of the iPhone 4S.
The Apple A4 consists of a 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 CPU with a single Hummingbird core and PowerVR SGX 535 graphics processor GPU. There’s also 512MB of RAM to back it up. The Apple A5 chip has a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor clocked at 1GHz. On the graphics front, it’s an upgrade to a dual-core PowerVR SGX543MP2 GPU and there’s, again, 512MB of RAM in support. According to Apple, what this means in real terms is a chip that has a CPU twice as powerful as its predecessor and a GPU that can work seven times harder.

Imaging

1st: iPhone 4S

8MP rear, VGA front, 1080p video

2nd: iPhone 4

5MP rear, VGA front, 720p video

There weren’t going to be many places that Apple could make a realistic improvement on the iPhone 4 without making things very costly and more difficult to manufacture but replacing the camera was one of them. The slightly dated 5-megapixel unit has been replaced by a far healthier sounding 8-megapixel sensor and the ability to shoot a more headline and impressive 1080p is a big bonus too.

Naturally, megapixels aren’t everything, so Apple has improved the optics on the iPhone 4S by opening up the maximum aperture from f/2.8 to f/2.4. That, plus a change in image sensor technology, is quoted as allowing 73 per cent more light gathered than on the iPhone 4 camera. There’s also the bonus of face detection, stabilisation and noise reduction to a degree. In short, we're talking sharper shots and at lower light levels too.

Connectivity

1st: iPhone 4S

HSPA+, GPS, BT 4.0, Wi-Fi, ant. switching, AirPlay Mirroring

2nd: iPhone 4

3G, GPS, BT 2.1, Wi-Fi

There’s not a lot missing from the iPhone 4 connectivity arsenal but there are two noticeable gaps, one of which has been filled by the addition of a 4G radio inside the iPhone 4S. HSPA+ support isn’t much good if you live outside the US and a handful of other countries but it will offer up to 14.4Mbps download speeds in Utopian conditions.
With the iPhone 4 and its straight 3G, the best downlink you’ll be looking at is more like 7.2Mbps. As we say though, just because the iPhone 4S works with HSPA+, it doesn’t mean that you’ll be experiencing it where you are. What might be the real advantage is the improvements to the antenna such that it can switch between the radios more smoothly and, fingers crossed, not drop so many calls.
Finally, there's also the added bonus of AirPlay Mirroring with the iPhone 4S. While the iPhone 4 and AirPlay app will still allow you to stream videos and music from your phone to your HDTV and speakers via Apple TV, it doesn't allow you to show everything that's on your handset such as web pages, games, messages and all the rest. That's all possible with the iPhone 4S.

Battery Life

1st: iPhone 4S

up to 8 hours 3G talk time

2nd: iPhone 4

up to 7 hours 3G talk time

Running the same screen and a more efficient chip at very similar output means that all it takes is a bigger power pack to get more life between charges on the iPhone 4S battery than on the iPhone 4, and that’s exactly what Apple has gone and done. While the older model can bring you up to 7 hours 3G talk time, 14 hours 2G talk time, 6 hours internet use over 3G, 10 hours of video playback or 40 hours audio; anyone purchasing the latest edition can look forward to 8 hours talk 3G talk time time, 14 2G talk time, 6 hours internet use over 3G, 10 hours of video playback or 40 hours music.

So, when Apple says that it’s improved the battery, as far as the quoted specs go, what you appear to gain is a single hour of 3G talk time. And that’s it. Not a massive boost here.

Software

1st: iPhone 4S

iOS 5 + Siri

2nd: iPhone 4

iOS 5

The launch if the iPhone 5 has also seen the arrival of iOS 5 which we all knew was coming since Jobs dropped the details at WWDC 2011. Both phones will be able to run this latest version of the mobile OS with the difference that one will have it installed out of the box and the other you may or may not have to update yourself depending on if you already own your iPhone 4.

The major difference is the addition of Siri - a voice-controlled personal organiser of a sort which will translate your more human, sentence based commands into actions such as opening specific apps to search and do things for you. So, for example, it can set alarms, read and reply to your messages, find restaurants and the like.

Storage

1st: iPhone 4S

16/32GB/64GB

2nd: iPhone 4

8GB

Is it for the video, is it because there’s no removable storage or is it because storage is just cheap these days? We’ll never know, but the fact remains that the 64GB iPhone 4S offers double the space of the previous model and that’s a lot to play with. The nasty part is that the 16GB and 32GB version of the iPhone 4 line have been axed from this moment on, meaning that anyone who opts for the older model from new is limited to a rather small 8GB storage space only. Just count your luckies that there’s iCloud to give you a hand.

Price

1st: iPhone 4

$99

2nd: iPhone 4S

$199/299/399

The bonus of going for the more budget option is that you get the more budget price to go with it, although that’s of little comfort to anyone who already owns the iPhone 4. Annoyingly for those in search of a bargain, the price differential reflects the halving of the storage space each time and the actual difference between the iPhone 4 and 16GB iPhone 4S is actually much greater than that. Worth bearing in mind.

Conclusion

1st: iPhone 4S

2nd: iPhone 4

There’d be something seriously wrong if the iPhone 4S didn’t come out on top here but is it so much better that you need to upgrade? Well, if games aren’t your thing and if the idea of Siri doesn’t drive you wild with excitement, then the answer is probably no. Sure, it’s got a better camera and takes video at a higher resolution and it even has a marginally longer battery life too but none of this is any reason to try to buy your way out of a contract. It's also arguable as to whether 4G connectivity or AirPlay Mirroring - which only works with Apple TV anyway - is really going to add enough value for many people as well.
Much as with the iPhone 3GS, you can bet that it’s the 2012 iPhone launch that will see a bigger update to the hardware and the kind of thing that you will be wanting to sell your grandmother in order to get hold of.

If, however, you’re looking to buy for the first time, then don’t bother with the straight iPhone 4. Sure, you’ll find it a little cheaper out there but the difference in cash isn’t really worth it and any saving you make will be outbalanced by that sense that you’ve got an inferior phone with an inferior camera too.

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Comparison chart: Samsung Galaxy S II vs. the iPhone 4S – Yes, the SGSII still rocks!

As you probably know, Apple announced the latest version of its iPhone today, the iPhone 4S. A lot of people were expecting an iPhone 5 announcement, since that didn’t happen, many Apple fans have been disappointed throughout the world. Not only are they disappointed because the iPhone 5 wasn’t announced, but also because the iPhone 4S doesn’t really offer that much. If you look at the specs of the iPhone 4S, it’s what many Android phones have been launching with for quite some time now.
Samsung wanted to remind the world of its powerful Galaxy S II phone. Compared to what Apple announced today, any variant of the Galaxy S II is still far more superior. Check out the comparison chart below to see for yourself.
In addition to the comparison chart below, not the following about the Galaxy S II:

• Screen Size: In terms of screen size benefits scale by AREA (length x width), the AT&T Galaxy SII has 42% more screen area than the iPhone 4S. The Sprint (Epic 4G Touch) and T-Mobile variants of the Galaxy S II have 58% more screen area than the iPhone 4S.
• Download Speeds: In terms of download speeds, AT&T’s Galaxy S II supports AT&T’s HSPA+ network speeds of 21Mbps, 50% more than the iPhone 4S’s HSPA 14Mbps. With T-Mobile, the Galaxy S II can support speeds of 42Mbps, compared to the iPhone 4S’s 14Mbps.
• Phone Size: When it comes to size, the Galaxy S II is still the thinnest phone on AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile, even after the announcement of the iPhone 4S.
• Openness: The Galaxy S II supports an Open Ecosystem. You are free to get your content from who you please. Want to buy your apps from Amazon’s Appstore, Google’s Android Market, or any of the other appstores available? What about buying music? Want to buy your music from Amazon, Rhapsody, or Samsung’s Music Hub? The choice is yours. Remember that with the iPhone 4S, you’re stuck with iTunes.

So, disappointed Apple fans, my word of advice to you is to head over to your local AT&T, Sprint, and soon T-Mobile store and pick up a Samsung Galaxy S II. You will not regret it.

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iPhone 4S versus the Android competition

The eyes of the world were on Cupertino today, as Apple unveiled their next generation iPhone 5 slightly improved iPhone 4S. While much of the focus of the keynote address was on new features in iOS 5, there are some definite hardware and software upgrades to the top-tier iPhone model to consider. To see how the iPhone 4S stacks up against the competition, we pitted the flagship phones from Samsung, Motorola, HTC and LG against it in a hardware showdown. Here’s how the Galaxy S II, DROID BIONIC, Sensation 4G and G2x compare:

As you can see, the iPhone still bests just about everything in screen resolution, but falls far behind in the screen’s physical size. That isn’t an important factor for some, but it’s a big deal for others. The iPhone 4S’ processor is well in line with the rest, but we don’t have numbers on certain specs like RAM and battery capacity, so a hard line comparison is difficult. The iPhone’s radio brings it up to speed with “4G” phones, but only on AT&T. While the iPhone’s most expensive model has a jaw-dropping 64GB of storage, Apple once again eschewed any sort of removable memory.
Of course, this chart only includes currently-selling phones. New competitiors like the Samsung Galaxy S II HD and Galaxy Note best the iPhone as far as the screen goes, and who knows what goodies are lying inside the DROID RAZR or Nexus Prime. We’ll have to wait a few weeks for details on the latest and greatest in the Android world – for new smartphone hardware from Apple, be sure to tune in in about 12 months or so.
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iPhone 4S, Siri and today’s Apple event – EVERYTHING you need to know in a handy list.

It’s been months in the making, and today we finally have confirmation from Apple, as well as a few squashed rumors. Apple has released the iPhone 4S today, as well as iOS 5 and the addition of Sprint in the company’s lineup of US carriers.
Funny enough, we got confirmation of the 4S name via Apple’s own Japanese store site, less than an hour before launch. Most of these rumors were nailed down prior to today’s event, but it’s good to finally get completely confirmation. That said, here’s a rundown of everything that happened today, plus links to our coverage for the specifics.

The Business of Apple

CEO Tim Cook opened, taking the stage with the obvious statement of “this is my first prouct launch since being named CEO”. The event is being held in what Apple calls the Town Hall. It is the place where the original iPod was launched, 10 years ago.

 “Today we’ll remind you of the uniqueness of this company as we announce innovations from our mobile OS, to applications, to services, to hardware, and more importantly the integration of all these into a powerful, simple, integrated experience.”

Cook goes on to talk about the “enormous momentum of Apple, specifically the retail stores. Cook then highlights the year to date for Apple:
Retail Stores

• Apple’s Shanghai store had 100,000 visitors on its first weekend. It took the LA store a month to reach that number
• More Macs were sold on the opening day of the Shanghai store than in any other store in the world
• Apple now has 357 stores around the world

Mac vs PC

• OS X Lion has been downloaded 6 million times. 80% more than Snow Leopard (It took Windows 7 20 weeks to do what Lion did in 2)
• The Mac outgrew the PC market six-fold, 23% vs 4%, with 60 million Mac users worldwide

The iPod

• Launched 10 years ago, 300 million in sales
• 45 million sold in the last year, ending in June
• Nearly 50% of all people buying iPods are buying their first one

The iPhone

• 125% year over year growth
• 93% of Fortune 500 companies are testing or deploying the device
• JD Power rated #1 six times in a row
• Holds only 5% share of the overall market in handsets

The iPad

• 95% customer satisfaction rates
• 92% of Fortune 500 are deploying or testing the iPad
• 80% of hospitals in the US are testing or deploying the device
• 3 out of 4 tablets sold in the US are iPads

iOS

• 500,000 apps in the app store
• 140,000 of the 500k are for iPad
• 61% of mobile browsing belongs to iOS
• 18 billion downloads from the App Store in 3 years, 1 billion per month
• $3 billion paid to developers

iOS 5

iOS 5 will land on October 12th, 2 days before the launch of the new iPhone and it will be a free update.
What’s new aside from what we already know?
Cards

Apple is introducing a new application that allows you to design cards on your iPhone, then have them mailed to anywhere:

“Apple is literally going to mail things, physically, for you. You create the card on your iPhone and we’ll do the rest.”

Friends and Family App
Free with iOS 5 and for Lion users. Locate your friends and family with your iPhone.
The rest of iOS 5, we  have detailed pretty deeply. In short you can expect big changes to the following:

• iMessage
• Reminders
• Newsstand
• Camera
• Safari

The iPod

Phil Schiller took the stage to talk about the iPod, stating that he wanted to give updates on 2 of the lines today.
The iPod Nano touch gets a refresh, with Nike+ built in, 16 new clock faces and  will be available for $129 and $149 in 8 and 16-gigabyte versions respectively.
The iPod touch, inarguably Apple’s #1 selling iPod, also gets an update. iOS 5 gives great updates, as does iCloud, both of which help you to do more and save space. The touch model iPod is now available in white, for $199, $299 and $399 for 8, 16 and 32-gig models.

The iPhone

And now for the announcement we’ve all been waiting to hear, Apple tells us about the iPhone 4S . It has the same design as the iPhone 4, but inside it is “all new”.

• Apple-designed A5 Processor
• Dual-core graphics, up to 7x faster than the iPhone 4
• 8 hours of talk time, 6 hours 3G browsing, 9 hours on WiFi
• Intelligent antenna switching to fix the “antennagate” problem
• HSDPA data, for up to 14 mbit download speeds
• CDMA and GSM in 1 device makes it a “world phone”
• 8 megapixel camera
• 1080p video recording
• Screen mirroring, akin to the iPad
• Siri intelligent voice assistance

The iPhone 4S will cost $199, $299 and $399 for 16, 32 and 64 gigabyte versions, respectively. The 8-gig iPhone 4 goes to $99 and the 3GS will be free, all on 2-year contracts. The date? As we called it, October 14th, with a pre-order on October 7th.

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Sprint iPhone 5 spotted in Radio Shack inventory list?

Sprint users, it looks like your wait for the iPhone 5 is almost over. Over the past few months we’ve had some hints about the iPhone arriving on the Now Network. The increased Early Termination Fee, increased upgrade fees and the installation of Sprint cellular repeaters in Apple Stores. Now we’ve got one more clue which pretty much confirms the Sprint iPhone – if it turns out to be the real deal.
The folks over at 9to5Mac were sent a screenshot showing the inventory listing of the Radio Shack, and on it is an entry with the description “16GB SPRINT APPLE IPHONE 5″ alongside other entries for the Verizon and AT&T iPhone 5. Assuming the picture wasn’t doctored, this is pretty good confirmation of the iPhone 5 arriving on Sprint.
Fortunately the official iPhone announcement is going to take place tomorrow, and we’ll know for sure by then. Stay tuned to Ubergizmo – we’ll be keeping you updated with the details as they are unveiled. iPhone 5 with unlimited data – I can see some of you already drooling. Who’s excited?

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iPhone 4S confirmed by Apple?

Apple’s secrecy of what it is about to launch has been going so well with the rumourmongers of the Internet really only left scrapping at bits and pieces like a pack of Hyenas in the Savannah.
That was until the company released the latest beta version of its iTunes software to developers.
According to reports coming in Apple has detailed the iPhone 4S in the latest version of iTunes.
“Inside the latest iTunes beta is a specific mention of the “iPhone 4S.” Along with the new iPhone name of “iPhone 4S” comes an image, and it is of a CDMA iPhone 4,” reports 9to5mac.com.

Of course it could just be a placeholder in the code, but that seems like a pretty strange thing to do given that the iTunes software is bound to get a further update before it is released into the wild for the general public.
There have been plenty of rumours circling that Apple would merely launch an upgrade to the iPhone 4 rather than opt for a completely new design.
Apple performed the same trick with the iPhone 3G when it updated it to the iPhone 3GS.
Thankfully with the company holding its “Let’s talk iPhone” event on Tuesday 4 October, we won’t have long to wait before we get an answer.

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Five reasons why I’m not getting an iPhone 5

With Apple’s grand unveiling just over 24 hours away, it seems only fitting that my last feature in an iPhone 5-less world should concern the Californians’ latest – and presumably greatest – smartphone. In some capacity.
Of course, we don’t know a bloody thing about it yet, so rather than retread speculative ground, I’ll explain why I’m not interested in picking up an iPhone 5. Insert: “Boo!” / “Yay!” / *nonchalant shrug* as appropriate.

Here, in no particular order, are five of the main reasons:
1. Won’t be able to get one anyway
I vividly remember the efforts one of my mates went to when the iPhone 4 first came out. After travelling dozens of miles and visiting several shops, he ultimately gave up and bought an HTC Desire instead.
I also remember the farce that followed the iPad 2’s “launch”, when it appeared online with an estimated shipping time of 4-5 weeks. Ridiculous.
We’re already hearing stories of possible production problems, and I’m not willing to waste any time trying to track down units or twiddling my thumbs for several weeks while Apple addresses its supply issues. It’s just a phone, man. Probably a pretty good one, but it is just a phone.
Of course, this is all speculation, but even if there were an abundance of iPhone 5s on shelves, I still probably wouldn’t bother. Probably. Read on.
2. Screen size
Having used an HTC Desire HD for the past few months, I really can’t imagine how I survived with the 3.5in display on my iPhone. I still use my iPod touch for iOS gaming and listening to music, and it seems reeeaaally tiny.
We’re expecting the iPhone 5 to have a 4in display, but – if anything – I’m looking to acquire more screen real estate, not sell up.
3. I love/hate Apple
I love Apple and cherish my many iDevices, but I absolutely despise the smug bastards and resent every second I spend using their junk. Cognitive dissonance, baby. I don’t think I’m alone here.
I have a MacBook, an iMac, an iPod touch, and I happily used an iPhone for years. Still, I can’t imagine going back to the iPhone, even disregarding the other points I’ve made here. Indeed, maybe it’s the overkill of Apple devices elsewhere in my flat that has me craving something different. Who knows how my brain works? Not me.
4. Samsung Google Nexus Prime
We’re really quite excited about the Samsung-developed Google Nexus Prime here at Mobot. Phil and I particularly so. Dave’s a bit of a dark horse though. I suspect he secretly wants a Nokia Sea Ray.
The latest Nexus Prime whispers suggest a 4.65in Super AMOLED display, dual-core 1.5GHz processor, 2,000mAh battery, and Ice Cream Sandwich. Sounds pretty freakin’ good to us.

 

5. Windows Phone Mango

Ok, this reason is slightly tongue-in-cheek, and partly aimed at the Mobo-regulars who really don’t seem to like Windows Phone 7 for some reason, but… I reckon I’m more likely to go with something Mango flavoured than I am to pick up an iPhone 5.
Maybe it’s because I’m an Xbox man, maybe it’s the suggestion that Windows Phone will take second place in the OS race (ahem), or maybe I’m just an idiot. Yes, probably the third one.

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Slimmer iPhone 5 cases start showing up in AT&T stores

Say what you will about the iPhone 5 rumour mill but it never is uninteresting. After having gone back and forth over how many models of iPhone Apple is releasing on Tuesday, the appearance of cases for a teardrop-shaped iPhone 5 in AT&T retail stores may mean that the company is planning on releasing two new handsets after all.
We received word yesterday of an iPhone 4S having surfaced in Apple’s inventory and an iPhone 5 showed up on China Unicom’s website, advertised as supporting the speedier HSPA+ network. MacRumors now reports that an AT&T retail employee sent them pictures (shown below) of thinner, teardrop-shaped silicone cases showing up in the company’s stores.

Collating the various rumours we have heard so far, the common thread seems to be that Apple is planning to release a low-cost iPhone 4-lookalike, the iPhone 4S, and the new flagship model, a slimmer and MacBook Air-like iPhone 5. Although none of this is written in stone, where there’s smoke there’s fire, and we’d be very surprised if Apple only introduced a single new iPhone come Tuesday.

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Sprint’s Dan Hesse dodges rumors about the iPhone 5

There have been several rumors in the past that has suggested that Sprint will be one of the carriers getting their hands on the next-generation iPhone from Apple. While it has not been mentioned if the carrier would be getting the iPhone 4S or the iPhone 5, there has been evidence to suggest that Sprint will be getting the iPhone.
Speaking recently at an event sponsored by Goldman Sachs, Sprint’s CEO Dan Hesse has somehow managed to dance his way around the rumors of the carrier getting the iPhone 4S/5. He responded to the rumors by saying “If we get it–if–we may have to adjust our guidance for that.” He even went as far as saying that their existing financial guidance has not factored in the iPhone 4S/5, alluding it to being a “rumored” device.
His refusal to either confirm nor deny the carrier getting their hands on the iPhone seems to suggest that Sprint will be getting the device, or so many are taking to hoping that’s what it means. Dan Hesse even commented that the iPhone was one of the reasons that Sprint was losing customers to other carriers such as AT&T and Verizon, who only recently landed themselves the CDMA version of the iPhone 4.
Interestingly, Verizon’s CEO Lowell McAdams mentioned that two years prior to them landing the iPhone 4, there were rumors that suggested they would be getting the device, which goes to show that perhaps these rumors are best taken with a grain of salt and that Sprint users probably shouldn’t get their hopes up too high.

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Samsung to appeal for an iPhone 5 ban in South Korea

It has been reported that Samsung has planned to ban the sale of the Apple iPhone 5 in South Korea, even before the device has been released. According to a report by Korea Times, which cited several sources which are knowledgeableabout the matter, Samsung will sue Apple for violating some of its wireless communications patents the moment the California based Apple launches the sequel to the iPhone 4 into the market.
According to the newspaper, through the lawsuit, Samsung will file a case to get the court to ban the sales of all iPhone 5 smartphones in the country. A source from Samsung told the media that as long as Apple does not all-together exclude its mobile communications functions, it will be impossible for the company to sell its products without infringing its patents. The source said that the company will maintain its radical stance against Apple in the lingering legal battles.
The report in the Korean Times is just the most recent development in the ongoing patent warfare between Samsung and Apple. In the space of the last few months, both the companies have revved up their bitter battle over patents, spreading it throughout the world. Currently, the two companies have ongoing patent lawsuits in Australia, US, parts of Asia and Europe. And as of yet, Apple has an upper hand over Samsung.
The manufacturer of iPhones and iPads managed to convince the court to get Samsung to show it three models of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 before the company decided which one would be approved for sale in the country. Some time ago this month, sales of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 were successfully stopped by Apple in Germany, after a ruling from a German court which temporarily banned sales of the Samsung flagship tablet throughout Europe.
However, the dispute doesn’t only cover tablets, as it has been claimed by both the companies that the smartphones manufactured by the other violate their patents. Apple, especially, has been very critical of Samsung for the last few months, as the California based company filed a lawsuit against it in South Korea alleging that its products were copied. The company said in its complaint that the products manufactured by Samsung blatantly copy its own products in appearance in order to capitalize on the success of the iPhone and the iPad.

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Apple board member Al Gore, speaking at conference, ‘confirms’ iPhone 5 in October

Former Vice President and Apple board member Al Gore has confirmed that a new iPhone will be released in October. He specifically stated that ‘the new iPhone would be out next month’ at the Discovery Invest Leadership Summit today.
Yes, it’s completely true that Apple has been saying that it will release iOS 5 and, presumably, new hardware to go along with it, this fall. But this is the first time that anyone with ties to the Apple organization, even if it is just a Board Member, has made any affirmative statements about the release of its next-gen iPhone.
There is always the possibility that Gore misspoke, of course, or was just making statements based on the rumors that are already out there, but it seems like a pretty big mistake to make at a public conference.
Just this morning a report from All Things D pegged the date of Apple’s next event as October 4th. This statement was later corroborated by Jim Dalrymple of The Loop. Both Dalrymple and All Things D are known to be excellent sources of Apple information so we’re pretty confident that this date is correct.
Still, it’s pretty unusual to have an Apple Board member say anything definite about Apple’s Plans for future products, as its company policy is that it does not speak about them, period. Although Gore isn’t an Apple employee, he has been an influential member of Apple’s board, spearheading efforts to make the company more environmentally friendly and energy efficient.
So, now that Gore says that we’re getting a new iPhone next month, do you believe it more? He is a politician after all and we all know how much they like to say things, regardless of how true they are.

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Case pics leaked: iPhone 5 has aluminium backs

 

The Buzz around iPhone 5 has been sky high for a long time now. The rumors regarding iPhone 6 are spreading around like wildfire, even before the fifth version is officially released. According to the recently released photos by Case Mate the iPhone 5 have aluminum back. This came as a pleasant surprise for the fans of iPhone series; who were till now used to the glass back. The released pictures also reveal that the latest iPhone is thinner, wider and has a teardrop shape. Let’s looks at some of the other theories and speculations floating in the market regarding IPhone 5.

 1. Design

The biggest achievement of Steve jobs as the chairman of Apple INC was not just the mind boggling devices he rolled out year after year. It was also the groundbreaking and never done before combination of art, science and technology that he brought to the world stage. With each of its smartphones, Apple has updated its design. It is almost a certainty that the iPhone5 will sport an aluminum back panel. The rest of the details about the design are still unknown, but you can surely expect a cracker from Apple.

2. Sales

The iPhone series is undoubtedly the biggest selling smartphone series till date. No other device has captured the public imagination the way iPhone has, with the only exception of BlackBerry. According to certain unconfirmed reports in various newspapers, Apple has contracted a manufacturing company to build 15 million units of iPhone5. Apple predictions have always been pretty close to market realities, so, if this rumor turns out to be true, the smartphones market will be practically eclipsed by Apple.

3. Marketing strategy

Marketing for iPhone 5 is already in high drive. Apple is not leaving any stone unturned this time. They are aware that brand name is not the only requirement to stir the sales. A good example of this is Google Nexus One. The smartphone had a lot of buzz going for it before its release in 2010. Although the phone performed well on performance front and was hailed by critics, the sales never matched expectations because of the lack of a singular marketing strategy on part of Google.

4. Operating system

iPhone 5 will work on Apple’s iOS 5.0. The announcement for the same was made on June 6 of this year. The new operating system is equipped with iCloud service and the Notification Center. The operating system also offers more than 200 amazing features.

5. App store

To this date, Apple has produced more than 500,000 applications. Out of which a staggering 37 percent are free and the rest are available at the average price of $3.64. As of July 2011, more than 200 million users have downloaded over 15 billion applications. As iPhone 5 is the latest offering by Apple, it is going to benefit a lot from these new improved features. It is important to note that App Store have become hubs of major market activity, which in turn creates massive market buzz whenever any Apple device is going to be released.

It won’t be an exaggeration to say that iPhones have truly captured the popular imagination. Apple had its first great push with the release of iPods. From then on the legacy has been taken forward by iPhones. With iPhone 5, Apple is looking to sell more than 15 million pieces in one go. The figure is a record in itself, but when it comes to Apple, sky is truly the limit. According to official sources, Apple is planning on releasing iPhone 5 in the last quarter of this year.

 

About the author: Kate is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and gadgets. Beside this she loves cooking and travelling. She is very fond of mobile phones.

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Samsung reportedly preparing for patent litigation against iPhone 5

The patent war between Apple and Samsung shows no signs of slowing down and the Korean company is now planning to launch a counterattack on Apple when the iPhone 5 makes its debut, according to a report by The Korea Times.
Citing senior officials within the company, the publication states that Samsung is determined to use its basic mobile telecom patents against Apple, which it is confident that the Cupertino company has no way of sidestepping in its developing the iPhone 5.
Samsung has taken some major blows in its legal battles against Apple, having seen its Galaxy Tab tablet banned in Germany earlier this month and been forced to delay the tablet’s launch in Australia. It was also compelled to modify its Galaxy S II phone after an injunction against it was granted to Apple in Europe.
The Korea Times reports that there are currently at least 23 pending lawsuits between Apple and Samsung in France, Germany, Japan, Korea and the USA, and it expects more to be filed in other countries in the coming months.
Samsung is currently one of Apple’s largest suppliers of component parts for its products, though the latter has been trying to distance itself from its rival in past months, but it seems that the Korean company is willing to go on the offensive to defend its products against Apple’s legal onslaughts.

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Leaked Sprint Memo Hints At iPhone 5 In First Half Of October

The iPhone 5 has the potential to be huge for Sprint, so it's understandable that the carrier wants the phone's launch to go over as successfully as possible. A new leaked memo shows the network placing the first two weeks of October on a no-vacations-allowed blackout list due to "the possibility of a major phone launch"; we can't think of anything Sprint could be talking about besides the arrival of the iPhone 5.

We had already heard a report that Sprint would first get the phone in October, but this new information, if accurate, has the potential to cut that list of possible release dates in half. Frankly, we'd bet on it getting the phone well on the early side of this new range, so it would have sufficient staff on-hand to manage the influx of customers that would immediately follow the launch; there wouldn't be much point in making this kind of restriction if Sprint was planning on starting-up sales on October 14

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iPhone 5: First Screenshot? [Update: Hoax]

Update: Apparently this is a semi-elaborate hoax being perpetrated by a gentleman named Richard Windmann of Fort Worth, Texas. He's reportedly been attempting to trick numerous publications with this false story and image. Thanks to the team at MacRumors for the heads up.

This is a screenshot taken from the About screen of an iPhone 5, according to someone who claims to have access to a testing unit of the unannounced handset. The most notable aspect of this image is the alleged storage capacity: it would seem to confirm that the next iPhone will have at least 64GB of flash NAND. However, an even more interesting claim is being made of which there is no proof: the iPhone 5 is said to eschew the iconic hardware home button for a virtual one which appears onscreen.

This configuration apparently allows for a larger screen, although no specific dimensions were given. The unit in question is, naturally, described as being black, and it's not clear if there would be other colors available. The screenshot shows the latest build of iOS 5 (beta 7), although obviously this sort of image is trivial to fake.

There are, however, still more questions than answers at this point.

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Best Buy memo points to October 21 US iPhone 5 release

A source of GoAndroid has leaked details of an internal Best Buy memo, which includes a significant hint at the iPhone 5’s release date. For those in the US, at least.

The memo explains that an “Apple Fixture Installation” will take place at 6am on the morning of Friday October 21. Interesting.

There’s nothing more specific in the memo, and no mention of the iPhone 5 per se, but October is being touted by many rumour mongers as the arrival date for Apple’s next smartphone.
The tipster explains that a 6am start with a manager on hand is quite unusual, but that a similar thingy happened when the iPhone 4 touched down last year.
Further backing up the idea of an October 21 release for the iPhone 5, the tipster revealed that Best Buy Mobile managers will attend a meeting on October 10 to discuss “upcoming BIG release dates”.
Considering Apple has yet to fire out a save-the-date, October 21 is looking like as good a guess as any for now. Salt? Maybe just a sprinkle.

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iPhone 5 launch date: October 5 [Best Buy leak]

According to an apparent leak from a Best Buy employee to thisismynext, the retailer is going to install some Apple-related fixtures at 6am in the morning of October 5. From there, it’s not a big leap to speculate that this corresponds to the upcoming iPhone 5 launch, although nothing says it explicitly. That would be somewhat consistent with the late September / early October launch that has been rumored for some time now. For instance, the iPhone 5 is said to be launching on October 9 in New Zealand. Historically, Apple has launched new products in that timeframe.The month of October seems poised to be rich in Cellphone news: since early August, Google is rumored to be unveiling Ice Cream Sandwich, its Android 3.x for smartphones. Microsoft is also expected to do a joint push for Windows Phone 7 with Nokia and other smartphone manufacturers.
Right now, no-one knows for sure what the next iPhone will look like, but it’s going to have a dual-core Apple A5 processor, and everything suggests that it will be larger, and slightly thinner than the iPhone 4. That could help accommodate an even larger battery and increase the comfort for touch screen gestures and typing. At the same time, Samsung just went “nuclear” in terms of size with a 5.3″ phone called the Samsung Galaxy Note.

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iPhone 5 manufacturing kicks off without iOS 5, report claims

Apple’s manufacturing partners have reportedly begun assembling the iPhone 5 according to a new report from Macotakara, which has a mixed track record. The report follows news from this morning that German Apple carrier partner Deutsche Telekom has already begun pre-sales of the next-generation Apple smartphone. Foxconn, which will supposedly handle roughly 85% of iPhone 5 production, and Pegatron, which has picked up a contract for the remaining 15%, are said to have ramped up assembly ahead of Apple’s official announcement of the device, which is expected as soon as next week. Citing information from an anonymous source, the report also notes that finished devices are not yet being packaged, as the release build of iOS 5 has not yet been finalized.
Read

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Best Buy anticipating iPhone 5 for Sprint, preorders starting next month

Thanks to a leaked document from a Best Buy source, we have discovered that Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores are anticipating taking preorders for the iPhone 5 starting in the first week of October. What’s a tad bit more interesting, however, is the mention (and further anticipation) that Sprint will be carrying the iPhone 5 at launch. Best Buy makes sure to note that Apple product introduction and launch dates are subject to change, but a preorder date changing is pretty different from a new carrier getting a phone for the first time.
UPDATE: Our source clarified that it’s actually possible presales will be starting this week with the phone arriving in the first week of October, not preorders starting in October.
Thanks, Tee!

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iPhone 5 vs iPhone 4

 

We compare the iPhone 4 to the rumoured specs we think will be appearing on the iPhone 5 to see what's different

With the grand reveal for Apple's iPhone 5 expected to be a short while away, we compare the rumour with the reality and look into what's on the agenda for the biggest device launch of the year and how it stacks up against the iPhone 4. It's safe to assume that the iPhone 5 will raise the bar in each category, but by how much?

Display
The iPhone 4's 'Retina Display' is still regarded as the benchmark by which other companies judge their devices and the 3.5-inch LED-backlit IPS screen has earned each and every one of those plaudits. It offers peerless clarity, vivid colours and ranks among the most responsive displays we've ever used.
With that in mind we think it's safe to assume that the iPhone 5 will be packing something breathtaking, which knocks the iPhone 4 into a cocked hat. What we know so far (or think we know) is that it will come with a curved display à la the Samsung Nexus S (could this be what the recent patent kerfuffle was all about?) and the size may be boosted from 3.5-inches to somewhere around 4-inches.

Camera
Another feature that has won the iPhone 4 plenty of fans is the camera, and although it's only a 5-megapixel offering the quality is quite superb. The inclusion of an LED-flash was a must-have addition after the slew of complaints levelled at Apple about older iPhones, and to up the ante further Apple provisioned the iPhone 4 to capture video at 720p too!
The iPhone 5 is rumoured to feature an 8-megapixel snapper which will undoubtedly come with an LED-flash, and it's likely that the video capturing facility will see an upgrade to 1080p, to allow the device to fall into line with the market leading Android devices on offer.

Power
The iPhone 4 jogs along at a pretty brisk pace thanks to the 1GHz Apple A4 CPU and proceedings are helped along nicely by the 512MB RAM installed, but let's not forget the iPhone 4 doesn't truly multi-task, so the power is dispersed nicely among the OS and other features without really being taxed.
What we're expecting to see on the iPhone 5 is a dual-core 1GHz CPU and around 768MB RAM , but this extra oomph may be placed under strain if the device finally offers users what they've been crying out for: true multi-tasking!


Form
iPhone 4 - 115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3 mm, 137g
The iPhone 4 cuts a pretty impressive figure and we wouldn't expect the iPhone 5 to deviate too much from Apple's master-plan. The same thin, light physique is on the cards for the next device, though the iPhone 5 may offer something for users to get hold of, rather than being a sleek but slippery metal and glass affair.
Over the years the one thing people have come to expect from Apple is style and design quality, and that isn't about to change all of a sudden with its biggest device to date.

Software
There has been much speculation regarding whether or not the iPhone 5 will launch with iOS 5.0, and it still remains unclear whether or not this will be the case.

It would be an odd product launch for Apple (especially seeing as the device may actually be called '5') without the next generation of software being used to launch the smartphone though, so we're hopeful.
Supposedly the next iteration of iOS has been scheduled for a September release (which could tally with a delayed iPhone 5 release of course) and we know that it will feature an overhauled notifications system, to provide users with actual information rather than the current cryptic clue system that is currently in effect in the iPhone 4 (and other iOS devices).

You can also look forward to a cloud-based music service, which will likely integrate with iTunes and use the company's MobileMe service (which may be offered free-of-charge when the changes rollout!).
Another firm bet for iOS 5.0 is advanced voice recognition, as it transpired recently that Apple was working closely with the voice recognition gurus at Nuance to make vocal-control a real selling point for the next generation of iOS devices.

So things are looking rosy for Apple devotees around the globe! Not only is the iPhone 5 finally nearing release, but the iPhone 4 has just dropped in price too! So you can either treat yourself to a slice of Apple goodness for free, or wait and splash the cash on what will be an impressive (but expensive) new gadget! An interesting summer lies ahead.

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