The iPhone 4S Revealed – Is It A Big Deal?

Apple announced its latest smartphone, the iPhone 4S, at a press event yesterday at their Cupertino headquarters. While the iPhone 4S represents an upgrade to the existing iPhone rather than the rumored new device that was expected, the bigger news is that Sprint joins AT&T and Verizon as the US-based carriers authorized to cell the iPhone. The iPhone 4S packs an upgraded processor (the A5 that powers the iPad 2), an 8 megapixel camera, and iOS 5, and now comes as a single device that operates on both AT&T’s GSM and Verizon/Sprint’s CDMA networks. All three carriers will begin selling the device on October 14.

The iPhone 4S also includes Apple Siri, a voice-activated mobile assistant that had been available as a standalone app for iOS.  The service has been shut down, and Siri is expected to appear as an exclusive for the iPhone 4S.

In addition to the announcement of the iPhone 4S, CEO Tim Cook also announced that iOS 5 will be available for the iPhone 3 and up on October 12, and price cuts for older models. The iPhone 3GS will now be available for free with an AT&T contract, while the 8GB iPhone 4 will see its price reduced to $99.

———-

Don is waiting for the Nexus Prime to come to Verizon. Convince him otherwise @UnwinnableDonB