Apple Foregoes New Hardware in Pursuit of Network Effects
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Published:
Week 40
October 2011 -
Image Source:
Apple
News
The iPhone 4S headlined a number of announcements from Apple at a media event held at its headquarters on 4 October, 2011. The company also revealed lower retail prices for its iPod products and the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4; it formally announced that iOS 5 will be available on 12 October, and unveiled new or updated applications and services.
Apple indicated it expected "typical US carrier pricing" of $199, $299 and $399 for 8GB, 16GB and 32GB models of the iPhone 4S under standard two-year contract terms. It did not provide unsubsidised price guidance. Black and white iPhone 4S models are scheduled for retail availability on 14 October in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the UK and the US. Distribution through 100 operators in 70 countries is expected by the end of 2011.
The external design of the iPhone 4S is virtually identical to that of the iPhone 4, though the new phone offers several enhancements, including iOS 5; an Apple-designed dual-core A5 processor; an eight-megapixel camera; enhanced battery life; CDMA and GSM support in a single model; improvements to antenna performance; Siri voice control; support for iCloud services; 1080p video capture capability and support for AirPlay.
