Apple iPhone 4S: 7 disappointments

–TOI Tech

iPhone 4S, Apple’s first iPhone launch under the stewardship of new CEO Tim Cook recorded a three-day sales tally that doubled that of its predecessor iPhone 4. Together with iOS 5 and iCloud, Apple claims iPhone 4S is the best iPhone ever in terms of sales.

However, the Apple aficionados may still find a few things short in their latest iPhone. While Apple augmented the new iPhone with a faster chip, much better camera and voice service Siri, Apple fanboys were left disappointed as they were hoping to see a newly-designed, completely revamped iPhone 5 after a wait of over 15 months.

iPhone 4S missed out many new features that topped the wish list of Apple users. Here is a look at all that is missing:

1. No new design

The new iPhone 4S failed to excite on the looks. The device is absolutely identical in form factor to the previous model, disappointing fans and investors who were hoping for a thinner, bigger-screened design.

Like iPhone 4, 4S also sports a 3.5-inch multi-touch display and retains the 960-by-640-pixel resolution at 326 ppi.

2. NFC missing

While the rumour mill was fueling reports of a possibility of Near Field Communication (NFC) support, iPhone 4S turned down the hopes. NFC is a technology that allows mobile users to use their handsets as a digital wallet.

The technology enables users to pay for retail goods or services such as transit rides by waving their handsets across a reader. Meanwhile, other phone makers like BlackBerry and Samsung are including NFC support in their upcoming lineup.

3. No thunderbolt support

While the Intel’s Thunderbolt technology is making its way to the new line of MacBook Pro laptop computers, it was very likely that the new iPhone will also get it. But strangely, Apple choose to keep it out, maybe for iPhone 5.

Thunderbolt technology is a high-speed PC connection technology that brings together high-speed data transfer and high-definition (HD) display on to a single cable. Running at 10Gbps, the technology can transfer a full-length HD movie in less than 30 seconds.

4. An 8-megapixel camera isn’t groundbreaking

Apple iPhone 4S may have got a good camera upgrade. However, an 8 megapixel camera is surely not exceptional or groundbreaking. Many rival smartphones have over 8 megapixel or higher camera. LG Optimus X2, Samsung Galaxy SII, Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro, Nokia Lumnia 800 and Nokia 701 are some of the smartphones offering a 8 megapixel camera.

5. HDMI port

Like its predecessors, iPhone 4S also misses out on the industry standards ports. The new phone also come with Apple’s connector to attach to computers, for charging and other peripherals. Apple also missed out HDMI port for sharing with HDTVs.

Apple has introduced AirPlay that will let iPhone users to wirelessly stream what’s on their phone to HDTV and speakers via Apple TV. In addition, with AirPlay Mirroring, whatever you do on your iPhone appears on the HDTV at the same time.

6. Facebook integration

While Apple announced a new notification center, BBM-like messaging service iMessage, and deeper Twitter integration, there was no word on Facebook integration.

 

 

7. Price

Within hours of the price of iPhone 4S being announced on Bharti Airtel and Aircel websites, the social networking media was abuzz with comments deriding Apple. At its launch price of Rs 44,500 for the entry level model, the iPhone 4S will indeed be costlier in India than anywhere else in the world. Also, there are several smartphones available in the market that offer similar features at lower price.

Also, Indian customers will not benefit from getting somebody to buy the phone for them from the US or Singapore. As, unlike the iPad and Apple’s range of personal computers, the iPhone does not come with an international warranty.

Original link THE TIMES OF INDIA