CUPERTINO, Calif. (KTLA) -- Tuesday's unveiling of the newest version of the Apple iPhone garnered a mixed reaction from investors, analysts, and consumers.
The wildly-anticipated release of the iPhone 4S, with an exterior identical to the current model, was a letdown to some who had expected the unveiling of the completely new iPhone 5 rumored to have a revamped exterior complete with a larger screen.
Some fault the company for letting rumors of the iPhone 5 release run rampant, CNN reported, citing a comment made by Al Gore, an Apple board member, leading some to believe that the company would be releasing the 4S in addition to the 5.
Bloggers and others who were unimpressed by the 4s have dubbed the most recent release as a less-than-revolutionary placeholder for the completely redesigned iPhone 5, to be released within 6 months to a year.
Apple stock reflected a mixed reaction as well, with shares falling as much as 5 percent during day trading but ultimately closing down just 0.6 percent to $372.50 per share.
At its unveiling, new Apple CEO Tim Cook demonstrated the internal upgrades unique to the fifth version of the iPhone, which include a faster, more efficient dual-core A5 processor, an 8-megapixel camera capable of shooting 1080p video, and a new antenna system.
It's also a "world phone," which means that Verizon iPhones will be able to usable overseas, just as AT&T iPhones already are.
Perhaps most hyped was the "personal assistant" application called Siri, which responds to spoken questions and commands such as "Do I need an umbrella today?"
It's an advanced version of speech-recognition apps found on other phones.
The new iPhone also comes with new mobile software, iOS 5, that includes such features as the ability to sync content wirelessly, without having to plug the device to a Mac or Windows machine.
IOS 5 will also be available on Oct. 12 for existing devices - the iPhone 4 and 3GS, both iPad models and later versions of the iPod Touch.
Apple said Oct. 12 will also mark the launch of its new iCloud service, which will store content such as music, documents, apps and photos on Apple's servers and let people access them wirelessly on numerous devices.
Apple said the new phone will come in black or white.
It will cost $199 for a 16 gigabyte-version, $299 for 32 GB and $399 for 64 GB - all with a two-year service contract requirement.
It will now be available through Sprint Nextel Corp., besides the existing carriers, AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless.
The previous version, iPhone 4, will now cost $99 for 8 GB.
The 2009 model, the iPhone 3GS, will be given away for free with 8 GB.
Both also require a two-year service contract.
The iPhone first hit the scene in 2007 and quickly gained millions of fans. More than 100 million iPhones have sold since.
Apple also unveiled a new line of iPods, including a Nano model with a multi-touch display that promises to be easier to navigate.
Apple made no mention of its Classic model, which many people had speculated the company might discontinue.
Cook said Apple has sold more than 300 million iPods worldwide so far, including 45 million in the 12 months through June.
The iPhone first hit the scene in 2007 and quickly gained millions of fans. More than 100 million iPhones have sold since.
The wildly-anticipated release of the iPhone 4S, with an exterior identical to the current model, was a letdown to some who had expected the unveiling of the completely new iPhone 5 rumored to have a revamped exterior complete with a larger screen.
Some fault the company for letting rumors of the iPhone 5 release run rampant, CNN reported, citing a comment made by Al Gore, an Apple board member, leading some to believe that the company would be releasing the 4S in addition to the 5.
Bloggers and others who were unimpressed by the 4s have dubbed the most recent release as a less-than-revolutionary placeholder for the completely redesigned iPhone 5, to be released within 6 months to a year.
Apple stock reflected a mixed reaction as well, with shares falling as much as 5 percent during day trading but ultimately closing down just 0.6 percent to $372.50 per share.
At its unveiling, new Apple CEO Tim Cook demonstrated the internal upgrades unique to the fifth version of the iPhone, which include a faster, more efficient dual-core A5 processor, an 8-megapixel camera capable of shooting 1080p video, and a new antenna system.
It's also a "world phone," which means that Verizon iPhones will be able to usable overseas, just as AT&T iPhones already are.
Perhaps most hyped was the "personal assistant" application called Siri, which responds to spoken questions and commands such as "Do I need an umbrella today?"
It's an advanced version of speech-recognition apps found on other phones.
The new iPhone also comes with new mobile software, iOS 5, that includes such features as the ability to sync content wirelessly, without having to plug the device to a Mac or Windows machine.
IOS 5 will also be available on Oct. 12 for existing devices - the iPhone 4 and 3GS, both iPad models and later versions of the iPod Touch.
Apple said Oct. 12 will also mark the launch of its new iCloud service, which will store content such as music, documents, apps and photos on Apple's servers and let people access them wirelessly on numerous devices.
Apple said the new phone will come in black or white.
It will cost $199 for a 16 gigabyte-version, $299 for 32 GB and $399 for 64 GB - all with a two-year service contract requirement.
It will now be available through Sprint Nextel Corp., besides the existing carriers, AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless.
The previous version, iPhone 4, will now cost $99 for 8 GB.
The 2009 model, the iPhone 3GS, will be given away for free with 8 GB.
Both also require a two-year service contract.
The iPhone first hit the scene in 2007 and quickly gained millions of fans. More than 100 million iPhones have sold since.
Apple also unveiled a new line of iPods, including a Nano model with a multi-touch display that promises to be easier to navigate.
Apple made no mention of its Classic model, which many people had speculated the company might discontinue.
Cook said Apple has sold more than 300 million iPods worldwide so far, including 45 million in the 12 months through June.
The iPhone first hit the scene in 2007 and quickly gained millions of fans. More than 100 million iPhones have sold since.
