5:55 PM Apple's latest pulls together lots of features already available in the market into a smooth new package. So how long until 4G LTE now?

Dan Jones, Mobile Editor

October 4, 2011

2 Min Read
iPhone 4S: What's in a Name?

5:55 PM -- Don't cry, techno kid!

The Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) iPhone 4S may not be numbered 5, but it actually implements many of the updates initially expected for that so-far unseen phone.

In fact, the Cupertino crew has smoothly pulled in features from around the wide world of smartphones -- and added some software sizzle -- and is ready to sell it all back to the world in the 4S. Quite literally, as the iPhone 4S will roll out worldwide to 31 countries by the end of October.

As LR Mobile readers and editors note, Apple is playing catchup with Android on implementing faster HSPA+ 3G, with maximum download speeds of 14.4 Mbit/s that will never be achieved in the real world. Dual antennas have previously been seen in other phones and Wi-Fi devices but should help further increase performance.

Meanwhile, the Friends and Family tracking app seems to have some commonality with Google (Nasdaq: GOOG)'s Latitude tracker, and the Apple Siri assistant shares some tricks with Google Voice. Nonetheless, both the Apple apps look to be slickly implemented for maximum whiz-bang consumer appeal.

The looming iCloud services may prove to be the most impressive part of the new phone. Of course, the updates can only happen over Wi-Fi at the moment, likely because they would seriously test current 3G network performance.

So we're looking at Long Term Evolution (LTE) for iCloud services over wireless everywhere. Could that happen in June, or will Apple stick to an October launch schedule now?

I don't know, and I'd check the agenda of anyone who tells you they do. Clearly, Apple has work to do with LTE battery life and performance before it is comfortable launching a 4G iPhone.

— Dan Jones, Site Editor, Light Reading Mobile

About the Author(s)

Dan Jones

Mobile Editor

Dan is to hats what Will.I.Am is to ridiculous eyewear. Fedora, trilby, tam-o-shanter -- all have graced the Jones pate during his career as the go-to purveyor of mobile essentials.

But hey, Dan is so much more than 4G maps and state-of-the-art headgear. Before joining the Light Reading team in 2002 he was an award-winning cult hit on Broadway (with four 'Toni' awards, two 'Emma' gongs and a 'Brian' to his name) with his one-man show, "Dan Sings the Show Tunes."

His perfectly crafted blogs, falling under the "Jonestown" banner, have been compared to the works of Chekhov. But only by Dan.

He lives in Brooklyn with cats.

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