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Tonight, Tim Cook will be talking iPhone and more. Here’s a list of all the things you can expect.
• iOS 5: Prepare your iPhones, because the final iOS 5 is coming for sure… but perhaps not yet. Most probably it will not be available for download tonight—the latest beta was not a very good one and there’s no sign of the golden master anywhere. Still, if there’s no download, there will be a release date and a full tour of the complete operating system, including its new killer feature: Assistant.
The new iOS 5 comes with a lot of new features—these are the top ten—but Assistant is the one that nobody has experienced yet. Assistant is based on Siri, a technology that Apple bought for a couple hundred million. The rumor is that it will require the new and more powerful iPhone’s A5 processor to work correctly, as well as a connection to the Internet. This is because Assistant is not just voice recognition, but artificial intelligence assisted by servers in the cloud. Expect a deranged Scott Forstall to be extremely excited about this tomorrow.
• iPhone 4S: We know this is real because we got the exclusive info. The rumor is that it is a cheaper version of the iPhone. I think this is the new iPhone, period. It has appeared in the latest iOS 5 beta and has also been leaked on Germany Vodafone’s site. An updated iPhone 4 with new A5 processor and more RAM, maybe a better camera, but with the same design. Just like the iPhone 3GS was a faster update to the iPhone 3G.
• New iPod touch: The event invitation says “Let’s talk iPhone.” That clearly sets the tone and perhaps it’s an indication that they will only talk about iPhones. However, traditionally they have also made announcements about iPods during the iPhone events, so they may mention the new models for the holiday season. Or perhaps they will just pass on these completely, just like they usually do when new Macbooks or iMacs appear on the Apple Store without any fanfare.
• Click-wheel iPod is dead: If they talk about iPod, then they most probably will announce the death of all the non-iOS 5 iPods except the touchscreen iPod nano. In a one slide, farewell, you served us well, NEXT! kind of way.
• iPhone 5: Don’t hold your breath for this one. Despite all the Chinese cases and all the rumors, there’s not a single tangible evidence of the iPhone 5. None of the iPhones—or any other Apple product in history, for that matter—has reached the day before its announcement without a leak in the supply chain. Our bet is that the iPhone 4S is the next iPhone.
• One more thing may be Steve Jobs himself. Some people think he will appear and say hi. I strongly doubt it.
Read up on everything Apple announced at the iPhone 4S event at our round-up article here.
What to Expect at Apple’s Event Tomorrow
What If Tonight's Apple Event Was Like the First Apple Conference?
What's Behind the Next Apple iPhone 5 Event
I see that the ipod touch itself will die off to.
most of the people who would buy one buy an iphone anyway.
they would still generate alot of money from it, but if they cut off the ipod touch in a few years time, people would move onto the iphone 6 and ipad4 ect
I can’t see the iPod Touch dying at all. Many people aren’t interested in an expensive phone contract or paying a fortune for the handset outright. I know a few people with cheap phones and an iPod Touch to satisfy their multimedia needs. Plus they are very popular with Teenagers as gifts.
No way. Not everybody wants to pay £1200 over the life of a contract, not a very easy to stomach option.
I don’t see Touch dying yet. Apple want to kill it but the carriers won’t play ball yet.
Apple want to sell a device with 3G data and calling hat isn’t activated and you buy airtime as you need it thru iTunes, from whichever carrier you want, wherever you are.
Its a compelling model but gives Apple too much power and takes it away from the carriers
Agreed they won’t kill the touch it’s a ‘so, so’ money spinner and still has demand, to kill it off now would just be beyond stupidity.
Yeh, just can’t see it happening at all. I know a few people with cheapo Nokias and Touches, purely because they don’t feel the need to be connected 24/7.
To be honest, my personal preference would be rather than having to visit two sites, to be able to tailor the feed on a single site. Opting in or out of country specific tagged articles. I know there’s going to be articles of interest on the US that don’t appear here and vice versa. The current cookie problems just exasperate the feeling.
Sorry, that ended up the wrong thread.
I have an iPhone 4 at present and don’t have a great desire to upgrade if this all we can expect. A spec bump and Assistant just don’t provide the motivation. I’ll be holding out for the REAL iPhone 5 next year.
It is disappointing that those wanting to upgrade have had to wait a fair bit longer than previous years for such superficial improvements. Where have Apple been? I don’t doubt that Gizmodo are right on the button with their predictions, but I can’t help thinking there must be something more to come at this event.
If only the “one more thing” could be a new MacBook Pro – for me personally. Mine died this morning
After several pretty disappointing press conferences, it does strike me that Apple might be at risk of pissing people off if there’s no particular ‘wow’ feature tomorrow.
A camera/screen upgrade won’t do it – I don’t think Assistant will either (although I think it’s damn impressive). Not sure RFID payment will get people excited either.
And even if the upgrade is pretty minor, calling it a 4S seems a stupid idea – at least make it *look* upgraded with a new number to coincide with iOS5.
That is not apples style, if something is only a little updated so for example assistant and a slight screen bump it will be called a S, new numbers are reserved for massive changes, a WHOLE NEW phone. Just my two pence * shrug*
You’re right. It’s just a shame that the new hardware can’t arrive with something as significant as iOS5.
i don’t really want an iPhone 4s, i really hope that the reason there has been no leaks is just because apple have been really cautious since the last time one got out, Im looking at you GIZ USA!
No, me neither, if the updates are unimpressive and the iPhone 4 has a decent drop in price then I suspect I’ll get the iPhone 4 on an 18 month contract and just wait for the 5.
I am pretty sure that “Let’s talk iPhone” is a play on words and that the secret behind it is the ‘comma’ that is left out: “Let’s talk, iPhone” hinting at Assistant.
Clever sausage!
Look, it’s a parrot man!
Hmm, it’s a tricky one this one. I can see why they’d only release a minor spec bump; the iPhone 4 is still a fantastic phone, so is a radical redesign really needed?
But then again, how many iPhone 4 owners (myself included), will want to upgrade to a 4S? Obviously some will, but not as many as if there were an entirely new phone. There’s a lot of iPhone 4 owners out there, Apple would reduce their customer base significantly by releasing a slightly modified phone.
Add to that the daily conflicting reports about inventory leaks from carriers, and it becomes even less clear what they’ll do. At the minute, I think we won’t see an iPhone 5, just a 4S, but I really hope I’m wrong…
As you say, if iPhone 4 owners are happy and it still feels fresh, why do anything radical?
Instead, concentrate on pushing out something cheaper to compete with Android phones – that’s got to be the real priority.
I’m sure there are plenty of us still using a 3GS who’ll happily make the upgrade now – I probably will.
I cannot use a 3.5″ screen. My hands are simply too big! If the iPhone 4S/5 does not include a redesign with at least a 3.7″ screen – yes, that really does make the difference! – I’m off to the Nexus Prime, or if that fails, the Nokia Windows Phone.
Putting me and my life story aside though – it’s wouldn’t be Apple’s style to release a new phone within 8 months, so whatever is released tomorrow will be here until October 2012 or June 2013. I really cannot see the iPhone 4′s design last 3 years after it was first released, especially with the design of all the phones on the market changing so rapidly.
iPhone 5 will make you cream your pants…
http://youtu.be/-EOpQPIMEiw
I disagree, apple in my opinion will show off the iPhone 5! I want, no sorry I need to upgrade from an iPhone 4! Next to the Samsung Galaxy 2 my screen doesn’t look to good, I would like a bigger screen and more power under the hood! I don’t believe apple will dissapoint! The 4s will be a cheaper version for the masses, I intend to purchase direct from Apple, and will order 2 in the hope to get at least one!
I think that if they only have a slight bump in specs along with the catch up features already seen in iOS 5 they are in danger of falling foul of that fickle beast “perception”. If the media decides that it makes a better story to portray Apple as failing to keep up then that is what they will write. Since lots of people believe what the media tell them this could be a big problem.
The IP4 still sells itself, people even snap up the 3GS now it has been reduced, so it would make sense to release a 4S.
Plus Apple have already reached (and exceeded) all of their targets for this financial year so I think they will wait until next financial year for IP5 to make sure those numbers are equally impressive.
You’ve got to view the iPod Touch as a low effort, high reward thing for Apple. It’s pretty easy for them to make, they need the components on hand, and it’s a nice gateway into iOS ownership, especially amongst the younger end of the market.
Plus I have a looooong commute everyday and generally see a hell of a lot of people using them, possibly as many as iPhone users. Easy cash in the bank for Apple, and CEO Tim Cook is no ones fool, easy cash is best cash.
Didn’t they move the presentation to a smaller than usual internal venue? I would think if they were launching the iPhone 5 they’d want as many schmoozing journalists and fanboys present as possible.
Yes, but there’s speculation that this was only because they didn’t have the date nailed down so couldn’t book Moscone as they usually would, as well as that Tim may want to give his first presentation to a smaller crowd. Considering they’re holding a live viewing in London as well there’s not going to be a small crowd watching. They could present it to an audience of 10 people and it would still be big news.
It’s been 15 months since they released the iphone 4 with a special announcement from Jobs about the ‘antennagate’ issue a few months after that, also and a late appearances of the white model due to a color match problem. They probably want to sweep this iPhone under the rug , despite its success. lol I’m betting on a new version . We can only give opinions and they are fun to read ! we’ll find out soon enough what will actually transpire!
enjoy watching , streaming , blogging the event everyone
Apple, please don’t kill off the iPod classic… pleeeeeeease !!
Tim Cook won’t do “and one more thing” thatgs Steve’s gimick. He’ll just say, “hey dudes, guesss what else I’ve got in my pocket” maybe something a little less seedy !!
Apple, please don’t kill off the iPod classic… pleeeeeeease !!
Tim Cook won’t do “and one more thing” thats Steve’s gimick. He’ll just say, “hey dudes, guesss what else I’ve got in my pocket” maybe something a little less seedy !!
I don’t know, Tim whipping out “little Tim” might be the only interesting or remarkable thing that happens given the speculation about it only being a small spec bump.
I’m not sure Tim would be impressed to hear you call it just a little spec bump !!
Damn you for beating me to it!
And damn you slow typing on iPad!!!!
Is that little Tim you’re referring to when you say “small spec bump”?
Mate, you need to get yourself a real keyboard, coastercub beat you to that one.
And I apparently need to learn to read.
Great move by Apple to release a lower cost iPhone 4S to bring it more inline with other competitor costs.
Big day for Tim Cook taking over the keynote, must be nervous as hell, will be interesting to see how he does.
Assistance looks a neat feature but voice control has been on phones for years but it’s never really changed the way I use a mobile device.
Well done Giz, what/who did you have to do to get quoted and linked by the Beeb?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15165081
That’s small potatoes. Kat’s actually been on the Beeb.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13165827 (Warning: Contains scenes of a Monarchist nature)
Wow, so it seems like the answer to my question was probably Rory Cellan-Jones. Shame on you Kat…
I don’t know what you are implying sir, but I don’t like the sound of it. She’s a married woman you know.
Kat taught Rory Cellan-Jones everything he knows.
All of this he promptly forgot after taking in the position with the beeb resulting in the bumbling idiot that you see before you today.
Don’t get me started on Kate Russell!
If they don’t release a phone that is aesthetically different to the 4 then they stand a chance of losing a lot of customers who have been waiting almost 2 years for a new phone. People who have 4’s already won’t be that bothered but for those people who have the 3GS waiting for a phone that looks different from that hideous 4 they will want something different, myself included.
I did not upgrade to a 4 because it looks hideous. They need to bring something to the table that is going to blow the likes of Samsung and HTC out of the water. What’s the point in upgrading certain parts of the phone and releasing something that will only have a hardware upgrade that just keeps up with the likes of the galaxy S and HTC sensation etc etc.
They are due an upgrade after almost 2 years since the last release. Let’s face it no matter what they release all the fan boys will be queuing up 2 weeks prior to release in their two man tents outside every apple shop in the U.K and further.
Don’t disappoint apple blow us away with a radical new look phone and not the same dreary looking heap that was the IPhone 4.
Is it really that bad? Which part disgusts you so much?
Thing is, there is no motivation for them to aim so high for this release. As evidenced by the 3GS launch, people still lap it up. And recent statistics show that there has never been so much demand for an iPhone – those that are waiting for this version.
Next year you’ll get the upgrade you’re looking for. But it will still look very similar!!!
What annoys me about Apple announcements is that (although I actually, truly and honestly couldn’t give a toss) I find myself pinning a liveblog tab and hitting refresh every other minute in the hope of two more lines and a picture a good 4 hours before the announcement is due to start!
And how do we change our pictures??!!
You’ll need to go to http://www.gravatar.com and upload a picture there. It doesn’t take long!
Got it
seem to have been sucked into the idea of blogging through WordPress on the way as well. At least I can brush up on my writing again, it has been a while…
Forgive me, but I really want to become a regular to the UK site. However it seems we get all the articles around a day later than the US site.
I get that you guys want it to be solely UK news and no US, so you can have a automatic republish thing going on. Does this mean you approve each article individually? Could you not make it so those who write the articles tag it with ‘UK’ or something so it’s instant?
I’ve come here once or twice, but I just keep going back to the US one.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to be “CHANGE OR I WILL LEAVE” kid. I just think it would bring the UK readers over.
Finally, how do I upload a picture? Best part of the US site, easy uploading
Welcome GCWB!
You need to upload your avatar picture to Gravatar. It will automatically populate this site within a few mins http://www.gravatar.com
I agree that during silent hours, very little (if any) updates occur. I’m a shift worker and get my gadget news at all hours. I think your proposal for an automatic republish is a good idea.
As I understand it, the reason for the delay is that they are checking articles for UK relevance and adding UK prices (or conversions) to articles.
Hey GCWB; thanks for reading. I’m not sure what you mean by us publishing the US site’s posts a day later — between the hours of 7am – 11pm (BST) we’re publishing stuff pretty much as soon as it goes live on the US site. (Though as Darrell pointed out, it takes us a couple of minutes to edit links, prices and spelling.)
We’re not taking all of the posts; only the most relevant and interesting.
Admittedly posts published after 11pm UK time don’t get picked up until the next morning, at around 7am, so if you’re a shift-worker who likes his news-fix at 3am, it might make more sense to catch the news on the US site. The choice is, of course, up to you. But we’d be glad to have ya!
The new Giz US site doesn’t work too well with our antiquated version of IE at work. This one however is lovely!
To be honest, my personal preference would be rather than having to visit two sites, to be able to tailor the feed on a single site. Opting in or out of country specific tagged articles. I know there’s going to be articles of interest on the US that don’t appear here and vice versa. The current cookie problems just exasperate the feeling.
100% chance, 50 articles on Gizmodo, will UK follow suit?