unveils faster, more powerful iPhone

CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — Inc. unveiled a new iPhone on Tuesday that is faster and more powerful but stops short of a more radical upgrade. It said Sprint customers will now be able to use one. The new iPhone 4S has an improved camera with a higher-resolution sensor. The processor is faster, which helps run smoother, more rlistic action games. It's also a "world phone," which mns that Verizon i will be able to usble overss, just as AT&T i alrdy are. There had been speculation that would revl a more radical revision of the phone, an "iPhone 5."
CEO Tim Cook gestures during the announcement at
hdquarters in Cupertino, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011.
(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)The no-show lves room for speculation that will revl a new model in less than a yr, perhaps one equipped to take advantage of Verizon's and AT&T's new high-speed data networks. There had also been speculation that would include a chip that could talk to payment terminals at retail stores, turning the iPhone into a "mobile wallet." Competitors are starting to include this capability in their , though the payment systems are still immature.
made no mention of such a fture in the iPhone 4S. 's stock fell nrly 5 percent. is including a "personal assistant" appliion called Siri in the iPhone 4S. It 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 . The new iPhone also comes with new mobile software that includes such ftures as the ability to sync content wirelessly, without having to plug the device to a Mac or machine. The iPhone announcement came during 's first major product event in yrs without Steve Jobs presiding. New CEO Tim Cook led the show after Jobs, who has been battling hlth problems, resigned from the post in August. Cook, wring a navy blue button-down shirt and jns, opened by calling his nrly 14-yr tenure at "the privilege of a lifetime."
Those in the audience clapped as he entered, but the rction seemed more muted than what Jobs had recently received. Cook said the latest iPhone, which came out in June 2010, sold more quickly than previous models, but the iPhone still has just 5 percent of the worldwide handset market. is hoping to grow that with the new model. 's new mobile software, 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. 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 's servers and let people access them wirelessly on numerous devices. 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-yr service contract requirement. It will now be available through Sprint Nextel Corp., besides the existing carriers, AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless. Pre-orders will begin Friday with availability on Oct. 14. 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-yr service contract.
also touted the popularity of its products and unveiled a new line of iPods, including a Nano model with a multi-touch display that promises to be sier to navigate. made no mention of its Classic model, which many people had speculated the company might discontinue. The event took place in 's Town Hall room, where the first iPod was launched a decade ago. Cook said has sold more than 300 million iPods worldwide so far, including 45 million in the 12 months through June. The iPhone came six yrs later and has gained millions of fans, thanks to its slick looks, high-resolution screen and intuitive software. There were 39 million i sold in the first six months of this yr. 's stock fell $17.15 to $357.45 in afternoon trading Tuesday.




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