iPhone 4S Reviews: "Best iPhone Yet", Great Camera, Siri Straight Out of Sci Fi

[BaldiMac]

The problem is that it is slower at doing those tasks than just doing it the old way. That's the way I see it anyway, it's not a question of wrong or right, it's my opinion.

Depends on the task and the situation. If your iPhone is in your pocket while you use a bluetooth headset, it is much quicker to use Siri to schedule a reminder or check a stock price.

Why bring in Facetime ? I didn't bring that up.

The person that you originally responded to (Steve's Barber) did.

 

[samcraig]

I said it in another thread. Those commenting that pre-reviews were "negative" need to remember - it's not that they thought the 4S was a bad phone or that it wouldn't rival the 4 and perhaps other phones in the marketplace.

The issue was that the 4S failed to really EXCITE them overall. A few nice/maybe one kickbutt feature. But overall, many weren't excited.

That's different than people thinking the 4S was bad.

 

[fertilized-egg]

...
Not saying your opinion is wrong but the number of common tasks it can do and MUCH FASTER than the manual alternative will make this something I will always use.

I agree and I think it could potentially be an interface that'll help us think less. I'm one who'd rather type "word" into Spotlight or Launchy in Windows to bring up Microsoft Word rather than moving mouse trying to click on an icon because it's often less strenuous and more intuitive. It's made better because now the interface can hook me straight up with functions in some apps and search results.

I might be the only one here but I actually really want to see Siri with a text box as well.

 

[Žalgiris]

The problem is that it is slower at doing those tasks than just doing it the old way. That's the way I see it anyway, it's not a question of wrong or right, it's my opinion. Why bring in Facetime ? I didn't bring that up.

Where did Apple state that it should be faster than doing it "the old way". Watch the keynote again

 

[Lara F]

Stupid question from a relatively new driver - how will Siri work in the car without either pressing the button or placing the phone to the ear? You'd need to get some kind of Bluetooth earpiece with mic I suppose? I haven't had much reason to look into that before.

Unfortunately it doesn't sound like Siri would recognize "play x song/album on Rdio/Spotify" or "x station on Pandora" if it doesn't open third party apps. That would definitely be nice on the road!

 

[BaldiMac]

I said it in another thread. Those commenting that pre-reviews were "negative" need to remember - it's not that they thought the 4S was a bad phone or that it wouldn't rival the 4 and perhaps other phones in the marketplace.

The issue was that the 4S failed to really EXCITE them overall. A few nice/maybe one kickbutt feature. But overall, many weren't excited.

That's different than people thinking the 4S was bad.

That's only true if you ignore all the negative pre-reviews.

 

[vitzr]

Ah yes, I can see it now. All these ego centric people sitting in Starbucks out to impress by talking to their iPhones. Won't that be obnoxious as hell.

All the hot looking women swooning over the men with Siri, yeah right. This outta be good.... ha... ha... ha....

Just like all the damn seniors you see walking around with a blue tooth earpiece as though they were so flippin important.

Noise, chaos & more, brought to you by Apple...

 

[Digital Skunk]

Absolutely amazing reviews. The reviewer feedback on Siri is fantastic. It's this type of overall integration (hardware, OS software, OS features like Siri, the wealth of third party applications and peripherals) that Android fanboys just don't understand. They're the ones putting tails and lights on their cars and thinking the specs make it superior to a high-end sedan. They can go f* themselves.

I think you really need to calm down and get some perspective. A persons understanding isn't limited to the device they own. Your comment actually makes you sound like the same type of person but with an phone that just has a shine Apple logo on it.

Angry, rage fanaticism kills your brain cells.

I said it in another thread. Those commenting that pre-reviews were "negative" need to remember - it's not that they thought the 4S was a bad phone or that it wouldn't rival the 4 and perhaps other phones in the marketplace.

The issue was that the 4S failed to really EXCITE them overall. A few nice/maybe one kickbutt feature. But overall, many weren't excited.

That's different than people thinking the 4S was bad.

I agree 100% and I also would love to add that anyone that didn't get the iPhone 4 for whatever reason may be in the same boat with the 4s. The iPhone 4 (or 3Gs for that matter) was never a slow phone in my opinion and having added speed is awesome, but something that smashes through what the iPhone 4 gave us.

I am very impressed by Siri, but I wasn't too excited about the update given that the 4 was already a solid contender.

But you know how it goes, if you aren't drooling over it then your a %$*#*)(*$()# that doesn't deserve your avatar.

 

[BJB Productions]

These reviews are making it extremely hard for a current iPhone 4 owner with an upgrade not buy the 4S.

These reviews are making it extremely hard for a current Android user who wants an iPhone so bad but just purchased a new phone.

 

[hayhay]

Beta for a reason

I haven't read all the comments so sorry if I'm redundant.
Pause the video at 4:18...he said..."I need to make some videos about the iPhone 4S..." but it was dictated..."I need to make some videos about the iPhone 4 ass..." LMAO...I'm not complaining...little slips like that are going to happen...just thought it was funny...I'll be getting mine Friday and can't wait to play with Siri...

 

[samcraig]

I have a 4 and as I said - quite content. iOS5 is more exciting than the 4S - and I won't be upgrading to a new phone. The 4 is still a solid phone and does everything/anything I need it to. For better pictures - I love my actual camera - but when that's not available - the iPhone 4 is more than fine. Same for video. And Siri, for me - isn't enough to warrant an upgrade.

Speed will be great for gamers - but seeing as most of my applications are email, drop box, evernote, docs2go, and those kinds of apps - the speed is not all that enticing for me.

But I wish everyone with the 4S well.

 

[kashik]

These reviews are making it extremely hard for a current Android user who wants an iPhone so bad but just purchased a new phone.

I don't know what people expected. The 4 was a great phone, the 4S builds on it and is even better. It was never a question whether the phone would be good or not, it is Apple in the prime of its Mobile game.

But you know what? The latest Galaxies are great, and the Prime will be as well. Every major release from Apple and the leading competition are gonna put out great phones, time and time again. We're gonna have to expect it. And that's good news.


But lets also think honestly, is the 4S outstanding? Those types of releases don't happen every year.

 

[za9ra22]

The issue was that the 4S failed to really EXCITE them overall. A few nice/maybe one kickbutt feature. But overall, many weren't excited.

Excitement is hardly a relevant factor for reviewers when evaluating a product. It's neither quantifiable nor meaningful, nor is a possible to generate it without a continual process of product reinvention. In the iPhone, Apple have a product which wouldn't benefit from reinvention so much as a cycle or refinement. Refined products don't excite, but they do appeal and typically satisfy their users.

A reviewer who based their judgement on their excitement for a product would not be one I'd personally trust.

 

[Aviboy97]

Dammit! I want this phone and Apple has yet to ship it!! Can I realisticly expect this phone by the 14th when it has yet to ship??? My order comfirmation says delivery on the 14th....

 

[samcraig]

Excitement is hardly a relevant factor for reviewers when evaluating a product. It's neither quantifiable nor meaningful, nor is a possible to generate it without a continual process of product reinvention. In the iPhone, Apple have a product which wouldn't benefit from reinvention so much as a cycle or refinement. Refined products don't excite, but they do appeal and typically satisfy their users.

A reviewer who based their judgement on their excitement for a product would not be one I'd personally trust.

If you think that reviewers aren't affected by their own excitement or not when they look at a product they are reviewing - then you are naive. SHOULD a reviewer remove any such bias - yes - but most don't. And that's obvious by reading most tech reviews.

 

[modit]

Tempting all iPhone 4 users to upgrade but I know I don't have any money!

 

[za9ra22]

If you think that reviewers aren't affected by their own excitement or not when they look at a product they are reviewing - then you are naive. SHOULD a reviewer remove any such bias - yes - but most don't. And that's obvious by reading most tech reviews.

Your comment related that reviewers were not excited. I explained why they should not have been. The rest is irrelevant.

 

[dgree03]

The problem is that it is slower at doing those tasks than just doing it the old way. That's the way I see it anyway, it's not a question of wrong or right, it's my opinion. Why bring in Facetime ? I didn't bring that up.

I think it will be faster at setting up reminders. One button push "Set reminder to pick up milk" done.

Instead of click app, wait for it to load, type in app, set time and date. You are talking a difference of 10 seconds vs 20 seconds to do the same task.


What I don't think it will be faster at is basic searching... but it all depends on how accurate it can be

 

[GorgonPhone]

I dont CARE IF THE IPHONE 4S HAS A PORTAL TO HEAVEN.... I IDONT WANT IT CAUSE THE SCREEN IS TOO SMALL I wil not pay another $300 for a phone that is hard to see. and the retina is soooo great but so small like a ship in a bottle..lol

 

[ipoppy]

I dont CARE IF THE IPHONE 4S HAS A PORTAL TO HEAVEN.... I IDONT WANT IT CAUSE THE SCREEN IS TOO SMALL I wil not pay another $300 for a phone that is hard to see. and the retina is soooo great but so small like a ship in a bottle..lol

Look I got solution for ya....

 

[za9ra22]

It's a better form of voice control no doubt, but it's not even close to what I think people's expection for it are. It's not "Star Trek" on your phone that's for sure, at best it's a better Dragon Dictation tied to Google that can also pipe some commands in select apps.

The only thing that's for sure is that it's the first iteration of an integrated technology, and that whatever functionality and performance it has, that technology has to begin somewhere. This is that beginning. Observing that it isn't a mature technology with 'star trek' capabilities is akin to observing that a baby can't drive a bus.

 

[KnightWRX]

Where did Apple state that it should be faster than doing it "the old way". Watch the keynote again, please

Where did I state that Apple stated such a thing ? Read my posts again, please. I deleted and reported the insult and won't stoop as low as you in my reply.

Also, please stop hounding my posts, inferring things I didn't say and always insulting me. It's getting highly annoying. If you don't like my posts, there's a Ignore User feature. Use it.

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I think it will be faster at setting up reminders. One button push "Set reminder to pick up milk" done.

Instead of click app, wait for it to load, type in app, set time and date. You are talking a difference of 10 seconds vs 20 seconds to do the same task.

What I don't think it will be faster at is basic searching... but it all depends on how accurate it can be

We'll see how it goes as the novelty wears off and real world examples become more common, but I still don't think it'll be that useful or much more than a cool gimmick to show off and then forget.

I've had voice control on my phones since some very old black and white Nokias. They've never been useful. We'll see if Apple can turn the tide, but my opinion of such systems is not one that is good right now.

I'm open to changing my mind after I get to play with it on my 4S (hoping to get it on Friday).

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The only thing that's for sure is that it's the first iteration of an integrated technology, and that whatever functionality and performance it has, that technology has to begin somewhere. This is that beginning. Observing that it isn't a mature technology with 'star trek' capabilities is akin to observing that a baby can't drive a bus.

The beginning is not this. We have had these forms of "keyword" voice control based systems for a while. The novel thing with Siri is "natural speech" is added. It's still just a bunch of voice control, it just doesn't have a bunch of set commands.

 

[l3it3r]

I'm excited, can't wait!

 

[za9ra22]

The beginning is not this. We have had these forms of "keyword" voice control based systems for a while. The novel thing with Siri is "natural speech" is added. It's still just a bunch of voice control, it just doesn't have a bunch of set commands.

What you are ignoring is the crucial part of my previous post - that this is the first iteration of an integrated technology. There's been a whole bunch of add-in voice control/activation technologies before, but none that Apple have integrated into the device and OS. That's a big difference because every 4S will have it and every 4S user can use it, while Apple develop it, improve on it and add to it.

By the way, dismissing Siri as being like everything else that's gone before but with natural speech added, misses the essential point about why voice control technology has never really caught on: it hasn't had natural speech capabilities. This is like saying that Windows is just like DOS except it doesn't rely on set commands.

 

[samcraig]

What you are ignoring is the crucial part of my previous post - that this is the first iteration of an integrated technology. There's been a whole bunch of add-in voice control/activation technologies before, but none that Apple have integrated into the device and OS. That's a big difference because every 4S will have it and every 4S user can use it, while Apple develop it, improve on it and add to it.

By the way, dismissing Siri as being like everything else that's gone before but with natural speech added, misses the essential point about why voice control technology has never really caught on: it hasn't had natural speech capabilities. This is like saying that Windows is just like DOS except it doesn't rely on set commands.

Siri isn't the only one that has done this. There are other apps in the marketplace. And they would have integration (tighter too) if Apple had allowed access to APIs and such. But they bought Siri - and integrated it.

What the poster you're replying back to is saying is that in the world of cell phones - integrated voice control is not new and does not "begin" here. It merely evolves here.