Apple announcements. iPhone 4

June 7, 2010 at 8:39 pm · Filed under The Future, TigerSpike Innovation Lab, Work Related Stuff and tagged: iphone4 iphone apple ipad

Here’s a brief summary of the key things announced by Apple just now from David So, the head of our apps team who is at the conference.

Also included are the implications

iPhone 4

• Release dates:
  • US, UK, Japan, Germany, France = June 24th (15th preorder)
  • Australia + 17 others = July 2010
  • 24 more = August
  • 88 more countries = September
• “FaceTime” video calling (how cool! I predicted this in an earlier article! – looks like it will be sooner than 2012 after all – over 3G at least)
  • Over Wifi only in 2010
  • Only on iPhone 4 to another iPhone 4
  • New open standard based on H.264 and SIP amongst other things
  • The whole implementation spec will be “open” so can be used on other devices once implemented.
  • Implications:
    • Video calls will finally become mainstream
    • Prediction: Will more than likely need 1yr to uptake
• New “retina” display
  • Essentially a 3.5″ sized LCD screen with really high pixel pitch (326 pixels per inch – older models are 163ppi)
  • 960 x 640 pixel screen
  • Apple claims our human eyes can only perceive pixels lower than 300dpi
  • This means a more realistic “paper” feel as curves are more curved and less pixelated
  • Implications:
    • Standard text and icons in apps will automatically look better
    • Design assets (and some custom fonts) in apps will need to be replaced with higher res ones in order to look better on iPhone 4 (change request for all existing projects)
• Bigger battery
• Physically smaller CPU – Using “A4 chip” (same as the iPad)
• Gyroscope:
  • Better motion control (6 axis)
  • Phone can now detect pitch, roll and yaw
• 720p HD video recording
• Tap to focus in video recording
• 5MP camera with LED flash
• New stainless steel design
  • steel bezel is both structural and acts as antenna
  • both sides are really strong glass

iAds

• Developer keeps 60% of ad revenue
• Apple has sold $60M worth of commitments from several big name brands (US market)
  • = 48% of 2010 2H’s US Mobile Display
• Implications:
  • Better mobile ad engagement
  • Easier way for clients without existing ad sales departments to generate revenue in addition to charging for downloads
  • The whole ad market will benefit from this, with many more brands ‘dipping their toe’ in mobile using this standard framework.

iOS

• iPhone OS is now renamed iOS
• Runs on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad
• iOS 4 has new features as previously announced
  • iAds, folders, multitasking etc
• Added ability to search Bing in Safari
• Implications:
  • More app features now possible as previously discussed
• iMovie for iPhone announced
• improved iBookstore -PDF support and wireless syncing (like Amazon’s Kindle whispernet)

Other comments:

• Hold out for iPad2 whenever that’s announced (2011?). The next will definitely have a better screen worth waiting for.

Full details and photos here:

• http://live.gdgt.com/2010/06/07/live-wwdc-2010-keynote-coverage/

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