By: Ann Redus (UTSA)
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The highly anticipated iPhone 4 has made its media debut and is already starting quite a stir among techies and iPhone fanatics from across the world. Considering all the buzz surrounding the new iPhone, with the Gizmodo scandal and what not, I was anxious to see what all the fuss was about. Now I see why.
As I sat here doing research about all the features the iPhone 4 has to offer, I tried to imagine what else the Apple developers could have done to make this phone any better. I’m a very meticulous, detail-oriented person that could find room for improvement in the most perfect of things… Until now. The iPhone 4 has nothing wrong with it. It is the epitome of the perfect smart phone. It is a genius phone.
FaceTime
With the new iPhone you will have the capability to video chat over a Wi-Fi network. Not only will you be able to see the person you are talking to, you will also be able to take pictures while using FaceTime. Utilizing the camera on the front you allow the person you’re talking to see your face, but if you have something in front of you (beyond the phone) that you want a photo of, simply tap a button on the screen to enable the camera on the back of the phone to snap a picture of whatever it is you want to share. The new camera has a 5x digital zoom and an LED flash. Who needs a digital camera?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yatSAEqNL7k[/youtube]
Retina display
What is being calling, “the sharpest, most vibrant, highest-resolution phone screen ever,” the iPhone 4 has a flawless new display. The new screen has 326 pixels per inch which is four times the amount of pixels found in earlier iPhone models. You know how you can tilt your computer to a certain angle and the image looks funny? The developers at Apple have eliminated that problem for the iPhone 4. They created the new display so you can tilt the phone to almost any angle and the picture will still look remarkable.
Multitasking
FINALLY! The ability to multitask has finally hit the iPhone market. With multitasking you will be able toggle between several different recently used applications. One of the many benefits of using multitasking is that you will no longer have to go back to the Home screen to click on an application and wait for it to load again. Now, you’ll be able to hit the Home button twice and a task bar will pop up from the bottom of the screen with all the apps that are currently running. Another HUGE benefit of multitasking is the ability to listen to music from apps like Pandora in the background. Whereas before, when you closed out of Pandora the music would stop playing, now you can hop onto Pandora, minimize it and check your email, play games, etc. Every application you minimize to the task bar will be readily available without waiting for it to load. Apple also made sure that the new multitasking feature would not jeopardize the battery life or the performance of your iPhone… how nice.
With everything the iPhone 4 has to offer, it leaves little to hide. Think about it, you could get yourself into some serious trouble. Girls, wondering where your boyfriend is? Call him with the iPhone 4 and invite him to chat via FaceTime to see exactly where he is and what he’s up to… Ultimate stalker status. It sucks because I feel like I’m going to have full makeup on every time I need to use the phone. Or if someone wants to take a picture and I have some huge breakout on my face. Yeah, that new Retina display isn’t going to hide stuff. So much for being able to get away with a little blush and mascara…
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXs6Pp0_BL8[/youtube]
In addition to FaceTime, the Retina display, and multitasking, the new iPhone offers a variety of other smaller improvements that will increase productivity and convenience in a big way. For example, you will be able to create folders for applications to organize them however they please. So I could put all my games into one folder and all my financial apps into another. Also, the glass on the new iPhone is also made with an oil-resisting coat so your screen won’t pick up oil from your skin or make up. Now there’s no need to wipe your iPhone on your shirt or pants before showing someone a picture (and don’t act like you haven’t done it before). Another cool feature will be the ability to turn your iPhone in any direction. Now you can only turn your phone two ways, the new iPhone allows you to turn your phone five different ways, which also means you can get motion sickness from the palm of your hand.
Overall, the new iPhone seems like the sickest thing to ever hit the smart phone market. You can pre-order the iPhone 4 beginning on June 15 at any AT&T or Apple store. According to AT&T rep, Lacey Leonard, anyone who is eligible for an upgrade/contract renewal in 2010 qualifies for immediate purchase of the iPhone 4 at the full discount. Also, those with older generation iPhones will get an update for their phones which will allow them the same system features as the iPhone 4. Unfortunately, only those with the 3GS will have the ability to multitask. The new iPhone 4 will go on sale on June 24.
