Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks at the event introducing the new iPhone 4s at the company’s headquarters October 4, 2011 in Cupertino, California. The announcement marks the first time Cook introduces a new product since Apple co-founder Steve Jobs resigned in August. October 4, 2011 in Cupertino, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO (CBS) – Apple unveiled the new iPhone 4S on Tuesday. A new feature means you can now talk to your phone and the phone will answer you.
As CBS 2’s Vince Gerasole reports, that voice activation feature isn’t all that’s new about the latest iPhone.
It’s going to look the same, but it will be faster and have a clearer 8 megapixel camera, but the thing that had having everyone talking is the voice activation feature.
Finding folks lost in their iPhones is easy.
“I adore taking videos and the camera I just shot some doormen at the hotel we lived at down the street,” said Gold Coast grandmother Merle Lustbader as she sat on a sunny bench on Tuesday along Lake Michigan, texting her family, iPhone 4 in hand.
Sometimes the last thing iPhone users are doing with their smart phones is talking.
“It’s just a dude on a jetpack and he jumps around. It’s kind of what I use my iPhone for – not anything useful,” said 20-something Andrew Dirker as he played Jetpack Joyride.
But the multiple apps are also helping Americans bond. Drennan Quinn, another 20-something, said he’s often playing word games with his parents.
“I am playing with my mom right now she is beating me. I play Scrabble with my dad. They both beat me a lot. I am not as good as them,” Quinn said.
This all forms the backdrop of the new iPhone 4s unveiled on Tuesday.
“I don’t know that anyone is crying out for what Apple is putting into a new iPhone,” said Steve Jones, professor of Communication at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
The iPhone 4s is two times faster, and features a complete redesign of the camera to 8 megapixels.
Jones said he’s often baffled by the infatuation Americans have when Apple unveils a new product, but admits this time around, the technology giant has come up with voice recognition features before anyone else and that will really have us talking.
“Siri” features will act like a personal assistant, helping you find restaurants, even wake you up.
“You can almost say these new gadgets have become the new rock and roll,” Jones said.
Prices for the iPhone 4s start at $199 dollars for a 14GB model. They’ll be available in stores in the U.S. on Oct. 14.
