Tim Cook and the Apple team announced a new iPhone 5S. today (September 10 2013). The new iPhone 5S will cost $(US)199 for 16 gig, $(US)299 for 32 gig on a two year contract and will be available September 20th if you want to stand in line. Canadian pricing will be announced 11 September. The other phone announced today is a less expensive 5C which is basically the same as the current 5 model but with a plastic case and offered in five colors — green, white, blue, red/pink, and yellow.
The 5S offers a faster processor, better camera and more security via a fingerprint scanner built into the home button. The phone will be 64 bit and offer the updated iOS7 operating system. It includes a motion co-processor chip called the M7 that handles data from the gyroscope, and compass and will enable a new level of fitness apps.
The phone is the same size as the 5, and boasts a better HD camera with better illumination and improved Facetime audio. The battery life offers 10 hours of 3G talk time, 10 hours of LTE browsing, 10 hours of video, 40 hours of music and 250 hours standby, which is about the same as the iPhone5.
Elvis Costello was the surprise music artist who came on stage at the end of the event. He started out playing “What’s so funny about peace, love and understanding.” Then he performed an original version of “Radio, Radio” – a song he wrote wrote before he began his career. However, there was no mention of iTunes radio today, but it is expected to be part of the new iOS7 operating system which will be available at no charge from September 18th. iOS7 will run on the 4S and all the 5 models.
Expect to see increased sales of iPhones and Apple products in general over the coming months, which I think is good news for radio. If the speed, battery life and camera live are as good as they say, and the features promised in the new operating system live up to the hype, then more of your listeners than ever before may experience your radio station via their iPhones. So make sure your website is optimized for mobile and your audio can be consumed via a mobile app.
