Ina Fried

Recent Posts by Ina Fried

Reminder: iPhone 4S Preorders Start Friday

With all that has happened in the last 24 hours, it’s almost hard to remember it was just Tuesday that Tim Cook and Phil Schiller were introducing the iPhone 4S. It’s harder still to remember that the new phone goes on preorder tomorrow. Officially, sales start just after midnight Pacific time, with Sprint, Verizon and AT&T all taking orders online at that time.

As we’ve said, there are some differences on each network, even though all three carriers are selling the exact same iPhone.

AT&T’s and Verizon’s data plans all have a limit, while Sprint will offer an unlimited data plan. Each carrier has different prices and policies for additional features, such as using the iPhone as a Wi-Fi hotspot.

As for the phone itself, it looks nearly identical to the iPhone 4, but packs a more advanced eight megapixel camera, a faster A5 processor and the voice-controlled Siri feature. A 16 gigabyte model sells for $199 with a new two-year contract, while a 32GB costs $299 and a 64GB model will cost $399. Apple also plans to sell an unlocked version of the phone.

The devices are scheduled to hit store shelves (at least briefly) on Oct. 14.

UPDATE, 9:48 p.m. PT: Apple’s online store now appears to be offline, ahead of the start of preorders.

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Just as the atom bomb was the weapon that was supposed to render war obsolete, the Internet seems like capitalism’s ultimate feat of self-destructive genius, an economic doomsday device rendering it impossible for anyone to ever make a profit off anything again. It’s especially hopeless for those whose work is easily digitized and accessed free of charge.

— Author Tim Kreider on not getting paid for one’s work