iLounge

New benchmarks of the iPhone 4S suggest that the device’s A5 processor is running at a slightly slower clock speed than that of the iPad 2. AnandTech reports that based on the discrepancy between the Geekbench scores of the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S, it appears that the iPad 2’s A5 is clocked around 25 percent higher than the iPhone 4S’, setting the latter’s clock speed at 800MHz. Javascript performance on the new device rivals that of Tegra 2-based Android Honeycomb devices, according to the benchmarks, while the iPad 2 was shown to hold around a 21 percent advantage of the 4S in graphics performance, which is likely related to the clock speed difference. Apple will launch the iPhone 4S this Friday, October 14.

According to the latest data from comScore, the iPad accounted for 97.2 percent of all tablet traffic in the U.S. in August 2011. The research firm also found that iPads have also started to account for a higher share of Internet traffic than iPhones, representing 46.8 percent of all iOS device traffic, compared to 42.6 percent for the iPhone. Despite Android’s larger share of the smartphone market, iOS had the highest market share of connected devices and smartphones in use with 43.1 percent, compared to Android’s 34.1 percent, a difference largely attributed to the iPad’s dominance in the tablet market. iOS as a platform also accounted for the largest share of Internet traffic among such devices, representing 58.5 percent of all non-computer traffic in the U.S., compared to a 31.9 percent share for Android.

Mobiata has released an update to FlightTrack and FlightTrack Pro adding support for the upcoming iCloud release and integration with the new Twitter features in iOS 5. With FlightTrack 4.2 users can now synchronize their flight lists and FlightTrack settings across multiple iOS devices using iCloud and post flight updates to Twitter using the new integrated iOS 5 Twitter integration. The update also fixes a number of bugs, improves performance when tracking large numbers of flights, adds thousands of additional airports and provides more readable and concise airport weather forecasts. FlightTrack is available in both standard and Pro versions: FlightTrack ($5) includes a full set of flight tracking features including weather radar, gate and baggage claim information, flight delay forecasts and SeatGuru charts; FlightTrack Pro adds push notifications, airport delay and closure information and TripIt synchronization. Both apps are universal and require an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad running iOS 4.0 or later; iCloud and Twitter integration features require iOS 5.

The Omni Group has released an update to its OmniFocus apps for the iPhone and iPad adding background location reminders and general support for the upcoming iOS 5 release. The latest update to OmniFocus now allows users to set geo-fence style location reminders under iOS 5 that can be triggered in the background when arriving at or leaving a specified location. Although OmniFocus has provided location-based contexts for some time, the feature was previously confined to querying tasks nearby and plotting them on a map. The new Location Reminders feature will alert the user to available tasks at nearby locations even when OmniFocus is not the active application. Location Reminders can be associated with contexts and users can choose from one or three ranges to determine at what distance the reminder is triggered.

This latest update also adds several other enhancements including improvements to map views and edit modes, better display of calendars in Forecast View, and several fixes related to syncing and other miscellaneous bugs. OmniFocus is available from the App Store in two versions: OmniFocus for iPhone ($20) and OmniFocus for iPad ($40). Both versions require iOS 4.0 or later; the new Location Reminders feature requires iOS 5 and an iPhone 4/4S or iPad 2 with 3G.

Facebook has released an update to its iOS application adding the anticipated native iPad support. Originally reported by the New York Times in June to be appearing in the “coming weeks,” the app was inexplicably delayed, prompting a prominent developer to leave Facebook in frustration and report that it had in fact been “feature complete” as far back as May. Many later expected the rumoured iPad update to be released at Facebook’s f8 developer conference in September, however the event came and went with no mention of iOS at all.

Today’s update to Facebook 4.0 finally adds native iPad support to the existing Facebook application providing an iPad optimized user interface with higher resolution photos, improved navigation and access to Facebook apps and games. Users can also zoom in on photos, updates and stories and share photos and status updates without leaving the news feed. The update adds several new features to the iPhone and iPod touch version as well, including improved searching and browsing, similar games and app support, bookmarks and improved navigation. Facebook 4.0 is available from the App Store as a free download.

Apple has announced that pre-orders for the iPhone 4S exceeded one million in the first 24 hours the device was available for pre-order. According to the release, the pre-order total surpasses the previous single day pre-order record of 600,000 set by the iPhone 4; AT&T in particular said over the weekend that it received more than 200,000 iPhone 4S pre-orders in the first 12 hours. Notably, it appears that pre-orders have now accounted for all available stock, as Apple is now listing new orders as shipping in 1-2 weeks. Apple will release the iPhone 4S this Friday, with Apple Retail Stores opening at 8 am local time for the launch.

“We are blown away with the incredible customer response to iPhone 4S,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “The first day pre-orders for iPhone 4S have been the most for any new product that Apple has ever launched and we are thrilled that customers love iPhone 4S as much as we do.”

AT&T is planning to promote the iPhone 4S as a “4G” device in an effort to differentiate itself from rival carriers Verizon and Sprint, according to a new report. Citing an internal memo that has since been confirmed by AT&T, The Verge reports that the company is working with Apple to have “4G” branding added to the status bar of iPhone 4S devices running on its network. While both AT&T and T-Mobile have labeled their HSPA+ networks as “4G” for marketing purposes, and the memo refers to the iPhone 4S as a HSPA+ device, Apple made no such claims during its event nor on its website, where the handset is listed as supporting HSDPA/HSUPA networks, with a theoretical download cap of 14.4Mbps, significantly slower than the 84 Mbps cap of HSPA+ when deployed with MIMO technology. AT&T said in its confirmation that it and Apple are “working together” on the branding change, and said that “customers will get 4G speeds from day one” regardless.

Best Buy has started taking pre-orders for the iPhone 4S. The big-box retailer was apparently offering only 64GB black and white AT&T models for pre-order online—both of which have since sold out—but lists a number of models as available in-store. Models being offered for in-store pre-order include both black and white 16GB and 32GB Verizon and AT&T models, with 64GB Verizon models strangely absent. Nor is either 64GB Sprint model listed, while the 16GB and 32GB variants are listed as “coming soon,” with abnormally high—higher than Apple’s own unlocked pricing, in fact—pricing of $699 for the 16GB models and $799 for 32GB versions. Apple will launch the iPhone 4S on Friday, October 14.

RadioShack has announced that beginning today, it will accept pre-orders on the iPhone 4S. According to the company, pre-orders will be limited to black and white 16GB and 32GB units, meaning that customers looking to pre-order a Sprint model or a 64GB unit will need to look elsewhere. The company is also offering customers the ability to trade in any smartphone for up to $200 in savings off an iPhone 4S from October 14 to October 31. As RadioShack is an authorized dealer for AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint, it is unclear why iPhones bound for the latter’s network are left out of the promotion; although it was not specifically stated, the pre-orders are likely to be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

While AT&T—thankfully—isn’t forcing prior iPhone users upgrading to the iPhone 4S to give up their unlimited data plans, it is forcing them to choose between one of two message options, neither of which are universally appealing. During the process of ordering multiple iPhone 4S units earlier this morning, iLounge found that if you have a grandfathered unlimited data plan, it will appear to be removed from your account during the ordering process, only to be replaced soon thereafter by an identical option specific to the iPhone 4S. For those on messaging plans other than the pay-as-you-go or unlimited options, however, the carrier is not as accommodating—during the ordering process, those users will need to choose between either a pay-as-you-go or unlimited plan, setting users up for charges of either $0.20 per SMS and $0.30 per MMS message, or $20 per month for unlimited texts, respectively. For a user on a $5/mo. messaging plan, these changes could mean an increasing in charges of $15/mo., which over the course of a two-year contract becomes $360.

AT&T announced the changes to its plans in August, and stated at the time that current customers would be allowed to keep their current plans even when changing handsets. It has not been confirmed, but seems likely, that the move was in part a response to Apple’s new iMessage service, which allows for direct iOS device-to-iOS device messaging, circumventing any carrier’s existing SMS/MMS servers, and thus incurring no additional charge to the user, save for the minuscule amount of data used when away from Wi-Fi.

Magellan has updated its RoadMate apps adding a new Safety Alerts feature and three more optional voices. With RoadMate 2.2 users in the U.S. can now receive real-time red light and fixed speed camera alerts at no additional cost or choose to purchase a Premium Safety Alerts subscription that provides alerts for speed traps, speed cameras, live camera feeds, dangerous curves and school zones. Three additional voices for turn-by-turn guidance are also now available via in-app purchase for $1 each. The new version also includes the latest map data along with a new Junction View feature that provides photorealistic renderings of freeway interchanges and highway signs to help guide users through complicated interchanges. Magellan RoadMate requires iOS 4.2.8 or later and is available in three versions: RoadMate North America ($50), RoadMate USA ($40) and RoadMate Canada & Alaska ($35). Premium Safety Alerts are available via in-app purchase either as an annual subscription for $10/year or for a one-time payment of $25.

Apple has confirmed that the iPhone 4S will be available unlocked and contract-free starting in November, 2011. According to the online Apple Store, 16GB models will be priced at $649, with 32GB at $749 and 64GB at $849. However, in a somewhat confusing note on the page, Apple’s text says that “the unlocked iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S will not work with CDMA-based carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint.” It’s unclear at this point whether the text was merely preserved from the iPhone 4 and carried forwards to the iPhone 4S, which operates as a dual-mode worldphone with the ability to switch between CDMA and GSM networks, or whether this is related to an actual software or hardware restriction with the new device.

Customers attempting to order Apple’s new iPhone 4S were unexpectedly met with delays as the company’s Apple Store web site failed to relaunch at the promised 12:01AM Pacific Time for pre-orders on Friday, October 7. Readers reported that Verizon’s web site was accepting preorders properly, though AT&T’s was not. While users have continued to expect new iPhone launches to be better than the last, iPhone pre-orders have repeatedly experienced issues over the last several years, ranging from server slowdowns to crashes of Apple’s and AT&T’s processing systems.

Updated: As of 12:30AM PT, iLounge has since confirmed that Verizon’s web site works all the way through the iPhone 4S ordering process from initial device ordering through final confirmation. Some reports suggested that Sprint’s web site is also accepting orders, however, our tests brought up a “We’re sorry” message when attempting to place an order. AT&T’s web site is not as yet showing iPhone 4S availability, and the Apple Store remains down, with numerous reports of inability to place pre-orders.

Update 2: As of 12:40AM PT, Apple’s web site began to take orders, albeit with a number of errors during different parts of the ordering process. Additionally, customers attempting to use the Apple Store site to become new Sprint customers were told that they would only be able to do so by visiting an retail store on launch day.

Update 3: As of 1:00AM PT, Apple’s web site continued to experience processing and account verification orders with existing AT&T accounts, but AT&T’s web site was capable of accepting at least orders for new customers. Notably, existing AT&T customers were not being offered the option to preserve their prior text messaging plans through Apple’s web site, and were being forced to choose between $20 unlimited plans or 20-30-cent-per-message charges.

Update 4: As of approximately 1:45AM PT, Apple’s web site began to display a notice that “we are temporarily unable to take iPhone orders.”

Update 5: As of 1:55AM PT, Apple has switched its system over to temporarily accept reservations for iPhone 4S, with order confirmations to take place at a later time. “We will e-mail you… when it’s time to complete your order. At that time, you can link back to the Apple Store to confirm eligibility… You can then place your order, and your new iPhone will be shipped to your door.” The image notably depicts an iPhone 4 rather than an iPhone 4S.

Following this week’s announcement that the iPhone 4S will be including the Siri Assistant feature, Apple appears to have removed the standalone Siri app from the App Store. Existing Siri app users are also now seeing a note in the Siri app indicating that an “even smarter and better-looking” version is on the iPhone 4S, and suggesting that standalone app will stop working on October 15th—the day after the release of the iPhone 4S. The new built-in Siri Assistant demonstrated by Apple this week will be exclusive to iPhone 4S users, however as the prior app works fine even on the older iPhone 3GS, it remains unclear what changes have been made to the new implementation of Siri that require the new iPhone 4S hardware.

Sprint has confirmed that it will offer unlimited data plans for the iPhone, and has opened pre-orders for the iPhone 4 while announcing pre-orders for the iPhone 4S. “While supplies last, pre-order the iPhone 4 online today, reads a message on the carrier’s website. “The iPhone 4S will be available for pre-order on Friday, Oct. 7.” Available plans with unlimited data include the Everything Data 450 plan, which offers 450 anytime minutes, unlimited texts, and unlimited data for $79.99 per month, the Everything Data 900 which also offers unlimited texts and data along with 900 anytime minutes for $99.99 per month, and the Simply Everything plans, which includes unlimited talk, text, and data for $109.99 per month. Sprint’s iPhone 4S pre-orders will open at 12:01 am Pacific Time tomorrow.

App Cubby has released Tweet Speaker, a new Twitter client that allows users to listen to their streams spoken aloud. The app features an attractive user interface displaying a single tweet per screen with standard buttons for replying, marking favourites, retweeting and viewing conversation threads, with a radio dial styled time indicator displayed at the bottom. Tweet Marker support allows synchronization of timeline positions with other Twitter clients such as Twitterrific and Tweetbot.

Tapping the playback button begins reading back tweets from the current timeline position using a synthesized voice system specifically optimized for Twitter; replies, mentions, hashtags and even external links are interpreted and read appropriately—for example Tweet Speaker will attempt to follow short links and read the actual web page title rather than simply speaking an unintelligible URL. Users can also adjust the reading speed and the application includes AirPlay support. Tweet Speaker requires iOS 4.2 or later and is available from the App Store for $3.

Samsung has announced plans to file patent-infringement suits against Apple in France and Italy in hopes of blocking sales of the iPhone 4S. In its brief announcement, the company states that each preliminary injunction request will cite two patent infringements related to wireless communications technology, in particular Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) standards for 3G mobile handsets. Samsung states that Apple’s infringement is “too severe” and the iPhone 4S should be barred from sales. “Apple has continued to flagrantly violate our intellectual property rights and free ride on our technology,” Samsung said on its official global blog. “We believe it is now necessary to take legal action to protect our innovation.”

Notably, Samsung also asserts that the infringed technology is essential to the reliable functioning of telecom networks and devices—and may therefore be covered under FRAND licensing obligations, which would require Samsung to license the patents to Apple on “fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory terms.” The company says that it plans to file preliminary injunctions in other countries “after further review.” [via Engadget]

Apple plans to open pre-orders for the iPhone 4S at 12:01 am Pacific Time/3:01 am Eastern Time this Friday, October 7, according to a new report. Citing information given to customers by Apple support representatives, Mac Rumors reports that Apple Retail Stores will be opening at 8:00 am local time for sales of the iPhone 4S, which goes on sale October 14. The iPhone 4S will also launch in Canada, Australia, the U.K., France, Germany, and Japan on October 14, with distribution expanding to 22 additional countries October 28.

Firemint has announced plans to release a major update to Real Racing 2 and Real Racing 2 HD in conjunction with the launch of iOS 5 and the iPhone 4S. The new version will deliver full 720p AirPlay support for playing on the Apple TV from an iPad 2 or iPhone 4S and promises to improve the graphics and performance by utilizing the power of the new A5 processor in the iPhone 4S. Visual upgrades will include real-time dynamic shadows and specular lighting on car interiors, a 4x increase in polygon count on car visuals with more details modelled in, improved reflections, enhanced road lighting and HDR-like exposure effects.

The new version will also introduce a “Party Play” mode that will allow 2 to 4 players to engage in split screen local multiplayer games via AirPlay. One iPhone 4S or iPad 2 will be required to act as the “host” device and handle the AirPlay output. Additional players can join in using any iPhone, iPad or iPod touch models can then join in. Although no specific dates have been provided, Firemint has indicated that the updates should be coming “just in time for the launch of iOS 5.” Real Racing 2 ($5) and Real Racing 2 HD ($7) are available from the App Store.

Apple has posted a streaming video feed of today’s “Let’s talk iPhone” event. At the event, which lasted upwards of 90 minutes, Apple highlighted its upcoming iOS 5 operating system and iCloud, announced modest updates to the iPod nano and iPod touch, unveiled its new Cards and Find My Friends apps, and debuted the iPhone 4S. The stream is available for viewing now from Apple’s website.