Apple’s latest product, the iPhone 4, arrived in stores today.The iPhone 4 was available for pre-ordering June 15.  Apple received many complaints from people who couldn’t get through the server when trying to order because of the high demand.”It was similar to trying to schedule for classes,” said an employee from the Apple store at the Mall of Louisiana who asked to remain nameless because of Apple’s privacy policy for the iPhone 4 for employees. Apple’s online store is currently backordered until mid-July. The store at the Mall of Louisiana recommends those who don’t have a reservation for the iPhone 4 arrive four hours before the store opens at 7 a.m. to get in line for the product. Video calling, high-resolution display, improved battery life, front and back cameras and high definition video recording are all some of the iPhone 4’s new features, according to Apple’s website.
Hannah Grantham, mass communication sophomore, said all the little features combined will make the iPhone 4 better than its predecessors, not one feature in particular. ”It’s so advanced for something so small. It’s really impressive. It has some of the same software as my Macbook,” she said.FaceTime, the iPhone 4 video calling application, allows users to video chat through Wi-Fi connection. Users can switch between the front camera, located above the display, or the back camera by tapping a button on the display. “Video chatting is becoming a huge phenomenon. I think it’s only a matter of time before most smart phones have that feature,” said Allie DeLee, mass communication junior.The iPhone 4’s Retina display has four times the contrast ratio and number of pixels per inch of the previous iPhone models. The display also features in-plane switching to widen the viewing angle so the iPhone 4 has a clear picture at most angles.”The Retina display and five megapixel camera can’t be beat,” said Grantham.Apple also revamped the camera and video features.  A sensor adjusts the LED flash for bright and low-light settings. The back camera takes five megapixel pictures and shoots high-definition videos.
“I occasionally take pictures on my iPhone,” said Brandon Bourgeois, business management junior.  “Even with the new features, I’d rather buy a camera to take pictures.”Grantham said she would use the video software to shoot and edit videos.
“I have a really nice camera, but I’m afraid to take it out to bars, so I would probably use the camera a lot,” said Grantham.The new display has two panels of aluminosilicate glass, also used as windshields in helicopters and trains. To prolong battery life, the display turns off when the phone is lifted to the ear during a call.Grantham said she would purchase the iPhone 4 if durability has improved from the previous models.”They say it’s better, but I will wait and see,” she said. “I need something that is bulletproof.”Chesley Powada, mass communication sophomore, said it seems to her this phone is raising the standards for smartphones. “After the first iPhone came out, more and more smartphones began to have touch screens and downloadable applications. Apple has really raised the bar this time with high resolution screen and video chatting features,” Powada said. “I think it will be interesting to see how other companies will compete.”–Contact Celeste Ansley at [email protected]