iPhone 4S announced, hits UK October 14th

Apple has as expected tonight revealed the next iteration of its successful iPhone – the iPhone 4S.

On the face of it the new handset is identical to the current iPhone 4, but inside there are several important changes designed to give the handset more oomph.

Included is Apple’s A5 CPU and a dual-core GPU that boosts graphics performance by a factor of seven. And although the screen remains identical, there have been changes to the antenna design with the phone now able to switch between two independent antennae depending on how a user is holding the phone.

The old 5MP camera has been replaced with an 8MP model more in line with other modern smartphones. Video recording has been upped to 1080p, too, and is said to be the fastest of any smartphone on the market needing only 1.1 seconds between shots.

The 4S is 14.4Mbps HSPA compatible for maximum network speed while there has been a moderate improvement to battery performance.

iOS 5 will, as previously rumoured, include a brand new array of voice control options – and while iOS 5 will be compatible with the iPhone 4 the advanced voice features will be iPhone 4S only.

Once installed, however, all handsets will be freed of their PC shackles, with complete wi-fi set-up and updating fully enabled. Twitter has now been embedded into the OS as well as Apple’s new Newsstand digital printing platform.

iPhone 4S will be released in the UK on October 14th, along with iOS 5 and both the new Nano and new Touch.

The UK’s network operators will be announcing their tariffs and upgrade offers over the coming days.

Apple also announced a brand new iPod Nano with multi-touch interface, built-in fitness functions and an FM radio as well as a new iPod Touch complete with Retina Display and the iCloud compatible iOS5 software.