Hasta La Gadget!

The iPhone 4S’ Siri integration may be a potential game changer, but she’s not quite the world traveler some of us would like her to be. In fact, it seems she’s as lost outside of US borders as any unprepared tourist. Looking for a pub in London? Better find a traditional map. Need to know the time of day in Canada? Siri admits she has no idea, go buy a watch. Business search (via Yelp), directions, and traffic data search all appear to be US-only features for now, and Wolfram Alpha only works in English-speaking countries. The automated assistant’s international failings aren’t too big of a surprise, however — Apple’s own Siri page outs the service as a beta, noting that some features may vary by area. Stuck with sub-par international support? Sit tight, it’s coming: Apple’s Siri FAQ states that additional language support (including Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Italian and Spanish), maps and local search content are set to go international in 2012.

Update: Wolfram Alpha works outside the US in English speaking countries, thanks to everyone in the comments for the clarification.

Siri gets lost internationally, promises to do better next year originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Oct 2011 20:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’re among the teeming masses holding a brand new iPhone 4S in your hands, you may be surprised (as we were) to find there’s something conspicuously absent from the Network Settings menu on your new device: specifically the ability to manually shut off 3G data. After receiving word, and a screenshot, from a helpful tipster, rocking a 4S on Vodafone’s network, we found the same option missing from our own AT&T iteration. Of course this isn’t the sort of thing that’s likely to have an impact on most users, but if you’re the type that likes to squeeze every last bit of juice out of that Apple, the omission could cause some frustration. We gave Apple support a call to see what they had to say, and were told AppleCare has no official response on the matter. If you’re lamenting the loss of the 3G flip-switch sound off in the comments below.

Update: A few of our readers are reporting that the original Verizon iPhone 4 also lacked the 3G switch, which means the absence is most likely on a carrier-by-carrier basis.

[Thanks, Chris and Charlie]

iPhone 4S lacks “Enable 3G” switch originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So you managed to get an iPhone 4S today. Congratulations! But once you finish having sex with it and get it all cleaned off, ask yourself: What do you really know about your new phone, in an empirical and (sort of) scientifically tested fashion? Not much, right? Giz has your back. More »

If you’ve unboxed a shiny new iPhone 4S from AT&T today, you’ve most likely had an experience similar to many others who made the same purchase: frustration. It seems that the surge in activity from the release of Apple’s new handset has reduced activation traffic on Ma Bell’s network to a crawl. This isn’t the first time the carrier has had issues on launch day — but back then, it didn’t have any competition. Now that Verizon and Sprint have joined the iPhone party, the pressure’s on and AT&T’s not looking good compared to the other carriers who don’t appear to be having issues. As if that weren’t enough for the folks in Cupertino, iCloud had a rocky debut this week as well — from absent verification emails to an inability to backup data. Apple has documented all five of the new service’s foibles via the coverage link below, but it appears everything’s been peachy since early this morning. So, have you been waiting for your new iPhone to be more than a shiny new paperweight? Leave a comment, and let us know.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

iPhone 4S welcomed by AT&T activation delays, iCloud stumbles out of the gate originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This week on the Gadget Lab Podcast: The gang talks about the brand spankin’ new iPhone 4S and checks out a powerful laser from Wicked Lasers, some great gear for fun at the park, and a funky 10-inch Android tablet called the Grid 10.

Our show opens with reviews editor Michael Calore and Gadget Lab editor Jon Phillips talking about all the excitement surrounding the iPhone 4S, which officially launched today. Jon can’t wait to check out Siri and start dictating his text messages.

The duo then break out to a wicked ant-killing, plastic-melting device called the Krypton Laser. The 1-watt laser is so powerful it can shoot its beam up to 85 miles away, and can light a match on fire. Careful not to burn yourself, or, you know… blind someone.

Then we take a trip out to the park where Wired product reviews contributor Billy Brown demos a few products that will make your outdoor experience far more enjoyable: the ENO DoubleNest Hammock and the Stanley Nineteen13 Carbonated Drink Bottle. Finally: a way to relax and drink a beer without worrying about spilling it everywhere.

We finish off the episode with Michael and staff writer Christina Bonnington taking a look at Fusion Garage’s Grid 10 tablet, which will be getting a final software update in the coming weeks. It’s got an interesting grid-based user-interface that’s not quite as intuitive as those of other tablets, but the price point can’t be beat for a tablet that size.

Like the show? You can also get the Gadget Lab video podcast via iTunes, or if you don’t want to be distracted by our unholy on-camera talent, check out the Gadget Lab audio podcast. Prefer RSS? You can subscribe to the Gadget Lab video or audio podcast feeds.

Or listen to the audio below:

Gadget Lab audio podcast #128

http://downloads.wired.com/podcasts/assets/gadgetlabaudio/GadgetLabAudio0128.mp3