The estimated reading time for this post is 6 minutes
Welcome to Tech-Knowledgy where your tech questions are answered!
iPhone 4S Questions
Q. I saw an iPhone 4S and I want one now. How long is the wait for one?
A. Ask around at your local stores that carry the phone (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, Sam’s Club, Best Buy, Target, Radio Shack, Apple). Not every store is sold out of every model. If you have your heart set on one particular model, you might be better to order online.
Q. Help! I’m trying to activate my iPhone 4S online on AT&T and it’s asking for my IMEI and ICCID numbers. It says to take out the battery to find the numbers, but I don’t want to take my new iPhone apart. I don’t even know how to do that. Is there a way to get these numbers without calling AT&T or going into the store?
A. Don’t take your phone apart! Although the AT&T instructions are correct for most phones, the instructions don’t apply to iPhones.
To find the IMEI and ICCID numbers for your iPhone, go to Settings => General => About and scroll down to the bottom. You will find the numbers there.
Q. I’m syncing my new iPhone 4S to my iTunes account on my computer. Do I say it’s a new device or do I back it up from my old phone?
A. If you want to keep your settings, high game scores, app placement, etc., Restore from your old phone. Some people want a clean start and want to sync their new phone as a new device. I prefer to Restore from my old phone so I can have my new phone be very similar to my old phone.
Q. Will any iPhone 4 case fit my 4S? The dimensions of the iPhone 4 and the 4S are the same.
A. Unfortunately not all iPhone 4 cases will fit the iPhone 4S due to the placement of the volume buttons. Make sure that an iPhone 4 case will fit the 4S before you purchase it. If you’re trying to purchase a case online, the case should be marked as a 4S case for you to be sure it works. If you’re buying from a store and the case is not labeled as a 4S case, try the case on your phone before you buy it to make sure it works.
Case manufacturers need some time to roll out their iPhone 4S cases so by December a large selection of iPhone 4S cases should be available. In the meantime, get a case that fits so you protect your device!
Q. I bought my iPhone 4S at the store and traded in my old iPhone 3GS and they had this really cool thing that transferred everything from my old phone to my new phone. I got $100 for my old phone so my 4S only cost me $99. But I have a calendar app that lost all of my appointments when the phones were transferred. I’m scared, will I be able to get my appointments back?
A. Congratulations on trading in your old phone. Trading in your old iPhone is very helpful to cut the cost of getting a new phone.
I have a few suggestions for you to get your appointments back onto your calendar app. First, do you know if your calendar app syncs with an online calendar? Most calendar apps do, you can choose from using an online calendar in Google, iCal, Yahoo, etc. You may just need to set up the syncing on the app with your new phone if your app on your old phone was syncing with an online calendar.
If you didn’t set up syncing with the calendar app on your old phone, then you should still be able to get your appointments back. If you synced your old iPhone with your computer recently, you should be able to restore your iPhone 4S to your old iPhone settings.
Plug your iPhone 4S into your computer to Restore. (If you’re not prompted to Restore, then right-click on the name of the phone on the left column and click on Restore from Backup.) You should back up your new phone to your last backup of your old phone. I’m hoping you backed up your old phone fairly recently before you traded it in.
Restoring your new iPhone should transfer over all of your appointments from your old phone’s calendar app to the new phone.
Siri Questions
Q. I got a new phone and someone asked me how I liked Siri, but I don’t know what that is. What’s Siri?
A. Siri is a digital personal assistant that is the killer feature of the iPhone 4S. You speak into your phone and Siri can help you with the following information:
- Make a phone call
- Play music
- Send text messages
- Read text messages
- Schedule appointments
- Schedule reminders
- Get directions from Google Maps
- Send emails
- Weather locally and in other areas
- Tell you stock prices
- Set alarms
- Set timers
- Find your contacts
- Add notes
- Web searches
Siri uses artificial intelligence to understand what you mean, so you don’t have to ask questions or give instructions according to a specific script. For example, you can have the following conversation with Siri:
“Make an appointment for Tuesday at 2:30.”
Siri: “Okay, you want me to schedule a meeting for Tuesday at 2:30. You already have an appointment at that time. Shall I schedule the appointment anyway?”
“No, change the appointment to 3:30.”
“Okay, I’ll make that change to your appointment.”
Q. I have an iPhone 4S but I don’t have Siri. How can I get Siri?
A. If you have an iPhone 4S in the US, you have Siri. (Note that outside the US, use of Siri may be restricted.)
You will need to set up Siri, if it isn’t already set up on your phone when you get it. To enable Siri,
Go to Settings => General => Siri => On.
Q. How do I use Siri?
A. To use Siri, you press the Home button until you hear the double tone. You can also activate Siri by lifting the phone to your ear as if you ever making a phone call. To enable this,
Go to Settings => General => Siri => Raise to Speak => On
After you hear the double tone, ask your question.
Q. Is there a real person answering the questions?
A. No. The questions are answered from a computer in North Carolina. You need to have Internet access to use Siri.
Q. Do I need to be connected to Wi-Fi to use Siri?
A. No, you can use Siri on your iPhone 4S when you are away from Wi-Fi, but you will use data to do it, Be sure you don’t go over your data limits by using Siri a lot when you’re away from Wi-Fi. Mind the Cap!
Q. Where can I hide a dead body?
A. Ask Siri.
My Questions
Did you get an iPhone 4S? Have you tried Siri? Is Siri your new best friend? Let us know in the Comments section below!
* Image by Damián Navas
Thanks for the great information! I did get an iphone 4s on Saturday, and once I wrestled it away from my teenager, I am loving it. Still getting the hang of Siri, but I can see huge benefits of it. I am notorious for remembering things in the car when I can’t write it down then forgetting them when I get home, and now, with Siri, I just have to speak into my phone to remind me later. I am going to try your calendar update details … I also lost my calendar data when I upgraded from my 3Gs to the 4s. Looking forward to finding out where to hide dead bodies … oh, and a skeleton too!
Hi Carol, I’m glad you and your teenager are enjoying the iPhone 4S. The pressure to buy him one may be relieved if you let him use your phone. Then again, he might exert even more pressure if he discovers Siri is his new love.
I hope you’re able to get your calendar appointments back. Let us know how that goes! 🙂
I am always cursing at my Bluetooth – it never recognizes my commands and I am always enunciating in the extreme. I’ve used several bluetooth systems, and I always have the same problem. In fact – I find it’s an issue with most voice activated programs and services.
I’m not getting the 4S, but I keep thinking that Siri is going to have those same bugs. You ask, “Please reschedule my conference call on Monday at 10:00” and Siri will respond, “I’ve ordered you new shoes.” Know what I mean?
Hi Ruth, i agree with you. Voice recognition can be more of a pain than a help if it doesn’t work well. I first tried it with my Motorola Razr back in 2004 with voice dial commands. To say it was bad would be a compliment. I would say, “Call Dad.” and it would call my friend Murielle. Not one letter in common!
I’m happy to report that the technology has advanced in seven years. Siri is amazingly accurate. I only have difficulty when I’m in a noisy place. Then she might misunderstand a word I’m saying.
What’s particularly amazing about Siri is that she converses with you. You don’t have to repeat a command if you want to change the command a bit. Very cool.
So, Ruth, I think you would be very pleased with Siri! 🙂
Siri is really awesome Virtual Assistant.. it gives you a feeling of more sensible Voice Assistant then we usually have in Android phones..
Looking forward to have a good voice assistant in Android also as much funny & sensible like Siri..
Hi Rohit, Yes, I think a big part of Siri’s appeal is its sense of humor. Siri definitely has an attitude!
You’re right, it will be very interesting to see what Android will have in the way of a voice assistant to match Siri.
Dang Carolyn, now that’s just too cool.
You asked us all a question in an earlier post, did what you shared make us want to get a new phone. NOW my answer is yes! Whether I do it or not, who knows but that’s just too cool.
I can’t get over how much technology has grown. I’m shaking my head over here and have a big old smile on my face.
🙂
Hi Adrienne, Until the iPhone 4S was released, it was difficult to understand the true desirability of the device. But now that it has launched, the reviews have been uniformly positive. Over 4 million iPhone 4S devices were sold this weekend. I would say it’s a hit!
If you know of anyone with an iPhone 4S, you should have them demonstrate Siri for you. It is too cool!
If the iPhone 4S is tempting you, then it must be a great phone!
My husband, a die hard BlackBerry fan, is craving an iPhone 4S now too. He is always asking me to ask Siri a question. He was having fun quizzing Siri this weekend.
I’m so glad Siri made you smile today! 🙂
Let me get this straight – A device that wants to help me. Will tell me it’s about me, not it. Knows where to hide dead bodies.
I am soooo getting the 4S & Siri!!
Hi cho cho, It’s true. This phone knows it’s all about you, cho cho. How great is that?
Siri’s ability to help you hide dead bodies reminds me of the Emergency Aid app (https://wonderoftech.com/2011/09/emergency-aid-your-most-important-app/). I hope you never need it, but it’s good to know it’s there if you do.
Keep us posted, cho cho, if you get a 4S! 🙂
Very cool and helpful.
Last 3-4 days, everywhere in the tech world I wander, I have been reading about Siri. I, myself, am yet to try it out – but can’t ignore the fact that Apple has proved yet another trendsetting milestone. Though some articles also point to some earlier technology (Vlingo on Android), but Siri has certainly captured people’s imagination in a way that I haven’t seen Vlingo or any competing product has. May be its too smart, or even smart and funny (For sure, check this out: http://thisismynext.com/2011/10/12/siri-weird-things-iphone-4s/). This is just a first step towards bringing AI (Artificial Intelligence) to our hand!
Carolyn, seems like you grabbed an iPhone 4S. Did you? Are you one of the lucky 4million users who grabbed an iPhone4S in past weekend (what an amazing number)?
Hi iRewardChart, I imagine you and Siri are going to get along quite well, considering your history with Siri’s developer. Siri is a ton of fun, I look forward to you getting a chance to try it out.
You’re right, Siri itself is truly amazing, but the fact that it resides on a phone is even more incredible.
Yes, you’re correct, I was one of the lucky 4 million folks who got a 4S over the weekend. I upgraded from my 3GS and am delighted with my new phone. I don’t think I’m alone in that sentiment! 🙂
Very exhaustive list of questions.
I have a friend who works in the service side of one of the major telephone companies and he said he had never seen so many people cancel contracts in order to get a new phone.
It’s a popular device, that’s for sure. Siri looks amazing, I saw a funny video showing a Glados version from the popular Portal game. I would probably use it most to do my texting. I hate texting. Takes way to long to say what I can say verbally.
Bryce
Hi Bryce, I agree, I strongly dislike typing on a virtual keyboard, so I find I’m using Siri a lot instead of typing. The accuracy is fantastic unless I’m in a noisy place.
I predict the cancellations will continue as word spreads about this phone. Siri’s entertainment value may wane, but its utility will continue to improve. I do wonder how long it will be before the Wow factor wears off and we start taking Siri technology for granted. 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
I’m really looking forward to try Siri, but unfortunately it’s not in Norwegian yet (and I have no idea when they are planning to release Siri in Norwegian). On the other hand, I guess Siri works great in Norway if we just speak English. At least that’s what I’ve heard.
It’s amazing that this works at all. Have you tested Siri yet, I bet you have, but what’s your opinion? Will you be using Siri a lot?
Thanks.
Jens
Hi Jens, Siri is my new best friend. She makes me laugh a lot and helps me when I need it. She’s humble and cooperative. She flatters as well. Who wouldn’t love Siri?
Yes, I’ve been testing Siri since Saturday morning, except when my family members grabbed the phone to try it out, which happened quite often.
With your fluent English, you should have no trouble using Siri. But I understand that some of the local searches (such as for restaurants) may be limited outside the US.
Siri is still in Beta so it’s may very well be available more extensively outside the US at a later date. Siri has a lot of potential to expand functionally and geographically. It makes you excited for the future!
So Jens, are you going to get an iPhone 4S when it launches in Norway? 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
Love the exhaustive list of questions you have put up. Though I am not all the tech savvy nor have I heard about Siri at our end, but reading your post and your fondness for her- sure make one wonder about it’s goodness!
I love the way you write about so many tech things and marvel them coming it from a tech-smart women- which is rarely seen!
Keep it up and thanks for sharing amazing information with everyone 🙂
Hi Harleena, I’m so glad you’re enjoying the blog. Thank you very much for your kind words, they mean a lot! No need to be tech savvy atThe Wonder of Tech. I try very hard to stick to plain English so no tech translation is needed!
Truth be told, its becoming about that time. I’ve held out joining the land of the living for to long now, and think this christmas I will treat myself to a iPhone and finally get my head round this tech biz..wish me luck girl! xx
Hi Stacey, very exciting news! Please let me know what you decide to do. I think you’ll really enjoy having an iPhone, especially as it doubles as a camera and video camera.
somebody told me about the review/specs of iphone 4s and i can say that phone is brilliant! i want to have this phone sooooo bad! can’t wait.
Hi Berna, It really is a great phone. I hope you enjoy one soon! 🙂