The new iPhone has been announced.  The new device, called the iPhone 4S (much to the disappointment of iFans), will be available in several countries, including Canada, the US, Australia, Japan and the UK on October 14 and by the end of the year everywhere else.  This operating system, which was discussed at an Apple event earlier this year, has many new features including iMessage, Twitter integration on several apps as well as a much better camera. There will also be an app called “Newstand” which will organize one’s magazine and newspaper subscriptions. Perhaps the most interesting app is the Card app.  Users create cards via their phone, and Apple will print and send a hard copy on your behalf. iOs5 will be available for download on October 12.

The phone itself was the highlight of today’s event. The phone looks just like the current iPhone 4, but operates twice as  fast, using the A5 chip – the same as the one in the iPad 2.  I know that this will turn off some iFanatics, who were hoping for a completely new device – the actual iPhone 5.  Tech types may also be disappointed to learn that the iPhone 4S will not be LTE-able – something that many were hoping for this time around.  Perhaps next year.

It isn’t all bad news, however.  The iPhone 4S has a much better camera, operating at 8 megapixels and takes sharper pictures.  This is good for bloggers, especially those who write about food or style.  Video recording on the iPhone 4S is 1080p.  The current iPhone 4 films at 1080i.  The new device also utilized Siri voice control, a system which answers questions ranging from the weather to currency conversion rates and more.

Given that the phone isn’t physically much different from the iPhone 4, will you be buying the device?  Or will you be waiting for the next one?  Are you disappointed with the announcement? Personally, I have one more year with my current contract, so I’ll just stick with what I have.