iPhone 4S created quite a buzz, like its predecessors and more so because it happened to be the last product to come out of Apple stable while its legendary founder, Steve Jobs was alive. Keeping aside its other apps, Rajesh Iyer deciphers its musical genes and wonders if Apple will yet again sing all the way to the bank.

There’s no denying the fact that music lovers the world over owe a lot to Steve Jobs. Not only did he take the music-on-the-move a generation ahead of its various avatars, he also helped create a new vision of taking it further in the future. But, like all technology lovers, the music lovers the world over got a jolt recently when the great man passed away. But, what no one can deny is the legacy he left behind. Music lovers could have a sense of pride for the fact that his swan song, the iPhone 4S, has some amazing features that could make any music lovers flip with joy.

‘Siri’ously Amazing

The iPhone 4S comes with a genie like feature called ‘Siri’ that’s amazing to say the least. And, it does things that would make you jump. To begin with, it betters one feature any music lover would love. Browsing, after all, can become rather cumbersome in some phones. What iPhone 4S does better than its predecessors is make browsing much easier and fun. After all, it’s got Siri that makes life much more easier and fun, may we add. Play everything you love, wherever you are. Or browse around. You can find music by song, artist, album, genre, or composer. Flip through your album art just as you flip through CDs. Then play a song. See the track list. Play it really loud (or not). Pause, shuffle, change the track with a tap, or ask the phone to do it for you. Well, actually! The phone actually listens to your command. With Siri, iPhone 4S makes sure of that. Tell it what you want to hear, and it actually starts playing the song; as simple as that. If you freak out on just knowing the feature, wait till you try it. Any music lover is bound to do a double take.

Wi-Fi Stream

Another feature to make you jump with joy. iPhone 4S spreads your music across without wires. You can actually fill your living room, kitchen or bedroom with music from your iPhone. AirPlaylets you stream music wirelessly from your iPhone to any speaker connected to an AirPort Express. The entire exercise is pretty simple and has Apple trademark about it. All you have to do is simply tap the AirPlay icon, select the speakers you want to use, and music from your iPhone fills the house. And if it’s in the iTunes library on your Mac or PC, you can listen to it on your iPhone with Home Sharing over Wi-Fi. Can things get easier than that?

Genius mixes things up

Well, iPhone 4S doesn’t stop with just Siri and AirPlay alone. There’s Genius to give them company. When you’re listening to a song you really love, tap Genius. The Genius feature finds other songs that go great with it and creates a playlist you’ll love even more. You can play it, save it, or give it another go. Genius playlists are, well, actually genius. Say, for example, when you’re having a party, hanging out, or hitting the road, with Genius you’ll hear song mixes you wouldn’t have thought of yourself. This would not only lend the songs kept in the corner an ear, but you’d end up re-appreciating the songs you forgot you had.

Pinging the Blues Away

What do you do when you need to get to your friends in just about any matter? Pinging is what you would do. Actually, Ping is the iTunes way to tell your friends what you’re listening to, check out what they’re into, and discover new favorites. Like its other apps, this one too is pretty simple. Just tap “like” while you listen to your favorite songs, and all your likes appear on your Ping profile in iTunes. And everyone can see, hear, and buy new music, thanks to your impeccable taste. In the age and time of social networking, Ping is the in-thing and iPhone users will sure make the most of it.

iOS 5

For the uninitiated, that’s the operating system iPhone 4S works on and it goes without saying that the great apps that we had been speaking about – and, drooling over – can’t be half as effective unless backed by a wonderful OS, which this one sure is. Apple has worked hard on it and the result shows.

The Flipside

Well, it’s great when you get to hear all the good news about any new gadget. But, you can’t deny the flipside. However good iPhone 4S might look, it does come with its share of downs. Now, that we are talking only about music, it becomes pretty hard to find a big gaffe in the phone, the biggest of course comes in the name of ‘price tag’. I am sure, people in Apple won’t like the word ‘gaffe’, but with iPhone 4S prices matching – or, even beating some – tablets, it would surely take some loyalty, apart from the features to see it fire off the shelf.   

Bottomline

Okay, enough of dissecting the phone. all pic's nice There are pros and there are cons. But, the bottom line is that iPhone 4S has in it to hold on to its own. There are two main factors – features and loyalty – that has always worked wonders for any of Apple’s runaway successes. But, will the dream run continue for Apple? Like the cliché goes, only time will tell.

Bidding Adieu

While it’s the iPad 2 that has taken all the spotlight as the final product that’s worth remembering its great creator with, but there’s no denying the fact that iPhone 4S has in it to make anyone proud. Wherever Steve Jobs is, and despite the pride he might have of the iPads, iPhone 4S will hold its place.