Nilay Patel for The Verge:

On Tuesday, Apple issued the iOS 5.1 software update, and with it came a small but hugely symbolic change: the AT&T iPhone 4S data indicator now reads “4G.” Owners of the iPhone will notice no difference in performance or data transfer speeds; the device will not magically connect to AT&T’s shiny new 4G LTE network. It will simply receive a deceptive labeling change that allows AT&T to market the iPhone as a 4G device against competitive phones from Verizon — including, perhaps most importantly, Verizon’s own 3G iPhone 4S. It is a triumph of marketing for AT&T, and a rare acquiescence to a poor and confusing user experience for Apple.

The problem here is that “4G” as used here is marketing speak that doesn’t jibe with the actual technical standard. I agree with Patel, though – Apple made a mistake here that’s bound to leave a sour taste in users’ mouths.

(Thanks to David Nanian of Shirt Pocket for pointing us to the 4G definition.)