Twitter reacts: Apple launches its thinnest, biggest iPhone

Last night, after months of anticipation, the iPhone 5 was finally unveiled to the international audience.

Senior Vice President of Apple told journalists that the new iPhone is “an absolute jewel.” It is Apple’s thinnest and lightest iPhone to date, weighing in at just 112 grams. It features improved battery life, a stunning 4-Inch Retina Display and numerous other updates.

With Apple’s cult-like following, it should come as no surprise that the #iPhone5 hashtag trended on social media microblogging site Twitter during Apple’s announcement.

According to Google Facts, #iPhone5 amounted to 15 percent of all hashtags on Twitter during Wednesday’s announcement.

Comments on Twitter were mixed in their response to the new iPhone, one commentator, @MashCreative, said: “The iPhone 5 tech spec reads like lyrics from a Daft Punk track "Taller, Thinner, Lighter, Faster.”

Due to a lag in technology updates in certain areas in the Middle East one iPhone 5 hopeful @HowtoPriest said: “iPhone 5 looks alright... Maybe if I ever move out of Egypt, I might get one. I'm cool w/ my 4S for now,” in reference to the smartphone’s previous model.

Meanwhile, Sultan al-Qassemi, a commentator on Arab affairs, was quick to tweet: “…Lets just remind everyone that its just like the old one shall we.”

Some responses to the iPhone 5 directly commented on the advertising information, questioning the legitimacy of Apple’s claims.

One critic @Dan_Rowinski was quick to accuse Apple of falsely representing the new Apple product, saying: “First oops by Apple in its iPhone 5 announcement. 7.6mm is not the world’s thinnest smartphone, the Motorola Droid RAZR is.. by half a centimeter #nowyouknow.”

Another commentator, @alexhaperin on Twitter acknowledged ongoing events elsewhere in the world saying: “The shift in attention from Libya and Egypt to San Francisco is an almost physical sensation,” in reference to the ongoing violent protests in Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Iraq and Yemen over an anti-Islam film.

As for the response to the new Apple gadget from a U.S. actress known for her role in the film “Black Swan,” Mila Kunis highlighted a trend sweeping Twitter right now by retweeting “@JustAn0therTeen: Forget the iPhone 5, it’s all about the iPhone 10.”

Other celebrities, such as Justin Beiber were just as quick to jump on the bandwagon, mocking Apple’s latest tech gadget by also retweeting what Kunis had posted.

Continuing to look at responses in the U.S., criticism varied. One lighthearted Boston-based critic Thomas Towell said: “I’m very disappointed the iPhone 5 doesn’t dispense bbq sauce.”

Less witty responses included one by Twitter critic @FoolishWiseGuy who said: “Steve Jobs was a legend, the very first iPhone AND the iPhone 4 were excellent pieces of innovation. But it all went downhill from there.”

Despite widespread criticism for the long-awaited Apple gadget, many commenters seem keen to buy the new product as soon as it comes on the market.