Article in brief: the author summarizes the main 5 product updates announced during yesterday’s Apple event, with his perspective on them.
It is that time of the year again, where all the dust settles on all the rumors and speculations, and we sit down thinking how our latest Apple gadgetry are now rendered obsolete by the same people who made it.
Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple Inc., started his keynote with the promise that the announcements in this event would be “monster announcements”. Now whether this claim bore fruition is completely up for debate. So, here is what we learned from today’s announcement:
- Apple Watch: Two new finishes are available for the Sport model, gold and rose gold. Apple also revealed a new array of bands, and a partnership with Hermes.
The most exciting news about the Apple Watch however is the new software that will allow it to run apps natively on the Watch. The new watchOS2 will be released on 16th of September.
- iPad Pro: Apple introduced a new, bigger iPad. The iPad Pro feature a “monstrous”9” screen, at resolution of 2732 x 2048, which gives it a total of 5.6 million pixels.
The iPad Pro also carries Apple’s latest A9X chip, which makes it faster than 80% of the portable notebooks in the market today. It also features 4 stereo speakers design that are set to give 3 times more volume than the latest iPad Air.
The new iPad Pro will be available in silver, gold, and space grey, and is priced at $799 for base model 32GB, Wi-Fi-only, and the top model of 128GB, Wi-Fi + cellular priced at $1079.
- Apple Pencil: Steve Jobs famously dismissed the stylus when he introduced the original iPhone. Yet, I believe, and as much as I hate to admit it, that it makes a whole lot of sense to have it. This takes Apples to the next level in the productivity market. In true Apple style, this Pencil is no ordinary pencil. Its precise nature is designed for use with productivity apps, it allows for drawing graphs, charts, making annotations, and a whole array of other uses.
- Apple TV: The new rendition comes with a redesigned remote control that employs a touch surface. The focus here seems to be on the software side of the Apple TV, with a completely new interface, and the integration of Siri. Siri will allow for searches within iTunes, Showtime, hulu, Netflix, and other Apple TV apps. Siri does not stop here. Siri will also allow for more specific searches like: “Bond movies by Sean Connery”. The new software also features an App Store. While the remote employs a gyroscope and an accelerometer, games can now be downloaded on the Apple TV. Take that, Wii!
The Apple TV will ship in two configurations. A 32GB model, and a 64GB model, at $149 and $199 respectively.
- iPhone 6s/ 6s Plus: while a mouthful to pronounce, the new 6s and 6s Plus are introduced in an additional rose gold color, made with Apple’s new ‘own’ aluminum alloy. As with any ’s’ model, the new iPhones continue their incremental hardware upgrades. A new, more durable glass tops the fascia, which has allowed for force touch technology to be employed, with rather exciting results. The 3D touch now allows you to ‘peak’ and ‘pop’ into where desired.
Other iPhone hardware upgrades include: the 64bit A9 chip. 2nd generation Touch ID, that promises 2x faster speeds. A new 12 megapixels iSight camera, that shoots 4k videos, and live photos.
Exciting times ahead for Apple. A bigger iPad, that, I am most definitely sold for. An Apple Pencil, which leaves Steve Jobs rolling in his grave. An Apple TV that promises to revolutionize the way we watch TV, and the new iPhones, which I am rather two-hearted about.
I know one thing that Apple does to me well; as soon as their products are released and I see them in the flesh, I would want them all right away.
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