With an already impressive lineup, including the Apple Watch and the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple added a whole new set of hardware and software to the list during their Apple event in San Francisco on September 9th. There were some less exciting announcements, such as the new Apple Watch color bands and the new colors for the iPhones, but there were some pretty big announcements, too. Here’s a recap of what was discussed.
“The biggest news in iPad since the iPad.”
The iPad Pro was potentially the biggest news of the afternoon, upgrading the iPad and taking it to a whole new level. With a larger display coming in at 12.9″ with 5.6 million pixels on the screen (compared to the 9.7″ display of the iPad Air 2), the display is sure to impress. Inside, there is a brand new A9X chip which runs nearly two times faster than the previous chip Apple has produced. You can also find four new speakers on the iPad Pro on each corner of the device, helping it give a better sound than previous Apple devices. Also, it’s as thin as the current iPad Air and weighs less than the original iPad. Then there’s the Smart Keyboard designed specifically for the iPad Pro (sold separately) as well as the new Apple Pencil (sold separately). The iPad Pro comes in at $799 for the basic 32 GB model and goes up to $1079 with 128 GB and LTE networking. The Apple pencil comes in at $99 and the Smart Keyboard at $169. They should all be available to purchase starting in November.“The future of television is apps.”
The new Apple TV, a product that had not been upgraded in four years, was also announced. They have enhanced the remote control to include a touch pad, making scrolling and selecting easier than ever. Also new to the Apple TV remote, Siri will allow you to search the device for whatever TV show or movie fits your mood. The App Store is another exciting new addition, and will give you the ability to download games and other apps to use right from your couch. The new Apple TV starts at $149 for the 32GB, and $199 for the 64GB. It should be available in late October.“The only thing that’s changed is everything.”
Of course, the new iPhones were also announced, which (according to Apple) are the most popular and loved phone in the world. The iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus were announced with the new 3D Touch. The 3D Touch feature responds to different amounts and types of pressure, expanding your control capabilities. Apple also announced the new iOS 9, designed to have a more attractive interface and packed with new features. iOS 9 is currently available to all newer model iPhones and iPads. The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus were released in late September, and sold over 13 million phones in just three days.Notes and Tidbits from the Event
- There seemed to be a push for medical applications in the Apple world, with the Apple Watch being able to see vital signs through AirStrip and the new iPad Pro giving doctors a more interactive way to show their patients their issues through 3D4Medical.
- A new feature called “Live Photos” takes a photo on your iPhone and takes memory from 1.5 secs before and after the picture, creating a new live experience for every photo you take. You can make these live photos your wallpaper on either your iPhone or Apple Watch.
- iOS 9 will feature a battery saving mode that’ll extend your battery life an extra 3-4 hours. It will also return Touch ID and longer digit passwords for security purposes.
