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That time of year is upon us again, the season of Apple when new devices are launched. Yesterday Apple held a two-hour Special Event, announcing new products and new models of existing products.
Apple Watch
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, began the event by talking about the success of Apple Watch. Launched in April the Watch has a 97% customer satisfaction rating and 10,000 apps available in the App Store, but Apple is looking to make the Watch even better.
New updates to the operating system, Watch OS2, will give the Watch:
• New watch faces
• 3rd party complications
• Time Travel
• Transit for Maps
Complications are windows on a watch face that show you information such as battery life, temperature, next calendar appointment, moon phases, and more. 3rd party complications allow developers to create complications for Watch apps such as flight updates and news items.
Time Travel allows you to spin the knob, called the Digital Crown, to advance or go back in time. You can use Time Travel for complications such as weather and calendar appointments. (Time Travel would be handy to use to see stock prices, especially for the future, but that feature wasn’t announced.)
The Maps app on the Apple Watch will include transit so you can view public transportation options on your Watch.
Apps will be more powerful, residing on the Watch instead of on your phone. Apps will be able to show videos and access the Watch’s health sensors, microphone, and speakers. For example, iTranslate, a new app coming to the Watch will be able to translate your spoken words into other languages.
Apple also demonstrated the health uses of the Watch using an app called AirStrip that lets doctors monitor patients, see their upcoming appointments, get notifications, and see patient data in real-time. Pregnant moms can see and hear their baby’s heartbeat in real-time using Airstrip.
Check out this demonstration of AirStrip from yesterday’s event:
Apple is also introducing new models of the Apple Watch, including an Hermès version, complete with a custom watch face. For those who don’t have the funds for and/or interest in the luxury brand Hermès, look for the Sport model to be available in gold and rose gold. Apple will be offering new bands and a Product Red version of the Watch.
New models are available today in 24 countries and Watch OS 2 will be available on September 16.
iPad Pro
Cook introduced the iPad Pro, calling the iPad “our clearest vision of the future of personal computing” and the iPad Pro “the biggest news in iPad since the iPad.” He wasn’t kidding when he said “big.”
The iPad Pro display has 5.6 million pixels, more than the MacBook Pro, with faster processing and performance than previous iPad models. The iPad Pro gives “desktop fast performance,” faster than 80% of portable PC’s that shipped in the last 12 months, according to Apple.
The iPad Pro has a 10 hour battery life, as long as the iPad Air.
The iPad Pro is larger than any other iPad, with a screen measuring 12.9 in/32.8 cm, measured diagonally, and has unique features giving it greater capabilities than its smaller siblings. The Pro comes with a full-sized on-screen keyboard, with an optional Smart Keyboard available for those who want to feel physical keys.
But a keyboard isn’t the only way to interact with the iPad Pro. Apple introduced a stylus, called the Apple Pencil, that senses force, pressure and tilt. Using the stylus you’ll be able to draw, do markups, and edit images.
Apple demonstrated the new capabilities of the iPad Pro by welcoming Microsoft, who showed off its Office apps, and Adobe, who introduced new apps. Both companies will be using the pencil features within their apps.
iPad Pro will be available in November.
Pricing:
• $799 — 32GB
• $949 — 128GB
• $1049 — 128GB with cellular
• Apple Pencil $99
• Smart Keyboard $169
Apple TV
Apple introduced a new generation Apple TV that will be able to run apps and comes complete with storage.
The “wow” feature of the Apple TV may be how Siri voice assistant works to make finding and navigating videos easier. You can command Apple TV to find “kids’ movies that came out recently” or “classic James Bond movies starring Sean Connery.” Siri will search across all of your content apps, such as iTunes, HBO, Netflix and Hulu, to show you your viewing options.
Miss what was said? Ask Siri, “What did she say?” Siri will skip back 15 seconds and add closed-captions.
Apps can give you additional information including movie facts and sports stats at the bottom of the screen. You can shop for clothes and even your next home using apps on the Apple TV. Shop for apps in the new Apple TV section of the App Store.
The Apple TV remote has been upgraded too, with a touch screen that helps you navigate through menus, apps and videos. You can fast-forward and rewind by swiping your finger along the top part of the remote. Swipe up and down to get more information about a movie.
Gaming has been added to the Apple TV, with apps available that use the remote as a controller. You can start a game on your iPhone and continue playing on your Apple TV where you left off on your phone.
The Apple TV will be available in over 80 countries in October and 100 countries by the end of the year. The price will be $149 for 32GB and $199 for 64GB.
iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
Apple is introducing two new models of iPhone, the 6s and the 6s Plus. The phone will come in a new rose gold color, made out of a custom aluminum, similar to that used in the aerospace industry. The glass of the display is stronger too, the strongest in the industry, according to Apple.
The sizes of the phones remain the same as previous generations, 4.7in/11.9cm for the 6s and 5.5 in/14cm for the 6s Plus. The insides of the phone contain faster chips, giving you faster processing and graphics. LTE is twice as fast, with up to 23 bands so connecting to networks around the world will be easier.
The new phones introduce 3D Touch, similar to Force Touch on the Apple Watch, that can distinguish between presses that are firm or soft. 3D Touch will let you use force for new gestures such as Peek and Pop that affect the way you interact with apps. Look inside apps from the home screen or open new windows on top of apps using 3D Touch. You can swipe in between apps, start listening to Apple Music, set calendar events, view maps and check your flight status using 3D Touch.
The combination of faster chips and 3D Touch gives iPhone 6s and 6s Plus owners a new experience in gaming apps. You can control games using 3D Touch and see more advanced graphics during active play.
Touch ID also feels the need for speed, with a new sensor on the 6s/6s Plus that’s twice as fast as the previous generation in detecting your fingerprints.
The camera has also been upgraded to be able to shoot 4K videos, with a 12MP iSight rear camera that has improved sensors. Now you’ll have even fewer excuses if your photos aren’t superb.
The front camera has been upgraded too for better FaceTime and selfie images. The screen of the phone acts as a flash for the front camera so you can use the front camera even in low light.
The phone uses 3D Touch for Live Photos, a cool feature that transforms still photos into videos by pressing your finger. The camera captures Live Photos by adding 1 ½ seconds of video to each side of the photo, a feature that’s turned on by default. You can even use a Live Photo as your watch face on your Apple Watch.
Apple has an Android app that helps you move from Android to iPhone, in case you’re now sold on Apple’s latest phones.
Price with a two-year carrier contract:
iPhone 6s
• $199 16GB
• $299 64GB
• $399 128GB
iPhone 6s Plus
• $299 16GB
• $399 64GB
• $499 128GB
Installment Plan prices are available from $27/month for the 6s and $31/month for the 6s Plus.
Apple also is introducing an iPhone Upgrade Program in the US that gives you a new, unlocked phone every year, including the AppleCare + warranty program, with two-year financing beginning at $32/month.
The iPhone 6s/6s Plus will be available for pre-order on September 12 and on sale on September 25 in:
• Australia
• Canada
• China
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Puerto Rico
• Singapore
• United Kingdom
• United States
By the end of the year the phones will be available in over 130 countries with over 400 carriers.
iOS 9 will be available on September 16.
Your Thoughts
What do you think of the announcements from Apple’s Special Event? Are you excited about the new iPhones, iPad Pro, Apple TV, and Watch? Are you a fan of rose gold? Which features announced at the event are the most compelling to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
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* All prices are for the US
Big News ! Voice of America — Learning English
Today is the beginning of my new tech column at Voice of America, Learning English. I will be writing a weekly column that will be published on that website, along with a podcast to help people around the world, whose first language isn’t English, learn about personal technology.
Check out my first article:
Apple Introduces New iPhones, Watches, TVs, Big iPads.
Articles will continue to be published here at The Wonder of Tech.
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks for the great and timely article. I’ve been waiting for and may have to have the iPad pro although I’m worried it might be TOO big. That Apple may be a MUST have. Don’t think I’ll need the keyboard since I’m typing this on my iPad 2. I bought a keyboard for it, but Bluetooth kept disconnecting and it was a pain to keep bringing and charging it too.
I’m expecting the iPhone 6s to have a bit more heft than the 6 because the spec. says its .01 inch deeper. I only have a 5s now which is still wearable on my belt. I had hoped to get a bigger iPhone that could be put in my purse while monitoring calls on an Apple watch, but the watch is just too expensive for me. Just cannot justify the expense. I’m disappointed Apple is taking the designer approach. I think even the Sport models are too expensive.
Hi Ann, Yes, definitely hold an iPad Pro before you buy one to see if you like the size. You may really like the size because it allows you to see two windows side-by-side. You may also find that you would like to have the Smart Keyboard. One of the advantages of having a physical keyboard is that it doesn’t use screen space. Because of the magnetic connection of the Smart Keyboard that transfers data, you don’t have to worry about Bluetooth dropping the signal.
Yes, the Apple Watch is more expensive than some other smart watches. Maybe when the next generation comes out (whenever that it is) you can get a first generation Apple Watch at a lower price.
I had a typo in my first comment. I meant to write that Apple PENCIL may be a must have!
HI Ann, I agree with you. I still remember the stylus I used on my Palm Pilot and really liked it, (though I often lost it). I hope there is a way to “find my Apple Pencil” with an app or some other tool.
Hey Carolyn,
Nice sharing Apple is #1 brand in MacBook as well as in iPhone s their smarter technology producing New gadgets everyday. They are little bit costly but price worthy. You just told the iPhone 6s will be launching on other countries like America, china, Australia and all till 12 th September but can you tell me when this will be launching in India?
Hi Rahul, Great question. Apple didn’t list the 130 countries in which the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus will be available by the end of the year, but I’m thinking India will likely be one of those countries. I will post that information when I learn of it.
Thanks ,
India Will wait for this I think Apple also launching ios 9 with coming of this 16th September so the now Apple is coming with bang.
Cheers,
Rahul
Hi Rahul, Good point. With each new iOS, additional features are introduced that makes older iPhones seem like new because they can do more. Anyone who doesn’t get a new iPhone can still enjoy their newly powerful iPhones when they update to iOS 9.
The most impressive presentation to me was the AppleTV. The Siri support looked amazing and it really made me want to go out and get one.
3D touch looks like it could be a game changer as well. Hopefully, it works as well in real-life as it does in the demos. I can’t wait to play with it when I get my new iPhone 6s. 🙂
Hi Sean, Yes, I loved the new Siri features of the Apple TV. Searching will be very handy as will rewinding anything you don’t hear clearly.
You’re right, 3D Touch is ripe with possibilities that app developers can take advantage of to make the way we interact with our phones even more powerful.
Very exciting times!
Hey Carolyn Ma’am
I am waiting for Iphone 6s and 6s plus. But I have a question, there were rumours that there is a bending issue with apple’s iPhone 6 plus. However, I have iPhone 6 plus but I haven’t found such issue until now. But many iPhone users have pointed this problem.
So, if this problem really exists then I think Apple should take care of this issue in its next couple of phone. what do you say?
Regards,
Mohit
Hey mohit,
Nice observation but with the normal use of iPhone the bending problem is rare they are finding right solution for it. Might be There is possibility of exchange ing iPhone who got the same issue.
Cheers,
Rahul
Hey Rahul,
I agree with you that this problem is rare, but I have seen many videos on youtube regarding this and many people who wear tight jeans and put their phones in the pocket, they usually get this problem.
That’s true mohit the people who wearing tight jeans they going to definitely face iPhone bending problem, but if they faced bending problem they can replace it from nearest Apple store.
Hi Mohit, Yes, some people reportedly had a problem with their iPhone 6 Plus bending (though I am not one of them). Apple replaced those phones for the owners who brought in their bent phones to the Apple Stores.
At the Event Apple talked about the stronger aluminum case for the new phones, plus the new phones are thicker than the 6 and 6 Plus. So I predict that bending won’t be an issue for the 6s Plus.
Hey Carolyn,
I have seen the Apple event yesterday. All the things they have shown were awesome. People need to know more about iPad Pro and Apple TV. I loved their concept a lot. The performance of an iPad is more than 360% higher than the starting iPad. Its surprising and amazing to know about that.
Though Apple Pencil was good but still I did feel that way about it but still Apple always surprise it’s customers.
With the launch of iPhone 6s I must say people will forget every other phone to use.
Thanks for reminding me.
Hope you are having a great time.
~Ravi
Hi Ravi, Yes, the announcements from Apple were very exciting. Rumors abound each year before these events, some of which are spot on, others of which are way off. But no matter how many rumors go flying around, Apple always seems to surprise us with things that no one expected. That’s what makes these events so very exciting for fans of tech. We get to see what the future holds.
And congratulations on the Voice of America “Learning English” article! Nice to see your byline associated with ESL.
Hi Gramps, Thanks, I’m very excited to be writing a column for Voice of America now. I’ll be posting a link to my VOA articles each week here at The Wonder of Tech.
The new “rose gold” devices are horrific – they actually manage to make the “gold” ones look ok (they’re not).
Hi Ben, Hmmm…I’m thinking you’re not going to be ordering a rose gold iPhone or Watch any time soon. And probably not gold ones either. The good news is that you can get Space Gray or silver instead for your iPhone or aluminum or stainless steel for your Watch.
I want to have Apple TV, I use iPhone, iPad, and MacBook pro and I satisfied with them. I am sure Apple TV will be as good as other quality product from Apple.
Hi Winardi, You sound like a true Apple fan. You’re right, the current Apple TV is very useful, especially with AirPlay. Now that Apple is adding many new features to this device it will be even more useful.
Good luck with Voice of America articles.
If they are as interesting as WOT, you have a winner.
Hi Jerry, Thanks so much for your kind comment. I’m very excited to have my articles appear at Voice of America and hope you enjoy them there too!
I’ve been professionally gaming for 20 years and I love this.
Hi Elo, I’m glad you like this, and by this, I’m guessing you’re talking about the Apple TV. The ability to start a game on your phone and continue it where you left off on the Apple TV is a very cool feature!