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Apple’s annual fall event was held yesterday where it announced new products and software, giving you opportunities to buy more tech or update your older tech with software to make it feel new.
Two new phones were announced, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, as well as a new Apple Watch, new earbuds and more. Partner companies including Nintendo and Nike also presented new offerings tied to Apple tech.
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
Apple announced its latest versions of the iPhone, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Changes to both the external and internal components mean a more powerful phone with longer battery life and a better camera. The phone will be water and dust resistant, so less likely to be destroyed should you accidentally drop it in water or a pile of dust.
The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus come in silver, gold and rose gold as well as two new colors: black and jet black. Black has a brushed, matte appearance while jet black has a shiny, gloss finish.
Storage on the new phones has been doubled from previous models. The new phones are offered with storage of:
- 32 GB
- 128 GB
- 256 GB
Other updates include an advanced A10 Fusion chip that delivers more speed with improved efficiency. The chip makes these phones 40% faster than the previous models while adding an average of 1-2 hours more battery life.
The new iPhones have stereo speakers and a pressure-sensitive home button that can be programmed by app developers to perform different tasks. The Retina HD display will be 25% brighter and have 3D Touch.
One controversial change is the removal of the headphone jack from the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Instead, the lightning port will do double-duty, to connect power cords as well as headphone cords. Included with new phones will be an adaptor that converts the lightning port to a traditional headphone jack. Also included will be a set of earbuds with a lightning connector.
The new camera on the 7 and 7 Plus is 60% faster and 30% more efficient than previous models. A new 7 MP front camera is improved from the 5 MP front camera on the previous model for better FaceTime and selfie images.
The iPhone 7 Plus now has two 12 MP cameras to give improved zooming capabilities with optical 2x zoom and up to 10x digital zoom. The dual cameras also allow a new portrait mode that lets you blur the background image and focus on the person.
Price
Prices start at $649 for the iPhone 7 and $769 for the iPhone 7 Plus, both for the 32 GB model. Pre-orders begin tomorrow, September 9 with shipping on September 16.
The older iPhone 6s and 6s Plus also will be sold with double the storage from last year. The 32 GB model is $549 for the 6s and $649 for the 6s Plus.
Apple Watch Series 2
The Apple Watch, first launched in April of last year, has been upgraded to Apple Watch Series 2 with better water resistance, a more powerful processor, a brighter screen and built-in GPS.
The GPS will give users more accurate data for their workouts even without the iPhone being connected. App developers will be able to build apps that work on the new Watch without depending on the iPhone. An example was shown of the Ranger First app that guides Watch wearers on hikes without needing cell phone reception.
Pokémon GO will also be coming to the Watch. The app was demonstrated to show how you can play the game on the Watch and be notified when you are near a PokeStop.
The new Watch will be offered in aluminum, stainless steel and ceramic, which is harder than stainless steel, and will start at $369 for the 38mm model and $399 for the 42mm model. Pre-orders begin on September 9. A new Nike version of the Watch will be available later in the year.
Watch OS 3, that brings new watch faces, a breathing reminder and other features to the original Apple Watch, will be available as a free update on September 13.
AirPods
Apple also introduced AirPods, wireless earbuds that work together or individually to deliver sound from your Apple devices. These earbuds have sensors that turn the sound on when they detect that they’re in your ears.
AirPods have microphones that can drown out ambient noise. These earbuds also can connect automatically and switch between an iPhone, iPad, Watch and Mac computers.
Available in late October, AirPods will cost $159.
Super Mario Run
Nintendo announced the first Mario game that will not be played on a Nintendo device: Super Mario Run. The game is played by tapping on the phone screen to have Mario jump and collect coins as he runs.
Players can challenge others around the world to beat their high scores. The game can be played one-handed so you can play while riding the subway, eating a burger or brushing your teeth.
Super Mario Run is due to be released before the end of 2016. Find out more at the iTunes App Store and sign up to be notified when the Super Mario Run app becomes available.
Carpool Karaoke
The event opened with a Carpool Karaoke video starring Apple CEO Tim Cook and Late Late Show host James Corden. The men were joined by singer Pharrell Williams and rocked out to two songs.
Apple Music will be offering a Carpool Karaoke series due to air next year.
iWork
Apple also demonstrated a new feature of iWork: real-time collaboration. Pages, Keynote and Numbers, Apple’s versions of Microsoft Office tools, will allow a group of users to make changes to documents in real time.
Your Thoughts
Which of Apple’s announcements are most interesting to you? Are you planning to get a new iPhone or Watch this year? Would you miss having a headphone jack on your phone?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
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Hi Carolyn,
Lot’s of information for today, isn’t it? 🙂
I read today’s paper and everything about Apple was mentioned there, and my first thought was about today’s post on your blog – and I was not wrong!
Yes indeed, the much awaited iPhone seems to be something everyone’s got their eyes on, though it launches in our country on Oct 7th I think – though the bookings start tomorrow. This was something we were planning since long – to gift to our daughter though will wait and watch a while before going in for it. However, the headphone jack will be missed and I know kids cannot do with it! How about you? Did you like the new iPhone and the watch?
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week ahead 🙂
Hi Harleena, Yes, the announcement of new iPhones is big news every year. Many of the features of these new phones had been leaked but the new dual cameras was an exciting surprise.
The removal of the headphone jack was expected and controversial. But so was the change from the old 30-pin connector to the lightning connector. Transitions can be challenging but tech keeps advancing.
The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus come with an adaptor so your daughter will still be able to use their headphones/earbuds that have have now.
I do like the new phone and watch. I ordered an iPhone 7 Plus this morning. I’m looking forward to the new camera. Stay tuned for a review!
Thanks for the reviews Carolyn
Since my primary mobile device is an iPad I’ve never been interested in a large iPhone – until today! I will buy the Plus version due to the zoom camera. Otherwise, I’d be perfectly satisfied with the smaller version. Both models have optical image stabilization and a faster lens which should significantly improve low light performance. This will be evident in brighter and less blurry pictures because slower shutter speeds will work. Automatic shutter speeds on current Apple phones are 1/15 of a second. To get a slower shutter speed on my iPhone 6 I use other photo apps such as Blux and Shoot.
Thanks again – Gary
Hi Gary, Thanks for sharing your expert insights on the iPhone 7 Plus cameras. The presentation from Apple was very impressive, especially with the zoom features and portrait effects. Having the image of the person be sharp while the background is blurred looks amazing.
Some folks want the smaller phone but the advanced cameras of the 7 Plus. I prefer larger phones so I’m glad I don’t have to compromise, I can get the screen size I want and the advanced cameras.
I hope you enjoy your new iPhone, Gary!
One more thing about the new iPhones –
There’s always a lot of hand wringing when Apple does something different – in this case eliminating the phone jack for earphones. But almost always the change is a significant leap forward – one that is often adopted by other tech companies. As was mentioned in the Apple event yesterday, the current phone jack was invented in the late 1800’s and then upgraded to the miniature version thirty years ago. It’s an old, poor sound quality analog connector that is totally out of sync with what digital devices can handle today. Without belaboring that point I do want to say no one should have any problems with the conversion to the new connector.
1-Existing wireless headphones work exactly as before
2-Wired earbuds with the appropriate connector ship with every new iPhone
3-An adaptor is also included if you have headphones that use the current connector
4-The expensive high tech wireless earbuds introduced at the event are no different from the ones that have been available for several years from third parties
Apple has said they will no longer announce first weekend sales probably because they always sell out that weekend and the number of people who might have ordered is never really know. First weekend sales usually match the inventory on hand when ordering began.
Gary
Hi Gary, Excellent points. Yes, many people were upset when Apple switched from the 30-pin to the lightning connectors. But within a short time, people forgot the hassle and the 30-pin connector looked like a dinosaur.
I do understand the need to move from analog to digital, even after over 100 years. I will miss having a separate port for headphones though. At the end of the day, often when my battery is low, I will take my dog for a long walk as I listen to podcasts or an audiobook. I plug in the phone to a small external battery to juice up my phone when I walk. I wonder if anyone will sell a splitter for a lightning port?
Hey,
nice post. I am excited about the airpods. Any idea how long the battery lasts?
Regards
Thomas
Hi Thomas, According to Apple, the battery lasts for 5 hours on the AirPods. The case they charge in has a battery that lasts 24 hours. AirPods aren’t on sale yet and will be available in October so we should know more then.
Hey that’s my fav game out there.. now I need to get one of those?
Hi Nhick, You may enjoy Pokémon go even more with an Apple Watch. But you may want to wait and see how it works to learn whether it’s really worth the investment.
Hey Carolyn,
I saw that Apple event. It was really informative. Apple has brought some amazing featured in iPhone7 and 7s.
You have provided all the details about this product. I am sure, people would like to know more about iPhone7.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Have a great day.
~Ravi
Hi Ravi, Yes, it’s an exciting time of year for tech fans. Lots of new products are introduced in the fall so stay tuned to The Wonder of Tech to learn about the latest and (maybe) greatest tech.
iPhone announcement is among the most awaited announcements every year. This time the dual lens camera is the most exciting feature which is given by the Apple and it is also among the great upgradations in the camera of iPhone. Anyways nice post about the iPhone 7.
Hi Shweta, Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed this article. Yes, the dual cameras of the iPhone 7 Plus make it a compelling upgrade for many people. I look forward to Apple launching the bokeh effect for the cameras and seeing the photos people take with it then.