It’s been rumored for months, and recently leaked in detail but finally, confirmation day has come: Apple announced new iPhones and a slew of other stuff today at an event in Cupertino.
[We will be updating this post throughout and after the Apple event.]
CEO Tim Cook began by honoring late apple CEO Steve Jobs, for whom the company’s new theater on Apple’s new campus (the praises of which Cook sang at length) was named, and asking everyone to consider donating to relief efforts for those affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma before getting into the meat of his presentation.
Yes, there are new phones
After a decade, it’s definitely no secret: New year, new iPhone.
Apple’s shaking things up a little bit this year, though. They’re skipping the 7S generation that we might ordinarily expect a year after the 7, and going straight to the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus.
The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus promise to use fancy new A11 “Bionic” high-speed chips and provide spectacular color displays, as usual, and alas, the headphone jack does not come back. This time, however, the aluminum in the phone is covered in glass both on the front and back for extra breakability, although Apple claims it is the “most durable ever in a smartphone.”
The phone comes in three colors: Silver, “space grey,” and gold, and Apple touts increased “splash” resistance. So maybe don’t jump into the pool with your iPhone in your pocket, but it might survive if it’s on the table when your beverage of choice takes a tumble.
Apple also praised the updated cameras in the iPhone 8, displaying a wide array of images taken to highlight the camera’s perception of color and texture.
Apple also touted the 4K capabilities of the iPhone 8’s video camera, as well as deep-diving on features designed to make augmented reality a thing people will want to use more than we largely do right now.
There’s other stuff, too!
iPhones are Apple’s headlining product, but far from their only one.
Apple Watch
Cook proudly informed viewers that the Apple Watch is now the number one smart-watch in the world by some undisclosed metric, before finally introducing the newest iteration of the software, WatchOS 4, and the new device, the Apple Watch Series 3.
Apple pushed hard on all of the features in the new version of the Watch OS that apply to folks who like to stay active: biometric monitoring, especially with relation to heart rate and heart rhythm, and the ability to track resting heart rate in order to potentially give early warning of undiagnosed health conditions.
The Series 3 Apple Watch, meanwhile, has integrated cellular communication capabilities — meaning you no longer need to have it connected with your phone in the next pocket, or in fact even near you at all.
The new Watch also responds to Siri voice commands and boasts water resistance, plus full integration to some messaging apps. The benefits Apple touts are on-the-go connectivity when you don’t want your phone nearby — like, say, at the beach, or while going for a run. Because you can stream Apple Music directly to the watch, and negate the need to have your giant phone strapped to your arm while careening through city streets.
WatchOS 4 is coming to all existing Apple Watches on Sept. 19, and the new watch will be available to pre-order beginning Sept. 15, and actually to buy on Sept. 22.
The version without cell connectivity will cost $329, the version with will cost $399, and Apple promises you can still get a full 18-hour day of battery life from either one.
AppleTV
Apple, like everyone else, wants to get in on 4K right at the beginning of its era. And the product is, oh-so-creatively, called AppleTV 4K.
The new device will support both 4K and HDR color, in case you have a TV that can actually display those things already. Movies purchased on iTunes in 4K version will cost the same price as HD films, Apple added, and HD movies you’ve already purchased will get a free 4K upgrade.
Apple also touted content to watch on the new device, particularly live sports and the addition of Amazon Prime Video to Apple TV (finally) later this year, then brought out game developer Jenova Chen to showcase Sky for iPlatforms, including the Apple TV, later this year.
The cheapest version of the new AppleTV 4K starts at $149, will be available to pre-order on Sept. 15, and starts shipping Sept. 22.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire