Apple defied expectations with another round of major product launches yesterday, putting to rest anticipations surrounding the September 9 event. While it was not met with the customary hype that usually comes with such announcements, Apple did unfurl a significant banner of updates and developments to the tech industry. The proudly unveiled new additions to the Apple family are the iPad Pro, iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, and a revamped Apple TV.
It’s no news that the iPhone has consistently been a cash cow for Apple, with a record-smashing 47 million units sold in the quarter that ended on the 27th of June. This elucidates why Apple intelligently waste no time in regularly updating this product line. Let’s delve into the specifics of the newly unveiled devices.
*The iPad Pro*
Marking a shift in screen size from the 9.7 inch iPad Air 2 size, the new iPad Pro flaunts an impressive 12.9-inch screen. Apple CEO Tim Cook refers to this new member as “the most capable and powerful iPad we have ever created.” To complement this release, Apple has introduced an innovation they haven’t previously dabbled in – the Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil, strategically designed for creative professionals and enterprises. Demonstrations of the new iPad Pro showcased Microsoft Office and Adobe software, lending some insight into the target demographic for this larger, more powerful iPad.
The iPad Pro differs from its predecessors not just in dimensions, but also in power and processing speed. It’s notably thicker than last year’s iPad Air 2, being 0.8mm more. It comes with Apple’s new A9X processor, described as a desktop-class CPU, which is approximately 1.8 times faster than the A8X processor in the iPad Air 2. Moreover, with 5.6 million pixels, its image resolution surpasses any other iOS device thus far.
The accompanying Smart Keyboard does not have internal batteries but is powered by the iPad Pro itself and is coated with connective fiber. Apple has priced it at $169/33,000 Naira.
Starting from November, Apple enthusiasts can place orders for the iPad Pro, with shipping commencing at a later date. The prices begin at $799/159,000 Naira for the 32GB model, while the 128GB version starts at $1,079/214,000 Naira.
*The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus*
As foreseen, Apple also announced the new iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. One of the major highlights of these new devices is the 3D Touch feature, which builds on the Force Touch technology currently used in the Apple Watch. It introduces a unique interaction style known as ‘Live Photos’ that captures 1.5 seconds of footage before and after a photo is taken. When pressure is applied using 3D Touch, Live Photos brings an image to life – a novelty that Apple officials claim provides an “unlike any other way of interacting with photos.”
Equipped with a 12-megapixel sensor, the new iPhones also have the ability to shoot 4K videos. The prices for the new iPhone 6S and 6S Plus starts at $199/36,000 Naira and $299/59,000 Naira respectively, however, these are prices for users who wish to acquire the devices on contract. Availability begins from the 25th of this month, with pre-order starting on the 12th.
*Apple TV*
The new Apple TV has been dramatically remodeled for better user experience. Integrated with a built-in microphone, users can now use Siri as their remote control. Missed something during a show or movie? By asking Siri what was said, the video will rewind by 15 seconds and enable subtitles for a quick recap. Apple CEO refers to this feature as the ‘future of TV.’ Well suited for the digital assistant, Siri, Apple’s answer to Google Now and Cortana, Apple TV is aiming to regain its foothold in competition against popular TV services like Amazon TV. Apple TV also plans to focus significantly on gaming.
Apple continues to redefine technology with its innovative products and interactive features, ensuring their devices are not only continuously updated but also keep abreast with current technology trends. The latest product line from their stables stands as testament to their contribution in shaping the technological landscape.
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Paul Femi Balo is the founder and publisher of TechBooky. He covers artificial intelligence, African technology, digital infrastructure, enterprise technology and the global digital economy.
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