Since the release of the original iPhone in 2007, Apple quickly became a leader in the consumer electronics industry. Apple gained recognition for its sleek, capable and reasonably priced electronic devices and now accounts for nearly 1.5 billion mobile devices throughout the world. Apple’s September event, ‘California Streaming’ marks their seventh virtual event since the worldwide lockdown in March, 2020.
Missed the event? Here’s what was announced.
After the announcement of iPadOS 15 at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2021, the new iPad adapts to create the most user-friendly and intuitive experience. Apple witnessed a near 40% increase in iPad sales over the past year, likely due to the introduction of online platforms for meeting and learning.
The ninth-generation iPad retains the traditional home button with integrated Touch ID and utilizes the power of the Apple A13 Bionic chip, also found in the iPhone 11 Pro, as well as the newly-redesigned iPhone SE. The iPad receives power increases, up to 20% faster GPU and CPU performance, and nearly three times faster than the most popular Chromebook. The ninth-generation iPad starts at $329 at 64GB. Orders will begin Sept. 14, with fulfillment as soon as the next week.
The all-new iPad mini receives several updates, similar to the recent redesigns of the iPad Air and the iPad Pro. The mini will receive an 8.3” all-screen display, losing the traditional home button, offering a power button with integrated Touch ID, similar to the iPad Air. Performance upgrades come in the form of up to 40% CPU increase and 80% GPU increase from the previous model iPad mini. The device will be offered in four colors, space gray, starlight, purple, and pink. USB-C charging and second-generation Apple Pencil compatibility also make their way to the iPad Mini, which will be available for purchase Sept. 14, with fulfillment as soon as next week.
The Apple Watch took the market of consumer electronics by storm since its introduction in April 2015. With the new features of watchOS 8, such as support for cyclists, fall detection while biking, and support for e-bikes, the Series 7 Apple Watch presents itself as sleek, sporty and capable. The device features nearly 20% more screen area than that of the Series 6 and nearly 50% more than that of the Series 3, as well as a 70% brighter screen to combat reflection and glare from nearby lights. The 18-hour battery life continues to impress, especially with the ultra-fast charging. Only 45 minutes can charge the device to 80%. The watch features some of Apple’s newest colors, such as green, midnight, starlight, red, blue, silver, graphite, gold, natural, and titanium, all available for purchase later this fall.
Similar to the iPhone 12, the iPhone 13 debuts with square edges and two cameras, organized in a diagonal pattern. The all-new Apple A15 Bionic chip powers best-in-class cameras with cinematic and night mode capabilities offered on both the front and rear cameras, as well as slo-mo selfies and an ultra-wide lens specific to the front camera. A smaller TrueDepth front camera system affords the Super Retina XDR display the most space possible. With a battery capable of up to one and a half hours more than the iPhone 12 mini, and up to two and a half hours more than the iPhone 12, the iPhone 13 will be ready for all of life’s adventures, priced at $699.
The Pro line of iPhone’s, introduced in 2019, continues to impress. The 13 Pro retains four rear cameras, ultra-wide, wide, and telephoto lens, all capable of cinematic, low-light, macro photo and ProMotion shots. The 6.1”/6.7” Super Retina XDR display shows photos and videos with great precision and speed, making it a worthy competitor of some personal cameras, at half the price. Apple offers the devices at $999 for the 6.1” Pro, and $1,099 for the 6.7” Pro Max, with optional one terabyte storage. Preorders will begin Sept. 14, with fulfillment as soon as Sept. 24.
