Sunday, September 13, 2015

Summary and some thoughts on the September 9 2015 Apple Event

The feedback from many pundits after the event has been that the event was underwhelming.  This has been common feedback after many events in the last few years.  Looking at all of the new technology and renewed partnerships, this seems crazy.  I think our ability to absorb and comprehend, or even guess, at the impact of the outcomes from this announcement, is reduced by just how huge the announcements are.

Apple has continued to come out with products that are superior to all existing solutions in the space - I'm thinking of the Apple Pencil.

Apple continues to focus on various applications related to healthcare, giving people greater access to their health data and giving medical professionals access to that data as well.

Apple Watch:

  • What I am hoping for but have been unable to confirm is in Watch OS2:
    • more reliable connectivity to the iPhone
  • Partnership with Hermes for bands and a watch face
  • Gold and Rose Gold - anodized aluminum sport models
  • Stainless Steel Product Red
  • New vibrant hues and neutral hues
  • New models and bands available immediately
  • Watch OS 2 - September 16
What I am hoping for in iOS9 on new hardware and old:
    • audiobooks in ibooks that work - remembering location, allowing scrubbing
    • better navigation in music - more like what we used to have, with easy access to playlists.
    • reliable use of and better navigation of my large on-network iTunes library
iPad:

  • The all-all new iPad Pro:
    • 12.9" retina screen - 2732x2048
      • Large enough to require a custom timing controller, also uses a variable refresh rate for energy efficiency
      • New technology to make the screen bright, sharp, with excellent contrast and uniformity
      • greater touch and multi-touch accuracy
    • 1.57 lbs
    • 12"x8.68"x0.27" (thinner than the original iPad Air)
    • 4 new speakers with more sound chamber space on the interior of the iPad Pro to enhance frequency range for excellent sound in any orientation
    • A smart connector for accessories, such as the smart keyboard, for powering the accessory and for communications
    • A9X CPU
      • 1.8x the CPU performance of the A8X
      • 2x the GPU performance of the A8X
      • vastly faster storage controller
      • Like the A9, has a built-in M9 always-on motion co-processor
      • Adobe says it has 4GB RAM
    • 10 hour battery life
    • 802.11ac with MIMO - similar to wired 1Gb connectivity
    • The same facetime (front) and iSight (back) cameras as the iPad Air 2
    • Cellular:
      • 20 LTE bands, up to 150Mbps via LTE, and uses Apple SIM
    • Apple Pencil
      • It is pressure sensitive, and angle-sensitive
      • It is engineered to work with iPad pro for highly sensitive high resolution and lag-free use.
      • 12 hours of battery life, 30 minutes more from 15 seconds of charging via lightning to iPad Pro
      • $100
    • Smart Keyboard
      • Built for iPad Pro, uses the new smart connector
      • Has what you need for keyboard shortcuts
      • $169
    • Coming in November
      • 32GB $799
      • 128GB $949
      • 128GB with cellular $1079
    • Developer support
      • Microsoft with the office suite of productivity apps - core initial support for iPad Pro - Microsoft is back making software for the best platforms!
      • Adobe - is back with core support for this new Apple platform!
  • iPad Mini 4:
    • Most the power of the iPad Air 2 in a small package, but with the A8 instead of the A8X.
iPhones:
  • Updated iPhones - for both new phones: 
    • also comes in rose gold (keeping silver, gold, space gray)
    • new glass - dual ion exchange - like the Apple Watch
    • 3D Touch
      • not just tap/swipe/pinch
      • force is recognized - peek and pop
      • allows shortcuts on the home screen and fully in Apple apps some other apps (facebook, instagram
        • light = peek at data
        • heavy = pop into app
    • tactile feedback - taptic engine
    • uses capacitive sensors 
  • Apple custom alloy of 7000 series Aluminum - like the Apple Watch
  • A9
    • 70% faster than A8 for CPU (iPhone 6)
    • 90% faster for graphics than A8
    • built-in motion co-processor M9 - always on with this integration
    • hey siri can be always on too
  • 2nd gen touchID sensor
    • 2x faster
  • Camera
    • Back:
      • 12MP iSight
      • 50% more pixels, 50% more focus pixels
      • deep trench isolation - separates photo diodes for better color with more pixels
        • low noise
      • thus bigger panoramas - 63MPixel, for example
      • 4K video - 8 million pixels/frame
      • (edit 4K video too!)
    • Front: 
      • 5MP facetime camera (front)
      • screen is the flash!
  • live photos - include a mini-video - 3 seconds - with every video, taking almost no additional space
    • developer apis for live photos - facebook will support them this year
  • Wireless
    • LTE Advanced - 2x faster
    • 23 bands - best for roaming
    • 2x faster wifi
  • iOS9 - Sept 16
  • new charging docs
  • new phone covers/cases
  • pre-order Sept 12
  • available Sept 25
iPhone upgrade program
  • This is an warranty and replacement agreement
  • Different prices for different models$32.41-$44.91/mo
  • Is a 24-month installment for $777.84-$1077.84
  • you can upgrade every year, or keep a phone free and clear after 24 months
  • these unlocked phones able to connect to any provider
  • Yahoo! summarized the program well: https://www.yahoo.com/tech/s/apples-iphone-upgrade-program-know-120005936.html
iCloud storage - 1/2 price, I believe by Sept 16:
  • 50Gb $0.99/mo
  • 200Gb $2.99/mo
  • 1TB $9.99/mo
  • no more 500Gb plan
Apple TV
  • What I am hoping for once units are more fully tested:
    • Stability for Netflix:
      • not getting kicked out of watching when I pause
      • not having issues just watching content several times per week (that I do not see with other devices)
    • Much better navigation:
      • Something like bookmarks so I can switch between content I'm watching in a way that is like switching apps on an iPhone - just an easy 1-2 steps back and forth
      • Much better navigation within Netflix so there are not as many steps
      • Much better navigation within iTunes content so that I do not have so many many many steps
  • Why is it a big deal?
    • the new remote:
      • Siri integration:
        • Search across your iTunes library, Netflix, HBO, and Showtime
        • filter/narrow your search once you start to look for content
      • Touch - allows single-finger gestures to greatly enhance navigation
      • frankly it acts like a Wii remote for the games and apps as well with accelerometer and gyroscope
      • Bluetooth connection to Apple TV
      • IR to control the volume on your TV
    • App store
      • Games!
      • TV channels are real apps with much more depth in how they can behave, and with the new remote, input options are hugely expanded.
      • iPod touch and iPhone can act as a remote, for up to four players.
    • Overall - you can get more information about your TV shows and movies as you watch, or get other information as integrated with Siri (like sports scores and weather information).
  • It's a bit taller - 1.4"
  • 32GB and 64GB storage models - for applications
  • A8 processor (same as iPhone 6)
  • Ports:
  • all-new Siri remote
    • glass touch surface
    • bluetooth 4.0 (to talk to the Apple TV without infrared)
    • Accelerometer
    • Gyroscope
    • dual microphones
    • IR transmitter (to control other devices)
  • available late October
  • There is no 4K support with this model.
  • You will need an HDMI cable - C|Net has a good article about them: http://www.cnet.com/news/hdmi-cable-buying-guide/