The AppAdvice tech week in review: A look back at Apple's big show
Another Apple event is in the books. Here’s a look back:
The biggest story of the week: New iPhones, of courseThe new iPhones are here.
Preorders have begun for the recently introduced iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. The phones, which were announced at this week’s September 2015 event, arrive in stores on Friday, Sept. 25.
AppAdvice had plenty to say about the new iPhones this week, as you can see here:
- Some highs and lows from today’s ‘Hey Siri’ Apple event
- Are you going to upgrade? We’ve got the goods on iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
- Apple adds more voice training to Siri in iOS 9
- A closer look at Apple’s new iPhone Upgrade Program
- The new Live Photos feature for the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus brings images to life
- ICYMI: Your 2015 Apple iPhone trade-in guide: Getting the most cash for your handset
In this week’s Musings article, I offered my take on the other new Apple products announced this week:
The iPad Pro looks impressive, but I’m not convinced it will slow the iPad line’s steady sales decline, at least in the long-term. Nonetheless, the device is positioned to make itself heard in the design and medical community, and that’s very important. Couple that with Apple’s commitments with IBM, and you can see where this is going.
I’m expecting the fourth-generation Apple TV to be a huge hit for Cupertino, especially during the holiday shopping season. Yes, at $149/$199, the device costs more than other video streaming devices on the market, including the top-of-the-line Roku 3, and year-old Fire TV. However, the new Apple TV costs much less than the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, and this fact is a big deal.
Before this week, it looked like the new Apple TV unveiling would be a ho-hum affair, at best, since Apple has yet to secure video streaming rights with the bigwigs in Hollywood.
But, by introducing apps for its “hobby device,” Cupertino has shown that the company’s plans for Apple TV extend beyond video. Gaming, we now know, is also an important component in that vision.
Apple TV games aren’t going to be as epic as the ones made for existing gaming consoles. They also aren’t going to be nearly as expensive. As the App Store has proven, however, those in-app purchases add up and could prove lucrative to developers.
All of the new Apple Watch models on display, except for Hermès
Finally, a word about Apple Watch. The new bands and colors announced this week show that Cupertino is taking a steady approach when it comes to its first wearable device. Rather than release an “Apple Watch 2,” the company has made the existing device appealing to more users.
Now, for example, for as little as $349, you too can own a gold or rose gold (aluminum) Apple Watch. For around $1,000, you can transform your Apple Watch Sport or Apple Watch into a luxury device thanks to Cupertino’s new leather band arrangement with Hermès. Compared to the cost for an Apple Watch Edition model, this is a steal.
See also: Affordable luxury: New Apple Watch models and bands, Apple’s Smart Keyboard won’t be the only option when the iPad Pro launches, Apple TV’s Siri support will be limited to just a few languages and countries, and Your new iPad Pro will have 4GB of RAM, or will it?
Big app news
This week, Paper by FiftyThree finally arrived on iPhone. The popular drawing app was first introduced on iPad in 2013.
Other app news:
- Never write the same way again with the updated iA Writer
- Slither your way to victory in Worms 4
- Get your free Camera+ and decipher the code names
- Help celebrate 20 years as you buy and sell with eBay 4.0
Naturally, Apple’s big event led to plenty of comments from our readers.
About the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, TurtleGerald was less than impressed:
Some nice features, but I shall be carrying on with my 5S and 6 for another year (well… 2 years for the 5S since I only just got it as a second phone). I do like the look of that gold charging dock though… and the saddle brown case (which will fit the 6 and 6S for those wondering). I feel some accessory shopping coming on!
On the iPad Pro, Shocked noted:
Even for business, this thing is too high priced. If you add the price of a keyboard and pen you pay the same as for a freaking full fledged macbook. So no thanks, not my cup of tea. Even though I am a business user.
On the new Apple TV, Frank A. explained:
What’s coming up? The week aheadVery excited about this but very disappointed that it’s only HD and doesn’t support 4K! How is this futuristic when HD is becoming old and 4K is becoming the standard?! Definitely not future proof. Next year they will release a new 4 or 5K model. Buying anything HD should be history if one intends to utilize it on a big screen. There’s a huge difference. And no word about RAM. No optical audio and I don’t expect it to support Bluetooth audio either.
Well apart of the above, I love it! :-x
Apple releases iOS 9 and watchOS 2 to the general public on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
From Sept. 15 to Sept. 18, Dreamforce ’15 will be held in San Francisco, California.
DEMO Traction Boston 2015 is Sept. 16.
The TechCrunch Disrupt Hackathon is being held Sept. 19 to Sept. 20 in San Francisco.
The 2015 Apple Music Festival begins this Saturday, Sept. 19.
What will be happening in the week ahead? Visit AppAdvice to find out.