Just The Important Stuff From Today's Apple Event
As expected, Apple announced two new small, but big, products: iPhone SE (basically a better iPhone 5S), and a smaller iPad Pro (basically a more powerful iPad). Here's how one of Apple's shortest product announcements — just an hour long! — went down.
iPad Pro
In Short: The new iPad Pro is smaller (9.7 inches versus 12.9) but just as powerful. Apple sees it as a PC replacement. Prices start at $599 for the 32 GB version, and it starts shipping on March 31.
As expected the new iPad Pro is a smaller iPad Pro at 9.7 inches (compared to the original iPad Pro's 12.9 inch display). Why? People love the original size of the iPad (again, 9.7 inches) but the iPad isn't as robust as a PC. So, Apple releases a smaller iPad Pro, and takes the PC market head-on. According to Apple, there are 600 million PCs that are at least five years old. Apple hopes the smaller iPad Pro is the "ultimate PC replacement."
While the display is smaller, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro's display will come with a nifty color-correcting. Apple's True Tone tech will match the ambient light temperature of whatever room you're in to that of the display. A subtle change, but arguably pretty cool.
It also features the A9X, Apple's most powerful chip. Which means it can do terribly complex stuff, like working on a presentation and browsing your calendar at the same time. As demonstrated below.
Also, part of the PC domination strategy comes with new accessories. Finally a pair of new adapters will let you read SD cards and plug in a camera via USB.
So how much will this "ultimate PC replacement" set you back? Prices start at $599 for the 32 GB version and tops out at $899 for a 256 GB model. Like the iPhone SE, pre-orders start March 24, and iPad Pros start shipping March 31. Oh, and Apple is offering a new Rose Gold version.
iOS 9.3
In Short: iOS 9.3, available today, will introduce nighttime display shading, updated Health, News, CarPlay and Education features.
Night shift will now color your iOS device display to reduce the amount of blue light it emits — helping you sleep at night, allegedly. If you've used f.lux, this is basically that, but on your mobile device.
Apple also promised improvements to CarPlay, News, Health and Education, however details were fairly sparse and forgettable.
iPhone SE
In Short: The iPhone SE is the iPhone 5S with the guts of the 6S. Starts at $399, ships March 31.
People love the 4-inch iPhone. Apple sold 30 million of them over the past year. And in developing nations, the 4-inch version is the most popular. So, enter the iPhone SE. It looks like the 5S, but with the guts of the 6S (that's the A9 and M9 processors.) Which means the camera, according to Apple, is just as good — with 4K video, live photos, and a Facetime HD camera.
What's more, connectivity is, predictably, on par with the 6S.
So, what does it cost? iPhone SE starts at $399, and a 64 GB model stats at $499. Pre-orders start March 24, and phones start shipping March 31.
Apple TV
In Short: Expect more apps, and improved UI functionality with the new version of tvOS. Basically all the things at launch that were bad are now fixed, like the ability to rearrange the apps on your homescreen.
There are some 5,000 apps on the Apple TV now. Cook promises more apps, better Siri functionality, as well as some UI tweaks like folders and the ability to rearrange apps on your homescreen. You know, just like your phone.
Apple Watch
In Short: The Apple Watch now starts at $299. There are also more band styles and colors to choose from.
According to Tim Cook, Apple Watch users really love the Apple Watch. And in response, Apple announced a slew of new bands for the spring — woven, sport, and black link bands. Oh, and now the Apple Watch starts at $299.
Healthcare
After revealing the success of Apple's ResearchKit — which played a critical role in a recent autism study — Apple announced ResearchKit and CareKit, which will let healthcare providers develop heathcare apps to track symptoms and monitor the effectiveness of treatments.
Tim Cook Addresses The FBI
Before wading into the wave of new device announcements, Tim Cook made a vague message about Apple's case against the FBI — without directly mentioning the FBI. "We have a responsibility to help you protect your data and your privacy," he said. "We owe it to our country and we owe it to our customers. We will not shrink from this responsibility."
Sustainability
After rattling off some sustainability stats — operating on 93 percent renewable energy worldwide, packaging made with 99 percent recycled paper — Apple introduced Liam, the iPhone-disassembling robot. Liam will be part of Apple's new iPhone recycling program: Renew.
