Apple’s Newest Endeavors

A new year means new Apple products. Apple is constantly looking for new ways to outdo themselves and this year is no different. During their annual product unveiling on Sept. 9, CEO Tim Cook announced several new advancements in Apple technology that have people all over the world excited for the future.
Following tradition, Apple is debuting its iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. While there are not any changes in weight and size, Apple’s Chief Design Officer Jony Ive believes that the newer models are some of the company’s most complicated technology yet. The major change to come is the 3D Touch design. For the first time ever, a mobile device will recognize force. A light press on the screen will now differ from one applied with pressure. It is a new feature that Ive calls the “next generation of multi-touch.”
The newest iPhone models will also have the best picture and video quality of its predecessors. Videos can now be shot in 4k video, which is four times the resolution of the current 1080 HD video quality. There is something for the selfie lovers out there as well. A 5-megapixel front camera will allow for sharper pictures and a new flash feature in the front will make taking selfies at your favorite low-lit concerts all that much easier. The new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus will be available in stores Sept. 25 in all the traditional Apple colors as well as the newly introduced shade, rose gold.
While the iPhone 6s is a revamped version of the original model, Apple is introducing an entirely new iPad called the iPad Pro. A noticeable difference with this new version will be its screen. It is set to have 17% more screening area than previous models. This larger screen will also have 5.6 million pixels, which is the highest resolution of any iOS device to date. The acoustics of the device will be enhanced as well with there being speakers in each corner of the iPad, which will equate to four speakers in total.
Accompanying the iPad Pro is a unique accessory available for purchase called the Apple Pencil. Like the iPhone 6s, the iPad Pro will have 3D Touch capabilities. The Apple Pencil will take this feature a step further and give users the ability to create designs on their devices with much more accuracy and precision than if they were to use just their finger. The Pencil detects force and tilt. Artists would be able to create different strokes without ever having to lift the Pencil off of the screen. The iPad Pro and Apple Pencil will be available for purchase sometime in November.
Expanding its market, Apple will also be trying its hand in television. By late October, consumers will be able to try out the new Apple TV. The key characteristic about this new device is that it is app-centric. Apple recognizes that people are relying more on apps, such as Hulu, Netflix, Watch ESPN and even iTunes, to watch their shows and movies. The Apple TV will be designed to consolidate all of these apps onto one platform for viewers’ convenience. It will operate on a new system called tvOS, which will feature a different version of Siri that will make searching through different shows and movies easier. Furthermore, Apple TV will come with a Siri Remote. The remote is incredibly simple in design, having no more than six controls and a touch pad. It doubles as a game controller for the new gaming apps that will be available for download. Fitness, cooking and other apps may also be downloaded, making Apple TV incredibly versatile.
Apple’s new lineup of products looks to be promising. If operational, 3D Touch can revolutionize the way people use their handheld devices. In addition, Apple TV represents television stepping in an entirely new direction away from cable television. Technology is continuously changing and Apple proves to be there every step of the way.