In a BuzzFeed interview following the unveiling of the iPhone 7, Apple executives explain why they ditched the headphone jack. Apple unveils new wireless “AirPods ” But they’re convenient.
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Apple is betting its legions of loyal fans will embrace the shift to digital headsets that use wireless connections. But it also means you will be unable to use wired headphones while charging an iPhone 7, something you might want to do during, for example, a cross-country flight.
Other camera improvements include a new flash with four LEDs rather than two for greater brightness. I did not see the promised dongle that will adapt your old 3.5mm headphones to the multi-purpose lighting port. Apple Pay will also come to New Zealand in October and Russian Federation in the fall. But Apple has never been shy about marketing its products at a premium price. “The courage to move on and do something new that will benefit all of us”.
Perhaps the only truly new product from Apple was a new wireless earbud called AirPods ($159, due next month), which look like the company’s current white earphones minus the snaking cord.
The iPhone 7 and larger iPhone 7 Plus, with new camera technology, improved water resistance and other features, were shown off to applause at an Apple media event in San Francisco. A new Portrait setting on iPhone 7 Plus automatically dials in the required setting to make such images pop. Apple superfans may hate the absence of headphone jack. “Maintaining an old, single-purpose connector just doesn’t make sense”. Replacing it is Apple’s own proprietary Lightning interface, one highlighted feature of which is its ability to power a device like a USB port while carrying audio.
Apple has stated that later this year, 7+ models will receive a depth-of-field mode which will use machine learning to help separate backgrounds from foregrounds in shots.
Apple saw a 56.7 percent year-over-year drop in sales of the device in the past quarter, research firm IDC said.
While the company sold almost 92 million iPhones in the first six months of this year, that’s about 15 percent fewer than the same period last year. The Apple Watch Nike+ will boast features specifically for runners to coincide with the sporting giant’s Nike+ Run Club.
Unfortunately, the coolest trick Apple will have for the iPhone 7 Plus camera isn’t ready quite yet. The standard model has been upgraded with optical image stabilization and a brighter f/1.8 lens, while the plus model has a brand-new “dual camera system” that allows for true 2x optical zoom without loss of image quality.
Except – oops! – CEO Tim Cook had yet to announce the new version of the smartphone. And she’s not anxious about any backlash over elimination of the hardware jack. When he finally did, he said, as always: “It’s the best iPhone that we have ever created”.
Apple will start taking preorders Friday in more than two dozen markets, including Hong Kong and China. Orders will start this Friday. It will be available as a free download beginning September 13.
The iPhone 7 iSight camera will still shoot the same footage in 4K at 30 frames per second and 1080p at 60 fps.
These are also the first water- and dust-resistant iPhones, having been given an IP67 rating.
Before heading out of the room I had a brief look at the all-white ceramic Apple Watch Series 2.
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Apple is giving those away, too.
