Apple rolled out a slew of product updates today (Sept. 7), the most important of which are the much-anticipated iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Unlike past events, everyone is wondering this year whether or not it’s actually worth getting the new iPhone or any Apple product.
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According to Apple, the the reengineered enclosure of the new iPhone models result in a “water resistant iPhone offering protection like never before against spills, splashes and dust”. There are an fantastic amount of Bluetooth headphone options out there that will all work with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.
The product is expected to come out in time for the holidays.
Apple is also releasing high-end wireless headphones called AirPods. The decision is a controversial one as many iPhone users, including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak himself, wanted the headphone jack to remain; no doubt a lot of people are mad right now. The problem with their new scheme is you can’t simultaneously charge your phone and listen to a pair of wired headphones.
Perhaps one of the most baffling aspect of the design is that not only does you iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch need to be charged, but now your AirPods need to be plugged in and charged too.
In other releases, the company unveiled a “Series 2” of the Apple Watch that is waterproof and includes a Global Positioning System – an appeal to the workout market of runners/hikers/bikers/swimmers/surfers, where the watch has faced persistent competition from other wearables. There’s a new iPhone.
The final change is the introduction of AirPods.
Apple’s attempt to be a little more open, with its first official Twitter account, just dramatically backfired.
Apple will be using a new dual-core processor in the Series 2 lineup and will also start using the new processor for the older-version Apple Watch, now referred to as Series 1.
Apple had waited many years to send its very first tweet. But despite the upgrade in storage capacity, Apple hasn’t raised the starting price for either model: both the Air 2 and the Mini 4 start at $399.
Customers in Canada will be able to pre-order iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus beginning Friday, September 9, with retail availability beginning Friday, September 16. Existing watches can get new software on September 13.
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Apple, Nintendo and game maker Niantic used the event to announce the wildly popular Pokemon Go would be available for Apple Watch users later this month.
