Apple’s decision to include a wired pair of earbuds and a 3.5mm-to-Lightning Adapter with the iPhone 7 is a nice gesture, but it doesn’t address the loss of functionality.
Advertisement
At Apple’s iPhone 7 unveiling in San Francisco on Wednesday, the tech powerhouse revealed a host of new and updated hardware and software, including a new type of headphone jack and souped-up camera.
The Watch, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will go on sale on September 16, with pre-orders for the devices beginning on Friday.
Apple is known for doing things a certain way – its own way – and while some of the additions made here follow that thought pattern of trying to predict the curve and staying ahead of it, others feel like responses to the market and consumer needs. If you’ve got an expensive pair of headphones with a 3.5mm connector salvation is at hand – the company will be bundling a small Lightning to 3.5mm adaptor with every iPhone 7 as well.
It’s best if you wait until the new iPhone arrives before creating your backup, instead of creating one now and losing at least a week of conversations and photos.
Powering Apple’s new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus smartphones is a new chip called the A10 Fusion. It’s also collaborating with Nike Inc. on a co-branded timepiece aimed at runners. But some who follow the industry say it’s closer than many think, noting improvements in wireless technologies, materials, artificial intelligence and battery life.
Eagle-eyed social media users have noticed a disclaimer on Apple’s frequently asked questions which might put them off buying the new colour. The price was not disclosed.
In the “Her” movie, the operating system becomes more and more personal. Existing watches can get new software on September 13.
Combine this with the launch of its first 3D camera on the iPhone 7 Plus and it is not a huge leap to suggest that Apple is preparing for the introduction of a virtual reality device in the next 12 months – something which has been widely rumoured. But Apple is pushing Apple AirPods, which CEO Tim Cook says are a “breakthrough design”, wireless headphones that sync across all Apple devices and respond to touch that can access Siri.
Quick aside regarding the iPhone 7 Plus dual camera: I suspect that will be another victor for Apple, as it only adds the flexibility of a telephoto lens and versatility of simulated bokeh, but for me it’s overkill right now.
While Apple has touted total iPhone sales of one billion, the number sold in the quarter ending June 25 fell 15 percent from a year earlier, highlighting concerns over growth for the key profit driver. We would go so far as to say that yesterday’s presentation by Apple takes a direct shot at FIT and that the upcoming holiday season may not be as kind to FIT as shareholders would like it.
“I believe Apple did enough to keep the base happy with upgrades and arguably did enough to attract some Android users”, said analyst Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights & Strategy. The dual camera has potential and the black finish (also available on the 7) is a smart new design perk. Here’s a timeline on availability, costs and features for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.
The Apple Watch Series 2 is now official, and it’s packing in a lot of features aimed at fitness and outdoor enthusiasts, particularly how it’s swim-proof. It’s similar to what Apple has done with a trackpad in a slimmer MacBook model previous year. There are plenty of uses for old devices, such as turning it into a security camera or converting it into a psuedo-iPod for one of your kids.
Advertisement
“Apple has rethought the Apple Watch significantly since its first release”, said Jackdaw Research chief analyst Jan Dawson.
