Apple announced new products and upgrades Wednesday.
Apple Watch
Tim Cook, chief executive of Apple, reported that 97 percent of customers said they were satisfied with the new Apple Watch. It was launched in April, and Cook said Apple is looking to improve the Watch even better.
New updates to the Watch include:
- New watch faces
- Features called "complications"
- Time Travel
- Transit for Maps
"Complications" show battery life, temperature, calendar appointments and other information on the watch face. Third-party "complications" can update flight information and news reports.
"Time Travel" allows the user to see weather or calendar events in the past or future.
Apps will be able to show videos and use the Watch’s health sensors. For example, iTranslate -- a new app coming to the Watch -- will be able to translate spoken words into other languages.
An app called Airstrip allows doctors to see patient data in real time. Pregnant moms can see and hear their baby’s heartbeat.
Apple is also introducing new styles of the Apple Watch, including an Hermès version. Hermès is an upscale French company that has been in business for 150 years, mostly in leather goods. A less expensive Sport model will be available in gold and rose gold.
New models are available today in 24 countries. The price is the same as earlier models. Watch OS2 will be available September 16.
iPad Pro
Cook called the iPad “our clearest vision of the future of personal computing.” He said the iPad Pro was “the biggest news in iPad since the iPad.”
The iPad Pro has an improved display and processes information faster than earlier iPads. For comparison, the iPad Pro performs faster than 80 percent of new portable PCs, according to Apple.
The iPad Pro is larger than other iPads. The screen measures 12.9 in, or 32.8 cm, and has more capabilities than other models. The Pro comes with a full-sized on-screen keyboard, and an optional Smart Keyboard.
Apple also introduced a stylus, called the Apple Pencil, that senses force, pressure and tilt.
Apple demonstrated how the iPad Pro can use Microsoft Office apps. It also showed new Adobe apps for iPad Pro. The apps can be used with pencil features.
iPad Pro will be available in November.
Pricing:
- $799 -- 32GB
- $949 -- 128GB
- $1049 -- 128GB with cellular
- Apple Pencil $99
- Smart Keyboard $169
Apple TV
Apple introduced a new generation Apple TV. It will be able to run apps and use Siri, the voice feature that speaks back to your questions.
The “wow” feature of the Apple TV may be how Siri finds and navigates videos. You can command Apple TV to find recent “kids’ movies.” Or “classic James Bond movies.” Siri will search iTunes, HBO, Netflix and Hulu, to show viewing options.
While watching a movie, you can ask Siri, “What did she say?” The video will skip back 15 seconds and add closed-captions.
The Apple TV remote has been upgraded with a touch screen. It is easier to follow menus, apps and videos, Apple said.
Gaming has been added to Apple TV. The remote as a controller of video games. You can start a game on your iPhone and continue playing it on your Apple TV.
Other new features include sports statistics shown at the bottom of the screen. You can shop for clothes or a home using apps on the Apple TV.
Apple TV will be available in over 80 countries in October, and 100 countries by the end of the year. The price is $149 for 32GB and $199 for 64GB.
iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
Apple introduced the iPhone 6s and the 6s Plus. The phones come in a new rose gold color. The phone size remain the same, 4.7 in, or 11.9 cm for the 6s and 5.5 in, or 14 cm for the 6s Plus. The phones are powered by chips that work faster. Connecting to networks around the world will be easier.
These phones have "3D Touch" that can tell the difference between firm and soft touch. 3D Touch is used for new gestures such as "Peek and Pop" that work with apps.
Faster chips and 3D Touch gives iPhone 6s and 6s Plus owners more options in gaming. You can control games using 3D Touch and see more advanced graphics while you play.
The camera has been upgraded to take larger (4K) videos, with a 12MP iSight rear camera and improved sensors.
The front camera has been upgraded for better FaceTime and selfie images. The phone uses the screen of the phone as a flash so you can use the front camera in low light.
The phone has a new feature -- LivePhotos -- that turns still photos into brief videos by adding a few seconds of video to each photo.
Price with a two-year contract:
iPhone 6s
- $199 16GB
- $299 64GB
- $399 128GB
iPhone 6s Plus
- $299 16GB
- $399 64GB
- $499 128GB
The phones can be preordered September 12. They will be on sale September 25 in the following countries:
Australia, Canada, China, France, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Singapore, U.K. and the U.S.
By year end, the phones will be available in over 130 countries with over 400 carriers.
Carolyn Nicander Mohr wrote this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor.
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