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SCREENGRAB - Apple iPhone 6s promo spot 09.09.15Instead of wading through the vast seas of press and tech coverage for this morning’s Apple event in San Francisco, here’s the “Too Long; Didn’t Read” condensed version:

Apple Watch

  • Announced new version of OS for its watches, WatchOS 2, available September 16th
  • WatchOS 2 gives third party developers access to watch’s sensors, the Digital Crown, microphone, and Taptic engine, along with the ability to build more complex animations
  • Announced new Apple Watch models, including those as a result of a partnership with Hermes, and new gold-and-rose and gold-and-anodized-aluminum finishes
  • Now over 10,000 apps for Apple Watch

Apple iPad family

  • Announced iPad Pro, a much larger tablet with a 12.9-inch, 2732×2048 Retina display
  • First availability won’t be until sometime in November
  • iPad Pro comes with new A9X 64-bit processor, claimed to have twice the memory bandwidth and storage performance of previous A8 processor, and to run 22X faster than the original first-gen iPad
  • Graphics performance also drastically improved
  • iPad Pro comes with a four-speaker audio system that automatically adjusts to screen orientation from portrait to landscape
  • Announced new magnetic Smart Keyboard (doubles as a cover) for $169
  • Smart Keyboard doesn’t use Bluetooth, but connects via new magnetic triple port on iPad Pro
  • Announced new Apple Pencil pressure-sensitive stylus for $99
  • iPad Pro available in Silver, Gold, and Space Gray finishes
  • Wi-Fi-only 32GB iPad Pro is $799; 128GB is $949
  • Only the 128GB iPad Pro will be available with cellular, for $1079
  • Other iPad models shift price points around. Entry level is now the iPad mini 2 16GB for $279.

Apple TV

  • Totally new fourth-gen box and set of features, with a 32GB model for $149 and 64GB model for $199
  • Original third-gen Apple TV will remain available, and still sell for $69
  • Only availability information for new Apple TV is “coming soon”
  • Much faster A8 processor
  • New remote has a glass multi-touch surface, volume control, and microphone for access to Siri
  • Siri allows voice command of menus, pop-up overlays, video navigation, movie and TV program selection (including suggestions), and much more
  • Remote also has motion sensitivity and a gyroscope to allow Wii-like control over games and other functions
  • Apple TV now has Bluetooth 4.0 and 801.11ac Wi-Fi with MIMO
  • Onscreen menu now offers access to the App Store
  • Debut of TV OS, an iOS-based operating system that is supposed to make things a lot easier for developers

Apple iPhone family

  • Apple announced two new phones: the iPhone 6S and the iPhone 6S Plus. Physically, they look practically identical to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
  • But the new models’ screens come with a tougher “dual ion-exchange” glass
  • The new phones also feature pressure-sensitive touchscreens that work like the new Force Touch trackpad on the most recent MacBooks. Apple calls this “3D Touch.”
  • Both cameras have been improved, along with their flash technology
  • The back-facing iSight camera now captures 12 megapixels, and can record 4K video
  • The front-facing FaceTime HD camera now captures 5 megapixels
  • Rose Gold joins the previously available three finishes (Silver, Gold, and Space Gray)
  • A Live Photo feature has also been added, which automatically captures a few seconds of video and sound around still photos. Push firmly on a photo, and it plays the video.
  • Prices start at $199 for the 6S and $299 for the 6s Plus, with contract, for 16GB models
  • Jumping to a 64GB model adds $100, and to a 128GB model adds another $200
  • For teh first time, Apple offers off-contract pricing starting at $649 and $749, again for the 16GB models of the 6S and 6S Plus.
  • The new iPhones may be pre-ordered on September 12, and are slated to begin delivery September 25th

Miscellaneous

  • The next major upgrade to iOS, version 9, will be available next Wednesday (September 16th). Any device currently running iOS 8 will be able to upgrade to the new version.