Apple released a host of announcements today, including updates to the Apple Watch and Apple TV, new iPhones and iPads, and a $99 pencil.
Here are some of the takeaways from the event it hosted online, which featured a performance by the band OneRepublic.
Operating system
— iOS9 upgrade will be available Sept. 16 across all supported Apple mobile devices.
Apple Watch
— To open the event, Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke about Apple Watch as a "life-changing" device. He said customer satisfaction was at 97 percent for the device.
— A new Apple Watch software update debuts Sept. 16.
— Public transportation routes will be added to the Maps app for Apple Watch.
— New apps coming to Apple Watch: Facebook Messenger, iTranslate (a voice-to-text translator), GoPro, AirStrip.
— New watch bands are coming for Apple Watch. French fashion company Hermés has designed a line of Apple Watch bands that will debut in October. A fall collection of various new color bands will debut for the Apple Watch. New Apple Watch face finishes will also be available.
iPad
— Cook proclaims the company will announce "The biggest news in iPad since iPad (debuted)."
— iPad Pro is coming. Cook called it "the most capable iPad ever." It's touted as having the biggest screen ever built for an iOS product.
— iPad Pro pricing plans: $799 (32GB); $949 (128GB); $1,079 (128GB with cellular data capability)
— iPad Pro will have a 12.9-inch screen. The screen will have 5.6 million pixels. It will weigh 1.57 pounds.
— The company proclaims that the iPad Pro is "faster than 80 percent of portable PCs that shipped in the last 12 months."
— iPad Pro will have 10 hours of battery life.
— A Smart Keyboard ($169) will be available with iPad Pro. The keyboard was designed by Apple and is made to specifically work with the iPad Pro.
— Apple Pencil ($99) is a new accessory designed for iPad Pro. The device's screen will detect how much pressure is applied by the pencil's user, allowing for more precise drawing and handwriting. The pencil will charge via the iPad's lightning port.
— iPad mini 2 becomes cheapest in iPad lineup, at $269 apiece.
— Adobe is releasing a new app called Photoshop Fix, which was demonstrated on the iPad Pro.
Apple TV
— Cook: "We believe the future of television is apps."
— New Apple TV pricing: $149 (32GB); $199 (64GB). It will launch in "late October."
— Retooled Apple TV will include a set-top box and Bluetooth-connected remote control that has a touch surface made of glass. The remote control will also feature voice-activated Siri capability, allowing users to search for movies and TV shows by voice.
— Siri functionality will allow Apple TV users to get instant on-screen answers about cast and crew members of the movies or TV shows being viewed.
— New TVOS operating system will debut with retooled Apple TV.
— Games will be playable on Apple TV with its new remote control. Developers demonstrated "Crossy Road" as one title that will be available with a multiplayer option.
— Video game developer Harmonix ("Rock Band") has designed a game exclusively for Apple TV. "Beat Sports" allows for motion and touch-screen controls with the Apple TV's new remote control.
— Apps demonstrated for Apple TV: Gilt (shopping and fashion); MLB.com At Bat (watch live baseball, see stats, other data on screen). Other apps that were shown: Netflix, HBO, Hulu.
iPhone
— Cook declares iPhone 6 is the most popular iPhone ever.
— iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus announced; Cook calls them "the most advanced smartphones in the world."
— Pricing: iPhone 6S runs from $199 (16GB) to $399 (128GB); iPhone 6S Plus ranges from $299 (16GB) to $499 (128GB).
—Preorders are being taken on Sept. 12. The iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus will be available on Sept. 25.
— New iPhone Upgrade Program will allow customers to sign up to receive a new iPhone every year with the cellular provider of their choice.
— Pressure-sensitive "3D Touch" will allow for a more streamlined use of iPhone apps.
— New iPhones will be available in four new colors: silver, gold, space gray and rose gold. New screens are touted as being made of the strongest glass the company has ever used.
— New iPhone will have 12-megapixel iSight camera (previous iPhone 6 had 8-megapixel camera). The iSight camera can also shoot 4K video.
— The new iPhone's front-facing camera (5 megapixels) will use the phone's screen to generate a flash for selfies in low lighting.
— New app called "Move to IOS" will be downloadable for Android users who are preparing to switch to an iPhone, transferring contacts and other data.
