Like clockwork, Apple executives took to the stage today to reveal the future of the iPhone (and other, less important gadgets).
For this year’s keynote, Tim Cook jammed to “Sweet Home Alabama” for James Corden’s Carpool Karaoke, and then the Apple crew confirmed all the new features coming to its latest batch of products.
Who knew the next iPhone would be the “iPhone 7”? With a dual-lens camera? And no headphone jack?! (Everyone knew). Anyway, here’s what happened.
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
The biggest news of the day surrounded the much-anticipated reveal of the next iPhones: the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus. Both versions will drop the beloved headphone jack, introduce water resistance, and feature stereo speakers, while only the Plus will get a dual-lens camera.
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Both models will be available to preorder on September 9, and they’ll ship on September 16.
Farewell, iPhone 5s, 6, & 6 Plus. Hello, cheaper 6s & 6s plus
Out with the old, in with the new. Here’s Apple’s new lineup, with prices varying from country to country.
iOS 10 arrives on September 13
“Despite my silent plea for Apple to call it iOS X, the company did not oblige. The next big release of Apple’s mobile operating system, iOS 10, will be released to existing iPhone and iPad owners on September 13. That’s just six days away.”
AirPods
In the name of “courage,” Apple is ditching the headphone jack. (Here’s why)
And with that change, the company took the opportunity to push new wireless AirPods, BeatsX, Beats Solo3, and PowerBeats3 headphones.
‘Swim-proof’ Apple Watch Series 2
Swimming enthusiast can finally take their Apple Watch with them into the pool.
“The Apple Watch Series 2 will still require you to pair it with an iPhone. But the new version includes new components that help it become a little less reliable on a secondary device. The smartwatch will swim in the market (pun totally intended) at $369.”
Apple Watch price cuts
There’s a cool, new watch in town, so the Apple Watch (now called Apple Watch Series 1) is getting more affordable.
“Apple is also updating the CPU of the first-generation Apple Watch, a response to complaints about the smartwatch’s slow-launching apps.”
Mario on iPhone and Pikachu on the Watch
Gaming brought the fun to today’s announcements. Shigeru Miyamoto, the chief game designer at Nintendo, announced Super Mario Run — a new iOS side-scrolling runner game. You can pre-register for it here.
Above: Super Mario Run on Apple.
Pikachu is also making its way to the Apple Watch after the huge success of Pokémon Go on iPhone. Now you can hatch your eggs while closing your fitness circles at the same time.
Read more: Mario / Pokémon Go
Apple Music passes 17M subscribers
“Apple Music now has 17 million paying subscribers — up from 15 million in June. This new stat arrives as Apple seeks to correct the mistakes it made when the Music service first launched last year.”
Apple Pay is coming to Japan
“Apple says it will be bringing Apple Pay to Japan, after adding support for FeliCa technology in its iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 plus that enables tap-to-pay capabilities in the country. It’s expected to roll out starting on October 7.”
In conjunction with this announcement, Apple will also roll out transit information in Japan on its Apple Maps product.
Apple is donating iPads to 50,000 students and 4,500 teachers
“Under CEO Tim Cook, Apple has continued its longstanding commitment to education and participates in ConnectED, an initiative championed by President Barack Obama to bring technology to underserved schools.”
Above: Apple’s Everyone Can Code initiative will use Swift Playground, an iPad app that teaches coding.
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