Apple announced a lot at its iPhone event. There are new iPhones, iPads, and the first major hardware overhaul for the Apple TV since 2010. We also got some new bands for the Apple Watch, along with a new gold color option for the Apple Watch Sport.
Here are the biggest announcements from Apple's "Hey Siri" event.
iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus
The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus are the latest generation of Apple's smartphone. The new phones retain the look of last year's iPhone 6 line, including 4.7- and 5.5-inch displays. Powered by Apple's new A9 system-on-a-chip, the 6s lineup features a new 3D Touch display, a 12-megapixel camera with 4K video recording, and always-on voice detection for Siri.
- Apple makes the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus official
- 3D Touch allows for new interactions on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
- The A9 processor on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus is 70% faster than the A8 chip
- iPhone 6s and 6s Plus coming September 25 starting at $199; pre-orders start September 12
iPad Pro
Apple's iPad Pro is the company's largest tablet to date. It features a 12.9-inch Force Touch display, along with a powerful new A9X system-on-a-chip. The iPad Pro also supports Apple's brand new stylus, which itself is built to work in concert with the iPad Pro's display.
- Apple officially announces the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, available in November starting at $799
- Apple's A9X processor is the beast powering the iPad Pro
- Apple Pencil is a precision stylus made for the iPad Pro
- Here's how much Apple's new iPad Pro will cost
- Microsoft to launch updated Office apps for iPad Pro and iOS 9
iPad mini 4
The iPad mini 4 is Apple's latest small tablet. As with previous models, this iPad mini features a 7.9-inch Retina display. The iPad mini 4 is powered by an Apple A8 system-on-a-chip, and will support iOS 9's split view, allowing two apps to run side by side.
Apple TV
This new set-top box is the first major product overhaul the Apple TV has seen since 2010. Still a small black puck, though slightly bigger than the previous model, the new Apple TV comes along with a bright new interface, universal search, and support for third-party apps. It also comes along with a new, motion-sensitive Bluetooth remote with both a touchpad and buttons, including one for activating Siri.
- Apple unveils the new Apple TV with a new look, an App Store, and Siri
- New Apple TV remote features a touch surface and Siri button
- Apple announces tvOS, its platform for the Apple TV
- New Apple TV to include Siri support for faster searches and more
- Here's how much the new Apple TV will cost
iOS 9
Apple said today that iOS 9 will arrive on Wednesday, September 16. It will bring with it a more intelligent Siri, much improved search, a new, iCloud-powered Notes app, and several notable under-the-hood improvements. The Golden Master, or GM, build, will be available for developers at some point after the event.
Apple Watch
Apple today announced that watchOS 2, the next version of the software that powers the Apple Watch, will arrive on Wednesday, September 16, with a GM release available today. It will bring with it support for native apps, third-party complications, and more. Additionally, Apple also announced several new watch bands, and a new gold color option for the Apple Watch Sport.
- WatchOS 2 lands on September 16
- Apple announces Hermès edition Apple Watch, more sport colors and bands
Reader comments
Check out Apple's big announcements from the 'Hey Siri' event
I think Apple blew this one out of the park. They set the standards for phones, tablets, watches, and even tv streaming..all in one event.
My parents (both of them) want the new iPad pro each and so do I. We all are creative people who can see that this is a low cost way for a simple Wacom centique experience.
My slight disappointment was no mention of Homekit as a hub for the Apple TV. Any news on this?, maybe it's a firmware update in the future?
Good catch with Homekit. I was expecting that too and forgot about it. I was also hoping for a new Bluetooth keyboard and trackpad as standalone devices for desktop use. And the iPad Pro keyboard seemed to have no media-specific keys like every other 3rd party keyboard for iPads have had for a long time. Overall, I was very pleased with what was announced. The iPad Pro and Apple TV are on the top of my list to get right away. And the OS upgrades.
test
I'll buy the Apple TV but this year not upgrading my iPhone. Another year same old shit battery. No thanks
Sent from the iMore App
These events are getting boring. What was announced was exactly what was expected and nothing more. That's not to say these aren't acceptable upgrades, but everything they showed was iterative - yes, including iPad Pro. Only Apple could have the gall to flagrantly rip off another product and tout "innovation" ("Hey Siri, define that for me?"). The most exciting thing about the 6s/Plus is camera upgrade. 3D touch, for the vast majority of end users, just going to mean a contextual menu here or there. The TV and Watch were of no interest to me anyway.
Here's a genuine question though - Apple has four different OSes now (OS X, iOS, WatchOS, tvOS); is that not a nightmare for developers? Android is one OS for all; Windows is now one OS for all - surely developing for Apple's platforms is far more work.?
iOS is a subset of the Mac OS. The Watch and TV OS are a further subset of iOS. Developers should have no difficulties with that.
I love the attention and detail surrounding the camera, particularly the omission of optical image stabilization on the non-plus. It was great seeing them highlight that. Oh, wait ... um ... HOOOT HOOOT HOOT!
Do you troll professionally or is this just a sideline?
No, I was looking for info on whether to get the 6s or wait for the 7 based on image stabilization. Apple of course only talked about pixels since they didn't change anything else on the camera that might make for sharp photos for those without a tripod for their frickin' phone (I carry a tripod all the time - don't you? I keep it in my other pocket next to my steady-cam rig. The bulges make me look sexxxy, or in dire need of a visit to the proctologist).
But hey HOOOT HOOOTILY HOOTY HOOT HOOT (authentic isn't it) HOOT (it's so believable) HOOOOT! I love my cheerleaders. They're such a HOOT!
Folks, Folks. Please calm down and come to grips that this is not the Steve Jobs' Apple. We are now seeing the fruits of Cook and this chef is burning the goods. Microsoft is moving in single experience across all devices and Apple now has 5 different OSes, if you count the auto experience. The Pro is laughable. Why. What is the market? For that cost??? WTF? The tock of the iPhone release is not much of a big deal and the Apple TV just made Amazon that much more attractive. Does anyone think that this is the beginning of the end. Oh, I didn't even touch on Watch.
Nopeee not even close
Sent from the iMore App
Nopeee not even close
Sent from the iMore App
The beginning of the end has been forecasted for years now
No not the end or the beginning of the end. Not even close.
Apple still is the most profitable corporation right now and has nothing to worry about
Lackluster, definitely, but not the beginning of the end
I'm getting the iPad Pro the instant I can. With the stylus (Apple Pencil) and extreme lightness and large size I can score music with Notion on the fly. That's huge to finally have the right size and fine control. Comic Books and PDF sheet music at the perfect size are two more killer apps for me. Side-by-side apps will sometimes come in very handy, like taking notes while surfing web pages.
On the Apple Watch, I find myself using it momentarily and regularly all day every day. The taps for GPS directions while driving is brilliant, reminding while neither interfering with music nor requiring me to look at anything. For many little reasons, I truly love the thing.
For me, this all is a refinement of things I find very useful. I'm skipping the iPhone this time around because I'm on a 2-year contract. The 6+ is a great phone and I'm happy with it for now.
When are they going to get rid of the "Apple Hooters"? It's the same cheerleading morons that take me away from the presentation time and time again, particularly when they hoot something that anyone outside Apple won't ever care about (look at this hospital app for a watch! HOOT HOOOOOOT HOOOOOOT). It's obvious, insulting and distracting. Not since Tim Cook tried to ET finger U2 onstage has anything been as painful to watch as these fake cheerleaders.
You mean the Apple employees at the Apple event? Yeah, they're so fake to hoot for the stuff they helped create.
He pointed out the employees. They were nowhere near the lame cheerleaders. Try again. HOOT HHHOOOOT HOOOOOOT HOOOOTY HOOOOT!
That was one block. Gruber estimated 2/3 of the audience were Apple employees, around 1000 of the 1500 audience.
That is interesting. For me though it’s not the crowd that are the problem, some people will cheer and others might follow and that’s fine.
The Apple execs are the ones that spoil it IMO. They get more and more Keith Lemon every year. There’s just no need to be so fake and contrived.
Then why is it the same voice hooting every single show? The - same - exact - voice. Didn't know they were so short handed at Apple. Quite the employee pool. HOOOT HOOOOTY HOOT HOOTIDLY HOOT!
I really would like to see a direct comparison of the iPad Pro with the Surface 3.
To me they are completely different machines.
My brother gave me a first edition Surface with Windows LT. My response, "This sure isn't an iPad."
Yours would be. But yes different.
Given the choice of only one I’d get the Surface. It’s less user friendly maybe but so much more capable. In real life I’d get neither.
The Surface is a laptop. It should be compared to an Apple laptop, not an iPad.
"If you see a stylus - they blew it!" (Steve Jobs) Unless it costs you an extra $100. Yea, I know that was about phones.
In the iPad Pro - Apple have added very similar features to the 12.2 inch Samsung Note Pro, launched two years ago. Not the first Samsung tablet (or phone) with a very successful sPen.
The iPad Pro looks lovely and very well integrated; but consider the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 - which arguably offers more and costs you less. Once again, Apple have refined what other companies did years before - and called it "New."
Two decades ago The Mac really was years ahead. Apple today are have chosen refinement over innovation; and to be honest I think it was the logical move - the right move. It just wasn't "The Crazy One". THAT makes me feel rather sad.
I remember the Apple that broke all the rules and burned the book they came in. The company Jobs and Woz started, long ago in a garage, was a rebel yell, that blew the roof off Silicone Valley. I miss that Apple - in a way I miss Steve more today.
Apple TV can't come soon enough...
Has Samsung gotten too cheap to pay trolls to come in here and piss off the Apple faithful?
What’s hilarious and sad at the same time is it took the Apple ‘faithful' to point this out. Instead of just enjoying your keynote and anticipation of new products YOU had to bring it up.
How saddo.
I think it's weird he assumes anybody who is interested in what Apple has to say are the "faithful".
Yep, people are only as faithful as their options and bank balance.
Pretty awesome stuff...but my eyes are focused on upgrading my iPhone 6 to a 6S+
Sent from the iMore App
I can't fathom why they'd invest so heavily in upgrading the camera for the 6s yet omit OIS. That's a deal breaker for me.
Shhh! They'll downvote you and call you a troll for pointing that out.
What no iPad Air 3?, I guess I will hold onto my iPad Air for another year.
true. perhaps they are cycling out that size for the iPad family? I'm not sure but it looks that way.
iPads haven't been selling that well. They are investing in the Pro hoping to goose sales again after seeing the success of the Surface. Plus, the Air 2 is pretty close to having the same internals as the iPhone 6 anyways so it'll run iOS 9 without issue.
There were rumors of a iPhone 7 announcement off-cycle in Spring, maybe that'll hold up and they'll upgrade both the Air and the iPhone then. Who knows, but I doubt it.
Apple TV looks great. I think they really nailed it!
3D touch for the 6s will be cool, but for me, not exciting enough to upgrade this time around. Wondering how well it will work one-handed...
The apple tv was to be my end all be all set top box as I still have an atv2 hooked up to my tv as I type this. HOWEVER, the new apple tv to me was a huge let down. Taking into account apple's atv refresh schedule (something like every 4 years it feels like) I'm going to avoid this like the plague. #1, no on demand tv like slingtv. I want to cut my cable and was waiting for this very specific feature. #2, No effin 4k?!? REALLY? like, REALLY? let alone HDR which is the future of movies both of which are due to go into adoption 4th quarter this year. I was ready to drop 200 on this device and now I have to find something else. sad sad day :(.
On demand comes from things like Netflix and just about every other thing you have on your current Apple TV. It's all on demand.
You have this backward and should be complaining about no live network TV.
Great coverage as always. I thought the new iPhone wouldn't make me upgrade from the 6 Plus but the 3D Touch and the cool Harry Potter style pics change things...looks brill.
Wow!!!!
Sent from the iMore App
Oh, I want one of just about everything! Gold and rose gold for the sport watch! That iPad Pro is so much more than any of us expected. TV looks great, just the way they should have always done it, and the iPhone 6s (every time someone has said that over the past week it's always sounded like they were saying "the iPhone success"...also appropriate, I guess) is everything we expected and more!
What in the world is left for them to announce in October when OS X El Capitan is released? The 4K 21" iMac, I guess, but what the hell else? Maybe a new MacBook?
Good luck getting that 2nd and 3rd mortgage to afford all of this.