What to Expect at Apple’s iPhone Event Next Week
The cycle never ends, people! Next week Apple is set to unveil the latest iterations of the iPhone and iPad—rumoured to be a larger, more capable iPad Pro.
Just got your new iPhone 6? Well so did we, but that’s not going to stop us from getting all fanboy about the (potential) new one.
The announcement, now confirmed for September 9, caps a busy summer for Apple. In June the company launched the brand new Apple Music, the year’s biggest flop/smash hit, depending on who you ask, and also unveiled the latest versions of their core operating systems OSX and iOS, both of which are now in beta.
So what should you expect from the Apple’s event next Wednesday?
First of all, we’re in the S stage of Apple’s product cycle, so temper any hopes you have for that iPhone 7. The updated S versions typically eschew external design changes for a substantial internal hardware upgrades. Sexy stuff, we know.
Force Touch, Meet iPhone
It’s likely that next week we’ll see the arrival of Apple’s latest, greatest Force Touch iPhone tech.
Force Touch is currently used on the Apple Watch, the newest Macbook models and certain models of the Macbook Pro. It uses haptic feedback to simulate the click of a trackpad, which in effect stays completely still when pressed. Apple touts this technology as allowing for a deeper contextual interaction with information on screen, which… Sure, OK.
What exactly does that mean? Firstly, long presses will just feel more satisfying. Beyond that, the Force Touch—terrible name, by the way—will work as an automated shortcut in apps. Force Touch a point of interest in Apple Maps, for example, and it will trigger turn-by-turn directions.
Can You Say 4K?
Also on the docket is a significant upgrade to one of the iPhone’s best features: the camera. It’s looking very likely that the new devices will feature a 12 megapixel camera with 4K video capabilities. You may want to upgrade your data plan for this one. At the very least, it’s reason enough to buy that new 4K TV you’ve been debating.
A New Sapphire Screen, Finally.
Have you ever dropped your iPhone? Have you ever dropped your iPhone and completely shattered the screen? Of course you have. Well, with a full sapphire display this will be a thing of the past—maybe.
If you’ve been following iPhone rumours, then you’re familiar with the will-they-won’t-they nature of Apple’s relationship with the supposed supermaterial Sapphire. The glass is purported to be virtually indestructible, stronger than Gorilla Glass even, although a string of failed drop tests nixed the addition of the display to last year’s iPhone 6 release.
Currently Sapphire glass covers your iPhone’s camera and Touch ID, but we’re hoping that the nerds down in the lab managed to get it right this year, and protection will extend across the whole display.
Bend it like Beckham
Remember how annoying Bendgate was? It turns out Apple does too, as leaked specs show the company taking steps to address the 6 Plus’ problems with pressure. The new iPhones are reported to be a few millimeters thicker than last year’s models, a feature likely designed to address the issues.
iPad Pro?
While a new iPad is coming down the pipe, no one is entirely when it will be announced. Apple may lump it in to next week’s iPhone event, or save it to build up some Black Friday buzz.
The tablet is expected to measure around 12 to 13 inches and feature a new ultra-high-resolution display.
It’s likely this new model will target business users, but we’re sure your cat will still get a kick out of it too.
The new models typically go on sale a few weeks after their unveiling, so look for whatever they release in stores around the end of the month.
