Apple September 2015 Event Live Blog
by Joshua Ho on September 9, 2015 12:50 PM EST05:04PM EDT - Unfortunately the last few photos won't upload. Pricing is identical to iPhone 6. iCloud also has new storage tiers, 99 cents for 50GB, 200GB for 2.99 USD. 1TB 9.99 USD/mo
02:58PM EDT - New dock accessory? New cases as well
02:56PM EDT - 300 mbps LTE-A, 2x2 802.11ac, and 28 LTE bands for roaming
02:55PM EDT - Facebook will support it
02:55PM EDT - developer API support for live photos
02:54PM EDT - Supported across all Apple products
02:54PM EDT - A second and a half of total video
02:53PM EDT - This is really reminding me of Zoe right now
02:53PM EDT - Live photos with 3D toucch that includes some video. Sounds like Zoe to me.
02:51PM EDT - 5MP FFC and using the display as a flash like LG but with custom display driver to flash display at 3x brightness for this flash mode
02:51PM EDT - You can edit 4K video on the phone as well
02:50PM EDT - Judging by the sample video the answer might be yes
02:50PM EDT - I wonder if iPhone also has good stabilization and no 5 min limit
02:49PM EDT - 4K video recording
02:49PM EDT - I'm not sure what they mean when they say "moved closer down"
02:48PM EDT - I'm not sure if it was mentioned but color filter array has changed to performance
02:48PM EDT - Dynamic range and exposure is said to be good
02:47PM EDT - I wonder if OIS is coming to 6s to maintain low light performance
02:46PM EDT - Interestingly no discussion of pixel size or sensor size
02:46PM EDT - Deep trench isolution is used to reduce crosstalk as seen in ISOCELL
02:46PM EDT - Explaining why bigger pixels are better such as crosstalk and sensor noise
02:45PM EDT - The sensor 50% more pixels and PDAF pixels increase with it
02:44PM EDT - 12MP camera
02:44PM EDT - Second gen TouchID is much faster
02:43PM EDT - Hey Siri now works always-on like the Moto X
02:43PM EDT - Motion coprocessor is on-die now instead of separate package
02:41PM EDT - Freeblade game demo showing off A9, 3D touch.
02:40PM EDT - 70% faster CPU?
02:40PM EDT - Interesting lack of disclosure on exact process, possibly 14/16nm split as rumored
02:38PM EDT - Showing off third party app support for this feature already
02:38PM EDT - Can enter multitasking with an edge swipe with pressure instead of double tap homme
02:37PM EDT - For some people emergency selfies would definitely be a killer app
02:37PM EDT - Apparently you can take emergency selfies with 3D touch
02:36PM EDT - A lot of contextual information can be quickly viewed with this system which is a neat idea
02:35PM EDT - You can also just flick up/left/right/down instead of pressing harder to do some quick actions
02:35PM EDT - You can peek at the email to read without marking as read. If you press harder, it will open it properly
02:33PM EDT - iPhone 6s also has taptic engine. Peak vibration happens in 1 cycle instead of multiple cycles
02:31PM EDT - A hard press allows you to also preview links and images without leaving the app you're currently in
02:31PM EDT - You can do things like shortcuts from the home screen
02:30PM EDT - This is really Force Touch buut a different name for some reason
02:29PM EDT - 3D Touch for iPhone
02:28PM EDT - New glass using dual ion exchange process
02:28PM EDT - Custom alu alloy, 7000 series
02:26PM EDT - I really wonder if A9 will have 14/16nm split or just 14 or just 16 process
02:26PM EDT - Predictably it looks like the iPhone 6
02:26PM EDT - Rose Gold iPhone 6s confirmed
02:25PM EDT - iPhone 6 customer satisfaction also said to be above other phones
02:25PM EDT - iPhone 6 is said to be the most popular iPhone ever
02:24PM EDT - Huge gains in China for Apple
02:24PM EDT - iPhone is next
02:23PM EDT - A bunch of inputs that include HDMI and ethernet
02:23PM EDT - Apple TV available in late October
02:21PM EDT - Continuity with games as well
02:20PM EDT - You can do a split screen video and also hockey coming in 2016?
02:20PM EDT - Live scoring data synced with the video
02:19PM EDT - The video is up to 60 fps
02:19PM EDT - You can see scoreboard or just highlights
02:19PM EDT - Another app for TV: baseball/MLB
02:16PM EDT - It should also be local to be truly so lo mo
02:16PM EDT - This app is social and mobile apparently?
02:15PM EDT - I wonder what kind of SoC is in Apple TV to enable this
02:15PM EDT - Gilt is for shopping on Apple TV
02:15PM EDT - Support in this game is up to 4 players
02:14PM EDT - It's a music-based game with some kind of baseball element
02:13PM EDT - Not rock band though as far as I can tell
02:13PM EDT - Rock Band on Apple TV demo is up next
02:11PM EDT - As long as one lives to checkpoint you can respawn. Also potential competitive mode
02:11PM EDT - Crossy road multiplayer allows you join co-op games with iPhone and other iOS devices
02:10PM EDT - multiplayer
02:10PM EDT - Console quality gaming supposedly?
02:09PM EDT - Lots of gaming apps
02:09PM EDT - Netflix, Hulu, HBO apps
02:08PM EDT - tvOS uses a lot of APIs similar to iOS
02:04PM EDT - Date, director, age ratings, and other information for suggestions
02:03PM EDT - Siri will also make it easy to search for things
02:03PM EDT - Also can skip back and turn on subtitles if you say "what was said" or something similar
02:03PM EDT - Siri during playback to do playback controls
02:00PM EDT - A surprisingly simple thing to do that actually improves user experience in a big way
02:00PM EDT - Siri searches multiple sources for a single piece of content
01:58PM EDT - Glass touch surface and Siri button on the remote
01:58PM EDT - Just a box and remote, not a whole TV
01:57PM EDT - Appears to use Apple TV remote as a controller
01:57PM EDT - Also gaming on the TV?
01:56PM EDT - Siri is clearly a big part of this push
01:54PM EDT - Future of TV is apps according to Apple
01:53PM EDT - I suspect Ryan would have to take that one
01:53PM EDT - I really hope this isn't an entire TV that we have to review.
01:53PM EDT - Apple TV is next
01:52PM EDT - I wonder if the display has improved
01:52PM EDT - iPad Mini 4 is the iPad Air 2 but mini.
01:51PM EDT - I also wonder whether there will be accessories using the new dock connector, possibly undercut Apple in accesories?
01:51PM EDT - I wonder whether this speaker system is better than front-facing speakers
01:50PM EDT - Carbon fiber cap in speakers?
01:50PM EDT - I really want to know what's going on with A9X, which should be interesting.
01:49PM EDT - I wonder what the range of variable refresh is. Hopefully PSR is also available.
01:49PM EDT - I guess it makes sense to save money if you don't want a stylus or physical keyboard?
01:49PM EDT - These accessories are kind of pricey considering they don't come with the iPad
01:46PM EDT - Can share the 3D model to a patient on their own iPad
01:45PM EDT - Can show 3D simulation of conditions such as torn meniscus and arthritis, etc.
01:45PM EDT - Surgeon simulator for iPad Pro would be fun
01:44PM EDT - Can simulate surgery
01:44PM EDT - You can accurately simulate muscle/bone interactions
01:42PM EDT - Medical visualization application in iPad Pro
01:41PM EDT - Drawing application from Adobe that sounds oddly similar to Nvidia Dabbler or something similar for simulating certain media
01:40PM EDT - You can add a smile to a person that isn't
01:40PM EDT - Facial detection in retouching engine
01:40PM EDT - Photoshop Fix for retouching on iPad
01:39PM EDT - TypeKit fonts on iOS for iPad Pro Adobe apps
01:38PM EDT - Adobe is up next for apps on iPad Pro
01:37PM EDT - Over 20 different object types supported
01:37PM EDT - You can copy into Powerpoint as well and you can draw to automatically generate graphics based on what you draw
01:36PM EDT - Word inking is supported and you can use multitasking to copy excel graphs to word etc
01:35PM EDT - Apologies, I'm trying to keep up with photos and text but they're definitely moving quickly
01:35PM EDT - OneNote with this would be awesome
01:35PM EDT - Microsoft showing productivity support for iPad Pro
01:34PM EDT - The question of "how would Apple sell a pen" has finally been answered
01:33PM EDT - Not more pixels than the 5k, after doing some quick math I think it's referring to normal iMacs
01:32PM EDT - Single pixel precision
01:32PM EDT - The stylus charges from the tablet using lightning connector
01:31PM EDT - Low input latency and you can use touch simultaneously
01:31PM EDT - When using stylus sampling rate ups to 2x to improve accuracy and responsiveness
01:31PM EDT - Not sure if the stylus needs a battery
01:31PM EDT - Position, force, and tilt
01:30PM EDT - It's called Apple Pencil
01:29PM EDT - iPad Pro comes with a stylus it seems
01:29PM EDT - Connects using magnetic three pin connector
01:28PM EDT - Uses same switch type as Macbook
01:28PM EDT - Keyboard case for the iPad Pro a lot like the Surface Pro
01:27PM EDT - I wonder what the CPU config is like
01:27PM EDT - Absolutely is 1xnm FF
01:27PM EDT - 6.9mm and 1.57 pounds
01:26PM EDT - 4 speaker system and balances based on hand position, 3x sound volume of iPad Air 2
01:26PM EDT - Battery life is the same as iPad
01:25PM EDT - IGZO TFT, custom TCON, and photoalignment
01:25PM EDT - Dynamic refresh rate isn't necessarily new, but interesting to know it's new to iOS
01:24PM EDT - The 2x figure is interesting. Probably combo of quad core and higher clocks
01:22PM EDT - More pixels than iMac 5k
01:22PM EDT - 12.9" because iPad Air dimensions. 2732x2048 pixels
01:20PM EDT - Discussing motivation for the bigger display
01:19PM EDT - More deafening applause
01:19PM EDT - iPad Pro
01:17PM EDT - IBM and Cisco partnership to bring iPad to enterprise in a useful manner
01:16PM EDT - On to iPad
01:16PM EDT - No hardware refresh
01:16PM EDT - Apple Watch new variants are available now
01:16PM EDT - WatchOS 2 launches September 16
01:15PM EDT - Choice here is obviously important but the move to 14nm will be much more important for enabling new user experiences
01:15PM EDT - New sport band colors and Product red variant
01:15PM EDT - More black stainless steel Apple watch bands.
01:14PM EDT - Yes, rose gold and gold aluminum Watch Sport
01:13PM EDT - Looks like rose god and gold?
01:13PM EDT - New colors for the Watch Sport
01:12PM EDT - Partnership with Hermes for new watch band
01:10PM EDT - Can read pregnancy information live from Apple Watch using home monitoring remotely
01:09PM EDT - Can send HIPPAA compliant communications from watch
01:09PM EDT - Live/real time data can be viewed, security is done by one-time auth until watch is removed.
01:08PM EDT - Relevant data shown on Apple Watch for doctors and nurses such as next patient and vital signs
01:07PM EDT - AirStrip demo with Dr. Cameron Powell
01:06PM EDT - Facebook Messenger is important win here
01:06PM EDT - Over 10k watch apps. Some app demos
01:05PM EDT - Third party complications and a general review of WatchOS 2.
01:04PM EDT - Might be a good sign, hard to tell without more context
01:04PM EDT - High customer satisfaction but not clear of what the value is.
01:03PM EDT - Currently discussing what's good about Apple Watch like fitness, etc.
01:02PM EDT - Apple Watch is up first.
01:02PM EDT - I'm apparently right in front of the employees because their cheering is deafening right now
01:01PM EDT - Tim Cook takes the stage for introductions.
01:00PM EDT - We're currently seated at the venue waiting for the event to start
12:59PM EDT - We're currently seated at the venue waiting for the event to start
97 Comments
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TallestJon96 - Thursday, September 10, 2015 - link
Actually, now that I think about it, the Apple TV is not a very all-purpose media center compared to a 360, or even better a PS3 (Bly-Ray support), with the sole exception of iTunes access.Bansaku - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link
I just love how only on Anandtech will you see nothing but Apple bashing from post 1.Great product line-up. Now I have to sell my 3rd gen AppleTV because damn that new one looks FANTASTIC!!
et20 - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link
That's how you know the bashed products are going to be massive successes.When you'll see techie commenters praise Apple products sell your Apple stock immediately.
catinthefurnace - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link
It's because pseudo-techie commenters on this site and others look at a product as only a checklist of features, instead of the quality of the implementation, or the product as a whole. They look at a three word description of a feature on a checklist, they see those same three words on another product's checklist, and assume that they are equivalent. It's the hallmark of most commenters on techie sites ever since being a techie became "cool". As soon as something becomes "cool" the posers come flooding in. Apple products are popular because of their technical merits, not in spite of them.The writers at Anandtech are not like the commenters, thank god.
akdj - Thursday, September 10, 2015 - link
Well said @caitinthefurnaceAs well, when the ignorant don't have to read a dozen page in depth article or breakdown of a technology piece, ala iPad unveiling quick paprgraph or two, it's easy to 'bash' such success. Especially when feeding spiders in mom's basement and she refuses to purchase your new toy you so desperately want! Breath through your nose, get some air and enjoy life. At least with an Apple product, you're not worrying about it 'working'. They. Just. Do. And ....if they don't, a replacement is a store trip or UPS/FedEx trip away.
Buk Lau - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link
I don't see where the bashing is. so far what people have been skeptical about are all legitimate considerations, or at least they tried to reason unlike some others who can't say more than just "wow it's cool, take my money now!"akdj - Thursday, September 10, 2015 - link
You should learn reading comprehension Buk LauBuk Lau - Thursday, September 10, 2015 - link
and you mind showing me your GRE or SAT reading score?Oyeve - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - link
Hmm, I got my Dell Venue 11 Pro with KB and pen for 650. Also has 8gb ram, core i5, 512GB SSD and a pen. Plus it runs Windows 10. How is the ipad pro "pro"?SirKronan - Thursday, September 10, 2015 - link
That's my same question!! It is a great tablet with a great screen, but could have been so much more, a la Surface Pro 3. The surface pro 3 runs a very clean and now mature 8.1 touch optimized Windows operating system ... aaaaaaaand you can also run real desktop apps when you need them. This is what makes it truly "professional". The iPad "pro" is still just a consumer device with a few content creation and editing softwares (courtesy mostly, um, Microsoft?? what WHAT?). Even if it's the cat's meow Cadillac edition of consumer devices with the best specs, screen, ergonomics, etc. ... it's still just running a SMARTPHONE operating system.It has some token added functionality and a fancy pen (just like Samsung's Android offerings), but seriously! Why neuter it there? Put full blown OSX on the thing. Think about the potential. With identical CPU and battery, OSX still outlasts windows in battery consumption tests. Apple could make a truly "pro" tablet that could effectively kill the surface pro line ... even run bootcamp like the macbooks do.
Microsoft should be celebrating like crazy monkeys right now. Seriously. They should be shouting hallelujahs from the mountain tops at these announcements. A "pro" tablet that's not really pro other than copying MS's keyboard mechanics, AND a plug for MS software at the same time.
Apple + MS = new besties.