Another day of California heat is met by some red hot new items from the folks at Apple. Tim Cook's September 9th presentation came like Christmas, giving the people what they want, but even more of what they didn't know existed. Putting human day-to-day experience even more in the palms of our hands, Apple released much more than just a new series of iPhones; they invented several new technologies including 3D Touch and Live Photos, brought us a renaissance tablet in their iPad Pro and the most anticipated reinvention - Apple TV - since Marty McFly's hoverboard.
Here are the juicy deets on everything new to Apple, including price, release dates, shortcuts, specs and a series of new small inventions integrated into the new inventions themselves. You'll definitely be asking for these beautiful things on your Christmas wish list as you watch technology fly to a whole new stratosphere with Apple's September 2015 event recap.
iPad Pro
With iOS 9 coming September 16, Apple wanted to reinvigorate our creative spirits and streamline our productivity levels by making things bigger, faster and more in sync with the touch of our fingers. The larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro screen - iPad Air 2 is a mere 9.7 inches - is meant to revolutionize our workspace in a thin, light and spacious way.
iPad Pro comes with a multi-touch, 2732 x 2048 pixel resolution within a fingerprint-resistant, antireflective retina display. The plus-sized iPad also features big upgrades like an 8-MP iSight camera, Siri - about time! - Apple Pay and touch sensors, all operating on the new iOS 9.
Apps like Photoshop have never been more streamlined and mobile, allowing designers to work on the go while showcasing their talent at the same time on an epic, highly graphic screen.
In addition, four speakers instead of the usual two and dual microphones instead of the usual one make this iPad feel more powerful, sustainable and useful than any other.
Starting at $799, the iPad Pro is met with a hip, productive accessory line - it takes two to tango in the land of Apple accessories - including the Smart Keyboard ($169), which locks in to create an upright laptop appearance, and Apple Pencil ($99), a much more expensive and sensitive appendage than other stylus pens with pressure sensors for accurate results. All of this is available in November. Who wouldn't want to pay $99 for a damn pencil?
Apple TV
The long-awaited redesign of the Apple TV is giving people more of a reason
not to have cable anymore than ever before. Although built in the same style of box - a bit taller for all those sexy new features - the newly imagined Apple TV comes with a brand spanking new layout and fancy new remote.
The future of television has arrived, according to Cook, with an app-centric tvOS that allows for smart navigation accompanied by Siri. The new remote features a touch surface with rechargeable Bluetooth, allowing for multi-app interactivity and sophisticated searches with Siri herself. The glass touchscreen has more built-in sensors than a dangerously pubescent boy to allow for quick, accurate movement.
Apple TV's fine-tuned search makes moving around within an episode of TV possible. For instance, "what did she just say, Siri?" rewinds the episode 15 seconds. Finding "that one film with that one actor you love" has never been easier - or even possible for that matter - within the world of user interactive television. Who needs IMDB anymore?
In addition, Apple TV is taking on a Wii-like experience with gaming apps that allow for multiplayer functionality, syncing with iPhones and iPads as remotes to bring classic games like "Crossy Road" and a new "Guitar Hero" to your TV set. After a quick tutorial of "Crossy Roads," you get the thrill of knowing you can push your friend in front of an oncoming train. Just as well, shopping and sports packages have never been better for multi-tasking and interactive productivity. You can check the game scores while you're watching a movie without interrupting the experience thanks to a quick vocal inquiry with Siri on your handy new remote.
Starting at $149 (32GB) - 64GB goes for $199 - Apple TV can be a part of your home binge-watching experience as early as next month. I know, it's a lot to take in.
iPhone 6S and 6S Plus
Speaking of a lot to take in, the new iPhone 6S and 6S Plus are finally here, complete with a contemporary new color - rose gold aluminum - and made from Apple's custom recyclable material.
Like its predecessor iPhone 6, the 6S is also 4.7 inches. The 6S Plus is larger 5.5 inches, with a 64-bit A9 chip that's 70 percent faster - 90% faster for graphics too - with a new M9 for motion processing and a sassier than ever Siri. It would be unjust not to mention its twice as fast LTE wireless connectivity and enhanced multi-touchscreen, as well.
Some of the best collaboration between hardware and software has led to Apple's newest feature, 3D Touch, a multi-touch enhancement that's now at the next level and possibly even a few levels ahead. Based on the pressure sensor within the screen, users can do a number of operations - much like trackpads on a Macbook have multi-function options based on hand movement - using mini and full taps of their fingers. For instance, drop-down lists for apps appear when you hold on an app, which allows for multi-tasking, zoom and quick shortcuts like posting a photo on Instagram from your home screen. You'll be overjoyed to know that "Take a Selfie" is now a quick option, too.
6S Camera
Something Apple has held out on compared to other competing phones is an all new iSight camera. More specifically, a 12-megapixel - finally! - camera. Their postponed output of the update is likely due to the possibility of losing image quality with a higher megapixel camera, but Apple made a point to go out of their way to avoid corrupting photos with 50 percent more pixels, more accurate autofocus for noise avoidance/loss of true colors and a little technology they like to call "deep trench isolation."
With the new modifications, skin tones and fantastic colors don't need as many touchups or filters to make them acceptable. Life has never been more real or filter-free.
On top of that, HD video continues to advance. For the first time, 4K quality video with up to 8 million pixels is available, all of which can be shot, edited and uploaded from your new 6S device. Okay, now life never looked more real.
Lastly, the invention of Live Photos - a default photo-taking option that captures movement and sound in live display - is not unlike video, but it's not video. The idea behind the live movement is to better capture a moment by bringing it to life.
Other Important iPhone Tidbits
With so much to say, we had to break it up or risk losing your attention. The 5-megapixel FaceTime video front camera makes real-time chats between you and your loved ones better than ever. New charging docks and phone covers allow us to spend more money while getting a pretty prize for our hard-won loyalty. And even though this is the fastest, sexiest and most eco-friendly iPhone series yet - that's a 7000 series aluminum - the phones are still starting at $199 to $299 for 6S Plus - while the 5S drops to free of charge with a two-year deal. iPhone 6S models are available for pre-order on September 12, and for purchase September 25. Be smart and sign up on the 12th. They'll likely get backordered fast.
Things You May Have Missed Amidst the Chaos
*New Apple Watch bands are available
Apple Watch Sport now comes in gold and rose gold, in addition to silver and space grey. New bands - a Hermes leather partnership- have emerged, keeping the fresh look of Apple's newest wearable tech. WatchOS 2 will be released September 16.
*iPhone Upgrade Program
Apple will offer installment plans, too, as low as $19 up to $31 per month, based on the model of iPhone you choose. This way, you can get a new one each year without having to remain loyal to your carrier.
*Tim Cook saw his first concert, One Republic, and nerded out to close out the ceremony (pictured)
One Republic tried to start a mosh pit at an Apple conference, forgetting they were playing three songs for a room full of tech nerds trying to blog about these new devices. That didn't keep CEO Tim Cook from rocking out like a small child.