Apple in 2015:
iPhone 6S and Apple TV
Get ready for the continuation of the biggest year in Apple’s history.
One year ago, Apple took the stage for what many predicted to be the biggest event in the companies history, and for good reason. Apple would go to unveil their first new product category in over 4 years: the Apple Watch.
Since then, like most Apple product launches, many have deemed it a fluke and a failure for Apple, calling for the beginning of the demise of the biggest company in corporate history. The things is, this has happened pretty much every Apple launch in the companies history. And while the Apple Watch may have only been announced a year ago, Apple looks prepared to launch yet another new product category to its line of devices, something maybe even bigger than the watch.
On Wednesday, September 9, Apple will take the stage at San Francisco’s Bill Graham Civic Auditorium to unveil its latest mobile operating system, new iPhones, and a long-awaited refresh to the Apple TV. Here’s everything Apple plans on doing, and how they plan on doing it.
iPhone 6S
Apple will likely begin its September 9th event with the largely rumored iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus. The devices will both include similar exterior design to the iPhone 6, as has been with most “S” year cycles, with a few key differences.
The iPhone 6S will be the first iPhone to feature 7000 series aluminum, switching over from the 6000 series on the iPhone 6. While the material is noticeably more expensive than its predecessor, it is also significantly stronger, reportedly capable of taking over twice the amount of pressure to break over previous iPhones.
Additionally, Apple plans on launching a fourth color option for the iPhone 6S, Rose Gold, while also tweaking the Space Gray color option with a darker black.
Internally, Apple plans on including 2GB of RAM for the first time on an iPhone, alongside a brand-new A9 SOC, reportedly twice as fast as the A8 found on the iPhone 6.
Based on acquisitions and reports, Apple appears to be working on an industry-shaking new camera for its devices, however it looks as if this new sensor is not ready for the iPhone 6S. Regardless, Apple still has major camera upgrades planned for the new device.
The iPhone 6S is set to include a new 12-megapixel back sensor, capable of shooting 4K video, while the front sensor is said to be larger and have a 5-megapixel lens. Many reports have claimed the new front camera will have flash. It appears when using the front camera, the screen will now bright up white, similar to Photo Booth on a Mac, as an alternative to an actual physical flash.
Apple will also take time at the event to officially launch iOS 9, likely launching September 16th, to the public. While most of the features of the new OS are known, expect a few surprises, such as dynamic wallpapers similar to the ones on Apple Watch.
Lastly, Apple plans on adding Force Touch and Taptic Feedback, both technologies originally launched with the Apple Watch and now available on the MacBook, to the iPhone 6S.
While a recent report from 9to5mac claims that Apple will either not be advertisign it as Force Touch, or changing the branding of Force Touch as a whole, expect the new technology to be present on the 6S.
For those that are unaware, Force Touch is a pressure-sensitive display that allows the screen to not just tell when your tapping, but how much pressure your putting on the screen, acting as a sort of secondary-click. It’ll be interesting to see how Apple implements it across iOS.
Both the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus will launch on September 18th, with pre-orders starting September 11th. The new models will replace the iPhone 6 in every configuration, and be available in the identical configurations to the previous model. Both the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and iPhone 5S will stay on the market, with each respective model dropping $100 in price
Additionally, Apple will likely take time at its September 9th event to launch Watch OS 2.0, the first major update to the Apple Watch’s Watch OS.
The new OS was previously demoed at Apple’s WWDC event, and includes many new features, with the most notable being the addition of native apps. The OS should launch on a similar schedule to iOS 9.
Apple may also take the time to introduce a few new accesessories for the Apple Watch, including new Sport Band colors.
Apple TV
I have trouble remembering an Apple product that’s been delayed more times than this new Apple TV.
Back in June, it seemed like the time had finally came, and I poured out all my thoughts on the device in Apple in 2015: WWDC. Alas, it was destined for one more delay, but now, we finally get to see it.
The following is my thoughts from Apple in 2015: WWDC, afterwards I’ll go over anything new or anything I missed.
A few years ago, I sold my 720p Apple TV. At the time, there were rumors that Apple was just weeks away from launching a new one (this was after the 1080p came out). I figured i’d sell it, use my Xbox 360 as a replacement for a few weeks, and then buy the new one.
That was May 2013. It is now June 2015.
After multiple delays in production and shifts in executive management, Apple will launch a new Apple TV at this years WWDC. The new device, which is the first major upgrade since March 2012, is said to feature an all new design, a redesigned remote, and a completely new operating system.
The new hardware is said to be both smaller and better looking then the current model. The last Apple TV included a relatively simple remote with just 5 buttons, however Apple’s new remote is a major departure from this design. The new remote features what is supposedly a touch pad, which will make for easier navigation of the interface and possibly adapt to different apps.
The set-top box will also include an incredibly large OS update, departing entirely from the current design. The main feature of the update, however, will be the addition of an App Store and third-party TV apps. Apple is said to launch a TV-Kit SDK for developers at WWDC for developing TV apps, which will not be tied to phone apps.
Apple will likely launch the device at WWDC, with a price of $99. Apple will leave the last generation model available as well for $69. Third-party apps may arrive in a later update, but the new OS is said to be included at launch.
Let’s start with the hardware. Apple’s new box is said to be smaller, however also wider than the previous-generation Apple TV. Appearance wise, expect it to look similar to the current model.
The new remote does indeed have a touchpad. Expect the new remote to look similar to the current one, except significantly wider and a bit shorter. The touchpad will replace the circle-pad, and the two buttons below are expected to stay.
The remote is also said to include Wii-like gesture support, aimed specifically at gamers. This means that someone could easily build a game similar to Wii Sports Bowling for example on the Apple TV App Store, and use an Apple remote to play it.
The new set-top box doesn’t just include a large OS update, it essentially includes a new OS. The new Apple TV is set to run full iOS 9, giving it all the security features, codecs, and API’s of the iPhones and iPads. This especially makes sense when you factor in the App Store, so it should comes as no surprise.
Another benefit of running full iOS on Apple TV will be the addition of features like Spotlight and Proactive Assistant to the TV, giving the TV ability to search all apps for specific content.
Based on the invite to the event, it is pretty safe to assume that Siri will be a big way of inputing information on the new device. Imagine if you could tell your Apple TV ‘Hey Siri’ the same way you do an Apple Watch, or even similar to an Xbox.
It looks as if Apple may charge above $100 for the new device, probably in the $150-$200 range with a launch in October, while the older model will stay available for $69. Rumors indicate Apple may also be planning to update the older model to the full iOS 9, but it doesn’t look like the device will be recieving the new App Store, or Siri integration.
Note that Apple indeed has no plans of launching a TV streaming service at this event, despite the fact it is one of the largest reasons this device has been delayed in the past. It appears the service will not be ready until sometime in 2016.
Apple’s September 9th event will begin at 10 AM PDT, and will be live-streamed on all Apple devices, as well as Windows devices. Be sure to check it out.
Follow me on twitter @bzgoldman.
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