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iPhone 7 and 7 Plus price in the UK announced
As one of the biggest tech events of the year draws to a close, it's time to catch our breath. By now, you may've heard all about Apple's new iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and second-generation Watch, as well as the slew of software release dates also announced today. But let's revisit the two new smartphones unveiled on stage and get down to the brass tacks of how much they're gonna cost.
Apple warns the new jet-black iPhones are prone to scratches
If you've always preferred shiny gadgets, the jet-black iPhone 7 is totally up your alley. A word of warning, though: Apple admits that you might have to take extra good care of it to keep it scratch-free. On the new iPhone 7 page on the company's website, part of the fine print at the bottom reads: "The high-gloss finish of the jet black iPhone 7 is achieved through a precision nine-step anodization and polishing process. Its surface is equally as hard as other anodized Apple products; however, its high shine may show fine micro-abrasions with use. If you are concerned about this, we suggest you use one of the many cases available to protect your iPhone."
Sierra hits Macs on September 20th with Siri in tow
Sierra, the latest version of macOS (formerly OS X), will be available to download on September 20th. The update adds Siri to the Mac, the ability to copy and paste among Apple devices, and it enables picture-in-picture, which allows users to pop out a video from iTunes or Safari and keep it playing in a separate floating window. Plus, Apple Music has a new, streamlined UI and the Photos app gets an upgrade with a "Memories" view that collects shots taken in specific places or of certain people.
Apple's iPhone upgrade programme is coming to the UK
Apple is bringing its iPhone upgrade programme to the UK, giving diehard fans a new way to fund their annual upgrade. Plans start at £33.45 per month, netting you the regular iPhone 7 with 32GB of storage. Upping the instalments to £38.45 per month will grant you the 128GB model, or you can spend an extra pound (£39.45 per month) to get the 32GB iPhone 7 Plus. All six plans are listed on Apple's website -- in the fine print you'll see that each one requires a £49, upfront payment on the day of the purchase.
Apple kills off 16GB storage for the iPhone 7
If you're looking for just a little bit of on-device storage in your next phone, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus aren't for you. At its fall announcement event in San Francisco on Wednesday, Apple revealed that its newest handset iterations will no longer offer 16GB hard drives. Instead, the new phones will offer a minimum of double that and be available all the way up to 256GB. But don't think you're getting these devices for cheap. The iPhone 7 starts at $649 for the 32GB model and the iPhone 7 Plus starts at a jaw-dropping $769. Luckily, with Apple's installment plan, those figures work out to $27 and $32 a month, respectively. Click here to catch all the latest news from the Apple's "See You" event.
iOS 10 will be available to download on September 13th
In some countries, Tuesday the 13th is the unlucky date (not Friday). Coincidentally, that's the date you'll be able to upgrade your iPhone or iPad to iOS 10. Version 10 of iOS has been rattling around since Apple's developer conference in June, and we've had a pretty good look at most of the new features, but now they're finally ready for prime time.
Apple rolls out new Beats headphones with AirPod tech built-in
Apple just confirmed it's ditching the old headphone jack, and also rolling out upgraded wireless headphones called AirPods. Naturally, its Beats brand is getting in the game, announcing headphones with the same W1 chip inside and slick wireless capabilities when used with an iPhone 7. All three models announced today include Class 1 Bluetooth to work across all kinds of media sources and some form of Fast Fuel charging. On the new BeatsX earphones, that means a promised 2 hours playback based on just five minutes of charging via Lightning cable, or eight hours on a full charge. They'll be available this fall in black or white for $150.
Apple unveils its quad-core A10 Fusion chip
You know how this works: Another iPhone, another entry in Apple's mobile processor lineup. The company just unveiled the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, which are powered by its new A10 Fusion mobile processor. While last year's A9 was an astounding 70 percent faster than its predecessor, the gains this time are less about speed and more about efficiency. The A10 Fusion is just 40 percent faster than the A9 on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, but packs two sets of dual-cores that are designed to handle specific tasks better.
Instagram will take advantage of your iPhone 7's camera
You won't have to wait long to find apps that take advantage of the iPhone 7's upgraded camera system. Instagram has revealed that an updated version of its iOS app will take and share photos using the wider color range captured by the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus' image sensors. You should see more vivid colors than you'd get from a phone taking photos in the usual sRGB color gamut. Instagram's update will arrive sometime later this year. Click here to catch all the latest news from Apple's "See You" event.
Apple's AirPods are smart wireless earbuds with a new W1 chip
The rumor that Apple would nix the headphone jack on the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus has been circulating off and on since late last year. Today, the company made it official: RIP 3.5mm port on the iPhone. Apple says that Lightning offers multiple uses where the old port did a single job, so that headphone jack is gone and it's being replaced with a fancy new wireless audio accessory and Lightning EarPods. The new Bluetooth wireless earbuds are called AirPods, and they weren't exactly a well-kept secret either.
The original Apple Watch gets a price drop to $269
While the reveal of the Apple Watch Series 2 is getting all the glitz and glamor, the tech giant isn't putting the wearable's first generation out to pasture just yet. The renamed and slightly boosted Series 1 will be available as a budget option at $269 compared to the newest model's $369 price tag. While it won't get its successor's water resistance down to 50m nor its built-in GPS, it will get the faster dual-core processor.
iPhone 7 Plus adds a second camera for better zoom
Apple has been accused lately of being less than innovative -- boring even -- compared to rivals like Google. With the iPhone 7 and particularly the iPhone 7 Plus, however, Apple is trying to take back the lead. It's the first phone to fully exploit the promise of the dual camera tech, which will allow users to do optical-like zooming, shallower depth of field to blur out backgrounds, and even Lytro-like selective focus.
Apple and Nike have made a special edition Watch Series 2
Looks like Tim Cook's appointment as lead independent director on Nike's board earlier this year preempted a deeper relationship forming between the two companies. Alongside the Apple Watch Series 2 with built-in GPS, a special Nike+ edition of the wearable was announced on stage today. Aimed squarely at runners, the Nike version features custom software including special watch faces and the Run Club app. This is for quick-starting workouts, receiving personal coaching plans and keeping you motivated with various reasons you might want to get that lactic acid flowing, such as pitting you against friends or reminding you it's nice outside.
Apple brings watchOS 3 to your wrist on September 13th
You won't have to pick up Apple Watch Series 2 to see a tangible improvement to your wristwear -- Apple has revealed that its watchOS 3 update will reach original Apple Watch models on September 13th. As promised, speed is the focus. The new watchOS holds favorite apps in memory to shrink loading times, and the side button now gives you fast access to those faves instead of bringing up the (frankly, seldom used) contact wheel. And if you'll recall, this is just the start. There are quite a few interface and fitness tweaks that should make your first-run smartwatch feel fresh.
Apple refreshes its Hermes bands for Apple Watch Series 2
The Apple Watch Series 2 is getting several new updates, many of them aesthetic augments. For instance, the previous Hermes watch band models have returned for Series 2, with a host of new colors and bands.
Pokémon Go coming to Apple Watch, phone still required to catch 'em all
It was the question every Pokémon trainer with an Apple Watch asked on day one: "Why isn't this game on my wrist?" Well, now it is -- before the end of the year, Pokémon Go will have Apple Watch support. Trainers will be able to track their steps, egg-hatching progress and collect items from Pokéstops directly from their wrist. The watch app will even notify you when you come across a wild pocket monster. Unfortunately, you'll still need to take your iPhone out of your pocket to actually catch it.
Apple Watch Series 2 comes with waterproofing and GPS
Two years after Apple launched its first wearable, the company has pulled the dust sheets from the second generation of its watch. It's certainly not what's on the outside that defines the Apple Watch Series 2, which looks the same as its immediate predecessor. The headline feature is that the device is water resistant to depths of 50 meters and can be used to track the activity of swimmers. The second standout upgrade is the addition of built-in GPS, which the company promises won't make you wait around like other GPS watches.
Apple adds real-time collaboration to iWork
Apple's iWork is getting education-focused real-time collaboration just in time for the start of the new school year. While Apple has a long history in schools, in the past few years Google Docs has become the go-to method for many educators and students to share and work on documents.
Mario is coming to the iPhone and iPad
Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto showed up on the Apple stage today to reveal Super Mario Run, an iOS game starring everyone's favorite red-hatted plumber. Super Mario Run is the first Nintendo title to launch as a stand-alone smartphone game, aside from the social-focused app Miitomo. It's due to hit iOS in December, and you can sign up to be notified when it goes live via iTunes. Players will be able to try a portion of the game for free, but the full experience will come at a set price.
Apple Music has 17 million paid users with the help of exclusives
When Apple teased its redesign for Apple Music back at WWDC, the company revealed that the service had reached 15 million paid users. CEO Tim Cook kicked off today's iPhone event by announcing that in the three months since, the music streaming option tacked on another 2 million. That's still a long way from Spotify's 30 million subscribers, but Apple continues to gain ground with features like Beats 1 and a stable of high-profile exclusive releases.
