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What to Expect at Apple's Biggest Event in Years
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2017-09-11
Posted by 3uTools

Look for the iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and a bunch of other iProducts on Tuesday.


What to Expect at Apple's Biggest Event in Years


On Tuesday, Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook will take the stage for the first time in the Steve Jobs Theater at its new campus. The location represents a new chapter for the world’s most valuable technology company, and the event will usher in a new era for the iPhone. For the first time, Apple plans to unveil three new phones, including a premium model that will cast a halo over the rest of the line, and perhaps over the rest of the smartphone industry.


The new devices will not only be exciting for customers, but for investors as well. The iPhone represents about two-thirds of Apple’s sales, making it critical to the bottom line. A new iPhone launch means a strong holiday quarter that could also include more sales of other Apple products. The entire business relies on the gadget: It serves as remote control for the Apple TV box and upcoming HomePod speaker; it’s currently tied to the Apple Watch, syncs with the iPad and Mac, and is home to services like Siri, Maps, and Apple Music. 


Beyond the iPhone, the company is also planning a version of the Apple Watch that connects to wireless networks and an upgraded Apple TV. As previewed in June, Apple is also preparing important software updates for all of its platforms – iOS, watchOS, macOS, and tvOS – and is likely to showcase some features from those on Tuesday.


Below, we break down what to expect at Apple’s most important event in years:


iPhone: 


Apple is planning to unveil three new iPhones, including two that are upgrades to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus called the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus and a premium model called the iPhone X. Here’s what we know about the high-end device:


New Design: This is the most obvious change – so your friends know you have the latest gadget. It’s an all-new look that drops the bezels around the display. Almost the entire front of the phone will be screen save for a cutout at the top for the earpiece, selfie camera, and sensors. 


Edge-to-Edge Screen: With no bezels and no borders on the top and bottom, the focus will be on the new screen: an OLED display that more accurately reproduces colors and makes content much crisper. You’ll be able to see more texts, videos and website information without scrolling down because the screen will be taller than the one on the iPhone 7 Plus. Expect the whole screen to be slightly larger than the one on the iPhone 7 Plus (5.5 inches), but because of the lack of bezels, the phone’s overall size will be closer to the smaller iPhone 7. 


No Home Button:  Just as significant as additions to the new iPhone are the pieces that are missing. 


No Touch ID: Also gone is the fingerprint scanner. Introduced with the iPhone 5s in 2013, the Touch ID feature in the home button let iPhone users unlock their devices in a split second.


3-D Face Unlock: In place of Touch ID there’ll be a 3-D facial recognition scanner for unlocking the phone.


Inductive Charging: This is a new feature to the iPhone, but one that’s been on competing smartphones for a number of years. 


Faster Processor: Apple will flex its semiconductor-design muscles yet again with a new chip for the iPhone likely to be dubbed the A11. 


New Software:  As usual, the new iPhone will ship with new software. This time around it’s called iOS 11. Key additions include a redesigned Control Center, support for augmented reality apps, Apple Pay support in iMessage, maps for inside airports and malls, and a dedicated app for managing files. 


Other Models: The other two models are expected to look similar to the current iPhones, but will have a faster processor and potentially glass backs to also support inductive charging. 

Apple Watch: 


The Apple Watch is set to see a much needed upgrade that partly frees the device from the iPhone.


Cellular Data:  The most significant new hardware feature will be a wireless option that handles fast LTE data. 


New Colors: The new Apple Watch will look physically similar to prior models, but will be offered in at least two new colors: a grey ceramic and a new coat of gold called “blush gold,” according to leaked software code.


New Bands: Since the first Watch launched in 2015, Apple has refreshed its selection of straps every six months or so. The last update happened this past March, so a new collection makes sense at this event. 


New Software: Apple is continuing to make significant changes to the Apple Watch’s software on an annual basis. 


Apple TV:  


Set to debut is the first update to the set-top box since its overhaul in 2015.


4K Video Streaming: The main upgrade will be support for 4K video, a standard with much higher resolution. Of course, this will require a new 4K TV. Apple has been in talks with popular video streaming apps, TV studios, and movie studios about supplying 4K content for the box.


HDR Video Streaming: To go along with 4K, Apple is planning to support HDR video playback as well. This standard shows video with much more vivid colors. 


Faster Processor: The updated box will feature a faster processor to handle the higher-resolution video. 


Improved Live TV Integration: Right now, users can access live TV streams from a number of Apple TV applications by asking Siri or launching those respective apps. 


Sept. 12 won’t be it for new Apple products in 2017. The company promised two major launches in the fall, a new product category and a souped up Mac to appeal to the company’s small, but important, professional user base of video editors, photographers, and software programmers. 


HomePod:  The Siri-powered smart speaker, introduced in June, ships to customers in December. 


iMac Pro: Also shipping in December is a high-end version of the iMac. Like the current iMac, this one will have a high-resolution 5K display, but the internals are all new. 


Source: 9to5mac

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