[UPDATE: We’ve got our hands on an upcoming build of iOS 11 that includes new wallpapers, the first look at the LTE Apple Watch, and plenty of new iPhone 8 details.]
Apple’s first-ever occasion on the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino is going on on Tuesday, and will probably be jam-packed with bulletins and new merchandise. We’re anticipating three new flagship iPhones together with a redesigned mannequin which can start around $1000, a brand new Apple Watch with LTE, a brand new Apple TV with 4K HDR, and far more. Right here’s every part to look at for at Apple’s upcoming keynote…
Three new iPhones
Apple is anticipated to unveil three new iPhones for the primary time this yr: updates to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, and an all-new design with an OLED show and nearly no bezel. These may very well be referred to as iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone Edition, however what Apple has in the end determined to name the brand new iPhones is without doubt one of the massive questions we’ll see answered on the keynote. Names apart, we all know an terrible lot concerning the new iPhones this yr thanks largely to the notorious HomePod firmware leak this summer season.
4.7-inch and 5.5-inch LCD iPhones. These are what we’ve typically referred to as iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus (and could also be iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus) as they’re updates to the present iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus {hardware} design.
Whereas the display dimension and show sort stays the identical, the remainder of the casing is anticipated to vary from aluminum to stainless steel borders and glass front and backs. The colour lineup can also be anticipated to shift from the present set of choices (black, jet black, silver, gold, rose gold, and pink) to just three options at launch: black, white, and a single model of a new gold.
Apart from the standard velocity increase, each new fashions are additionally anticipated to function assist for wireless (inductive) charging from a standalone accent that may not ship at the same time as the brand new iPhones. Apple sometimes upgrades no less than one thing concerning the iPhone digicam yearly, too, though we’re nonetheless anticipating Portrait mode and 2x optical zoom to be lacking from the 4.7-inch mannequin.
5.8-inch OLED iPhone. Heard about that $1000 iPhone this yr? This one might be that. The updates to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are probably going to remain round their $650-$970 value factors, however anticipate the redesigned mannequin to hold a hefty premium. If you wish to have the state-of-the-art iPhone, it simply may be price it.
This mannequin will function a virtually bezel-less design that’s nearly all display save for a small notch on the high of the display for the speaker and digicam sensors. The shift from LCD to OLED additionally means good deep blacks, and the 5.8-inch show can be a new aspect ratio in comparison with the 16:9 iPhones in the marketplace right now. The profit can be most display actual property in a tool that’s simpler to make use of one-handed than the iPhone 7 Plus.
Oh, and the display consuming up the chin and brow means the Contact ID House button has moved… errr been removed. It was briefly rumored that Contact ID can be relocated to the again like on some Android telephones, however Apple appears to be going all-in on facial recognition rather than fingerprint recognition. How nicely this works is anybody’s guess at this level, however Apple has set a excessive bar with Contact ID. Will Face ID be as dependable and handy for unlocking your iPhone, authorizing Apple Pay transactions, and unlocking apps? I hope so.
Face ID is anticipated to be powered by a brand new 3D front-facing camera system that would ship new options to the Digicam app as nicely. No House button and a brand new show dimension additionally means iOS 11 will be very different on this iPhone. We’re anticipating a extra gesture-based interplay mannequin. Additionally anticipate loads of speak about augmented actuality and ARKit.
Stronger water resistance, a rear dual camera system, and wireless (inductive) charging options are additionally anticipated. Regardless of the premium value, demand remains to be anticipated to far outweigh provide for this mannequin which can not launch similtaneously the updates to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.
Count on pre-orders to begin as quickly as 12:01 am PT on Friday, September 15, and the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhones to be launched on September 22. The 5.8-inch iPhone will not be prepared till late October.
Apple Watch (Collection) 3
Whereas the three new iPhones may simply make up half the occasion, we’re additionally anticipating to see no less than two new Apple Watch fashions be unveiled on Tuesday. Final yr Apple launched the sooner Apple Watch Series 1 and GPS-equipped Apple Watch Series 2 with waterproofing. The precise make-up of the Apple Watch lineup this yr hasn’t been completely spoiled but, however cellular connectivity would be the massive addition.
Including LTE to the Apple Watch ought to allow apps to work with no close by iPhone which may allow messaging, audio streaming, and extra correct health monitoring. It’s been reported that Apple received’t assist voice calling other than VoIP companies like FaceTime Audio and Skype, nevertheless, however we’ll see how this shakes out on Tuesday. Including LTE certainly means there are elements of watchOS 4 we haven’t seen but.
Additionally anticipated are new fashions without LTE connectivity which is able to presumably see velocity boosts if nothing else. The thriller here’s what different new options may we see? Apple purchased a sleep monitoring firm referred to as Beddit, however that function hasn’t been rumored for this cycle. Neither has an always-on show. Maybe we’ll see new colours, band kinds, and possibly even new sensors for extra complete well being monitoring. If Apple Watch Collection 3 does embody new sensors, it’s doable we may see watchOS 4 options not beforehand disclosed as nicely.
Seeing what occurs to the present Apple Watch lineup will even be fascinating: partnerships with Hermès and Nike, the ceramic Edition model, and the cheaper Collection 1 may all change probably.
4K HDR Apple TV + iTunes
Two years after the introduction of the present Apple TV and tvOS, we’re expecting to see the fifth-generation Apple TV unveiled. Increased-resolution 4K content with HDR (high dynamic range) display support would be the flagship function, and a sooner chip may allow new options in tvOS 11 that we haven’t seen unveiled but.
Tim Prepare dinner opened Apple’s developer convention in June with the promise of Amazon Prime Video and far more for tvOS later this yr so we’re quick approaching that point. iTunes has already been leaking strategies that 4K HDR content material is on the way in which, and Apple has been reportedly wrapping up deals with the trade to carry the high-quality content material to iTunes. (This additionally probably means 4K HDR content material from iTunes on Macs as nicely.)
Additionally fascinating to look at can be which companions assist 4K content material, 4K HDR content material, and which apps make the most of the upper decision assist.
A couple of extra issues to look at for within the Apple TV area: will the 1080p Apple TV stick round? It at the moment ships for $149 and $199 for 32GB and 64GB capacities. My guess is the 32GB model drops to nearer to $99 with $129 being the probably value level. The Siri Distant by itself is priced at $79 so it’s arduous to go a lot decrease with out falling again to the $19 Apple Distant or dropping the worth of the Siri Distant too.
As a complete guess, I may see the 4K HDR Apple TV delivery with a redesigned Siri Distant with the identical options like voice enter and gesture management. The present Siri Distant is poorly reviewed (an excessive amount of unintended enter) however has spectacular options so a modification may assist.
The present Siri Distant can also be backordered 2-3 weeks on Apple’s web site which can counsel a brand new model is on the way in which. What may change? My shot-in-the-dark guess is the addition of a brand new button (that helps break the symmetry). The present Siri Distant contains a House button with a TV icon. This initially mapped to the House display of apps, however was later remapped to Apple’s TV app when it shipped (and everybody adjustments it again). Having devoted buttons for each the House display and TV app appears believable.
Extra
Apart from the three new flagship product updates, we may additionally see one other demo of the HomePod earlier than Apple’s Siri-powered good speaker ships in December. Apple additionally promised AirPlay 2 assist in new Beats audio system that haven’t been unveiled, however that reveal may wait till after HomePod ships.
Each the Mac and iPad noticed their main bulletins happen again in June with the brand new launch of the 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Professionals, revised MacBooks and MacBook Pros, USB-C iMacs, and the pre-announcement of the iMac Pro coming in December. It’s doable we may hear extra concerning the modular Mac Pro or see one thing change concerning the Mac mini and AirPort router lineup, nevertheless it’s already a packed occasion with out these updates.
Apple will even probably acknowledge that this occasion is the first-ever at Steve Jobs Theater at its new Apple Park headquarters.
We’ll additionally most likely see GM releases of iOS 11, macOS High Sierra, watchOS 4, and tvOS 11 for builders (and later public beta testers) in addition to an official launch date for every software program replace.
This occasion additionally marks one yr for the reason that unveiling of Apple’s AirPods, however inventory of the wi-fi earbuds is just simply now beginning to catch up with demand. I’d anticipate a value drop (or mayyybe a second coloration) to occur earlier than any main revision. AirPods are powered by the W1 chip and Apple is releasing new Beats Studio 3 headphones utilizing that chip in October so a W2 will probably wait till Bluetooth 5.0 is extra distinguished.
9to5Mac can be on the scene at Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino on Tuesday so keep tuned for full protection! The occasion kicks off on September 12 at 10 am PT/1 pm ET.
9to5Mac Happy Hour Podcast: This week Benjamin and Zac focus on the App Retailer overhaul on iOS 11, Household Sharing and iCloud, Apple’s new Beats Studio 3 headphones, progress at Steve Jobs Theater, and expectations for the 4K Apple TV/LTE Apple Watch/iPhone 8 occasion on Tuesday.
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