Apple September 9th event

[Railgun]

16GB capacity yet they record 4K video? Really hope that A9 has a built in HVEC coder/decoder. 4K h.264 files are huge.

You can hope...but nope. Great move on their part. :|

 

[Glo.]

It most likely has 2 GB RAM, because it would be an abomination not to have 2 GB RAM, but I haven't seen anything yet that actually confirms that.

BTW, iPad mini 4 is not really a slimmed down iPad Air 2. It's arguably more like a tarted up iPhone 6, at least in terms of the SoC, since it has A8 (not A8X). However, I don't know if that mini 4 has 1 GB or 2 GB RAM.

However, it'd better have 2 GB RAM too, because as mentioned, it would be an abomination not to have 2 GB RAM (at least in 2015).

It's SoC, so if A8 had 1 GB of RAM in iPhone 6, the iPad Mini 4 also has 1 GB, unless - Apple changed the design a bit. That is however, very unlikely.

I know why they have done this. They wanted to attract the highest attention to iPad Pro(which in fact is absolutely brilliant design). I was hoping for A9, or at least A8X in iPad Mini 4 and really advanced SoC there, A8 is really a disappointment. Its not a bad SoC, but it's not great(1GB of RAM) either.

I may go with iPad Air 2 in this case...

Apple TV. Its not making me wet, however Apple has gaming console, and we can bet that it will evolve into something bigger with time. Fifa 16 with proper engine, and connected to iOS gamepads? Not a bad perspective...

iPhone 6S is possibly the best smartphone right now there is on the market. A9 seems like A8X on new process, 3 cores, fast GPU, 2 GB of RAM. And that 3D Touch is something bonkers. Maybe finally my 4S have found its retirement time.

 

[Spicedaddy]

iPhone 6S: I have the 6 already, just like all the "S" models it's not worth it. Waiting for next year and getting the next one on contract.

iPad Pro: Meh, I love my iPad Air for its size, this seems too big to replace it. And if I was in the market for something similar, I'd get a Surface Pro with a real OS.

Apple TV: Not a bad update, Apps are nice to have. I'd love to ditch cable TV, but unfortunately the content I want isn't there. (local NHL games are blacked out, NFL games aren't live...)

So good for me, no spending until Skylake rMPB13.

 

[Ns1]

But why do you need Apple Care if you're upgrading your phone every year?

Screen replacement.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

But why do you need Apple Care if you're upgrading your phone every year?

In case you break it?

 

[Sweepr]

Dang, so close. When they mentioned Air 2 internals I could swear there would be an A8X inside the mini 4. Boring A8 it is.
According to Anand's article it might be a 2GB version though and I guess slightly higher clocks than the iPhone 6/6+ (30/60% better CPU/GPU compared to A7 vs iPhone 6/6+'s 25/50%).

Because Apple's marketing materials show that the iPad Mini 4 can do split screen multitasking it's almost a given that this is a version of A8 with 2GB of RAM.

Now I'm praying we don't get yet another 1GB RAM iPhone. When it comes to phones I'm an Android guy but a 2GB RAM 6S/6S+ would be a killer device.

 

[RampantAndroid]

AppleTV looks good. One thing is I dont think they mentioned if the ATV3 will get the new os too. I dont really need any of the new features, just the app store. I think I will be able to retire my other streaming boxes with this. Assuming there will eventually be an Amazon Instant Video app.

Don't hold your breath on an Amazon app. I doubt it'll happen. Apple wants too much of the cut, and Amazon has either their own TV boxes, or the ability to airplay to an Apple TV.

All of this said, I already have an XBox 1. I see no reason to buy this, after my ATV3 ()*&%ing out on me (bad wifi chip, and the thing is just unreliable.) Intel NUC to handle Plex transcoding, XBox One to handle playing Plex/Netflix/Amazon TV for the downstairs and just buy a cheap Roku or similar for the upstairs.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Dang, so close. When they mentioned Air 2 internals I could swear there would be an A8X inside the mini 4. Boring A8 it is.
According to Anand's article it might be a 2GB version though and I guess slightly higher clocks than the iPhone 6/6+ (30/60% better CPU/GPU compared to A7 vs iPhone 6/6+'s 25/50%).

What the heck Apple? They clearly said iPad Air 2 internals in the iPad Mini 4. I also believed that means an A8X, it should mean that. Otherwise iPhone 6 internals would be a more correct description. Very disappointing.

 

[Rakehellion]

Screen replacement.

How much less does it cost with Apple Care?

 

[Rakehellion]

Should I pre-order or just wait in line on release day?

Also, how long until someone breaks their iPhone screen by pressing on it too hard?

 

[Glo.]

http://9to5mac.com/2015/09/09/new-a...2-11ac-wifi-is-faster-than-its-ethernet-port/

Looks like new version of A8. Now the iPad Mini 4 is really interesting.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Should I pre-order or just wait in line on release day?

Also, how long until someone breaks their iPhone screen by pressing on it too hard?

I'd pre-order or at least try that first. Doesn't seem to be any reason to get in a line, unless you are a die hard fanatical that wants that social bonding experience with other die hard fanaticals.

 

[Printer Bandit]

Also
pay $32 a month and get a new iPhone every year, AppleCare included.

So you pay 32 a month? No upfront cost? The fuck is this?Is that US only? Will we get this in the UK?

Do you have to turn in current phone when upgrading to new phone with this plan?

 

[Ravynmagi]

I'm looking at iPad Pro hands on videos and I see this giant 13 inch screen still uses the 5x4 icon grid on the home screen. The icons look like they are a mile apart. Looks so strange. Seems like Apple should do something to fit more icons on this big tablet.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Do you have to turn in current phone when upgrading to new phone with this plan?

The way it sounds to me is you have two options. You could either after 1 year trade in the current phone for a new phone and start over. Or you could keep the phone and keep paying for an additional year and own it.

 

[ultimatebob]

A lot of the event appeared to me to be too much dressing and not enough meat.

Well... Tim Cook seems to think that the "future of TV is apps".

I think that's code for "The cable monopolies won't play ball with us, so we need to bypass them".

 

[boomhower]

Not bad at all.

iPad Pro: This is going to be a big success. Ability to run to full iPad apps side by side along with a larger screen for single apps. Could be a boon for editing among other uses. Not my cup of tea but certainly the market is there.

iPhone: Some interesting improvements. Long term I can see Force Touch being something you wondered how you got along without. The typical CPU and camera improvements were expected. Haven't seen the need for faster Touch ID but OK. Stronger aluminum was needed but should have been in it to start with. 2GB of RAM remains to be determined. Nice improvement but I'll stick with my 6 until next year. Hopefully a screen upgrade will be coming with the redesign.

Apple TV: Buying this one on release day. I love my Apple TV and this cures most of my complaints. Plus my wife wants one so it makes this one easy. Main thing we were wanting is an app store. Of course it remains to be scene if the wanted apps will come to it so it may end up being a waste. Doesn't do anything our Fire TV doesn't really but the wife wants it so that's it. (Hate the interface on the Fire TV but other than that a great box.)

iPhone Installment Plan: Can't believe I didn't see this one coming. Apple has essentially turned buying an iPhone into a service. This will be very nice for those folks on pre-paid and don't have subsidy/Next/Edge option and can't afford to dump $700+ on a phone at one time. (Also grandfathered Verizon unlimited users who can't upgrade) I'm betting the carriers aren't real happy with this one for the lost sales.

 

[Aikouka]

My biggest problem with the iPad Pro is that it's really at the MacBook Air's price point, and I don't know if I can choose a clear winner. I think I would have leaned toward the iPad Pro if the smart keyboard was a solid item that allowed in-lap use, but it doesn't look like it can do that. It also doesn't help that any of the interesting accessories are extra, and they're also a considerable addition. Interested in messing with the Apple Pencil, that'll be $100, please! Want to type? $120!

Although, if I get a MacBook Air, that would put me one step closer to doing iOS development, and I can't remove one of my viable excuses for procrastinating!

http://9to5mac.com/2015/09/09/new-a...2-11ac-wifi-is-faster-than-its-ethernet-port/

Looks like new version of A8. Now the iPad Mini 4 is really interesting.

"This means if you want the best reliability for streaming, you should actually use the latest WiFi to get connected rather than plugging in a cable."

Yeah, I still don't agree with that. While I wouldn't mind it having a better port simply for uniformity (I hate that orange LED! :twisted, chances are it will never use more than 100Mbps for its streaming. I prefer dealing with WiFi as little as possible, so any stationary device gets an Ethernet cable. Of course, my opinion usually gets soured by crappy devices. I have an Intel NUC with an Intel BT+WiFi card, so you'd expect it to act well? Eh, I wish. The other day I had to run an Ethernet cable to the machine (it'll eventually have a wall jack near it), because the WiFi speed dropped to 8Mbps (on 802.11ac) for no apparent reason. I replaced the previous 2x2 AC card because it kept doing the same thing, and now this one is acting up. :|

 

[AznAnarchy99]

iPhone Installment Plan: Can't believe I didn't see this one coming. Apple has essentially turned buying an iPhone into a service. This will be very nice for those folks on pre-paid and don't have subsidy/Next/Edge option and can't afford to dump $700+ on a phone at one time. (Also grandfathered Verizon unlimited users who can't upgrade) I'm betting the carriers aren't real happy with this one for the lost sales.

I don't think it matters to them much since they've all moved to this pricing model after T-Mobile started it a few years ago anyways.

 

[redgtxdi]

I guess I'm the odd ball but.......I find almost NOTHING worth writing home about in today's keynote.

This was the most disappointing (I might have to think longer to be sure) keynote I've seen yet.

The i-Products are close to dead for me. There's just nothing new. I have to think that the other players are licking their chops. Sure, Apple will sell iPhones for Christmas, but so will the rest......and even moreso.

 

[Childs]

Don't hold your breath on an Amazon app. I doubt it'll happen. Apple wants too much of the cut, and Amazon has either their own TV boxes, or the ability to airplay to an Apple TV.

All of this said, I already have an XBox 1. I see no reason to buy this, after my ATV3 ()*&%ing out on me (bad wifi chip, and the thing is just unreliable.) Intel NUC to handle Plex transcoding, XBox One to handle playing Plex/Netflix/Amazon TV for the downstairs and just buy a cheap Roku or similar for the upstairs.

I dont think its an issue with Apple, since Amazon Instant Video isn't on the Nexus Player either.

And while I have a PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Nexus Player, Fire TV, Roku 3, ATV3, WDTV Live, and OpenELEC htpc, I would like one box to rule them all. Well, at least all the streaming stuff. I think an ATV with an app store would do it. Everything else has a compromise to it. PS3 is too frickin loud and limited apps, PS4 has no remote and limited apps, 360 way too loud to even consider turning it on, Nexus Player no Prime Video, no NFL game pass, and in general no apps. FireTV is close, but no 5.1 for third party apps, app reliability sucks, NFL app sucks. Roku really just has a dated UI, but otherwise its the most complete. ATV3 has dated UI and missing Prime, and needs some kind of media streaming app like Plex. Its been so long I forget why I dont use the WDTV anymore.

But I can see an ATV with an app store being nearly perfect. The software on IOS is generally higher quality than on Android, and the number of ATV developers will most likely outnumber all other streaming boxes combined. And for the most part, whatever the ATV doesn't do someone else can now do via apps. Its basically an iPhone or iPad hooked up to your TV. Depending on how this all shakes out, might not even need the OpenELEC box anymore.

 

[boomhower]

I don't think it matters to them much since they've all moved to this pricing model after T-Mobile started it a few years ago anyways.

I meant in that the carriers will be losing profit do to losing hardware sales to Apple itself. It may not be a significant impact, only time will tell.

 

[Wolfpup]

The one thing I was looking forward to was the iPad Pro, which I'm shocked to learn actually is CALLED the iPad Pro.

I was really hoping for something like the Surface Pro 3, though I didn't expect it. Baring that I really wanted something that at least had USB, for a variety of reasons, including the fact that 100% of Lightning connectors I've had have failed.

But...nope. It's just a larger iPad with the same problems and limitations.

As such, I'm probably going to get a Surface 3 and/or Surface Pro 4 when it hopefully launches in the next month or two.

 

[Eug]

http://9to5mac.com/2015/09/09/new-a...2-11ac-wifi-is-faster-than-its-ethernet-port/

Looks like new version of A8. Now the iPad Mini 4 is really interesting.

Furthermore, the iPad mini 4 supports Split View, which up until yesterday, was only supported on the iPad Air 2.

http://www.apple.com/ca/ios/whats-new/

1. Picture in Picture and Slide Over are available on iPad Pro, iPad Air or later and iPad mini 2 or later. Split View is available on iPad Pro, iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4.

---

So, ALL new iOS products are likely now 2 GB products, including iPad mini 4, iPhone 6s, and Apple TV. (Actually I didn't predict Apple TV would be 2 GB RAM but there ya go. Also, I'm not counting iPod Touch, since that came out months ago.)

 

[Ichinisan]

Dude they should be on USB 4.0 with how far behind the speed is. Dumping 64 gigs of pictures from my iPhone 5S is painful

With iCloud Photo Library, you wouldn't have to dump them at all.