Here are the highlights from today’s “Let Us Loop You In” Media Event
CareKit
CareKit is a framework for developers to build applications that will “empower people to take an active role in their care.” CareKit on the iPhone will have a “care card” with symptoms and a measurement tracker and allow you to share information with family members and medical professionals. CareKit is open source and will be available in April.
Apple Watch
According to Tim Cook, Apple Watch is the #1 selling smart watch and is ranked #1 in customer satisfaction. Apple announced new sport and leather bands along with a Space Black Milanese Loop band. As of today, the 38mm Apple Sport Watch begins at $299 which is a $50 savings from the original price. No word if the $50 price cut will apply across the entire Apple Watch line.
iPhone
As expected, Apple announced the new iPhone SE. Available in Silver, Space Gray, Gold and Rose Gold, the iPhone SE has a 4” screen. It has an A9 chip that matches the performance of the iPhone 6s. The iPhone SE has a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera and a “true tone” flash as well as 4K video recording. There’s improved LTE performance with support for more LTE bands and up to 150Mbps. The iPhone SE has an M9 motion coprocessor and supports the always on :Hey Siri” feature.
The iPhone SE will start at $399 or $17 per month for the 16GB model (free with a 2 year contract) and $499 for the 64GB model. Orders for the iPhone SE begin on March 24 with the first shipments set for March 31.
iPad
Apple introduced the new 9.7 inch “iPad Pro.” With over 200 million 9.7” iPads sold to date, the iPad Pro is being called the “Ultimate Update” and is being marketed as an alternative to the 600 million PCs in use today that are over five years old.
The new iPad Pro is 25% brighter than the iPad Air 2 and has new ambient light sensors that will adjust the color temperature of the screen to match the ambient light. It also has four speakers to give twice the audio output of the iPad Air 2. Like the iPhone SE the new iPad Pro has the same M9 motion coprocessor and always on Hey Siri” support as well as the same improvements to the camera and flash. The new iPad Pro also supports the Apple Pencil which we previously reviewed here and is availablke in Silver, Gold, Space Gray and Rose Gold.
The new iPad Pro Wi-Fi models starts at $599 for 32GB, $749 for 128GB and $899 for 256GB, with pre-orders beginning Thursday and shipping on March 31.
The 12.9” iPad Pro is also getting a boost with a 256GB model now available for $1,099. The iPad mini will now start at $269 and the iPad Air 2 at $399.
iOS 9.3
Apples latest update to the current iPhone and iPad operating system is available today.
That’s the latest news from Apple. What do you think of the new products? Will you be ordering the new iPhone SE? How about the new iPad Pro. Do you think that can replace a Windows PC or a Mac? Why not joint the conversation and add your comments below.
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