It wasn’t the action packed media event we had hoped for however, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t an eventful afternoon for Apple. After taking down their online store this morning for several hours of ‘maintenance’, Apple brought their store back to life with new products such as an all-new 9.7-inch “budget” iPad, a (PRODUCT) Red iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus alongside new Apple Watch bands and a brand new iOS application called Clips.
iPad
After discontinuing the iPad mini 2 and increasing the storage for the iPad mini 4; Apple unveiled a new “budget” 9.7-inch iPad that starts from £339/$329 that features an A9 chip alongside a 10-hour battery life and a 8 megapixel rear camera. Surprisingly the tablet is thicker and heavier than the iPad Air 2 and doesn’t feature laminated glass, and no anti-reflective glass.
The new low-cost iPad will be available in the US and more than 20 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK from Friday, with Denmark, India, Mexico, Norway, Russia, Turkey and other countries and regions receiving the device in April.
9.7-inch iPad
iPhone
In what many considered to be a surprise move Apple updated the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus today, adding a new (PRODUCT) Red case colour option to the existing line-up. The “Special Edition” iPhone is described by Apple as a vibrant red aluminum finish in recognition of more than 10 years of partnership between Apple and (RED).
While the internals of the new “Special Edition” iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus haven’t changed, Apple did upgrade the internals of the iPhone SE, doubling the storage offering on the device to either 32GB or 128GB configurations.
(PRODUCT) Red iPhone 7 & iPhone 7 Plus
“Since we began working with (RED) 10 years ago, our customers have made a significant impact in fighting the spread of AIDS through the purchase of our products, from the original iPod nano (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition all the way to today’s lineup of Beats products and accessories for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “The introduction of this special edition iPhone in a gorgeous red finish is our biggest (PRODUCT)RED offering to date in celebration of our partnership with (RED), and we can’t wait to get it into customers’ hands.”
Clips
Probably the most surprising release today was a brand new app called Clips that allows users to combine video clips, photos, and music with animated captions and effects into creative videos that can be shared through the usual social networks. – Working similarly to apps like Instagram and Snapchat, the main focus for Clips is for users to create and export images apposed to them being sent directly through the app like a social media platform.
“Clips lets users create multi-clip videos on iPhone or iPad without timelines, tracks or complicated editing tools. Touch and hold a single button to shoot live video and photos, or add them from the Photo Library. Then add artistic filters, speech bubbles, shapes or emoji. Users can also add full-screen posters with animated backgrounds and customisable text. Clips has dozens of music soundtracks to choose from, and they automatically adjust to match the length of a video.”
Accessories
Apple has released a range of new Apple Watch bands and iPhone cases for spring. Apple has added Azure, Camellia, and Pebble to their line of silicone cases, simultaneously launching Sapphire, Taupe, and Berry colours to the leather iPhone case offering. The new accessories are now available from Apple’s online store from $39 to $49 depending on the material chosen. As well as updates to their iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus accessories, Apple has also added a new iPhone SE leather case in Saddle Brown for $39.
As for the Apple Watch, Apple is introducing their spring 2017 lineup, adding all-new options such as a Striped Woven Nylon and new colours for the range of Hermès bands. As well as introducing new products, Apple is now allowing customers to purchase the Nike Sport bands as a stand-alone accessory apposed to them being available exclusively for Apple Watch Nike+ users.
Striped Woven Nylon bands now come in Berry, Tahoe Blue, Orange, Red, and Pollen. There’s also an all-new Midnight Blue Woven Nylon band, but it lacks the new stripe pattern and new Sport band colors include Pebble, Azure and Camellia, and the Classic Buckle has gotten a small buckle redesign and now comes in Sapphire, Berry, and Taupe to match their range of new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus cases.
Yoooooo these look cleannnnnnnn https://t.co/aG7x8xORDc
— Pola (@Polaaa_S) March 21, 2017
Looks sooo good ??? https://t.co/ijty40zqtt
— Jack Verey (@JackVerey1) March 21, 2017
