Apple iPhone 8 live updates: Apple CEO Tim Cook at the launch event, which has begun.
Apple’s annual product keynote event has started in Cupertino. Apple iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X( stands for Ten) have been launched. The event is also significant because it is first time the world officially gets to see the new Apple Park campus of the tech giant.
Apple is hosting its Special Event for September in the newly opened Steve Jobs Theater (this is the first event at this location), located on Apple’s sprawling new campus. Apple has already launched the Apple Watch Series 3 with possible LTE support and Apple tv4K as well.
The iPhone X will mark the tenth anniversary special of the device, that was first revealed in January 2007 by the late Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs. This could also be the most expensive iPhone till date, and the price tag might just cross $1000, though we’ll have to wait and see if that does turn out to be true.
We are attending the live event at Apple’s campus itself and will have constant updates around the event. The Apple website will have the event playing live and those with iPhones, iPods, iPads or MacBooks can watch it straight from the Safari browser. Windows 10 users can rely on Edge explorer to watch the event as well.
Follow our live updates below
12.22 AM: Apple iPhone X price starts at $999. It will ship from November 3. Below is the full price range of the iPhone series for now.
Apple iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus prices have been announced.
12.17 AM: Full features of the Apple iPhone X.
Apple iPhone X full list of features.
12.15 AM: Apple iPhone X has two hours more battery life than iPhone 7, which is not really saying much. Also wireless charging support is there. Also there’s Airpower, which might open up wireless charging for other brands too.
12.09 AM: Apple iPhone X (Ten) has the same 12MP + 12MP rear camera. Dual OIS is also there. Just like Samsung Galaxy Note 8. Apple has added a better Quad LED two tone flash.
12.03 AM: Now Craig Federighi giving a live demo of the Apple iPhone X (Ten) and exactly how this will work. The home button is gone and lot more swiping is involved. Just swipe down and get Control Centre from anywhere. There’s no emoji and you can add your own voice to these as well and create a loopy video.
12.02 AM: Animojis are here. Part of Apple iMessage, users can pick these and share with friends and family.
12.00 AM: Apple claims there is a one in million chance that someone can unlock your iPhone X without your knowledge. Except when twins are involved.
11.58 PM: The Face ID concept has been there on Android phones for a while. Apple might be using a new technology, but the experience itself will be similar. Apple says it has created a new Neural network to ensure higher security for the iPhone X. All processing is done on the device and not sent to any server.
11.54 PM: Apple iPhone X has FaceID. Touch ID is gone. Yes, the iPhone X will unlock by recognising your face. Apple has added what it calls a True Depth Camera sensor. Apple says it can recognise the face even in the dark.
11.52 PM: Apple iPhone X is here. It has a 5.8-inch edge-to-edge display. The Home button is gone folks. This is also an OLED display. Just swipe up from the bottom and go to the home screen.
Apple iPhone X is officially here.
11.48 pm: One more thing: The iPhone X (Ten) is coming folks and it looks exactly like what the leaks revealed.
11.47 pm: Apple iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus come with 64GB, 256GB storage. The price starts at $699 for the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus starts at $799.
11.40 pm: Apple is finally bringing augmented reality in its products with the camera getting an AI push with lighting to games that use the iPhone 8 camera. Also Wireless charging is finally coming to the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus. Also this is clearly the biggest boost AR has got since the launch of Pokemon GO last year. You will soon be seeing more games come in to take full advantage of this feature.
Apple iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus sport a new glass back. This is the new gold colour option.
11.35 pm: The new Apple iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus comes with glass on both sides, as well as the A11 Bionic chip with six core, 64-bit design. The dual camera will be just on the iPhone 8 Plus while the iPhone 8 will have a 12MP rear camera. The dual camera will come with a beta version of the Portrait Lighting mode. Apple is promising an improved experience on the Portait mode. Users can select a new menu to pick an effect. These are not filters, but real-time analysis of the lighting on the subject’s face.
Portrait mode on iPhone 8 Plus has been improved significantly.
11.30 pm: Apple iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus are here. Have glass design on the front and back, held together by 7000 series aluminium. Run the new A11 Bionic chip. Two high-performance cores, four-high efficiency cores. Managed by second-generation performance controller. GPU designed to accelerate experience. The new chip has a new generation Image Signal ISP. New pixel processor to reduce noise in pictures. Comes in three colours, including a new gold version.
11.25 pm: Finally time for the iPhone. Tim Cook talks about an experience where the hardware virtually disappears because the experience is so good. “App Store changed the way we work, spawning new industries along the way. We changed the people communicate with features like iMessage, FaceTime. With Sir, we used AI to make our voices more powerful. iPhone also revolutionised security and privacy. iPhone’s amazing camera became the most popular way to capture images of our lives,” declares Tim Cook.
11.19 pm: Apple TV has been upgraded with 4K HDR to cater to the large screens that are taking over living rooms across the world. It will run the latest tvOS and 4K titles will not be priced higher than HD. Price is $179. Pre-orders from September 15, and ships one week later.
11.17 pm: Apple tv4K has the A10 Fusion processor. Apple working with Amazon Prime Video and Netflix to bring their 4K HDR video titles as well. Live news and sports are also coming to the Apple TV in the US.
Apple tv4K has been officially announced.
11.13 pm: Apple tv4K has been announced officially. Eddy Cue on stage talking about the new Apple TV device. This device supports 4K HDR 10 and Dolby Vision HDR 10. Highest picture quality ever, says Cue.
11.09 PM: India is not among the countries where this new Watch will be available initially. Apple Watch Series comes in cellular and non-cellular version. Sale will start on September 22, pre-bookings from September 15.
Apple Watch Series 3 has been officially announced.
11.04 PM: The Apple Watch series 3 will unyoke itself from the phone and come with Cellular access, which will let users make calls and connect to the net for maps or music streaming. Users don’t have to bother with a new cellular number as it will mirror the same number as the iPhone. Also, Siri on the Watch will now come with voice. The innovation here is clearly how Apple has been able to squeeze in the antenna for the Watch and they have done that by integrating it inside the display along with an electronic SIM. The new Watch retains the same size as the old one.
11.03 PM: Apple Watch Series 3 has an e-SIM, but it is the same size as series 2. Also the Watch 3 can be used to make calls from your wrist itself.
10.58 PM: Apple Watch Series 3 is here. Yes, Apple Watch will offer connectivity without the phone. Users can stream music on the watch as well. This watch comes with Cellular data support as well. Siri can now work on its own. Users can leave their iPhone behind when relying on the Apple Watch Series 3.
Apple Watch Series 3 is officially here.
10.57 pm: It will also help users understand irregular heart beats that could be fatal. Apple Heart Study in collaboration with Stanford will be live by end of the year. watchOS 4 will be available from September 19.
10.54 pm: Heart Rate on the Apple Watch will now be deeper and will offer more data; it will also notify you if there is a high heart rate when the user is not active.
10.51 pm: Apple Watch grew over 50 per cent year-over-year and is now the largest selling watch in the world beating Rolex. Talk about staying in tune with the times and this is a product that was written off many times. Actually, Apple has been really smart in selling it as a watch and not exactly a smartwatch.
10.50 pm: Apple Watch is the first device of the event. Apple says this is the number one watch in the world and sales have grown fifty per cent.
10.48 pm: So event begins with talk of Apple Retail. But sadly there will be no Apple store India, if you were hoping that was coming next.
10.41 pm: Well, yes Apple retail is Apple’s largest product. Apple no longer calls them stores, they are now town squares with over 500 million footfalls a year.
10.36 pm: The event starts with a dedication to the man behind the brand and the new campus: Steve Jobs. CEO Tim Cook says he continues to inspire and it’s true Apple would have loved to have him around when innovation has become tough. “We dedicate this theatre to Steve, because we loved him and he loved days like this…” Cook said this was not just a dedication to Steve, but also a way to inspire the next generation of innovators. “Steve’s vision and passion live on here at Apple Park and everywhere at Apple.”
10.33 pm: Apple iPhone 8 launch event begins with a message from Steve Jobs.
10.30 pm: Apple’s live stream has begun with a stunning video showcasing the best of the campus and the Steve Jobs Theater. The song in the background “All you need is Love”
10.28 pm: Also, not much discussed is the Apple AirPod. Will there be a new version this time? It has been the most successful accessory to come from Apple so far with some serious fans across the world, despite its price tag.
10.26 pm: Five minutes to go before Tim Cooks runs up on stage. I’m wondering what Apple will end the event with? Last time it was the artist Sia on stage.
10.17 pm: The Apple Livestream is now live. Just under fifteen minutes to go for the event to begin. This could be a long one considering the importance of this launch.
10.o1 pm: Just under half an hour to go for the big Apple launch. The livestream will be visible on the Apple website itself.
9.59 pm: We just saw Stephen Fry at the holding area. He’s been spotted at Apple events before.
9.58 pm: Are there symbols to be read in the colours flashing on the Apple logo at stage of the Steve Jobs centre? Well, that’s the sort of anticipation an Apple event has. Anyway, the Steve Jobs centre is much smaller than the venues where Apple events have been held earlier.
9.53 PM: Just half an hour to go and we are now inside the Steve Jobs Theater. Here is the view.
Here is the view from inside the Steve Jobs Theater.
9.46 pm: So is the iPhone X coming? Well the buzz here is to that effect and the iPhone 8 series. There are some who believe Apple might have S versions of the iPhone 7 series too and maybe a new iPhone SE. That would be a handful, but befitting the 10th anniversary occasion.
9.30 pm: Just over an hour left for the Apple event to start. For India users the timing is 10.30 pm IST. It will likely be a packed house at one of the biggest events ever from the technology giant.
Also read: Apple iPhone 8, iPhone X event: Live stream timings for India, launch date, price and more
9.19 pm: We are told there are no bad seats inside the Steve Jobs theatre. There is a good view of the stage wherever you sit. With 1000 odd guests that is a good place to be in.
9.13 pm: The Steve jobs, at least what we have seen of it so far, as well as the new campus carries Apple’s minimalist design forward. It’s all glass, there is no unnecessary use of concrete and the entire structure blends with nature.
9.07 pm: This is what the Steve Jobs Theater looks like from inside. Truly, this is a sight to behold.
Apple Steve Jobs Theater where the iPhone X and iPhone 8 will be launched.
Apple Steve Jobs Theater where the iPhone X and iPhone 8 will be launched.
8.56 pm: This is where the Apple event is being hosted. We are inside the campus and it’s a small walk up a mound to the Steve jobs theater.
The Steve Jobs Theater where Apple launches the iPhone X.
8.53 pm: The big focus of this event will the iPhone X. After all, this is a 10-year anniversary edition for Apple. The iPhone X will see a glass design and full frontal display with home button. Apple will also go for an OLED screen on this. Think the Galaxy S8 screen but without the curved edges. The iPhone’s front might just something like that.
8.50 pm: Once again for those who want to watch the Apple iPhone event live, this is a great time if you have an Apple device already. Or you need to be on Windows 10 at least, and can watch the event on Edge browser
8.40 pm: Check out the picture of the Apple Park Campus. The event takes place at the Steve Jobs Theater. The Apple campus is a sight to behold for its sheer size and spread.
Apple Campus where the iPhone 8, iPhone X launch takes place.
Apple Campus where the iPhone 8, iPhone X launch takes place.
Apple iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X or iPhone X Edition will launch today in Steve Jobs Theater at the Apple Campus.
8.32 pm: With the iPhone, the pricing has always been a point of debate, especially in India. In fact, compared to the $ price, the iPhone pricing rupees has always been on the higher side. With a $1000 pricing for the base variant of the iPhone X, what do you think will be the starting price in India? Sound off in the comments below.
8.25 pm: The other big point of debate, discussion around the iPhone 8, iPhone X series is the price. Leaked reports, analysts are all convinced the special 10th anniversary iPhone will cost more than $1000, perhaps starting at $1200, which would make the most expensive one ever. We’ll have to wait and see till Apple actually reveals the price.
8.23 pm: Apple’s big event won’t just about the devices. iOS 11, macOS High Sierra, watch OS 4, new tvOS will also get their final release dates. Apple will also showcase the final, refined versions of the new operating systems.
8.22 pm: So what all devices are expected at today’s Apple event? Three iPhones, which will be called iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X or iPhone X Edition. The Apple Watch 3 is also going to be unveiled today. Apple TV with 4K resolution support Some reports claim the iPod Touch 7th gen could be launch. A cheaper, iPhone SE might also be showcased.
Also read: Apple iPhone X launch: Going beyond $1000 price tag might just work
8.20 pm: The launch event is taking place in the Steve Jobs Theater, which is built in memory of Apple’s late co-founder and CEO. The entrance to the 1,000-seat auditorium is a 20-foot-tall glass cylinder, 165 feet in diameter, supporting a metallic carbon-fiber roof. The Steve Jobs Theater is situated atop a hill — one of the highest points within Apple Park — overlooking meadows and the main building.
8.10 PM: Now here’s some quick background on the Apple Park, where the event is taking place. This is the building that looks like giant spaceship from top. The Apple Park draws from Steve Jobs’ memories of Stanford and has grassy fields, over 9,000 Oak, Redwood and other native and drought-resistant trees. It is also powered by 100 per cent renewable energy. It is also the site of the world’s largest naturally ventilated buildings, projected to require no heating or air conditioning for nine months of the year.
With inputs from Shruti Dhapola in New Delhi
Disclaimer: The reporter is in San Jose, California at the invite of Apple
