It has been a busy year for Apple, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. In spring, the Cupertino-based company launched a revamped MacBook Air, iPhone SE, iPad Pro, Magic Keyboard, Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) to name a few.
In June, WWDC (Worldwide Developer Conference, affectionately named ‘Dub Dub’) went virtual, too, for the first time ever. There were a host of announcements, including Apple Silicon, the new ARM-powered processor, touted to replace Intel chipsets in Macs. New operating systems were naturally announced: OS/iPadOS 14, macOS Big Sur, watchOS 7, tvOS 14, and AirPods software updates.
During the virtual ‘Time Flies’ Special Event in September, the company launched Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch SE, iPad Air, and eighth-generation iPad, to name a few. Plus, after years of hosting third-party authorised resellers of Apple products, India became a new home to Apple’s official online store on September 23, complete with personalised services for customers.
And, of course, this year, Apple — founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak — became the world’s first publicly-traded US company to reach a US$2 trillion dollar market cap.
Now, we wait for the details of Apple’s virtual ‘Hi Speed’ Special Event, set to go live globally from Apple Park, California, at 10.30 pm IST. Could iPhone 12, the company’s first 5G smartphone, be unveiled today? What of the rumoured HomePod Mini, AirTags and AirPods Studio?
Here are the live updates
iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone Pro Max prices announced
iPhone 12 Pro $US999 , iPhone Pro Max US$1099. Available October 23.
Apple ProRaw, ProVideo launched
Apple announces Apple ProRAW, ideal for photographers who are keen on the shift to mobile photography with the intensity of a DSLR. Users can also take advantage of ProVideo, which makes iPhone 12 the first camera to record in Dolby Vision HDR at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second.
11:19 p.m.
iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max launched
iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max come with a durable surgical-grade stainless steel band and precision-built glass backplate. The Pro Series phones are also larger than the 11 Pro models and come with Super Retina XDR display, and are powered by A14 Bionic.
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini prices announced
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini will be available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB models in blue, green, black, white, and PRODUCT(RED), starting at ₹79,900 and ₹69,900. (iPhone 12 Mini will be available for US$699, and iPhone 12 for US$799.)
Apple to do away with wired earphones, charger starting with iPhone 12
Lisa Jackson, Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, says Apple will cut waste by removing the wired earphones and charger from iPhone boxes, as the company observes a shift toward wireless accessories. This means iPhone 12 will come in a significantly smaller box.
Apple's new wireless charger 'MagSafe' launched
After years of using third-party wireless chargers, Apple users can look forward to MagSafe, the new wireless charger straight from the tech giant. Those with Apple Watches, would be keen on the duo-system so one charger can charge both devices wirelessly.
iPhone 12's improved rear camera system
iPhone 12 comes with a 7-element improved rear camera system fuelled by computational photography. This system enables smart composition, a more intuitive Night Mode, Night Mode Time Lapse, improved detailing, and more.
iPhone 12 unveiled
Yes, 2020's iPhone 12 is finally here! The new smartphone comes with Ceramic Glass (from a partnership with Corning), several antennaes which go round the aluminium frame and a Super Retina XDR display with a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 460 pixels per inch and 1200 nits brightness for HDR content.
The iPhone 12 is powered by A14 Bionic, Apple's fastest smartphone chipset yet. It has 11.8 billion transistors for increased efficiency, has a 6-core CPU, a 4-core GPU, a 16-core Neural Engine with 11 trillion operations per second, and significant Machine Learning capabilities.
After ages of waiting, 5G for iPhone is here
Tim Cook says, "Today is a new era for iPhone. We're bringing 5G to iPhone. We're excited 5G will bring a new level of performance for downloads and upload higher quality video streaming, more responsive gaming. Real time interactivity and so much more 5G networks are more advanced with lower network congestion, so you can get higher network speeds even in densely populated areas. And 5G even helps protect your privacy and security since you won't need to connect to unknown unsecured public Wi-Fi."
10:38 p.m.
Apple CEO announces a new addition to the HomePod family
HomePod Mini with computation audio, powered by Apple's S5 chipset. It features a full range dynamic driver that delivers high output while keeping distortion to a minimum, a pair of high-excursion force-cancelling passive radiators that enable bass response, an acoustic waveguide to deliver a consistent 36-degree sound experience to help place HomePod Mini anywhere. Available November 16 for US$99 (₹9,900).
Apple leaped into the fitness space with Fitness+
Apple Watch announced Fitness+ an in-house fitness service with 10 workout routines — yoga, strength, rowing, mindful cool-downs, among others — from expert trainers from around the world. A subscription-based suite called Apple One was announced. Apple also launched its exclusive India online store on September 23.
Apple Watch Series 6, Watch SE was launched
Unlike the green sensor in previous Apple Watches, Apple Watch Series 6 comes with a red sensor along with Blood Oxygen (SPO2) measurement systems. A new design for Watch bands was also announced - single loop, braided bands, revised leather straps and more. Other products including new iPad Air and Apple Watch SE were announced.
Apple introduced update to Apple Watch in previous event
In the previous Apple event held on September 15, Apple COO Jeff Williams spoke about “a big leap forward for Apple Watch” in the form of WatchOS 7 which comes with Sleep Tracking, Bedtime features and Handwashing Timer.
Regards from Apple CEO
Apple CEO Tim Cook braces for the event by sharing his 'event day playlist' in a tweet.