Wow. After all the rumors and speculation and guesswork, we finally know what Apple has been hiding behind the curtain at Cupertino. The 2012 press conference is over. Good news, Apple fans. This year looks pretty good for you. Apple’s got your back with the usual device refreshes, plus one unexpected but very welcome addition. The unexpected news should go a long way toward keeping their fans happy and stress-free.
Apple showed it can make quality products without Steve Jobs today. The new devices look good. Interestingly, they also looked nearly identical to the leaked photos that have been making their way around the internet recently. The rumor mill was actually spot-on this time. Those of you who follow the rumors know what this means. Here’s the new iPhone.
The new iPhone 5
- A6 CPU with double CPU and graphics power
- Taller 4-inch 1136 x 640 screen with another row of icons on the SpringBoard
- 4G LTE support for Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T
- Comes with iOS 6
- 8 hours of battery life
- Thinner and lighter than the 4S
- Two-tone back case, just like the leaked photos
- Improved microphone for Siri
- 720p front-facing camera, 1080p video for back camera
- “Lightning” power cable
- Ships in black and white on September 21 in 16, 32, and 64 GB models
A fifth-generation iPod Touch
- Same 4-inch tall screen as the iPhone 5
- Siri (!)
- A5 processor (same used in the iPhone 4S and iPad 2)
- Ships with iOS 6
- 8 hours of battery life
- 5 MP camera that can shoot 1080p video
- Thinner and lighter than the iPod 4G
- Lightning dock connector
- Comes in white, black, red, blue, and yellow
- Ships in October with 32 GB and 64 GB for $300 and $400, respectively
New iPod Nano
- FM radio and Bluetooth support
- 30 hours of battery life
- Thinner and lighter frame
- New Lightning charger
- Pedometer
- Ships in October with 16 GB for $150
iTunes gets a revamp
Finally. Apple is updating iTunes on Windows, OS X, and iOS. The new program proudly bears a simpler interface with faster performance. iTunes for Windows could sure use some of that speed.
Discounts
In other good news, the iPhone 4S is now $100 on a new two-year contract. The iPhone 4 is at an incredibly appealing $0 on contract. This is nothing but good news, as both of those phones are great devices. Either one of them is a steal at that price.
The New Headphones for iPhone 5 – EarPods
Apple’s new headphone design has been called to look like Fallopian tubes to little periscopes. These headphones, called “EarPods” feature sound ports built into the stem, as well as the sides. The vents on the side of each EarPod “allows air inside the stem, which acts as an acoustic chamber, to flow out,” according to Apple. “So you hear deeper, richer bass tones.”
Other News
- The iPhone 5 and iPod Touch 5G will support for older apps in non-full screen mode, like the iPad running iPhone apps.
- There is a $30 adaptor for the new plug in order to use all the new accessories.
- iOS 6 ships to September 19 to all devices newer than the iPhone 4 and iPad 2.
- iPod Shuffle gets some new colors.
- New EarPod headphones will ship with the latest iOS devices. Apple claims that they have the quality of expensive headphones. Take that claim with a grain of salt.
- The iPhone 5 and the iPod Touch 5G will be able to shoot “panoramic” shots that create really wide images.
Final Thoughts
The iPhone 5 and the iPod Touch 5G both look great. The taller screen should help Apple compete with the likes of the Galaxy S III and the next Nexus device.
Between the new devices, LTE, and an updated iTunes (finally), 2011 is shaping up as a good year to be an Apple fan.
