Apple hosted a special event to unveil their latest lineup of iPhones, iPads, and of course, the new version of the Apple TV on September 9th. Here are eight features I noticed most of all in their announcements:
7. Suddenly Keyboards are “Revolutionary”
Maybe, it's just me, but making a connectable keyboard is not only short of “revolutionary,” it shouldn’t have needed mentioning in the event. Calling it a “Smart Keyboard” doesn’t make it any smarter, it just draws attention the fact that yes, well done Apple, you released an accessory the Microsoft Surface has had for years.
6. Apple Is Branding Itself as Luxurious
Apple announced that they are now collaborating with the luxury watch brand Hermes to create leather straps for their Apple Watch. Denoting fanciness and $1000+ price tags, Apple is going after the high end wealthy market with this collaboration. Because, as we all know, when Apple releases a leather strap, its not just a leather strap anymore.
5. Nintendo Might Be in Trouble
Apple also released a product called “Apple TV,” while boldly declaring that “The Future of Television Is Apps.” The remote of the TV also doubles a gaming remote for the Apple TV while playing Apps, and even showcased game developers and families being able to play simultaneously. This is very similar to Nintendo’s Wii device lineup, which you also use in almost the exact same way as Apple’s new remote. Coincidence? I think not.
4. The Apple Watch Might Not Be Selling Well
Apple still has not released numbers on how many Apple Watches have been sold, only hinting that its the Watch in its first 9 weeks outperformed both the original iPhone and the first iPad, but not likely more than 3 million units. Apple nevertheless is charging ahead with releasing a new software updated dubbed “WatchOS 2” to increase functionalities and practical usage.
3. Tim Cook’s Shirt is Actually a Big Deal
The New York Times, Washington Post, and Time have all written previously about whether Apple CEO Tim Cook should tuck in his shirt. Well, at this special event, Twitter was set ablaze when he tucked in his shirt!
There is even a Twitter account called “Tim Cook’s Shirt.” Tim Cook’s Shirt can be reached anytime @TimCooksShirt
if tim cook's shirt is tucked in, do we get 6 more weeks of summer?
— Bobby (@plasticfangs) September">https://twitter.com/plasticfangs/status/6416586469... 9, 2015 Breaking: Apple CEO Tim Cook appears on stage. AND HIS SHIRT IS TUCKED IN! #AppleEvent
— Chris O'Brien (@obrien) September">https://twitter.com/obrien/status/6416586478111129... 9, 2015 2. Sometimes Apple and Microsoft DO Get Along
In the most bizarre point of the announcement, Apple’s Phil Schiller asked the audience: "Who would know better about productivity than Microsoft?" before inviting a Microsoft representative up on the stage to showcase the new Microsoft Office capabilities on the new iPad Pro. That was shocking given their status as competitors, and especially to have Microsoft agree to be on Apple’s main turf.
1. Tim Cook is Not Steve Jobs
With the introduction of the stylus, dubbed “Apple Pencil” (notice the name similarity to Samsung’s “S-Pen”), Tim Cook revived the stylus and took a commanding departure from Steve Job’s famous line “If you see a stylus they BLEW it.” In other words, a stylus meant a total failure, and yet, Tim Cook felt now was the time to reintroduce it back to their lineup…for a $99 price tag.
