DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images(SAN FRANCISCO — Apple executives announced the latest generations of the iPhone and Apple Watch Wednesday in San Francisco, and both devices now have a special focus on fitness-minded consumers.
CEO Tim Cook announced that the body of the iPhone 7, which features a dual-camera, is made of aluminum and has a “mirror-like surface.”
“It’s the best iPhone that we have ever created,” Cook said.
Dual Cameras
Apple executive Phil Schiller said the iPhone 7 Plus would feature a dual-camera. The front camera will have seven megapixels, while the back camera will have 12 megapixels.
The two-camera setup allows for greater ability to zoom and increases the shallowness of the camera’s depth-of-field — allowing only certain parts of the image to be kept in sharp focus. Shallow depths of field are typically the domain of expensive professional cameras.
But that’s not the only upgrade.
The new iPhone will feature stereo speakers at the top and bottom of the device, doubling the volume level of previous models.
The iPhone 7’s new water-proof design comes in gold, silver and rose, as well as two new colors — black and jet black. Schiller also announced an update to the home button, which will now give a tactile response to users, enabling new functionality. Schiller noted that the improved camera has four LED lights and provides 50 percent more light when the flash is employed.
The camera will now be able to capture large RAW image files that will undergo minimal processing for editing.
Stepping into the traditionally troublesome wireless headphone space, Apple design chief Jonathan Ive announced new “AirPods.”
He played up the wireless earbuds’ so-called W1 Chip, which he said would enable “intelligent, high-efficiency playback.”
The AirPods would seamlessly connect with the new iPhones and Apple Watches, allaying concerns over connectivity issues that have plagued wireless headphones in the past.
The AirPods will feature 5-hours of battery life with each charge.
Apple’s premium headphones band, Beats, will launch two three new products, including a new, “affordable” line called BeatsX.
Headphone Jack Gets the Axe
The rumors proved true: Apple has removed the traditional headphone jack from the iPhone 7.
“We’re taking the headphones in iPhone 7 and 7 Plus to Lightning, and we’re including them in the box,” Schiller said, referring to Apple’s proprietary connection port, which is most often used for charging.
He said that an adapter allowing headphones to connect to the Lightning port will be included in each box.
Apple Watch Updates
Apple’s smartwatch offering was updated for the first time since its 2014 inception, and will now be “swim proof” and come equipped with GPS.
Apple will also offer two versions of its smartwatch: Series One, which will be similar to the original, but with a faster processor, that will sell for $269. Series Two will feature GPS and other new features, and will be available in a special Nike-branded version. The retail price is $369. Pre-orders begin Sept. 9.
Cook noted that Apple is now the second highest earning watch brand in the world after Rolex in terms of sales revenue.
New Updates with Fitness Focus
The new hardware allows for apps to keep track of fitness metrics like laps swam, calories burned, and miles ran.
“The watch will learn about you over time,” Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer, said.
“You’ll get GPS-accurate pace and distance,” he said, adding that programmers will be able to take advantage of the new GPS feature.
Williams also announced a special Nike Plus branded Apple Watch, targeted specifically at runners.
Nike President Trevor Edwards joined Williams on stage.
“Today, sport’s and fitness are a bigger part of people’s lives,” he said, calling the watch “your perfect running partner.”
Pokemon Go Coming to the Wrist
Williams surprised the packed audience of tech journalists when he announced that the hit game Pokemon Go would be coming to the Apple Watch.
“Pokemon Go is coming to the watch,” Williams said, before inviting John Hanke, CEO of Niantic, Pokemon Go’s developer, to the stage.
Hanke said that Pokemon Go had been downloaded more than 500 million times.
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