![\"\"](\"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/iphone2012.jpg\" "\\"iphone2012\\"")
Well, the iPhone event is done, and now that the dust has settled, we can look at what Apple\u00a0 has announced and how it stacked up against the rumors.<\/p>\nWell, the iPhone event is done, and now that the dust has settled, we can look at what Apple\u00a0 has announced and how it stacked up against the rumors.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll skip the surprisingly-short summary of Apple\u2019s new stores, Mountain Lion updates, and iDevice sales and jump right into what most of us were looking at: the new hardware.<\/p>\n
The first thing we learned about the iPhone 5 was that it was, in fact, named the iPhone 5. Sure, some sites found names by doing searches for non-existent pages on Apple\u2019s Web site, the first \u201cofficial\u201d notice came when the name popped up behind Phil Schiller as he spoke.<\/p>\n
The design of the case was as the leaks indicated: taller, but with the same width, giving it a 16:9 aspect ratio. It\u2019s 7.6mm thick, 18% thinner than the 4S, and at 12grams, 20% lighter. The screen itself is a 1136 x 640 pixel Retina display. This taller screen allows for an extra row of applications on each screen, and all the Apple apps are updated to use the extra space. Older apps will display at the original resolution, centered with dark bars on either side. Rounding out the display features is the fact that the touch sensors are built into the display itself, rather than on a separate layer.<\/p>\n
Fast wireless connection over a wide range of bands was a focus point, especially its support for LTE. Here in the US, that means the three main carriers of the iPhone (AT&T, Verizon and Sprint) should all be able to support 4G speeds. The processor itself is the new A6 processor, Apple\u2019s latest in its line of CPUs for its mobile line. Rounding off the \u201cguts\u201d of the iPhone is a reported battery life of 8 hours of talk time\/browsing and 10 hours via WiFi.<\/p>\n
The camera also saw an upgrade to an 8-megapixel sensor with a 5-element lens and f\/2.4 aperture. This is similar to the iPhone 4S, but thinner. The A6 processor also contributes an image processor that reduces noise and a \u201csmart filter\u201d for color matching. On the software end of things, shared image streams allow you easily share your images with others and there\u2019s now a built-in Panorama app that allows you to sweep a scene to create wide-angle,\u00a0 28 megapixel images. Those who are into video with their phones will find full 1080p video from the main camera, as well as a 720p FaceTime HD camera in the front.<\/p>\n
There are now three microphones, rather than the two on previous models. This is not only enhanced by the noise-canceling earpiece, but also comes into play with Apple\u2019s \u201cWideband Audio\u201d feature, which promises more natural-sounding voice capture, provided your carrier supports it.<\/p>\n
Finally, we have the new connector port, called \u201cLightning\u201d. Like most of the rumors stated, it\u2019s an 8-signal design that\u2019s about 80% smaller than the \u201ctraditional\u201d dock connector, and\u00a0 can be plugged in either way. A small adapter will be available for older 30-pin peripherals, and it\u2019s available in the Apple Store for $29.<\/p>\n
The iPhone 5 will be available at the same prices as the previous model: $199 for 16GB. $299 for 32GB, $399 for 64GB. The iPhone 4 is now free on contract, while the 4S is now $99.<\/p>\n
Pre-orders start on Sept. 14, 2012 and will ship on September 21 in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Other countries will follow.<\/p>\n
While there was a short bit about iOS 6, most of it was just a repeat of the same info we got back at WWDC (more Siri integration, an increased focus on \u201csocial\u201d platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, a new Maps program, etc.), with the only notable exception being redesigned iTunes store apps. We did, however, get a release date: September 19.<\/p>\n
Apple also announced a dramatic update to iTunes. It now offers a \u201csimplified\u201d view not unlike the music player on the iPad, though it also retains the more traditional views we\u2019re all familiar with. Managing playlists has been simplified with the addition of a dual-pane view, resolving the problem of having to switch between two views.<\/p>\n
Playing your music has also been refined. A \u201cComing soon\u201d button allows you to change the order of upcoming tracks, similar to the way you could do in \u201ciTunes DJ\u201d mode. The miniplayer has also been revised, taking up a smaller footprint, but also featuring things like a search engine. Movies are also integrated via iCloud, adding the ability to pick up a movie where you left off.<\/p>\n
The new iTunes will arrive some time late in October.<\/p>\n
The iPod line got refreshes nearly across the board. The biggest changes came to the iPod nano; where the \u201cwatch\u201d form factor was abandoned for one that appears similar to a small iPod touch. It features a 2.5\u201d multitouch display, Bluetooth compatibility, an FM tuner with built in pause and rewind features, and an integrated pedometer (removing the need for accessories to use Nike+). An extended battery offers 30 hours of music, the longest of any nano. The nano as a 16GB model, available in 7 colors (aluminum, black, purple, green, blue, yellow and red) for $149.<\/p>\n
The iPod touch also got a bit of a refresh. It now features the longer form factor, larger screen, 802.11 a\/b\/g\/n capabilites and Lightning connector of the iPhone 5. It\u2019s also packing an A5 processor, a 5 megapixel camera (with microphone, flash and Panorama compatibility) and a button on the back that is designed for a wrist strap. The camera also features 1080p video with image stabilization, and the front mounted FaceTime camera records at 720p. It will be available in 5 colors (aluminum, black, blue, yellow and red) in two sizes: 32GB for $299 or 64GB for $399. The 4th gen iPod touch is also sticking around; 16GB for $199 or 32GB for $249.<\/p>\n
The iPod shuffle is still 2GB, still $49 and presumably have the same connector as the previous models. The only difference now is that their colors have been updated to match the ones available for the nano.<\/p>\n
Though it wasn\u2019t mentioned at all at the event, the iPod classic remains in the lineup, unchanged.<\/p>\n
The last thing announced were Apple\u2019s new earphones. Dubbed the \u201cEarPods\u201d these earbuds have been redesigned to offer better sound fidelity while allowing them to fit more comfortably in the user\u2019s ear. They’ll be included with the new iPod touch, the new iPod nano and with the new iPhone 5, but are now available to order, if you want them for your current devices.<\/p>\n
There really wasn’t much in terms of earth-shattering news at this event. Aside from the minutiae of actual technical details (which processor, etc.) most, if not all, the new features had already been leaked, analyzed and reported several times over before anything hit the stage. In fact, it’s probably safe to say that the most “surprising” thing was having the Foo Fighters play at the end; something that the end user really couldn’t see anyway.<\/p>\n
What are your thoughts on the event today? Anything you wanted to see, but didn’t? Anything you’re disappointed in? Anything you’re super-excited about? Let us know in the comments below.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Well, the iPhone event is done, and now that the dust has settled, we can look at what Apple\u00a0 has announced and how it stacked up against the rumors. We\u2019ll skip the surprisingly-short summary of Apple\u2019s new stores, Mountain Lion updates, and iDevice sales and jump right into what most of us were looking at: […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":14867,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2366,2646],"class_list":["post-14898","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-apple-news","category-industry-news"],"yoast_head":"\n