{"id":66862,"date":"2020-10-14T13:50:46","date_gmt":"2020-10-14T18:50:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/?p=66862"},"modified":"2020-10-20T13:40:16","modified_gmt":"2020-10-20T18:40:16","slug":"closer-look-2020-iphone-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/66862-closer-look-2020-iphone-event\/","title":{"rendered":"Deeper Dive: A Closer Look at the 2020 iPhone (and HomePod mini) Event"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Apple CEO Tim Cook kicks off the October 13, 2020 event from the Steve Jobs Theater.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Two months, two Apple events. Last month the world was treated to new Apple services<\/a> (Apple One and Apple Fitness+), the Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE, a next-generation iPad, and an all-new iPad Air. On October 13, the iPhone line received a significant refresh with the 5G-capable iPhone 12 and the HomePod received a smaller companion. Let’s take a look at the announcements and why they’re important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Apple’s new HomePod mini packs the features of the original HomePod into a smaller and more affordable package (image via Apple)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

HomePod mini<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since the original HomePod smart speaker was first shipped in 2018, the common complaints seemed to be that it was too expensive and too big. That all changed with the announcement of the HomePod mini<\/strong> ($99), a smaller version of the HomePod that still provides impressive sound quality, acts as a gateway to the Siri digital assistant, and works to control home automation systems through HomeKit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The device comes in two colors: space gray and white. Just 3.3 inches high and 3.9 inches wide, the HomePod mini takes up a lot less real estate on table or desk than the full-size unit. It weighs just .76 lbs, and is covered in an acoustically-transparent fabric. If you want to see what a HomePod mini will look like in your home, Apple has provided an AR viewer. Just go to this page on your iPhone or iPad and scroll down to near the bottom, then click the View in AR button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An AR view of the HomePod mini on my desk!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Intercom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since at $99 a pop many households may be able to afford more than one HomePod mini, Apple threw a new feature into the mix: Intercom<\/strong>. This feature uses Siri to send voice messages to all or specific HomePods, and can also extend outside the home. Have your iPhone in your CarPlay-equipped car? You can send or receive messages while you’re driving. Even an Apple Watch or pair of AirPods can act as a remote Intercom device. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One feature I thought was quite cool was the touchless handoff. Let’s say you’re listening to a song on your HomePod mini and you’re about to leave the house. Just bring your iPhone near the HomePod mini and the song continues to play on the iPhone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The HomePod mini is important to the Apple line as it should drastically increase customer acceptance of the product and further establish Siri, Apple Music, HomeKit and other Apple products in the home. Customers will be able to pre-order the HomePod mini on November 6, 2020 and pick them up (or have them delivered) on November 16. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The iPhone 12 (right) and iPhone 12 mini (left) in the new colors (image via Apple)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The HomePod wasn’t the only Apple product to get a “mini-me” companion. With the announcement of the 5G-capable iPhone 12<\/strong> today came the iPhone 12 mini<\/strong>, which Apple is touting as “the world’s smallest, thinnest, lightest 5G phone”. The iPhone 12 mini has a 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR display featuring 2340\u2011by\u20111080-pixel resolution at 476 ppi, is 2.53 x 5.18 inches in size, is just .29 inches thick, and weighs a scant 4.76 ounces. Yep, if you’re tired of super-sizing your iPhones, the iPhone 12 mini will be just perfect for you. It starts at $699 before trade-ins, and will be available for pre-order this Friday (October 16, 2020) at 5 AM PDT. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The iPhone 12 has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with 2532\u2011by\u20111170-pixel resolution at 460 ppi. It is 2.82 x 5.78 x .29 inches in size, and weighs 5.78 ounces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini both come in a variety of colors in a bold new design: white, black, blue, green, and PRODUCT(RED). The design features aerospace-grade aluminum edges that contain the 5G antennas, the back is a matte-finish glass, and the front of the phone features a new ultra-tough material Apple calls Ceramic Shield. The company says that this provides four times better drop performance \u2013 in other words, the screen is four times less likely to shatter than previous iPhones in a drop situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The big story is the 5G compatibility…<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As expected, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini (as well as the Pro models we’ll discuss later) come with support for a number of 5G and earlier networks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n