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Apple, today, announced majorly two new products and the latest iOS 9.3. Ironically, Apple decided to downsize its products at a time when everyone thought Apple devices were getting rather bigger. Just as the iPhone 6S gets smaller in the form of iPhone SE, the iPad Pro too receives a size cut and the 9.7″ version packs as much power.
Apple also announced iOS 9.3 though it isn’t really a major iOS upgrade. However, it brings some new features to the table, the most notable being Night Shift mode.
The 4″ iPhone SE
The last time Apple made a 4-inch device was in 2013. Despite the increase in size of the iPhone with the introduction of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, a lot of people chose to stick with their older iPhone 5s. For many, bigger isn’t always better and this is why Apple decides to pack all the power in the iPhone 6s into a smaller iPhone SE.
There were rumors about the device looking almost exactly like the iPhone 5s and most of the speculations turns out to be true. This device looks like the iPhone 5s but it’s not the same. It can be described as a much smaller iPhone 6s.
It has the same 12MP iSight camera found on the iPhone 6s and it’s powered by the same Apple A9 processor. According to “Apple standards,” this is an entry level iPhone and the 16GB version is priced at $399 while the 64GB version costs $499.
Apple encourages iPhone 5s users to upgrade to the newer iPhone SE as it has a better battery life, faster WiFi and LTE speed and NFC support for Apple Pay. However, there’s no 3D Touch support.
The 9.7″ iPad Pro
The iPad Pro too has received a size cut and the huge 12.9″ tablet is now available in a smaller form. The 9.7-inch iPad Pro packs as much as the same power in the bigger model and supports Apple Pencil. It also comes with four speakers which makes it twice as loud as the iPad Air 2 and it’s powered by the same Apple A9x processor.
According to Apple, this new device features what it calls “True Tone display.” The display is said to be 40% less reflective and 25% brighter than the iPad Air 2.
Apple is offering the 32GB model for $599, $749 for the 128GB model and $899 for the 256GB model.
iOS 9.3
This isn’t really a major iOS upgrade but it is said to include one major security patch. Also, one of the biggest features is Night Shift. This will automatically adjust the screen (brightness, warmth) according to the time of the day. Notes too can now be secured with Touch ID. Apple News too is said to be improved with more relevant recommendations.
Apple Watch receives a price cut
Apple is not making a new Apple Watch yet but the existing ones just got a new range of bands and the pricing too gets reduced. The model selling for $349 now goes for $299.
Tim Cook’s talk on customers’ privacy
Apple is still at war with the US government and we reported it in this article. Tim Cook talked about Apple’s stance on customers’ privacy and the legal battle over the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone. He said:
We did not expect to be in this position at odds with our own government. We believe strongly that we have a responsibility to help you protect your data and protect your privacy. We owe it to our customers, and we owe it to our country. This is an issue that impacts all of us, and we will not shrink from this responsibility.