Apple Event 2019 was huge, and not just because of the three new iPhones — the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and the iPhone 11 Pro Max — the tech giant unveiled. Apple rolled out its latest generations of other devices and also announced the release date of its much-awaited online subscription services. Apple also shed light on the release date of the previously announced Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade. Let’s take a deep dive into the upgraded series of iPads, all-new Apple Watch, and the gaming and online content services the company launched.
Apple TV Plus: Finally rolling out
Earlier this year, Apple announced its first-ever online content and media streaming services landscape in the form of Apple TV Plus. This Apple original content subscription service boasts Apple’s exclusive content on top of other content. Apple has already rolled out details and more information about its Apple TV Plus in its Showtime event that took place earlier this year.
At this week’s event, the company, however, gave out crucial information about the availability and the pricing of the service. Apple TV Plus will launch on Nov. 1 with a monthly subscription rate of $4.99, which is less than most of the existing online content provider’s subscription fees. Moreover, users who buy an Apple device now are entitled to get a one-year free subscription of Apple TV Plus.
Apple has also decided to offer a seven-day free trial for anyone who wants to try it. Apple TV Plus will also have an offline viewing option, allowing users to download content and watch later. However, there is no dedicated app for non-Apple users. This means Android or other operating system’s mobile users will have to use their browsers to use the service.
At the event, Apple specified a few of its most anticipated titles including a thriller named “See” starring Jason Momoa. The company also promised that new titles will be rolling out soon.
Apple Arcade: Gaming on Apple is a thing now?
Apple also announced the date and price for its online gaming subscription service — Apple Arcade. Apple Arcade will be a subscription-based service that will allow users to enjoy over 100 games right after the launch with more games in the pipeline. All the games in Apple Arcade can be played offline too, making it unique from various other online gaming services.
Apple took the stage to demonstrate a few of its partnering gaming companies and showed off these games.
- Frogger in Toy Town, from Konami
- Shinsekai: Deep Sea, from Capcom
- Sayonara Wild Hearts, from Annapurna Interactive
Apple Arcade is all set to launch on Sept. 19 and will cost $4.99 per month for an entire family of users. Apple also promised that there will be well over 100 games available when Apple Arcade launches. Apple also confirmed that Apple Arcade will be launched in 150 countries around the world.
The new iPads: Is there anything new after all?
Unlike other years, Apple announced its all-new seventh-generation iPad at the event alongside iPhones. Usually, Apple has a separate event about a month or two after the launch of new iPhones. The new iPad is compatible with a full-sized keyboard and the first-generation Apple Pencil.
The new iPad sports a 10.2-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2160 x 1620 pixels. Under the hood, the device is powered by the A10 Fusion chipset paired with M10 coprocessor. Imaging on the device is handled by an 8-megapixels primary camera and a 1.2-megapixels secondary front-facing camera.
What makes this iPad unique is that it will be loaded with iPad OS, which the company says is a perfect operating system for tablets. Apple says iPadOS comes with various powerful features and built-in applications and services that are exclusively designed to take full advantage of the iPad.
This new iPad is equipped with a smart connector to connect to a full-sized keyboard. It offers several new features such as redesigned home screen, deeper and better Apple Pencil integration, better multitasking, and more gestures. The device is currently available to be bought at Apple Stores and starts at $329 for the base 32GB variant.
The new Apple Watch: The smartwatch is getting smarter
Apple upgraded its lineup of smart wearables with the all-new Apple Watch Series 5 at Apple Event 2019. The new watch received several upgrades that differentiate it from the previous Watch Series 4.
Apple showcased how Apple Watches have been helping to save lives and emphasized the importance of having something that tracks our body. Accordingly, the company announced that it has partnered with various medical institutions such as World Health Organization (WHO), Harvard, National Institute of Health (NIH), and more for improving the health and wellness of its users through the Apple Watch. The company mentioned that it is primarily focusing on heart and movement, hearing, and women’s health.
As for features, the Apple Series 5 Watch comes with an always-on Retina display that covers a frequency range from 60Hz to 1Hz. It also has an improved designed and an improved battery, which the company claims to provide an 18-hour all-day backup. The new Series 5 watch has a built-in compass for better user experience. The new compass brings in a lot of features such as latitude and longitude tracking, inclination finder, and a better navigational experience.
There are also a bunch of safety-related features such as fall detection and international emergency calling in more than 150 countries. The company has added various color variants in the Apple Watch Series 5 and it comes in aluminum, stainless steel, titanium (new), ceramic, and all new Hermes models. The devices are up for grabs as of today online and the GPS variant is available starting at $399 whereas the cellular variant is available for a starting price of $499.
Surprisingly, instead of discontinuing the old Watch Series 3, Apple has actually slashed the prices. The Apple Watch Series 3 is now available for as low as $199.
Images: Apple
