Apple introduces new products at keynote event

Alex Brinkhorst

In a two-hour event, Apple announced four new products that will all be available by the end of 2017.

The keynote speech took place in Apple’s new Steve Jobs Theater. The speech featured several major announcements including the iPhone 8, the Series 3 Apple Watch and the Apple TV 4K, which will be released Sept. 22, and the iPhone X, which will be released on Nov. 3.

Apple CEO Tim Cook opened the event by dedicating the theater to Steve Jobs and went on to explain that Apple is working with Hand in Hand and the American Red Cross to help with relief after Hurricane Harvey and Irma.

Cook then explained details of the new Apple headquarters. Apple Park was originally converted from “A sea of asphalt,” Cook said. Apple Park is a 175-acre space said to have well over 9,000 trees and is powered completely by renewable energy.

The iPhone X has a 2,436 x 1,125 resolution screen and does not feature a home button. Instead, the phone uses a system of finger motions that in theory ought to be familiar with iPhone users. The phone also unlocks with a new “Face ID,” which uses facial recognition rather than touch ID. Other features include an infrared camera, ‘flood illuminator’ proximity sensor, a seven-megapixel camera and a dot projector according to Apple’s website.

The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are more in line with a traditional iPhone. Some new features include wireless charging, a new 12-megapixel camera capable of both optical zoom and digital zoom, a more advanced retina display capable of auto white balance and a wider range of color, according to the Apple product page.

The Apple Watch Series 3 is now capable of being used independent of the user’s iPhone. During the keynote, Jeff Williams, the Chief Operating Officer detailed these features by making a call to one of the members of the design team, while she was paddle boarding.

4K Apple TV is an upgrade to the current Apple TV. The keynote said the TV uses the same chip in the iPad Pro. The TV is also said to feature 4K HDR quality and utilizes Siri for searches rather than typing things manually, Apple’s website said.

IOS 11 and watchOS 4 will be rolled out Sept. 19. IOS 11 features more customization than previous Apple Operating Systems, including the control center.  IOS will also allow for multiple apps to be open and used at once, this feature was highlighted primarily on the iPad on Apple’s website.

watchOS will feature new workout goals and aids such as daily inspirations and goal celebration. Apple Music will automatically sync to the watch and offers a selection of over 40 million songs, according to Apple’s website.