Event Recap: Apple Announces iPhone SE, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, New Apple Watch Bands

[maclook]

The most cringeworthy part for me was when the guy said (something like) "and you might have heard *chuckle* we're calling it SE".
#1 what does the SE mean?
#2 is it really that funny that the public has been following every move you guys are making? We knew you were thinking about 5SE and then later that SE was the final name. That was funny when SJ said it during the 4 keynote because of the circumstances but I don't think it's cool or funny that highly secretive Apple has all of its secrets leaked months in advance and the keynote outlined a week before.

 

[meaning-matters]

Not happy that I'm Liking the posts I don't like.

 

[admob71]

I'm a bit concerned about the lack of updates for Macs honestly - all of the Macs are overdue for updates and the lack of any real rumours about them as well has me a tad concerned.

I get that the majority of Apple's revenue comes from mobile devices but I can't help but feel lately that Apple aren't too fussed about desktop computing.

After today I think we all feel they ain't that bothered about mobile computing either... :-(

Sadly, just counting the pennies is order of the day..

 

[vatter69]

Also - Dollar to Euro rip off conversion

Air 2 399$ -> 439€
Iphone SE 399$ -> 489€

What am i missing?

 

[G4DPII]

Wow, iPhone SE starting at £359 with a mouthwatering 16GB. The really are goosing the gander.

Cheers Tim, you saved us from making the mistake of being a solely Apple househould.

 

[maclook]

I'm always pro-Apple, but this was definitely the most lackluster keynote I can ever remember. I worry that Apple is so focused on trying to justify the iPad's existence (and enhance sales to appease shareholders) that it's ignoring what customers are telling them, which is --- "The iPad is a nice-to-have product, but my big-screen iPhone does much of the same things and it cannot replace my Mac for enough key tasks that I don't need to own one anymore."

Even the introduction of the Smart Keyboard is a mea culpa that a keyboard paired with an angled display is a good idea. I'm all for Apple trying to make the iPad a compelling product in the sub-$1,000 price point, but not at the expense of ignoring the Mac which so many of us still love and plan to own long into the future for our computing. We're now in year 4 of the same MacBook Pro design, same iMac design (5K is great, but same body since 2012), same Mac Mini design, a Mac Pro that they unveiled and then forgot about, and a 27" Thunderbolt Display (2011) that still sells for $999 despite having specs worth less than half in 2016. Here's hoping the Mac gets it's proper love and support at WWDC or Fall at the latest.

Well said and sadly couldn't agree more that Apple seems to be forcing their vision of iPad dominance onto their customers. The biggest issue for me is that they resorted to a gorilla arm solution (angled iPad + keyboard) that they said they wanted to avoid when first debuting the iPad.

As far as Macs go, I think it's funny that we're all waiting for Mac updates while so many people hate on the 12" MacBooks which IMO was the most innovative product they've made in the past few years and the "flaws" are typical moves that I could see Apple making in the glory days. June can't come fast enough though so the rest of the lineup can get updated.

 

[npmacuser5]

Worst keynote ever!!!

Lets be real for a second, there was actually nothing new at all, except the new apple watch band!

Before I get some comments "but what about the new iphone and ipad"... Yeah lets break it down:
- iPhone SE: Its an iphone 6s (minus 3d touch) in a 5s body... yeah, that must have taken them years of innovating
- iPad Pro: Its the larger ipad pro (plus flash & new ambient light sensor) inside an ipad air 2 body

Other then that there was nothing else, just rehashing the new iOS and tvOS features (which are not really new) and half an hour of politics at the start

If I would be an apple shareholder, I would be really concerned which direction apple is going, especially in light of the recent product presentations of the competition

I thought Apple responding to customers, by offering lower price point products, products that customers were asking for was a big step forward. The tech specs on new devices are a yawn no matter who you are as these products are maturing. Yes the event was not as exciting as others however, I thought significant in many areas of Apple and its products.

 

[raskar]

I was waiting for the new iPad for months now, my biggest shock is the price hike.. very disappointing, won't be paying an extra $100 for the 'pro' addition to the title.
Even worse, they are offering the iPad Air 2 (released in Oct 2014) for $399.. seriously apple?!!! Sadly as a result, I will be looking for a similar product elsewhere.

Shame I feel this company has lost its flare and its letting down its core fans.

 

[Darryl.Jenks]

Even worse, they are offering the iPad Air 2 (released in Oct 2014) for $399.. seriously apple?!!!

Is that too much or too little?

 

[yaxomoxay]

Is that too much or too little?

Too average.
I guess he doesn't need the product/technology.
[doublepost=1458597203][/doublepost]

I was waiting for the new iPad for months now, my biggest shock is the price hike.. very disappointing, won't be paying an extra $100 for the 'pro' addition to the title.

I guess you have never tried the iPad pro with A9X and Apple Pencil. I see more than a "pro" addition to the title.

 

[applepuree]

Siri still doesn't work for me in my AppleTV. I am in Germany, so my iTunes account is German, but as a native English speaker, I have the system in English. So, Siri isn't available. The dictation function is available, but it just sits there spinning away to itself and gives no results.

Shame really.

 

[mantan]

I know what you mean. Kind of like Nike. The shoes I bought yesterday are not much different that the ones I bought in the 70's. Come on, where's the innovation Nike.

Nike (footwear) is a fashion company. Apple is a technology company. (Though they pretend to be a fashion company with the Apple Watch.

You can rebrand fashion items and it's 'exciting'. Heck, Nike just updates the colors each year on their main lines of soccer cleats and sell a ton of new models. But technology companies have to continually bring something new to the table.

There was precious little in today's event that was 'new'. It was pretty much previously released stuff in a smaller package.

 

[Piggie]

I see they are showing and focussing a lot on the guy using a CAD Package.

Do I assume we are going to see Adobe create a full version of AutoCAD for the iPad Pro soon?

 

[Pman17]

About as eventful as the Antennagate keynote.

 

[braintumor]

I thought Apple responding to customers, by offering lower price point products, products that customers were asking for was a big step forward.

Yes I agree that Apple has to offer a proper low-cost alternative in form of an up-to-date 4 inch iphone. I'm calling for such a phone since the larger iphone 6 was introduced nearly 2 years ago! The problem is, that I hate how Apple did it!

Just putting the recent hardware spec (minus force touch) into a nearly 4 year old iphone design is a slap in the face to their customer and clearly shows to me that this was either a last-minute decision or that Apple is becoming complacent and they just don't care anymore!

I will not doubt that the iPhone SE will sell, but this is not the Apple I used to know to release a product like this. And honestly there is so much potential for a "cheaper" entry level iphone.

Would it have cost Apple so much more money to invest in a nice design that is similar to the current iphone 6(s) line-up and have thinner bezels???

I'm really worried about the direction that apple is taking...

 

[Pman17]

Apple better do something cool for the big one O in iOS.

 

[Sefstah]

They named the event after watch bands. How much were you really expecting?

Quit trying to make excuses for such a pathetic event. Obviously everyone expected more from Apple.

 

[Ballis]

More protruding cameras . Jony Ive used to be great. What happened?
Anyways, Im happy about the SE. The powerboost it brings will hopefully keep me happy either untill Ive wakes up or Apple fires his ass. A little dissapointed it didnt come with 3D touch but very happy its camera dont stick out.

 

[Peepo]

No. Just updated my 6 Plus to 9.3, and the bug is still present. Just keep tapping till the assistive touch button moves quickly.

I was able to still do the bug.

 

[npmacuser5]

Yes I agree that Apple has to offer a proper low-cost alternative in form of an up-to-date 4 inch iphone. I'm calling for such a phone since the larger iphone 6 was introduced nearly 2 years ago! The problem is, that I hate how Apple did it!

Just putting the recent hardware spec (minus force touch) into a nearly 4 year old iphone design is a slap in the face to their customer and clearly shows to me that this was either a last-minute decision or that Apple is becoming complacent and they just don't care anymore!

I will not doubt that the iPhone SE will sell, but this is not the Apple I used to know to release a product like this. And honestly there is so much potential for a "cheaper" entry level iphone.

Would it have cost Apple so much more money to invest in a nice design that is similar to the current iphone 6(s) line-up and have thinner bezels???

I'm really worried about the direction that apple is taking...

I feel that the SE will sell very well. If you were local we could see who is correct over a beer or drink of choice. Interesting to see if this works out favorably for Apple. I hope it does so will stick with the half full beer glass side.

 

[montom]

Apple better do something cool for the big one O in iOS.

Like a Finder!!!!!!!!! Tired of the file system being a mystery. The current compartmentalization between apps is frustrating. It will never be a PC replacement if I don't have an organized view and tactile ownership of my files. iCloud is no substitute due to network outages. Imagine if your data/media drive periodically 'went offline' if you happen to be in the wrong location or moment. Plus the security issues with FBI and hackers.

 

[franzkfk]

Tim Cook = John Sculley

 

[thingstoponder]

Disappointed that no attention was given to Macs. Oh well. WWDC it is.

Other than that, good products, except the 9.7" iPad Pro with that horrible camera bump on the back. Apple had 2 years since the launch of the iPhone 6 to learn that it is not a good design decision yet here we are with it anyway. The hell were they thinking? It's one thing on a phone but on a tablet that lies down more than it does in hands, especially with the Apple Pencil? Pathetic. "Use a case" is no argument here. Bad design decisions shouldn't be covered up and "fixed" with a case. It shouldn't be incorporated in the first place.

Tablets shouldn't even have cameras.

 

[soupcan]

Tablets shouldn't even have cameras.

I disagree. While you're not going to snap that award-winning photo with a tablet or take it to that concert to take videos there it's better for when you're at home and you need to take a quick peak at something, like your pet or kid, where timing is key. Having to grab another device to take that photo could literary ruin the photo before it's even taken, so a half decent camera on a tablet isn't too bad. As long as it doesn't interfere with the main purpose of a tablet, which is actually not the case with the 9.7" iPP. Creative people will now either have to buy a case to make the back flat or get used to a wobbly iPad.

 

[Sefstah]

EVERYONE including myself is complaining about Apple. Why dont we go get the new Samsung S7 (or other phone of your choice) and give it a test drive? We get 2 weeks to return it if we're not satisfied. I know I'm tired of seeing all the other phone companies coming out with awesome features, while we get a 4inch iPhone 6S?! Complaining won't make them change, I say take your money elsewhere.