2015 has been a big cornerstone year for Apple: the releaseof the Apple Watch and Macbook have locked the direction Apple will be taking in its future releases. This month, Apple released a slew of upgrades and new products to their lineup that emphasizes the course Apple is taking with their product lineups, changes that will surely benefit Apple users for years to come.
iPad Pro
Tablet marketshare has been dwindling over the past few quarters, with more and more people owning several tablets and large smartphones. What tablets were lacking, however, is the ability to do real work. Apple has finally gone all in on the iPad. Not just for surfing the web, playing Flappy Bird, and reading books, but as your main go-to device for work–especially for creative professionals. The new iPad Pro is designed around size and productivity, and with a 12.9” screen, it’s much bigger than the regular iPad.
The Pro also has a brand-new Pencil writing feature that is able to accurately write and draw with exact precision, even when at odd angles. Pressure sensitive sensors throughout the device can pinpoint exactly where, how, and what angle the pencil is positioned. Apple engineers have figured out how to deliver an “almost imperceptible” latency difference between stroke and action, leading to an effortless writing experience that is seamless to the user.
To further emphasize productivity, Apple designed the Smart Keyboard to maximize the typing experience on a small and thin cover. Keys are laser-etched at pinpoint accuracy to give each a resounding and unique feel, so using it feels effortless.
Apple also designed the all-new A9X processor specifically for the Pro, which is to compete in power with Intel laptop chips, something that hasn’t been done yet in the mobile scene.
Several large companies from all over the globe have already professed their desire to go all-in on iPad Pro on the enterprise level, likely with applications that have been reserved for desktops and laptops on the horizon.
We’ve come a long way since the iPhone, haven’t we?
Shop for the iPad Pro here.
Apple iPad mini 4
Already an almost perfect device, the iPad mini has been improved even further, with an even thinner design, faster A8 processor, improved display, Touch ID, better battery life, and a new 8MP camra that’s just as good as the iPhone’s.
New Accessories
Many have countered that the iPad can never be a serious contender to replace conventional laptops and desktops without full desktop-grade accessories. Well, Apple has finally placed their bets firmly on their mobile platforms with the release of both (Magic) Mouse and keyboard accessories that support the lightning standard. It’s not surprising, given Apple’s commitment to the new iPad Pro as an enterprise-grade device. In its wake, we should start seeing more desktop-oriented software that used to be completely excluded in mobile.
Magic Trackpad 2
The sequel to Apple’s favorite mouse-killer, the Magic Trackpad 2has been redesigned with the all new Force Touch, something Apple’s been developing over the past several years. Battery capacity has increased as well, while being almost 30 percent larger than the original, leaving more room for your wrists to breathe easy.
Magic Mouse 2
Apple has finally given the Magic Mouse its mojo: designing it to be a fully rechargeable and fast-charging device—just two minutes plugged in, and the Magic Mouse is almost fully charged. Plus, it’s now even lighter than the original.
Magic Keyboard
Fully wireless and fast charging, while thinner and lighter, Apple’s keyboard is one of the best keyboards ever invented. Now it also has the modern muster to be your ultimate travel companion. Charge it for a bit, and it lasts for months. With that longevity, who needs batteries?
New iMacs
At just 5mm thick at its base, it’s the thinnest iMac (and all-in-one) ever. Apple’s new Fusion Drive gives it both the reliability and speed of a solid state drive, and the massive amount of storage of a conventional hard drive. Also, Apple has included the latest tech upgrades: 6th Generation Intel Core processors, and the latest Intel graphics. All within Apple’s latest OS X El Capitan, with even more stability enhancements and a plethora of app upgrades.
21.5inch iMac with Retina 4K
No longer straddled with a mere 1080p display, the iMac’s little brother now has the same specs and resolution as its much bigger 27” ewfEW.. The new iMac now has one of the highest pixel densities of any All-In-One Computer in the marketplace. It may not be 5K, but at XXXppi, its actually sharper and clearer than the behemoth 27” model, which means more desk room and less clutter.It’s the iMac for anyone with a small workspace, and an instant must-have upgrade for older 21” iMac users.
See all the new iMac’s here.
Apple TV
No longer just a mere streaming box, Apple has fully embraced the TV platform, merging the wonderful app experience of the iPhone on a much grander scale. Starting with the remote itself, the TV has gotten an extreme makeover, with built-in gyroscopic sensors, voice-activated microphone, touchpad instead of buttons, and the capacity as a Universal Remote for your television.
Re-designing the remote allows the Apple TV to truly transform into a multimedia powerhouse. Remote and gyroscope allow for real gaming, akin to your iPhone. In fact, you can play TV games using your iPhone or even iPad as the controller.
Along with gaming, Siri is now a fundamental part of the TV watching experience. Instead of laboriously searching through the web for your latest shows, simply ask Siri on your remote. It’s a brand-new television experience that makes couch-surfing wonderful again.
