It’s that time of year again - new products from Apple!
/You can set your watch to it. Every recent September Apple has introduced new iPhones. This year they also introduced a new iPad, a new Apple Watch and new operating systems for iPads, iPhones and Macs. Here are my thoughts:
iPhones
Apple introduced the iPhone 11 series this year. They are really just extensions of last year’s XR and XS models, but with some nice additions:
The iPhone 11 is a replacement for last year’s iPhone XR. It is a large phone, but a great value. The 11 enhances the XR’s camera and photo capability in a big way. First, they added a second camera which takes super wide-angle photos so you can capture the whole scene! It is also great for taking pictures of rooms or other situations where you just can’t get far enough away from the subject.
Portrait mode is enhanced, as is HDR and low-light photography.
Outside of photos, the 11 adds faster charging (up to 50% in 30 minutes), faster Wi-Fi, better sound and longer battery life!
The iPhone 11 is priced starting at $699.
https://www.apple.com/iphone-11/
The iPhone 11 Pro & 11 Pro Max are replacements for last year’s XS and XS Max (large phone). They also add photo capability to the XS line’s dual cameras from last year. The 11 Pros have three cameras: normal, wide and telephoto (adding the wide camera this year).
Like the 11, Portrait mode, HDR and low-light capabilities are also enhanced over the XS series. It also brings a full 4 (5 for Max) MORE hours of battery per charge. That is a HUGE improvement to an already outstanding battery.
Also like the 11, the Pro adds faster charging (up to 50% in 30 minutes) and faster Wi-Fi.
The iPhone 11 Pro starts at $999 and the 11 Pro Max at $1099.
https://www.apple.com/iphone-11-pro/
Overall, the new phones are not a major step in the iPhone lineup, but are solid improvements over last year’s models. If you are on a budget and don’t mind a large phone, the iPhone 11 is a great value. If you can afford it, the smaller but more powerful 11 Pro is an excellent choice. If you like large phones and want the best the 11 Pro Max is the way to go.
Apple is also carrying the iPhone 8 forward starting at $449. I don’t recommend it. Not that it is a bad phone, its just that it is the last of the old generation of iPhones with a Home button and Touch ID. All new-design phones since September 2017 use FaceID which is vastly better than TouchID and do not use the pesky Home button. Apple will most likely drop it next year. You would be much better off spending another $250 and getting the iPhone 11.
The iPhone 7 and SE are no longer offered from Apple.
UPDATE - Oct 8, 2019: Apple has recently added the iPhone X (2017 model) to their excellent Refurbished Store. Starting at $679, I would personally buy this one over the iPhone 11 (non-Pro).
https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/iphone/iphone-x
Apple Watch
Last year Apple introduced the first major redesign of the Apple Watch since the original - the Series 4. The new Series 5 is nearly identical (including price) but adds an always-on screen! No longer do you have to raise your wrist or tap on the face to activate the screen. This feature can be turned off. There is no negative affect on battery life! They also added a compass to the watch.
Also new this year is a mix-and-match program where you can match any watch color/material with any band. A high-end titanium body is a new offering this year (to join the standard aluminum and upgraded stainless steel).
Great features of Series 4 carry forward like an ability to perform an ECG (EKG) on yourself, warn you when you are in situations that may damage your hearing, fall detection and automatic emergency services contact.
Like previous years, the Apple Watch comes in two sizes starting at $399. You can also get an Apple Watch with its own cellular connection so you can make and receive phone calls without having your iPhone with you (uses your same cell phone number). These models start at $499.
https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-series-5/
I have an original Series 0 Apple Watch that I have worn every day for 4½ years. It has not missed a beat, the battery still lasts all day and it has never been serviced. I have been very, very impressed by my Series 0, but I think its time to get a Series 5. Ho Ho Ho!
iPad
The standard iPad (now called simply “iPad”) grows a bit this year, from a 9.7” screen to a 10.2” one. Technically, it is referred to as the 7th generation.
It supports the new Apple Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil.
The new iPad starts at $329.
https://www.apple.com/ipad-10.2/
Operating systems
The big news in operating systems this year is that the iPad is getting its own operating system, called iPadOS. It is no longer joined at the hip with the iPhone sharing iOS. iOS is now an iPhone-exclusive operating system.
iPadOS 13 and iOS 13 offer software upgrades to your camera app and the photos it takes. There is also a major redesign of the Photos app. In addition, the Maps app gets a much-needed complete overhaul as does the Reminders app. Dark mode is now an option!
If you have CarPlay in your car your phone will present a more usable set of CarPlay screens.
You can now type by swiping from one letter to the next without raising your finger. On the iPad, you can pinch the keyboard to change it to a small keyboard (like an iPhone) that you can operate with one hand.
The new operating systems support audio sharing (2 pair of AirPods can connect to one iPhone), enhanced charging (minimizing the time your phone is at 100% charge).
There is a lot more new in these operating systems. Read more about them here:
iOS: https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-13/features/
iPadOS: https://www.apple.com/ipados/features/
iOS and iPadOS will be available September 19th. Over one million people have used the Beta version of these operating systems (including me) and I can tell you they are rock solid. Don’t hesitate to upgrade right away (Settings > General > Software Update).
macOS 10.15 Catalina
The big news for the new Mac operating system this year is that iTunes is gone! iTunes has been around since 2001 and had just bloated beyond its usefulness. I am glad to see it go.
In it place will be the Music app (similar to what is on your iPhone and iPad), the Podcast app and the TV app (which houses your TV shows and movies).
The Photos app has undergone a major overhaul, mostly in the way photos are displayed.
Sidecar is a new feature allowing you to use your iPad as a second monitor for your Mac (wired or wireless).
Reminders app is all new. Mail gets some nice new features like an ability to block senders and more easily unsubscribe from emails.
Approve from Apple Watch allows you to double click the side button of your watch instead of typing your Mac user password. Also, you can do the same for unlocking a locked note, approving an app installation or unlocking settings in System Preferences.
Note that Catalina will NOT run 32-bit apps. If you have been getting warnings about your 32-bit apps (like Office for Mac 2011, older Quicken, etc.) either replace them with 64-bit versions by simply buying the new version of the app OR do not yet upgrade to Catalina.
You can read about all of the changes in Catalina here: https://www.apple.com/macos/catalina/features/
Catalina will be available sometime in October. I have been using a Beta version of it on one of my Macs and it seems rock solid.
watchOS 6
If you have an Apple Watch Series 1 or newer you will be able to get watchOS 6. There are some nice enhancements including Activity trends, menstrual cycle tracking, hearing warnings and even a Watch App Store on your wrist.
Read more about watchOS 6 here: https://www.apple.com/watchos/watchos-6/
Available September 19th.
New services
Apple announced two new services: Apple TV + and Apple Arcade. Both are $4.99/month.
Apple TV+ is a service to stream Apple original programming. Read more here: https://www.apple.com/apple-tv-plus/
Apple Arcade gives you access to over 100 games for all of you gamers out there: https://www.apple.com/apple-arcade/
Apple packed all of this into an hour and a half keynote. I watched it on my Apple TV and you can too. Just click the Apple Events app.
I will not hesitate to upgrade to these new operating systems nor would I hesitate to buy any of the new Apple hardware. Their testing processes are the best in the business and it shows.