Apple just wrapped up their September event, unveiling to the world a slew of refreshed products for 2020.
Starting with the new Apple iPad Air which features their most powerful chipset, the A14 Bionic which will also be featured within the iPhone 12 boasts a new six-core design which Apple promises will allow a 40% boost in raw CPU performance. This translates to smoother 4k video editing capabilities and general, overall smooth performance in CPU heavy apps such as Procreate and of course, gaming.
Additionally, the new iPad features a new camera and immersive audio enhancements. a 7MP front-facing camera will alow clear facetime calls while a 12 MP rear camera, the same one found on the pro model iPad will be utilized to bring the Air up to spect to some of the higher-end iPads. a set of new stereo speakers are now available for the iPad Air designed to be used in landscape mode, granting better immersion when consuming media. Finally, the iPad Air’s IO will see a refresh, adopting USB Type-C standards, allowing data speeds up to 5GBps, perfect for when using Apple’s display out adapters for connecting your iPad to an external monitor or display. The Apple iPad Air will start at $779 CAD.
Aside from the Air, Apple also took the time to announce a new iPad for 2020, featuring the 8th-generation A12 Bionic processor that brings with it, the Neural Engine to the line of entry-level iPads for the first time. the A12 Bionic CPU offers a substantial jump in performance, specifically a 40% from the previous generation of devices. The inclusion of the Neural Engine opens the door to advanced machine learning capabilities and enhancements in AR tracking, photo editing and Siri recognization. Priced at a reasonable $429 CAD, those looking to upgrade can do so without worrying about breaking the bank.
Those looking for a more affordable Apple Watch experience are encouraged to check out the Apple Watch SE, which Apple promises packs all the best features of the standard Apple Watch in a new, more budget-friendly package. featuring a sizeable retina-based display, paired with the same internals such as the accelerometer, gyroscope and Apple’s always-on altimeter found in the Apple Watch series 6, the Apple Watch SE is the perfect entry-level Apple Watch for those on the fence.
“Apple Watch SE combines elements of the Series 6 design with the most essential features of Apple Watch, all at a more affordable price,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer. “We’re excited to offer another great option to help customers stay connected, be more active, and keep an eye on their health.”
Starting at $429 (CAD), consumers now have more options than ever before when it comes to the Apple Watch.
Both the new Apple iPad Air and 8th-gen iPad will run on iPadOS 14 which will being to roll out Wednesday September 16. New features with this update includes a refreshed design and better Apple Pencil integration, multi-touch display and other accessory enhancements. iPad OS 14 will also bring with it Scribbles6 to the platform, which allows users to write directly in any text field across all apps, allowing a more natural and seamless experience across the board.
Existing Apple Watch customers or those wanting the best of the best can look forward to the Apple Watch 6 refresh for 2020. Boasting a new blood oxygen feature that gives detailed insight into the users’ health, paired with Apple’s commitment in working with leading North American researchers, Apple customers can rest assurred in knowing that the latest Apple Watch will not only be a fashion statement but a useful device that can monitor ones’ health.
In terms of internals, the Apple Watch Series 6 features a new iteration of the A13 Bionic processor found in the iPhone 11. The upgraded SiP or System in Package will deliver a 20% performance gain in addition to an impressive, 18-hour battery life. Finally, an enhanced Always-On Retina display will deliver a 2.5x brighter experience when outdoors in direct sunlight, making for a more natural and more comfortable viewing experience.
Both the Apple Watch Series 6 and the Apple Watch SE will support the brand new WatchOS 7 operating system, bringing with it seven new watch faces, new face health and fitness features, such as a low–range VOX2 Max feature, sleep tracking, automatic handwashing sensors, new workout options and easy to access Apple Maps options.
For a full breakdown of specs and other details concerning the products listed above, readers are encouraged to check out the official Apple website.
