As anticipated, Apple announced their iPhone 5 on September 12th in San Francisco. Along with the iPhone update, they announced a brand new version of iTunes and a 5th Generation iPod Touch, they also completely redesigned the iPod Nano.
The iPhone 5 will cost $199 (16GB). Pre-orders start September 14th, ship on September 21st.
iPhone 5
Apple’s new 4G LTE phone, has a new processor (the A6 processor), which loads pages 2.1 times faster than previous generations of the mobile device.
iOS 6
In iOS 6, Apple gets rid of Google almost entirely, with the removal of the YouTube app and Google Maps, which will be replaced by Maps.
The new Operating System has some great new apps including Passbook, which allows you to replace your Credit Cards/Loyalty Cards and even Flight tickets with your iPhone.
As mentioned previously, Apple’s new Maps app allows you to search around the city… from the sky. Apple flew helicopters over some major cities around the world, so you could explore the city from above.
iOS 4 came packed with Twitter. iOS 6 has Facebook and Twitter.
Taller, Thinner by Design
“The thinnest smartphone in the world,” is what Apple is bragging about. The phone has also jumped up in height… 3.5 inch to 4 inch display, this allows for an additional row of icons.
iPhone 5 is also lighter, but is the exact same width, this allows people with normal sized hands to continue to use the phone.
Lightning connector
Apple has gotten rid of the 30-pin connector, for a new “lightning connector“. The connector is 80% smaller than the previous connector.
If you already own a 30-pin connecting dock, you will need to buy a special Lightning-30-pin adapter. These cost $30.
Battery Life
iPhone 5 has a 8-hour browsing battery life (over LTE), 8-hour talk time, and a 10-hour video playback battery life, according to Apple.
Carriers
In Canada, several carriers will have the iPhone 5 including Bell, Rogers, Telus, Virgin and Koodo. In America only AT&T, Verizon and Sprint… still no T-Mobile.
EarPods
Apple wanted to redo their headphones. They came up with EarPods, which will be shipping with all of the devices announced today.
The EarPods are designed to be more comfortable, and better than before.
Camera
The iSight Camera (rear) has a 8 megapixel sensor. The camera now also allows for panoramas, up to 28 megapixels. It is 40% faster than previously. Video can be recorded in 1080p.
Conclusion
iPhone 5 looks almost the exact same as the iPhone 4S (except the height, of course). This is not a major upgrade. However, analysts predict that the iPhone 5 will still pull in a lot of sales for Apple.
The new iPod Touch
iPod Touch
The new $299 5th generation iPod Touch (32GB and 64GB only) was announced today. Apple plans to continue selling the 4th generation iPod Touch (8GB) for $199.
It features iOS 6 (see above), the new EarPods, and it is taller and thinner than before.
Pre-orders begin September 14th, ships in October.
Colours!
The 5th generation iPod Touch is coming in a variety of colours. The classic black and white, and now Blue, Green and Red!
Siri
An improved Siri is making its way to iPod Touch users at last.
The Loop & Camera
Apple has included a small hole at the bottom of the iPod Touch… for a loop! This is making the iPod Touch a camera. The camera has been improved to 5 megapixels… that 7 times better than the 4th generation.
A5 Processor
Apple has updated the iPod Touch’s processor to an A5 processor, making it “the most powerful iPod Touch ever.”
Battery Life
40 hours of music and 8 hours of video playback on a single charge, Apple says.
Conclusion
This is easily the best iPod Touch ever released, and with these great looking new colours…
The new iPod Nano.
iPod Nano
For the third time, the classic iPod Nano has been redesigned from the inside out.
The iPod Nano starts at $149. It includes the new EarPods (see above) and lightning connector (see above).
Pre-orders begin September 14th, ships in October.
Video’s back!
For the past two versions of the iPod Nano, video was left standing out in the cold. Now it’s back on this 2.5 inch display.
Radio
The iPod Nano has it’s FM Radio Tuner back, to keep us you up to date with all of the latest.
Bluetooth
As with all of the other devices announced today, Apple has included Bluetooth wireless technology in the upgrade. So now, you can use those wireless headphones.
Conclusion
The Nano looks great, and it comes in some amazing colours. Now, it’s up to you to decide which Nano!
Thoughts?
Three amazing new products that competitors are going to have a really hard time to beat. What do you think of the iPhone 5, iPod Touch and Nano? Leave a comment below.
