Bits and Bytes Apple hosts its ‘special event’ from Cupertino

    
©Mark Ollig

Wherever Apple Computer hosts one of its live events to announce a new or improved product, expect standing lines and filled seats.

The Apple Special Event recently took place inside the Steve Jobs Theater, located at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, CA.

Shortly after the program started, smiling Apple CEO Steve Cook took the stage to thunderous applause from the folks in attendance.

Attention was focused on the new Apple iPhone 11 smartphones, along with the series 5 Apple Watch; both products stole much of the thunder during the special event.

Apple introduced its new 5.8-inch display iPhone 11 Pro, starting at $999, and the 6.5-inch display iPhone 11 Pro Max, at $1,099.

The new iPhones will come in a color choice of black, white, yellow, red, green, and purple.

The iPhone 11 Pro and Max come equipped with the A13 Bionic chip. Apple said this new processor chip makes them the “fastest CPU (Central Processing Unit) and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) ever in a smartphone.”

The iPhones also include a triple-lens camera system, which consists of a telephoto camera; full angle camera, that lets in 40 percent more light; and an ultra-wide camera with a 120-degree field of view. The cameras can film 4K resolution video at 30 frames per second.

The battery life for the iPhone Pro is 14 hours, while the iPhone Pro Max reportedly has 15 hours.

The new, less expensive iPhone 11 will sell for $699. It includes a 6.1-inch display screen, and a 12-megapixel camera on the front, allowing users to film slow-motion videos and wide-angle selfies.

Apple TV Plus, which will be competing against Netflix, is slated to launch Nov. 1, at a surprisingly low monthly cost of $4.99.

This monthly charge includes family access, whereby six family members can share one Apple TV Plus subscription. Each family member is allowed a user ID and password.

Apple TV Plus will include the sci-fi drama, “See,” “The Morning Show,” and “Dickinson,” a drama series; along with other original titles and shows to be announced.

The new Apple iPad with 10.2-inch retina display will be available in stores Sept. 30 for $329.

The new iPad includes an operating system called the iPadOS; previously, the iPad shared the same iOS operating system with the iPhone.

For the first time, the iPhone and iPad will be using independent operating systems.

Also included in the new iPad is an 8-megapixel camera, and Apple’s proprietary A10 Fusion processor chip.

Another product presented was the Apple Watch Series 5 for $399, with built-in GPS.

For $499, the Apple Watch Series 5 has added 4G network connectivity.

Both watches include an always-on retina display and 18-hour battery life.

A new low-temperature polysilicon and oxide display are on both watches. They come in stainless steel, ceramic, or titanium cases.

Apple Computer was founded by the late Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne in 1976.

To see some of the Twitter conversations which took place during Tuesday’s Apple Special Event, search the hashtag #AppleEvent.

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(Right-to-Use fees for image paid for)