With over 1 billion Apple devices in use worldwide, a figure that is sure to quickly grow following yesterday’s product launches, Apple turns 40 on April 1st. On March 21st Apple unveiled the next big things in its lineup, which include a brand new iPhone and iPad.
But the new products weren’t the only focus. Apple CEO, Tim Cook, kicked off the presentation at its Cupertino hall by addressing its fight against the FBI over device encryption — a major legal battle it’s pursuing to ensure that our mobile devices keep personal data private.
“This is an issue that impacts all of us, and we will not shrink from this responsibility,” Apple CEO Tim Cook
The new small iPhone
iPhone SE – the new 4-inch iPhone that takes the look and feel of the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 6S hardware, incorporates an A9 processor, a 12 megapixel camera, 50% faster 4G LTE than the 5s and 802.11AC wireless which is three times faster than the 5S.
Apple also announced some new updates to iOS 9.3, such as password protection on notes, a night shift sleep-friendly lighting mode, and app suggestions for Health apps.
A smaller, updated iPad Pro
The 9.7-inch iPad Pro is effectively a smaller version of the 12.9-inch model, but comes with a screen that automatically adjusts the colors and color temperature you see on screen depending on the ambient light around you for a more natural viewing experience. Both iPad Pro models are also now available in a 256GB configuration – the first time any Apple portable device has come in such a large capacity.
Small updates to Apple Watch and Apple TV
Great new bands, new colors and a new, lower price – the Apple Watch now starts at US $299.
Environment and research news
Apple’s VP of Environment Lisa Jackson announced that 93% of its facilities worldwide run on renewable energy, and reached its goal of 100% in 23 countries, including China and the United States. She also said 99% of its packaging is now made from recycled paper.
Apple introduced Liam, its new Research and Development project – a robot designed to deconstruct old iPhones into reuse materials.
Apple also announced CareKit – a framework to build apps to empower people to achieve better care. Parkinson’s patients are the first to benefit from CareKit and individualized treatments.
