Apple Spring Event Recap: Apple Announces iPhone SE and 9.7 iPad Pro
On the first day of spring, March 21, Apple introduced two new additions to its line up of devices, as well as new bands for its Apple Watch. Aside from these new products and accessories, it also unveiled the latest iOS, the iOS 9.3. In terms of the company's social projects, it also talked about its health-related efforts, particularly the CareKit.
A report in The Verge rounded up the important announcements made by Apple during their March 21 event. In terms of consumer products, they finally took the wrap off the smaller variant of the iPhone. Originally rumored to be called iPhone 5 SE, it was unveiled as merely the iPhone SE. The iPhone SE brings back the 4-inch size screen, which was last seen on the iPhone 5S. Unlike the iPhone 5S however, the insides of the iPhone SE is more powerful with an A9 processor and an M9 motion coprocessor like that in the iPhone 6S. A 16GB variant of the device will be selling for only $399 while a 64GB variant will be at $499. Pre-orders will be accepted starting March 24, with shipping to start on March 31.
As earlier rumored, instead of releasing the successor of the iPad Air 2, Apple released a smaller, 9.7-inch iPad Pro. As the name suggests, it is part of the new iPad Pro line that started with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro that is made for more productive uses. According to the report, it is indeed a smaller version of the larger iPad Pro, with four speakers for better audio and support for the new Apple Pencil. It also comes with a Smart Connector in order to connect it to a Smart Keyboard. This time around, there is a rose gold variant that consumers can have. A 32GB variant will sell for $599, while a 128GB one will sell for $749 and the largest 256GB model will be sold at $899.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Notable among the other announcements is the CareKit initiative which involves six partner medical organizations like John Hopkins University and Stanford Medicine who will develop apps that will "help patients monitor their symptoms and care with their doctor." Making medical information virtually available will make for better and more efficient health services.
