[imagesource: Apple / Screenshot by James Martin / CNET]

Apple’s ‘California Streaming’ event yesterday was loaded with major announcements and news about upcoming product launches.

That included the iPhone 13 range, Apple Watches, and new iPads.

The event kicked off at 7PM our time, but many would have missed it given that Manchester United was in the midst of a Champion’s League meltdown.

Deep breaths, Red Devils fans, and let’s focus on the event.

On the iPhone front, reports The Verge, we will start with the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini:

Apple’s new iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini look very similar to the iPhone 12 but have a smaller notch and a diagonal camera array.

They’re equipped with the new A15 Bionic chip and have an improved dual-camera system on the back. Apple is also promising longer battery life than the iPhone 12.

Each product announcement came with a slick Apple video.

Your iPhone 13, then:

Now we wait for Digicape, South Africa’s largest independent Apple retailer, to get these in stock and the fun begins.

But what about the…

Yes, there’s an iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max:

[Both] look similar to their predecessors, with a stainless steel band around the sides and a matte finish on the back. But the big upgrade is the screen: they support Apple’s ProMotion adaptive refresh rate technology that tops out at 120Hz.

They also have a new camera system and an A15 Bionic chip. Like the iPhone 13, Apple is also promising improved battery life from the iPhone 12 series.

The Pro range comes with a “photographic profiles” feature which will allow you to customise the look of your photos even further.

There’s also a new “cinematic mode” for video, which The Verge points out “will automatically transition focus while filming in real-time, intelligently shifting focus when people enter the frame or glance away from the camera”:

Damn, that’s pretty impressive going.

Next up, the iPad Mini, and an all-new design that is somewhat similar to 2020’s iPad Air:

The new Mini has an 8.3-inch screen, a Touch ID sensor on the power button, a USB-C port, a 12MP ultrawide front camera that supports Apple’s Center Stage technology, and the option of 5G connectivity.

It also supports the second-generation Apple Pencil, which can connect magnetically to the side of the tablet.

One day, when I’ve really made it, I’ll have an iPad exclusively for reading long-form articles and watching trailers.

The new A15 Bionic Chip will produce 40% faster CPU performance, 80% faster GPU performance, and all-day battery life.

Apple also announced a new ninth-generation iPad with an A13 Bionic chip, which supports the second-generation Apple Pencil.

Moving on to the new Apple Watch Series 7, which comes in two bigger screen sizes – 41mm and 45mm:

Some elements of the UI have been updated to better accommodate the bigger screen, including showing a full keyboard at times…

There’s a new set of watchfaces to take advantage of the larger screen, including a more modular watchface so you can really peer at all the micro details related to your active rings…

The Series 7 has up to 18 hours of battery life and comes with a charger that operates 33% faster than previous models:

The Apple Watch is fantastic for fitness fanatics, as are the updates to Apple’s Fitness Plus workout service:

Apple is adding Pilates workouts, guided meditations, and workouts inspired by winter sports to the service later this month. Group workouts, coming later this fall, will let you work out with your friends.

Namaste.

Thankfully, the service will extend to more countries in the coming months.

iOS 15, the next major software update, will be available from September 20.

The South African release date for the new Apple products has yet to be confirmed.

We’ll be keeping on Digicape for more on that front, as well as considering their trade-in options.

They accept most brands of smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, as well as Apple TVs, laptops, and desktop computers, which can be used for store credit or to save money on upgrading.

Always remember that if you get the latest iPhone, you are required to leave it conspicuously on the table at any gathering so that others notice.

We’ll finish with a seven-minute wrap of everything from the ‘California Streaming’ event:

[sources:verge&verge]