The predictions proved correct, as the Apple in its long-awaited presentation yesterday, it showed a new MacBook model, as well as more information about the Apple Watch. Apple's presentation began with Tim Cook taking the stage and initially talking about Apple Stores and in particular about the new stores that opened in China.The Apple CEO then talked about Apple TV and the channels available, choosing to focus on HBO and inviting the channel's CEO to the stage. Richard Plepler announced the HBO NOW, with Apple as the exclusive launch partner. The service will offer a variety of programs, including Game of Thrones, the trailer for which was shown in the presentation room.
The announcement of the Apple TV , and Tim Cook continued with the company's financial performance, including sales, where he particularly focused on the new iPhone, saying that "it will be the best-selling smartphone in the world." Cook then referred to the success of the Apple Pay service, emphasizing that "over 2,000 banks and credit institutions, approximately 90% of the US market, accept Apple Pay."
The presentation continued with HealthKit, the health app and its contribution to medical research, with Jeff Williams taking the stage to talk about gathering useful data. After showing a video about the app, Jeff Williams announced that the platform would be open, so that everyone could contribute to its development.
The new MacBook
Tim Cook returned to the stage, announcing that he would talk about Mac computers.
"We challenged ourselves to reinvent the laptop. And we did," said Cook, and a video began showing a new MacBook. The rumoredMacBook with a 12-inch Retina display, with a resolution of 2304×1440.
Phil Schiller spoke about the new device: "This is the most powerful and efficient MacBook we've ever created. We had to reinvent every technology to deliver something impressive," he emphasized and continued by praising the new device's keyboard.
The device has an impressive all-metal chassis, while it is particularly thin, with a thickness of only 13.1 mm. The antennas are integrated into the chassis
At the same time, according to Schiller, it consumes 30% less energy than the previous generation.
The trackpad, as it has 4 sensors to sense the pressure the user applies. As Schiller explained, for example, when we are watching a movie and we want to fast forward, the device will sense how much we are pressing the trackpad and will advance at a corresponding speed.
Battery life will reach 9 hours for wireless web browsing.
Inside the computer will be a Intel Core M, clocked at 1.3 GHz, while the device will of course be equipped with 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. In addition, Apple has equipped the new MacBook with the new USB-C, the newest USB port.
The device will be released in three colors: silver, space gray and gold, while its price will start at$ 1,299 for the version with 8GB of RAM, 256 GB SSD and a 1.1GHz core M processor. The other version with double the internal storage of 512 SSD and a faster processor will cost $ 1,599. The new MacBook will be available from April 10.
Apple Watch time
After the presentation of the new Macbook, Cook returned to the stage to begin the presentation that most people were waiting for: Apple's new "smart" watch.
"The most personal device I've ever created. Not just with you. (But) For you," he said.
"It suits a variety of people with different tastes and preferences. It uses incredibly beautiful materials, like this stainless steel and sapphire. Anodized aluminum. And this stunning gold," Cook said. "Apple Watch is the most advanced watch ever created.".
The device will come in two sizes, 42mm or 38mm, and in three versions: with an aluminum case, theApple Watch Sport, with a stainless steel case, the Apple Watch, and with an 18-karat gold case, theApple Watch Edition.
It will also be released with a variety of different straps.
"The Apple Watch also has a new feature called glances. It gives you the ability to check things quickly, for things you use often. It controls music, it can even check your heart rate," Cook said.
As Apple's CEO explained, with the "smart" watch you can do many things, such as read messages, receive calls and chat through the built-in speaker and microphone, read emails, draw things and send them to friends.
Additionally, the device tracks our daily exercise, even reminding us if we've been sitting too long! "It's like having a coach on your wrist," Cook explained.
The device also aims at communication, allowing us to "nudge" someone who is also using the watch: by simply pressing the watch's screen, our friend will also feel the "touch"!
Siri voice commands will be available on the Apple Watch, with Kevin Lynch demonstrating the feature. The same goes for Apple Pay, and popular apps like Shazam will be able to run on the watch.
At the same time, the device will be able to display live images from security cameras that we have installed, for example, in our home.
"It's designed to work with the iPhone. You go to the iPhone to see the apps, navigate them and download others," Cook explained, thus stating that owning an Apple phone is a prerequisite for using the Apple Watch. As he stated, the Apple Watch application will be in the latest iOS update , 8.2, which will be available today.
Regarding battery performance , Cook said it was "designed for all-day battery life for mixed usage, 18 hours for a typical day."
As for recharging, it will be done via a magnetic charger and the watch will automatically adjust to the correct position.
The different versions of the Apple Watch
Cook continued by referring to the different versions of the Apple Watch separately:
Apple Watch Series 3
It will be made of anodized aluminum, in silver and gray colors. The straps will be made of plastic. It will cost $349 for the 38mm version and $399 for the 42mm.
Apple Watch
It will be offered with the widest variety of straps, and will be made of stainless steel. Cook emphasized the durability of this material and how it will be extremely difficult to scratch.
The 38mm version will start at $549, and depending on the strap, it can go up to $1,049. The 42mm version will cost an additional $50.
Apple Watch Edition
Finally, the gold version of the "smart" watch will be "incredibly unique and very special," as Cook said. It will be released in limited editions and its cost will start at... $10,000!
Apple Watch pre-orders begin on April 10, while the device will become available in many countries on April 24, which does not include Greece.
"What you saw today is years of hard work in the making," Cook said at the closing of the event.
