Thoughts on Apple Event 2015

Diving Deeper into the Announcements

The Apple Event showcased several products that caught my attention, and I want to discuss the highlights that excited me the most.

1. Apple TV

I firmly believe that Apple TV is poised to make a significant impact, potentially even disrupting the conventional console market. From both a developer and consumer standpoint, I see great potential.

As a developer, I understand the importance of maximizing profitability while creating engaging experiences. Developing game apps for iOS is a cost-effective approach with high user engagement. Unlike developing for consoles such as PlayStation or Xbox, which require substantial investment and come with steep learning curves, developing for iOS and expanding to devices like Apple TV is seamless. Android has already explored this path with Android TV, including devices like Nexus Player and Nvidia Shield.

From a consumer perspective, Apple TV presents an opportunity to enter the console gaming realm. At a price of $149, it’s an affordable entry point. Moreover, having access to my existing games and Game Center friends adds to the appeal.

2. Apple Watch

While I’m not particularly drawn to expensive wearable technology, I do find the convenience of using an Apple Watch to control a GoPro camera for capturing photos intriguing. It eliminates the need to constantly take out my iPhone for every shot. Apple has also positioned the Watch as a medical device, but its affordability remains a concern. Perhaps in the future, they can find a way to offer a more budget-friendly option like Xiaomi Mi Band. It’s worth noting that I’m unsure if Android Wear offers a similar capability.

PS : I don’t know if Android Wear can do the same. Please clarify me here.

3. iPhone 6s and 6s Plus

Rather than delving into the technical specifications, which have been covered extensively, I want to focus on the standout features of 3D Touch, the improved 12MP camera, and iOS.

Initially skeptical about the implementation of Force Touch on the iPhone, I was pleasantly surprised by the demo. Branded as 3D Touch, it offers a superior experience compared to Force Touch on other Apple devices. It brings a new level of interactivity that cannot be replicated by tapping and holding. For instance, re-arranging apps on the home screen becomes a more intuitive process.

As someone who has experienced the 4MP Ultrapixel camera, I can attest to the fact that image processing plays a crucial role. Despite the ongoing discussions about camera advancements in the Android ecosystem, the iPhone continues to excel as the best camera phone on the market. With the introduction of a 12MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, the iPhone’s camera capabilities are even more impressive. This sets the iPhone apart from its Android counterparts, which often rely on higher megapixel counts without achieving the same level of image quality. It’s important to note that some features in iOS 9, such as Live Photo, should not be limited exclusively to the iPhone 6s. It would be beneficial for these features to be available across a wider range of iOS devices.

4. iPad Pro and Apple Pencil

The unveiling of the iPad Pro and the Apple Pencil leaves me uncertain. Jokes about the Apple Pencil aside and the speculation about Steve Jobs’ hypothetical reaction, it is clear that Apple has transitioned into a typical tech company driven by marketing strategies and subtle design choices.

As always, I will be observing Apple’s progress with curiosity and anticipation.