This is a blog about Apple's Sept. 15 product event, where the company announced a slew of new gadgets and services, including a new Apple Watch and two new iPad models.
Apple on Tuesday announced a bunch of new hardware and some software. Here are the biggest announcements:
It also said that iOS 14, its new iPhone software, will launch on Wednesday with lots of new features such as widgets, a new way to organize your home screen, security enhancements and more.
Of note: Apple did not announce new iPhones. Those are expected at a future launch, perhaps next month. Check out everything Apple announced below.
Spotify reiterated its calls against Apple's alleged "unfair" and anti-competitive practices.
"Once again, Apple is using its dominant position and unfair practices to disadvantage competitors and deprive consumers by favoring its own services," a Spotify spokesperson told CNBC. "We call on competition authorities to act urgently to restrict Apple's anti-competitive behavior, which if left unchecked, will cause irreparable harm to the developer community and threaten our collective freedoms to listen, learn, create, and connect."
Spotify has been outspoken on Apple's App Store rules, which require it pay a 30% revenue cut earned through subscriptions that are made through the app on Apple devices. The streaming service also filed a complaint with the European Commission's antitrust regulators in March 2019 arguing that Apple Music has an "unfair advantage" over rivals.
Apple's new Apple One bundle, packages its Spotify rival, Apple Music, with other services like Apple News+, Apple Arcade and iCloud storage. -- Jessica Bursztynsky
Peloton CEO John Foley happened to be speaking at the company's first-ever investor meeting just as Apple announced its new streaming exercise service, Fitness+.
Foley said Apple's move into the space is a "legitimization" of streaming fitness content.
"The biggest thing I will say is it's quite a legitimization of fitness content, to the extent the biggest company in the word, a $2 trillion company, is coming in and saying fitness content matters," Foley said. "It's meaningful enough for Apple."
But Foley added that Peloton has an edge over Apple because the tech giant doesn't make exercise equipment, like Peloton's connected spinning bikes and treadmills, which he said was his company's "special sauce." -- Lauren Thomas
There weren't any iPhones announced on Tuesday, but all of Apple's new products require Apple's newest software to run. Apple CEO Tim Cook said that iOS 14, the latest operating system for iPhones, will be released on Wednesday, ahead of an expected iPhone launch next month. — Kif Leswing
The new iPad Air will come in five different colors and will sport a new design with smaller bezels and a screen that stretches from edge to edge. Colors include rose gold, silver, space gray, green and blue. It costs $599 and up and will be in stores next month.
It will also include a "next generation" Touch ID fingerprint sensor inside the tablet's power button. Apple says it will be equipped with an A14 processor that is 40% faster than its predecessor — one of the first times that Apple's most powerful chip lands in an iPad before a new iPhone. It charges with a USB-C connector, not Apple's proprietary Lightning charger. It is compatible with Apple's 2nd-generation Pencil and Magic Keyboard stand.
Apple has seen boosted iPad sales amid the coronavirus pandemic as users look for computers for working and entertainment from home. — Kif Leswing
Apple announced a new version of its most affordable iPad, now called the iPad 8th Generation. It has a faster A12 Bionic chip and an optional rugged case for schools. It still works with the Apple Pencil, too. Apple CEO Tim Cook said that Apple has sold 500 million iPads in the past 10 years. It'll cost $329, the same price as usual, and $299 for schools. You can order it today, and it lands in stores on Friday. — Kif Leswing
Apple has announced its long-rumored services bundle, Apple One. It comes in three tiers with different services in each tier:
— Kif Leswing
The service will connect Apple Watch users to trainers. Users can access a catalog of workout videos on iPhones, iPads or on an Apple TV, synced to an Apple Watch. New workout videos will be published weekly, and you'll be able to see live stats from your Apple Watch on your iPad or iPhone while you work out. Shares of Peloton initially dipped about 5% on the news, but quickly recovered.
Workouts include yoga, dance, treadmill, rowing and more. Many workouts require just a set of dumbbells or no equipment, Apple said.
— Kif Leswing
Apple won't include chargers with its new watches, said Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives. The move is part of Apple's push toward environmental sustainability. Consumers will need to buy one separately. — Jessica Bursztynsky
Preorders start today. The Apple Watch SE will cost $279, and the new Apple Watch Series 6 will start at $399. — Kif Leswing
Apple announced a new, less expensive version of the Apple Watch called Apple Watch SE. It costs $279 or more. It comes in both cellular and Wi-Fi models. Apple also highlighted a new feature, Family Setup, which will allow kids and older adults to use Apple Watch without an iPhone. — Kif Leswing
Apple CEO Tim Cook may have kicked off the event, but it's COO Jeff Williams who is presenting most of the Apple Watch features. He heads Apple's operations and is one of the most important executives at the company. — Kif Leswing
Apple said that the chip inside the Apple Watch Series 6, the S6, is 20% faster than its predecessor and is based on the processor in the iPhone 11. It also has a brighter display for better readability outside. It starts at $399. — Kif Leswing
Apple COO Jeff Williams said that the latest version of the Apple Watch has a sensor that can measure the amount of oxygen in the user's blood. According to Apple, blood oxygen saturation is a good measure of overall respiratory health. Apple will sponsor three studies to validate the feature and its benefits. — Kif Leswing
Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 6, which will be able to monitor users' blood oxygen levels. The app will let you take a measurement in 15 seconds. It will be available in blue and red options for the first time ever. — Jessica Bursztynsky
Apple is heavily emphasizing the health and fitness aspects of the Apple Watch, talking about the device saving lives. Cook presented a video where users talk about weight loss, heart health and being active — all with the help of the Apple Watch. Mount Sinai is studying the impact of Covid-19 on front-line medical workers using Apple Watch, too. CNBC's Chrissy Farr previewed Apple's health strategy here. — Kif Leswing
That's a change from this summer's event, where Cook presented from an empty auditorium on its campus. — Kif Leswing
Cook also mentioned the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. "We know life won't always be like this and we're looking forward to better days," Cook said. — Kif Leswing
Over 280,000 people are waiting for Apple's event to start, 10 minutes before it kicks off, according to a tracker on its YouTube livestream page. Last year, over 2 million people tuned into the YouTube livestream. — Kif Leswing
Analysts are expecting Apple to unveil a new iPad Air on Tuesday, with a larger screen. It's a good time to launch an update to the iPad, which has been a popular device during the pandemic as more people are at home for work and school.
Apple said during its fiscal third-quarter earnings in July that iPad sales were up over 31% and drove $6.58 billion in revenue during the quarter, nearly as much as the Mac. At the time, CEO Tim Cook told CNBC's Josh Lipton that he thinks both the Mac and iPad will continue to pick up share. The iPad Air is Apple's premium tablet that sits below the iPad Pro line, which typically has nicer screens and more cameras, and above the more affordable regular iPad. —Todd Haselton