Apple released iOS 9 and watchOS 2 to Developers, while the public counterparts are seeing September 16, 2015 release date.
Apple is also seeding iOS 9.1 beta with build number 13B5110e to Developers.
Hey Siri, give us a hint already!
It is Wednesday, September 9, 2015. Apple is set to hold the “Hey Siri, give us a hint.” special event at 10:00 a.m. from the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.
I spoke to firstnameatappledotcom on Labor Day for about an hour. Not a single thing that I could repeat without spoiling the surprise. On the other hand, Major Obvious says:
- NO U2!
In keeping with the “9” theme (iOS 9, September 9), I was expecting some performance from a band with 9 members on the stage. Unfortunately they are not an-Apple-Special-Event-kind-of musical-guess.
Apple will be providing its own coverage of the event in the form of live stream and some kind of live blogging.
As usual, there will be sites covering the event live from the venue.
Live Coverage links:
iOS 9 on the 9th of 9, 2015.
Mark your calendar for Apple special event “Hey Siri, give us a hint.” on September 9, 2015. Apple will be providing live stream of the event.
Requirements: Live streaming uses Apple’s HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology. HLS requires an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with Safari on iOS 7.0 or later, a Mac with Safari 6.0.5 or later on OS X v10.8.5 or later, or a PC with Edge on Windows 10. Streaming via Apple TV requires a second- or third-generation Apple TV with software 6.2 or later.
Edge on Windows 10, that’s interesting.
The event will take place at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco at 10:00 am.
The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium is a 7000 capacity arena, as such it has several elevated tiers of seating around an open plan hall.
Now, who would be the musical guest for the event?
Alongside the new models of iPhone, Apple would be introducing expanded Siri functionality across multiple devices; at least that’s what firstnameatappledotcom hinted at.
iPhone, Eight Years to The Day
The original iPhone went on sale on June 29, 2007. I was one of the “few” people who waited in line to get one at the Apple Store. The line was reasonably long, but the buying process was really quick. I spent roughly 5 minutes to finalize the transaction. I walked out with two iPhones, one for my colleague and one for me.
Today marks the eight anniversary of the release of the original iPhone.
‘Twas The Night Before Apple WWDC 2015
Apple will kick off this year’s Worldwide Developer Conference at 10:00 a.m. San Francisco time.
As usual in addition to Apple live stream1 of the Keynote, some sites will provide live coverage.
Apple’s own live blog
Warning, Autoplay!
Links will be added when they are made available (or if the author of this post is not slacking – ed).
There are a lot of expectations with regard to what apple would announce at WWDC. Remember, this is a developer event; so don’t expect introductions of new iPhone or iPad on Monday. In 2010 Apple introduced iPhone 4 at WWDC. Since then Apple introduced new iPhone on its own event in the September-October time.
To dispel (or fueled) some rumors on Apple products, firstnameatappledotcom, who claimed to be definitely not Phil Schiller, told me a few things on and off the record.
firstnameatappledotcom: “Seriously, you won’t tell anyone all the stuff I said OFF THE RECORD, will you?”
Certainly, because I want firstnameatappledotcom to keep his/her job at Apple.
firstnameatappledotcom: “Some of us really want to stick it to the Apple Rumor sites and call it iOS 8.5 instead of iOS 9.”
That’d be hilarious since both Tech Press and Community assume that the next iOS will be called iOS 9.
firstnameatappledotcom: “Rotate the 8 90° and we get iOS ∞. Forget iOS 9”
Just like the seemingly perpetual OS X (read: OS Ten)?
By the way, iOS 8.4 beta 3 was last released on May 11, 2015; iOS 8.4 Golden Master is likely to be released during WWDC week.
me: “What else do you feel like blabbing about?”
firstnameatappledotcom: “It is reckless to assume that Force Touch will be in the next iPhone and iPad.”
firstnameatappledotcom: “Just because Force Touch is in the Apple Watch and MacBooks, doesn’t mean it works well on the iPhone.”
I have thought about that. There are a lot of elements to deal with bringing feature such as Force Touch to a larger touch screen device. For sure the Tech Press, analysts and pundits ignore the challenges.
firstnameatappledotcom: “Some expect Apple Watch to have plethora of sensors, GPS module, cellular connectivity, etc. At the same time they want Apple Watch to be thin and have ultra long battery life. Seriously, you can’t have all those features with the current state of our technology.”
Apple Research & Development department are certainly looking into those features.
me: “I can think of one Apple Watch feature that is relatively easy to incorporate to iOS. I’d like to see iOS gaining “doodle” or “sketch” feature. From Apple Watch to iPhone, iPad, iPod touch; vice versa.”
firstnameatappledotcom: “I can’t tell you on the record about unannounced features or products. One of the hardest parts is to figure out which features would be suitable for any products. Apple R&D comes out with tons of ideas for products, a lot of them didn’t even make it past prototype stage.”
I guess we’ll have to wait for WWDC 2015 Keynote to see what’s coming from Apple for the next 6 months.
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- Live streaming video requires Safari 6.0.5 or later on OS X v10.8.5 or later; Safari on iOS 6.0 or later. Streaming via Apple TV requires second- or third-generation Apple TV with software 6.2 or later. ↩︎
Apple Watch Sells… But Who’s Buying?
Apple Watch pre-order started at roughly 12:01 a.m. on April 10, 2015. Within the first minute, some models of Apple Watch shipping time slipped to 4-6 weeks. John Gruber says:
I get the feeling supply is low and demand is high.
There sure are a lot of interest in the Apple Watch. Apple CEO, Tim Cook says that the responses have been “extraordinary”. Apple Watch sells, but who’s buying?
John Gruber said in his review:
In short, I think Apple Watch might be a tougher sell to current watch wearers than non-watch wearers. Non-watch wearers have an open wrist, and if they cared about the glance-able convenience of an always-visible watch dial, they would be wearing a traditional watch already. Watch wearers, on the other hand, already have something on their wrist that Apple Watch needs to replace, and the reason they already have a watch on their wrist is that they care about telling time at a glance — something Apple Watch is (and only ever will be, I suspect) merely OK at, not great at.
The last time I wore a watch was back in college. I stopped wearing it when the glass face cracked for some unknown reasons. I have pre-ordered an Apple Watch Sport, 42mm Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band. At this point in time, I do not know if I would wear the Apple Watch or any watches after the learning period. I had been getting a lot of questions from friends and acquaintances if Apple Watch is for them. My answer is always “it’s not for you.”
The other question I get a lot is if they should wait for the next version of Apple Watch because some reviews say “skip Apple watch this time, because the next one will be better.”
II would be really worried if the next version of Apple Watch would be worse that the current model.
If you feel like getting an Apple Watch now, then get it. Well, you have to wait until June for the earliest delivery.
Get Ready to Pre-Order Apple Watch
Apple Store went offline ahead of Apple Watch Pre-Order, which starts at 12:01 a.m. on April 10, 2015.
I asked John Gruber which Apple Watch he would buy with his own cash. Gruber said he would get the Space Black Stainless Steel Case with Space Black Link Bracelet Apple Watch. Gruber also said that the Apple Watch Sport models are “tremendous value”.
Gruber spent a week or so using an Apple Watch.
Personally I like the Space Black Stainless Steel Case with Space Black Link Bracelet Apple Watch too. The price tag is one thing that prevent me from buying one. I think I’m gonna get Space Gray Aluminum Apple Watch Sport, for science.
I have not worn any watches for 20 years.