Apple has been in the technology news for a while now. It first started with Apple acquiring Beats, and moved swiftly into the news about iOS 8 and the potential of an Apple Smart Watch. Now we are hearing early talk and predictions of the newest iPhone release. So what does Apple actually have in store for consumers?
CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, and Owner and co-founder of Beats Dr. Dre/apparata.nl
Acquisition of Beats Electronics and Beats Music
The Apple logo and Beats logo mesh together. Will this be the logo that sits on the Beats Headphones from now on? /theorbis.wordpress.com
Apple has acquired Beats Electronics and Beats Music for $3 billion. Not only did the company acquired Beats, it also gained two pivotal employees: Dr. Dre, the founder of Beats; and co-founder, Jimmy Lovine. Even if you are not a huge Beats fan, this acquisition could have a lasting effect on all iPhone users (which I will share with you later on).
iOS 8 and Smart Watch?
After hearing about the the addition of Beats audio into the Apple world, Apple shared that it will be releasing a new software update in the fall: iOS 8.
The slogan of iOS 8 is, “Huge for Developers. Massive for everyone else.” The new software is very impressive and has enhancements that will benefit all users who have the iPhone 4s or up, as well as iPad users who have the iPad 2 or up.
Additionally, the iPod Touch 5th generation will be included in this upgrade, as will all models of the iPad mini. One improvement in iOS8 is interactive notifications. For example, when you receive a text message, you will be able to respond right away, without actually having to open the Messaging app. This type of quick interactive notification is available not only for messages, but also calendar events, Facebook notifications, and more
Another cool advancement with iOS 8 is the different options users will have with group messages.
We all know that group messages can be awesome one second and terrible the next. Now, in iOS 8, you will be able to leave a group chat whenever you want. You will also be able to add and remove participants as well as name the thread. “Do Not Disturb” will also be an option for group texts, in the event that you are unable to talk and do not want to be bothered by the group notifications. These are just some of the many updates that are coming to iPhone and for iPad users. Check out the talk that Apple gave at the World Wide Developers Conference as they speak about the iOS 8 software update.
Lastly, there are rumors that Apple will release a Smartwatch. This is really no surprise, and I think we all have been waiting for this for a while. Below are potential designs that the Smartwatch may have:
Potential Layout for the Apple Smartwatch. /dailymotion.com
Another potential, bracelet-type iWatch concept. Image via behance.net
More like a traditional watch. Image via 9to5mac.com.
What will the iPhone 6 Look like?
The iPhone’s original look has changed pretty drastically. There have been a total of 8 releases of the iPhone, including this first generation iPhone shown below.
There now are rumors about the newest addition to the iPhone family… do I dare call it the iPhone 6? We’re not sure what Apple will end up calling the new phone, but there are rumors swirling about its size.
The potential look of the iPhone 6 /exclusiveconsulting.blogspot.com
The original iPhone side-by-side the iPhone 5. Image via todaysiphone.com.
As we all know, Samsung is a competitor to the iPhone, and that company has gone with a larger-screen approach in their newest smartphones. With that being said, rumors have it that the iPhone will have a larger screen display and will be released in two sizes.
Bloomberg has released a report that the phone will be released in both a 4.7 and a 5.5 inch display. If these reports are true, the display would be much larger than the 5s, which currently has a 4-inch screen.
Additionally, and as I hinted at before, the acquisition of Beats could play a large part in the new device(s). Apparently, now that Beats has created many wireless headphones, the iPhone 6 may not even come with a headphone jack at all.
So what does that mean for users who do not own Beats headphones? Unfortunately, this will mean that you will have to either switch over to the expensive Beats, or buy an adapter that would plug into the iPhone charging port.
Although I do own Beats headphones, this would even affect me, because my headphones are not wireless. For the sake of all, lets hope this is a rumor.
Are you excited about the news swirling around Apple? What do you think of the acquisition of Beats audio, and how do you think it will affect the new iPhone? Let me know in the comments below or tweet me @ceek22.
