Apple unveiled what it called “the world’s thinnest tablet,” a 6.2mm iPad Air 2, at an event in Cupertino Thursday. Apple Pay will also be launching Monday, Oct. 20. Bob Redell reports.
NBC Bay Area tech reporter Scott Budman's bleeps and bloops from the Oct. 16, 2014, Apple event in Cupertino, Calif.
11:17 a.m. – As Apple event wraps up, Wall Street shrugs. Shares of Apple stock have drifted downward in the absence of brand new revenue streams. That said, expect lots of sales of the updates announced today.
11:15 a.m. – The new (desktop) iMac will go for $2499.
The updated Mac Mini starts at $499 - a hundred bucks less than last year's model.
11:11 a.m. – Now, onto the new iMac lineup.
More pixels, for a sharper picture,
More environmental when it comes to energy usage.
Lots of new things for Mac users to geek out with.
The question: How many Mac users are still out there?
Tablets seem to be putting a dent in laptop usage….
The new iPad Air 2 starts at $499. Runs to $829. New iPad Mini update $399 - $729. Available Next week. Pre-order 10/17 $AAPL — scott budman (@scottbudman) October 16, 2014
10:59 a.m. – Now, developers are on stage, showing off their various apps and how they work on the new iPad Air 2.
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For you investors out there, it might be worth mentioning that although the market on the whole has stabilized and is gaining ground, Apple shares just lost a bit of value as the iPad was shown off.
Perhaps Wall Street is not yet impressed.
10:52 a.m. – Apple is really stressing the improved camera in the new iPad.
Does this mean people are really expected to take pics with their iPads?
This always looks so awkward...
10:47 a.m. – Just got the first look: Apple's iPad Air 2. 6.1mm thick. New faster chip inside, less reflection on screen. Lots of updates inside (barometer, accelerometer, etc). New improved camera.
First look: Apple's iPad Air 2. 6.1mm thick. New faster chip inside, less reflection on screen $AAPL pic.twitter.com/tPTICtWvyH — scott budman (@scottbudman) October 16, 2014
10:40 a.m. – Tim Cook now talking about iPads. Says 225 million have sold so far, with 675,000 apps created just for the iPad. That's a lot of money made for developers.
So .. what's next!
10:33 a.m. – Apple shows off how to call from a Mac, by dialing up Stephen Colbert live. He says "get to work, because I'm looking at my wrist, and do you know what I see? Nothing!!"
Apple event dials up Stephen Colbert, live. On a Mac. pic.twitter.com/mnHfuqZLV7 — scott budman (@scottbudman) October 16, 2014
10:28 a.m. – New software from Apple called "Continuity," to better communicate (SMS, etc) from device to device. Also, taking phone calls on your Mac - it becomes a speakerphone.
10:22 a.m. – Now getting the "Yosemite" and Safari software updates.
Developers are salivating. Most of the room is, like, "where's the new hardware?"
10:14 a.m. – The focus now turns to iOS8.
It's what's inside, powering Apple devices. Apple exec says 48 percent of Apple users have upgraded. The new OS comes with subtle changes (photos, developer tools, etc).
10:11 a.m. – "Watch Kit" is what developers will get to mess around with Apple's new watch. They'll get to create apps, etc. They get it soon.
The watch rolls out in early 2015. "That wraps up the phone and watch" says Cook.
10:08 a.m. – Tim Cook now talking up Apple Pay.
He says "it will be huge, and change the way to pay for things.
It rolls out monday. Will retailers and consumers be along for the ride?
10:05 a.m. – Tim Cook on stage.
Says iPhone 6 sales are at record pace, and now on the way to big numbers in China as well as the US. Also, "we have a few more things to show you this morning."
Tim Cook: "We have a few more things to show you." #Apple pic.twitter.com/r4yCxd3MHj — scott budman (@scottbudman) October 16, 2014
9:50 a.m. – Just got in .. at Apple's HQ, so a much more intimate fell than the typical Apple event.
The place is buzzing. Most people here seem to expect more than iPad updates.
iPads and iMacs expected. Maybe one more thing? #Apple $AAPL pic.twitter.com/gg2n8x1vxh — scott budman (@scottbudman) October 16, 2014
Apple will be streaming the event live on Apple.com. To watch the stream, you must have Safari 5.1.10 or later on OS X v10.6.8 or later, or Safari on iOS 6.0 or later. Streaming via Apple TV requires second- or third-generation Apple TV with software 5.0.2 or later.
