Apple product launch - new iPhone and Apple watch

It was one of those highly anticipated Apple events last evening, the blogosphere and the guess-a-sphere did get a few things right. Like the no more headphone jack on the iPhone. She gone. The new iPhone 7 is water resistant, the display is clearer and has more colours, the camera looks more awesome (both back and front), great new zoom feature, there are a couple more colours to choose from, the fingerprint sensor has been built into the new home button, the battery is better, the new operating system (iOS 10 now!) looks to win iPhone users back to iMessage, with Siri, search and maps more powerful. That operating system is available next week. They have sold over 1 billion phones, it is the most successful consumer product of all time.

With the lack of a headset jack comes funny looking earphones that charge in a box, they are called AirPods. They look kind of funny, I am very sure that they have been tested like crazy to make sure they don't fall out. That seems to be the biggest problem that the Twittersphere has with the new product, and they haven't even tried them on. The voice of Jony Ive tells you about the new product. The new chip, the Siri connection, no more needing bluetooth, goodbye to that. Beats, which Apple owns, also announced the release of three different products too, all using the new W1 chip, which looks pretty cool - Got no strings.

The intro to the special event was amazing. Pharrell Williams and James Corden singing "Sweet Home Alabama" with Apple CEO Time Cook, that was really cool. More on the Music subscription, Apple are at 17 million subscribers, I am one of them. I love the music streaming service, all that I need from a music perspective is there. I haven't bought music from Apple in a while, yet I listen to more music than before. There was stuff about iWork in the keynote, there was stuff about Super Mario coming to the iPhone, that part was presented by the creator of one of the most iconic games of all time, Shigeru Miyamoto. And the difference is that you can engage with a single hand, whilst holding on to the strap on the subway, eating a burger or apple, said Miyamoto. The crowd seemed to like that.

The biggest reset, alongside the phone, was undoubtably the refresh to the watch. The new operating system, the fact that you no longer need your phone nearby (the built in GPS), new faces and activity sharing. Breath (manage stress), a safety feature to get to 911 or the equivalent (and sending your loved ones where you are), a get up and go notification. Gaming apps, news apps and so on, Pokemon Go was a big hit, that comes to the watch. Pokemon Go has been downloaded 500 million times around the world, gamers have walked 4.6 billion kms since the launch. Amazing, not so? I ain't ever going to be a Pokemon Go person, sorry, not interested. OK, let us agree that you should give it a go, perhaps during the December break. It is ultimately about getting gamers outdoors and enjoying nature, art works places and historical museums.

The new watch has been completely reengineered. Swim proof means triathletes and swimmers, surfers and co can keep the watch on. They redesigned the speaker system, it ejects water if there is any at the end of the workout. Wow. They built a stroke simulator to test the watch underwater for an age, they also tested it with an open water and pool swim. Cool. Completely water resistant. Swimmers finally get what they want! Graphics better, watch faster. Night sky looks like a cool app, check outside and identify the stars. There is a collaboration with Nike, and more excitingly, a built in GPS. Which means no more carrying your phone with you. Another huge, huge leap forward. The view ranger hike app, using the built in GPS is also pretty amazing. All in all, the refresh has got people excited about the product. The watch also comes in a ceramic finish, along with aluminium and stainless steel. Apple Watch Nike Plus is another watch designed with runners in mind. The Just Do It Sunday means you are part of a global movement, people who run Sunday are apparently more active during the week.

The stock popped by the close, up point six of a percent. I think that the refresh was about expected, the watch is a huge plus. I suspect that those with the version 1 (like me) would be happy that there are advancements, and perhaps the way to view the watch is the same way to view the phone, it comes with a refresh. We maintain our long term buy rating on the company, they continue to evolve on the existing devices and bring you something new. I think that this is a great release of products, upgrades and new ones. The stock looks cheap. There is plenty of road ahead.