By: Eric Wood
September 25, 2015 Apple set a new record.
September 25 marked the day that Apple sold 13 million iPhone 6s’s. On September 5, Apple introduced the new iPhone would come out September 25 along with iOS 9 coming out September 19. iOS 9 is a software several Apple devices and has been a hit and miss for many people. iOS 9 has slowed phones and has had phone apps crash unexpectedly.
Issues with her iPhone are not new to sophomore at HHS, Kaitlin Christ. Christ said she doesn’t like iOS 9 because is basically the same as iOS 8. But what is worse is iOS 9 makes her phone freeze.
One of the apps that freezes for Christ is Messages. The messages take many moments to load for her. Her internet connection is also slow. Sometimes, when she is on wifi it will kick her off, however, this could be from the new feature wifi-assist.
Wifi-assist is a brand new feature in iOS 9. If there is bad wifi connection, the connection will switch over to a cellular network. However, it easily could use up all of the cellular data. This could force consumers to pay extra fees for data overages.
According to Apple, Siri, the virtual technology assistant, can now answer a wider range of topics. For example, if you ask Siri to look up a specific picture with a specific date, Siri will find it. Siri can also set reminders, search scores from the latest games, and check the weather. The new software also allows for a longer battery life.
Apple states, on their website, that thanks to the update battery life is extended one hour or more.. This is thanks to the more efficient use of apps. But even more impressive is the new “Low Power Mode” which Apple claims might extend battery life three more hours.
iOS 8 that it took 4.58 GB of free storage, while iOS 9 only requires 1.3 GB. One feature that Christ might disagree with is the faster and more responsiveness.
Apple states that iOS 9 in more efficient and faster. On the flip side however, Tim Cook, Apple Inc. CEO, stated in a June 10th presentation, “iOS 9 is the world’s most powerful operating system and powers the world’s best mobile devices.” Cook, who took over after the late Steve Jobs in 2011, doesn’t think the iOS 9 speed is the most impressive feature however.
Cook said the most interesting and effective part of the new products is the 3d touch. 3d touch means that one can access an app without even touching the screen. If you press lightly or harder on the screen, more options will pop up. For example, if one pushes harder on the screen, they can take a selfie with a special camera rather than with the normal front facing camera. But the real winner for Cook is proving that Apple isn’t saving incredible inventions for years to come.
Many Apple critics have been ranting and raving for years about Apple saving those upgrades for what some call “Tick” years. In these years, Apple buys time for main innovations with smaller more appealing structures. For example, one could say the innovative iPhone 4s had Siri built in to buy time to make the better, iPhone 5.
The difference between the iPhone 4 and 4s are slim. The iPhone 4s shipped with iOS 5 while iPhone 4 owners had to install it.
But one could argue the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus are true innovations. Unlike many iPhones, the 6s and 6s plus have built in creations. For instance, the iphones have a 3D touch sensor, allowing one to tap lighter or harder on the screen, and then having other options for that app. For example, if one lightly touches on messages, the most “popular” or person you have talked to most will pop up.
The iPhone 6s, which sells for $199, and iOS 9 is a big win for Apple and with 13 million new 6s users, the revenue will be tremendous.
