OS X 10.10 Yosemite
Apple has revamped the look of their operating system, as well as added new features to their apps, but a glossier appearance and enhanced built-ins aren't all that's new with Yosemite. Perhaps the biggest and most exciting improvement in the update is the integration with iOS devices. Essentially, your Mac, your iPhone, and your iPad will no longer just be ships passing in the night, but rather a fleet that, though still independent, work cohesively to help you work seamlessly across each device.
Okay, I'll spare you another contrived analogy -- basically, in 10.10, you can send and receive texts and answer calls from your computer, start an email on one device and finish it on another. You can move your work around and start where you left off without losing data, as well as AirDrop files between devices (including photos). In this review of Yosemite, The Verge explains their introduction to 10.10 as such:
For all the talk of convergence and of the ever-shrinking gap between PC and smartphone and tablet, Yosemite almost makes a statement in its lack of fundamental change. It’s not Windows 10, with big ideas about how our devices are just different sizes of the same thing, how the interface and settings and apps should be consistent everywhere. Microsoft believes in a single experience for all devices; Apple believes every device ought to have its own.
Credit: The Verge
Yosemite is available now to download.
Mac Mini
After two years without an update, Apple has significantly improved upon the specs of the Mac Mini. So, for fans of this portable desktop device, you'll be seeing some long-desired features:
- 4th generation Intel Core processors
- Intel Iris and HD Graphics 5000
- PCIe-based flash storage
- 802.11 ac Wi-Fi
- Two Thunderbolt 2 ports
- "World's most energy efficient desktop computer."
The $499 model Mac Mini ships today, which includes a 1.4GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, 4GB of memory, and a 500GB hard drive. However, if you want more beef in your Mini, the $699 model comes with 2.6GHz i5 processor, Intel Iris Graphics, 8GB of memory, and a 1TB hard drive, while the $999 model adds a little bit more speed with its 2.8GHz i5 processor and comes with a 1GB Fusion Drive. These are all standard configurations, though, so if you want to upgrade, you can do that, too.
iPad Air 2 & iPad Mini 3
Apple introduced us to new tablets today, as well. However, when it comes to the iPad Mini 3, not much has changed, other than the addition of the TouchID feature and a new gold color option. I mean, the hardware is still literally the same as the previous model, and with prices starting at $399, I can't imagine customers busting down the doors at the Mac Store to get their hands on these. (You'd be surprised, though, since Christmas is right around the corner.)
The iPad Air 2 does include a few improvements, though it too is still virtually identical to its predecessor. An 18% thinner body, new A8X processor, better camera, optically-bonded display, and TouchID might make it more of a draw in terms of added features. Prices start at $499 and go up from there.
However, Apple has unveiled some new technology used in the new Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad models, Apple SIM. Here's what Apple says about it:
The Apple SIM gives you the flexibility to choose from a variety of short-term plans from select carriers in the U.S. and UK right on your iPad. So whenever you need it, you can choose the plan that works best for you — with no long-term commitments.
You can watch the whole Apple event here for more info.
Source: Apple October Special Event
