Following today's media event that saw Apple revealing two new iPhones, a wearable device, and its payments initiative, Tim Cook did an exclusive one-on-one interview with ABC News' David Muir.
In a clip of the interview shared by ABC News, Muir asks Cook if he was thinking about Steve Jobs' during today's event, which took place at the Flint Center at De Anza College, the same location where Jobs unveiled the original Mac in 1984. Cook responded that he thinks of Jobs all the time, and that he believes Jobs would be "incredibly proud" to see the company today.
I think about Steve a lot. I love Steve dearly. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of him. This morning, being here, I especially thought about him and I think he would be incredibly proud to see the company that he left us -- which I think was one of his greatest gifts to mankind, the company itself -- be doing what it's doing today. I think he's smiling right now.
Jobs apparently was not aware that an Apple Watch was coming, as Apple began work on the device after his passing. According to Cook, though, the "foundation" that Jobs left can be seen in all of the work that Apple is doing today.
His thinking and his taste and his incredible perfectionist kind of view, and his view that you should always innovate, all of those things are alive and well in the company. And I think they always will be. I think his DNA will always be the foundation of Apple.
More of Tim Cook's exclusive interview with David Muir will be available on World News Tonight later today.
After today's media event saw the introduction of two new iPhones and Apple's first wearable device, members of the press were invited to go hands-on with all of Apple's new products. Several sites are now posting hands-on first impressions of both the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, which we've gathered up below to give users an overall picture of the look and feel of the larger-screened phones.
Jared Nelson from our sister site TouchArcade took a look at both the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus. According to Nelson, the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus is actually "manageably large" and the screen is "amazing" for tasks like watching videos, reading texts, and gaming. He says the new Retina Display HD screens look "absolutely incredible" in person.
The Verge says the screen of the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 "looks great" and that the device feels like a "hybrid of iPhone and iPod touch." Though it's bigger, it "doesn't really feel big," and it's "remarkably light and incredibly thin." Sentiments are similar for the larger 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus, but the site noted that even the larger version is "much smaller in the hand" than expected, with the rounded edges making it "somewhat easier to hold."
The protruding camera is a indeed a bit strange; I can't help but wish Apple would ease up on its relentless pursuit of thinness in favor of a slightly thicker phone with longer battery life, but like I said, the thinness is what makes the large size manageable.
And that large size is pretty key; this is the phone that's going to force Apple to turn the iPad into a true laptop competitor. I have an iPad mini that will never come out again once I get this phone; I have an iPad Air that will need a better reason to come out than simply the size of its screen.
Engadget has similar thoughts about the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus, also noting that the phone's curved edges are "easier to grip" than originally expected." Though the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 has a resolution of 1920x1080, Engadget says there wasn't much difference between the displays of the 4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhones. The site also points out a few of the differences between the two phones, including the 0.2mm difference in thickness (4.7 is 6.9mm, 5.5 is 7.1mm) and the increased battery life of the larger phone.
With it being a brief hands-on, I wasn't able to notice a large enough difference between the two; both looked sharp, clean and had great viewing angles. I'll be able to go into more detail when review units grace my desk, but for now, I'm satisfied enough with the visual quality, and I doubt the difference in pixel density will be a critical factor when choosing between the two sizes.
Gizmodo's first note on the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 is that it "feels like an iPhone." The site was not a fan of the antenna bands on the back, which it says are "not all that pretty," but it did like the Retina HD screen on the device, saying its "brilliant." As for the larger iPhone 6 Plus, Gizmodo called it "HUGE!"
It's amazingly thin, and incredibly solid, but it barely fits into my hand at all. Just see how those fingers struggle to grasp the new iPhone in the picture above.
Combined with those slick, beautifully machined metal edges, now rounded like an iPod touch or iPad mini instead of chamfered, I was honestly scared I would drop and break the giant handset right there in the Apple tent.
Gizmodo also delves into Apple's one-handed mode, which shrinks anything on the phone's screen into thumb's reach with a double tap on the Touch ID home button.
But if you do want to use it one-handed, then boy does Apple have a smart solution for that. Double-tap the Touch ID sensor (don't press it, I learned the hard way) from LITERALLY ANYWHERE in the entire iPhone interface, including the homescreen, and everything on the top half of the phone's screen, every icon, will shrink down to put itself within your thumb's easy reach.
Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have nearly identical specifications. Aside from the difference in screen size, the larger iPhone has a longer battery life and optical image stabilization to differentiate it. It also comes with a $100 price premium.
Apple's two iPhones will be available beginning on Friday, September 19, with pre-orders for the devices starting this Friday, September 12. Prices for the 4.7-inch version start at $199, while prices for the 5.5-inch version start at $299.
Following today's media event that saw the introduction of two new iPhones and Apple's long-rumored wearable device, members of the press were invited to go hands-on with all of Apple's new products. Several sites have posted hands-on first impressions of the Apple Watch, which we've gathered up below to give an overall picture of the look, feel, and function of the device.
First of all, Jared Nelson from our sister site TouchArcade was able to get a hands-on glimpse at the Watch, and an overview from an Apple employee who walked him through several different features on the device. "We are truly living in the future," said Nelson after trying out both the Watch and the iPhone 6.
According to The Verge, the smaller Watch model felt "very solid and surprisingly light," and the wrist strap was "supple" and comfortable to wear. The site also thinks the device looks "better than most of the smartwatch competition out there," and got a look at the "Digital Crown" control.
The "digital crown" that Tim Cook spent so much time enthusing about on stage did its job when an Apple representative showed it to us, but unfortunately I wasn't able to try it for myself. That said, if the model running the demo loop is any indication, the dial offers very little resistance. It didn't exactly spin around freely, but neither did I feel any clicking or other forceful feedback as I twisted it. Presumably the feeling that I wasn't getting much feedback from the dial itself is mostly a function of the fact that it wasn't doing anything on the demo unit -- and so spinning it will feel quite different when it's moving software around.
Engadget also got a chance to try out the watch, but wasn't able to test specific features as the demo units were only displaying screenshots. The site tried both the polished steel version with a leather loop strap and the aluminum Sport version, saying that both had an "impeccable" build quality.
The bands were both comfy, though I preferred the look and feel of the leather loop. The magnets inside the leather seem to do the job of clasping well, though without the same magnetic force as those accustomed to the MagSafe connectors found on Apple laptops. As for the rubber sport band, I had some trouble fitting the metal nubbin into its appropriate hole, and I got a little pinch on the underside of my wrist when tucking it into the band. We imagine we'd get the hang of fitting it quickly and painlessly eventually, but our first time strapping it on was not all pleasant.
Gizmodo's first impression of the Apple Watch is that it "could live up to its promises" and that it feels "significantly more premium" than the LG G Watch and the Samsung Gear Live. The site also praised the "digital crown," saying that "it feels like you're wearing a watch that just happens to be digital."
As for the software, I wish I could tell you more. I watched my new Apple friend demonstrate Glances, which brings up Google Now-like info cards with an upward swipe, that can be rotated through with subsequent right and left swipage. I can confirm that it works, and that it was zippy, at least on this pre-release model.
SlashGear says that the Watch's display is "bright and vivid," and that Apple's choice of materials makes the device feel "premium and solid."
What helps differentiate the Apple Watch from other smartwatch attempts is the sheer range of options and customizations possible. Other platforms perhaps allow for a couple of strap changes, and maybe two or three case colors; Apple, on the other hand, has put out a full three ranges of different options.
Different straps, different clasps, different colors of straps and clasps; metal, leather, rubber, and all in different colors and finishes. That's before you get to the variations in casing color and even material, ranging to premium 18 karat gold.
Based on the several first impressions of the device, it appears that Apple has quite a bit of work to do to perfect the software and the interface, even if the device itself appears complete hardware-wise. Apple is planning to wait until early 2015 to debut the device, which gives it plenty of time to iron out the kinks. Check out our full Apple Watch post for more details on the device.
Following today's announcements of the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and Apple Watch, Apple has launched a redesigned website with a brand-new interface for mobile devices. The new interface emphasizes a flat design aesthetic, which includes a drop-down menu bar that allows users to scroll through Apple's product line.
Individual product pages have also been formatted to fit mobile devices, as text and images fit inside a single column. Apple displayed the full, desktop version of its site on its mobile devices prior to today's announcements.
Apple also redesigned its Apple Store App last week, making it universal for both the iPhone and iPad and allowing users to start shopping on one device and finish it on another, including a Mac or PC.
Following today's media event that saw Apple unveil both the Apple Watch and two new versions of the iPhone 6, the company has updated its website to provide additional information on its iCloud pricing, ahead of the launch of both iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite.
Apple has a new range of iCloud Storage Plans available with prices that are highly competitive with other cloud storage companies. Customers will continue to get 5GB of storage for free, with 20GB available for $0.99 per month.
200GB of storage costs $3.99 per month, and 500GB is $9.99 per month. Apple's top tier storage, 1TB, costs just $19.99 per month, slightly more than Dropbox's new $9.99/month price for 1TB storage.
The launch of iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite will see the official debut of iCloud Drive, Apple's new cloud storage initiative. With iCloud Drive, users can store any type of document, including presentations, spreadsheets, PDFs, images, and more, and then access them from any iOS device, Mac, or PC.
Following today's announcements of the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch, Apple has removed the iPod classic from its online store. The last iPod classic was introduced in September 2009, and while a number of rumors have pointed to a discontinuation of the product, Apple still chose to sell it in silver and black color options at $249 for a number of years.
Earlier this year, CEO Tim Cook was quoted as saying that the iPod was a "declining business." In May, Apple removed the sidebar link to the iPod classic in several of its online refurbished stores, leaving only the iPod nano and iPod touch.
The iPod was Apple's "halo" product for years, introducing many consumers to Apple's line of products. Since their peak in 2008 however, iPod sales have declined sharply as the iPhone and iPad have captured more of the market.
Apple today announced its long-rumored wearable device, the Apple Watch, which actually uses the Apple Symbol () followed by "Watch" in its name. Apple's Watch is designed to be both fashionable and functional, available in an array of different color and materials with six different types of watch straps that are easily interchangeable. Prices for the device, which will be available in early 2015, start at $349.
There are six different Watch face colors and materials: Stainless Steel, Silver Aluminum, 18-Karat Yellow Gold, Space Black Stainless Steel, Space Gray Aluminum, and 18-Karat Rose Gold.
There's the Apple Watch collection, which has stainless steel or space black stainless steel cases combined with a range of metal and leather bands, the Watch Sport collection, which includes anodized aluminum cases in silver or space gray with colorful, durable bands, and the Apple Watch Edition, which includes 18-karat gold cases in yellow or rose with "exquisitely crafted" bands and closures.
All of Apple's Watches can be customized with an array of different digital watch faces to suit different tastes. Each of the watches is available in two separate screen sizes for different sized wrists: 38mm and 42mm, and the watches have a flexible, durable sapphire display.
Apple's Watch uses unique input methods, taking advantage of the traditional watch dial or crown, which Apple refers to as a "digital crown" on the device. This scroll-type wheel allows users to zoom and scroll through various user interface elements.
The device also takes advantage of new pressure-sensing technology and is able to determine the difference between a tap and a press, allowing for a new range of contextually specific controls. A second physical button next to the digital crown lets users tap to bring up a list of contacts and then communicate with friends by sending quick drawings, messages, and animated emoji. It's also possible to send a heart beat, drawn from the watch's sensors.
Inside the device, there's a new Taptic Engine that allows users to hear and feel the design of the user interface. According to Apple, users will be able to feel and respond to notifications "easily and intuitively" through the Taptic Engine.
A new custom designed chip, the S1 processor, integrates many subsystems into one singular module. The back of the watch is constructed from zirconia with four sapphire lenses that can detect pulse rate. There is also a gyroscope and accelerometer, which helps the Apple Watch provide a comprehensive picture of daily activity.
The back of the device is also the home of Apple's charging solution, which uses a MagSafe with inductive charging. The user will not have to worry about exposed contacts or aligning the charger properly. Apple has declined to comment on battery life at this point.
Because it is a watch, the device is designed to keep accurate time, continually checking its internal clock against the definitive global time standard with the "precision found in GPS satellites." Apple's Watch is designed to improve the health and fitness of its users, and thus it is able to keep track of a variety of health metrics, accurately tracking movement and a wide range of activities. An included Activity App gives users an overview of their daily fitness levels, with three "rings" representing calories burned, exercise done, and how often a break has been taken from sitting.
There's also a Workout App, which shows real-time stats like time, distance, calories, and pace when working out. It's designed to encourage users to meet and beat goals, and over time, the Watch is said to be able to act as a personal trainer, suggesting new fitness goals.
Apple's Watch will support third-party apps, with support for both extended notifications from the iPhone and apps that run directly on the device. The Watch does rely heavily on the iPhone and does not function as a standalone device as it is designed to work with Apple's new Continuity features, letting users shift tasks from one device to another with ease.
The Apple Watch does include support for NFC, and it will function with Apple's new payment initiative, Apple Pay, which lets users make secure payments from the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 plus, and Apple Watch.
The Apple Watch will be available starting at $349, with users able to purchase the device in early 2015.
At its special media event today, Apple announced the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus. Apple is touting a "Retina HD Display" on both phones, as the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 features a 1334 x 750 display at 326 pixels-per-inch while the iPhone 6 Plus features a 1920 x 1080 display at 401 ppi. The iPhone 6 is said to have more than 1 million pixels, while the iPhone 6 Plus is said to have 2 million pixels.
“iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are the biggest advancements in iPhone history,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “The iPhone is the most loved smartphone in the world with the highest customer satisfaction in the industry and we are making it much better in every way. Only Apple can combine the best hardware, software and services at this unprecedented level and we think customers are going to love it.”
The new models feature a number of hardware changes, including a chassis that is 6.9 mm thin for the iPhone 6 and 7.1 mm for the iPhone 6 Plus. Both models feature the next-generation 64-bit A8 chip, which features 2 billion transistors on a 20nm processor. The A8 delivers 25% faster CPU performance and is 13% smaller and 50% more energy efficient when compared to the A7. The device also comes with a next-generation M8 motion coprocessor which can now estimate distance and elevation changes with a new barometer.
Apple states that the iPhone 6 will get 50 hours of battery life for audio, 11 hours for video, 11 hours for WiFi browsing and 10 hours for LTE browsing. With its even bigger body, the iPhone 6 Plus will get 80 hours of battery life for audio, 14 hours for video, and 12 hours for Wi-Fi and LTE browsing. The iPhone 6 now also includes Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) technology, including 20 LTE band, as well as 802.11ac Wi-Fi, which delivers 3x faster Wi-Fi and support for Wi-Fi calling.
The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus also support a new camera system with a brand-new 8-megapixel sensor, along with a circular true tone flash. Apple is also touting "Focus Pixel" technology, which allows the lens to move in and out to better determine autofocus points. The camera also features next-gen tone mapping and noise reduction. Apple also says the camera is complimented by a new gyroscope and image stabilization built into the A8 processor. Exclusive to the iPhone 6 Plus is an optical image stabilization system.
As for video capabilities, both devices shoot in 1080p at 30fps and 60fps, along with 240fps slo-mo video, which is up from 120fps on the iPhone 5s. The front-facing FaceTime HD camera has also received a new sensor with a f2.2 aperture that lets in 81% more light. Users can also shoot single-shot HDR photos and take HDR video.
Both devices will launch on September 19 in the first wave of countries, with pre-orders starting on September 12. The iPhone 6 will be available in 16 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB variants for $199, $299, and $399. The iPhone 6 Plus will be available in the same storage capacities for $299, $399, and $499, respectively. Both iPhone 6 models also come in the same Space Gray, Gold, and Silver variants. The iPhone 5c is now free on contract while the iPhone 5s will now be offered for $99.
Following today's media event, Apple has seeded the golden master (GM) version of iOS 8 to developers. The golden master represents the final version of iOS 8 that will be released to the public on September 17, two days ahead of the launch of the iPhone 6.
The update is available through Apple's over-the-air updating mechanism on iOS devices and it can also be downloaded via the iOS Developer Center. Apple has also seeded a golden master version of the new Apple TV software and Xcode 6.
Prior to the launch of the golden master, Apple seeded five iOS 8 betas to developers, with the fifth beta released on August 4.
iOS 8 introduces a range of new features, including improved integration with OS X through Continuity, a Health app, Family Sharing features, interactive notifications, a new QuickType Keyboard and improvements to several apps like Safari, Mail, and Messages, with all of the features being refined over the course of the beta testing period.
At a special media event today, Apple announced its new Apple Pay payment solution for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, which utilizes the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, a new "Secure Element" functionality, and the built-in NFC antenna in conjunction with a credit card stored on iTunes. Apple Pay will also be compatible with the just-announced Apple Watch.
To make a payment, users hold the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus to a receiver while holding the Touch ID home button. Apple states that card numbers will only be stored or shared in Secure Element, and if an iPhone is ever lost or stolen, Find my iPhone can suspend all payments. Apple is also touting privacy, stating that it does not record what users bought or how much they paid. Cashiers also do not see a name, credit card number, or security code.
“Security and privacy is at the core of Apple Pay. When you’re using Apple Pay in a store, restaurant or other merchant, cashiers will no longer see your name, credit card number or security code, helping to reduce the potential for fraud,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “Apple doesn’t collect your purchase history, so we don’t know what you bought, where you bought it or how much you paid for it. And if your iPhone is lost or stolen, you can use Find My iPhone to quickly suspend payments from that device.”
Apple Pay will first launch in the United States next month as an update to iOS 8 and will be compatible with American Express, Mastercard, and Visa credit and debit cards, with Citi, Bank of America, Capital One, Wells Fargo, and Chase also listed as partners.
Apple highlights that the program will work with over 220,000 U.S. retail stores, including Walgreens, Duane Reade, Macy's, Nike, Bloomingdales, Staples, Subway, McDonalds, and more. Apple will also launch a new Apple Pay API for developers to integrate the system into their apps.
Today at its special event, Apple has announced that iOS 8 would be released on September 17 as a free download, just two days before the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus release.
The new version on iOS will be available for iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, the 5th generation iPod touch, iPad 2, iPad with Retina Display, iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad mini with Retina Display.
Apple's highly anticipated September media event is being held today at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts in Cupertino, the site of the unveiling of the original Macintosh and iMac.
The event begins at 10:00 AM Pacific Time / 1:00 PM Eastern Time, and Apple is expected to unveil several new products including the iPhone 6 and an "iWatch" wearable device.
Apple will be providing a live video stream on its website for Mac and iOS users and via Apple TV, and the company is also sharing some photos and live blog updates on its event page.
In addition, we will be updating this article with summary coverage and issuing Twitter updates through our @MacRumorsLive account as the event unfolds. Separate news stories regarding the event announcements will go out through our @MacRumors account.
Apple's online stores around the world are currently down in advance of the event.
Archive of Live Updates in Reverse Chronological Order
Apple is looking to expand its presence in the Pittsburgh area by possibly doubling its office space in the city, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Apple currently operates out of the Robert Mehrabian Collaborative Innovation Center located at Carnegie Mellon University. Apple joined Intel, Carnegie Mellon CyLab and other innovators when it moved into the site in 2005 .
Apple's lease on the location ends at the end of the year, and there is no room for expansion at the Collaborative Innovation Center. The Cupertino company reportedly talked to Carnegie Mellon about alternative on-campus sites while also hiring a realtor to find a larger facility in a different part of the city. Apple currently leases 12,000 square feet at Carnegie Mellon and is looking to move to a location that offers up to 20,000 square feet. It is not known whether this new office will supplement or replace the current facility at the Collaborative Innovation Center.
Apple is expanding its domestic footprint on many fronts, including building a new data facility in Reno, Nevada and expanding its operations office in Austin, Texas. And just yesterday it was reported Apple is working to expand its facilities in the Boston area where it has a team working on speech recognition.
The company also is building a new corporate office in Cupertino that is under extensive construction. The highlight of the new campus is Apple's "spaceship" office building, which will occupy 2.8 million square feet when it is completed in 2016. The site also will house a 2,400 car parking garage, 100,000 square foot fitness center, 120,000 square foot auditorium, and more than 4,500 trees.
Samsung's Belgian division is having some fun with the hype surrounding Apple's press event and using this occasion to support a worthy cause. According to the division's website, the company will buy a pear for each tweet about an apple. Samsung will distribute the pears free of charge tomorrow at the Brussels-North railway station.
This #aPearForAnApple promotion is one of several campaigns to support Belgian pear farmers who face financial difficulty after Russia recently banned the import of some foods from the EU and the US. Russia is Belgium's main pear purchaser, buying up to $127 million or 40 percent of the total pear harvest each year. Belgians are using the hashtags #ToffePeer and #ShareAPear to encourage citizens to eat more pears and offset the financial consequences of the ban.
It's not surprising to see Samsung use the hype surrounding Apple as part of a marketing stunt. The Korean company is known for its clever marketing blitzes that often focus on the iPad, iPhone or Apple fans. In its recent Galaxy S5 commercial, Samsung mocked the iPhone's integrated battery design and short battery life, calling iPhone owners "wall huggers" who can't stray from their public power outlets.
Apple's keynote kicks off at 10:00 AM Pacific Time, and MacRumors will also be providing a live blog, live tweets via the MacRumorsLive Twitter account, and a spoiler-free page for those who want to watch the full keynote at a later time.
Over the weekend, Weibo user zzrayshowed off an apparently working 4.7-inch iPhone 6, offering a first look at the device. Now, the user has also posted more information about the device (Google Translate, via GforGames), including results from a Geekbench 3 test that reveal a 1.4 GHz ARM processor and 1 GB of RAM for the device.
The results show that the iPhone 6 scored a 1633 on the single-core test and a 2920 on the multi-core test, which is greater than the 1305 single-core and 2347 dual-core Geekbench 3 scores for the 1.3 GHz A7 chip on the iPhone 5s. This also contrasts a previous report, which claimed that the A8 chip would top 2 GHz while remaining dual-core.
The data also displays 1GB of RAM, which is the same amount of RAM included on the iPhone 5s. A wiring schematic said to be from the iPhone 6 that surfaced last month also indicated that the device would have 1 GB of RAM.
iPhone 6 shot (left) compared to iPhone 5s (middle) and LG G3 (right)
The user has also posted a photo from the iPhone 6 and compared it to the same shot taken with iPhone 5s and LG G3. The 4.7-inch iPhone 6 is said to come with an improved camera module which is said to offer faster focusing speeds and power efficiency. Other leaks have pointed to the larger 5.5-inch iPhone 6 featuring an optical image stabilization system.
Apple is expected to reveal both the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 alongside the iWatch at a media event scheduled for today at 10 AM. MacRumors will have live coverage of the event as it unfolds.
Minnesota-based medical group Mayo Clinic will be at Apple's special media event tomorrow to demonstrate how iOS 8's new Health app can benefit medical professionals, reports the Star Tribune. The paper states that Mayo will show how data from the Health app can flow into a sophisticated management system of a major health center.
Apple and Mayo Clinic have reportedly been working together for two years. The medical group's CEO Dr. John H. Noseworthy was quoted as saying that Apple's Health and HealthKit development tools have the potential to "revolutionize how the health industry interacts with people" when both were introduced at WWDC this past June.
Last month, Apple was also said to be in talks with health providers at Mount Sinai, Cleveland Clinic, John Hopkins, and Allscripts to roll out HealthKit to their facilities. According to sources close to the discussions, Apple has been positioning HealthKit and its Health app as an all-in-one solution for medical professionals to store patient data for easier access and to improve diagnostics.
Apple's media event kicks off at 10:00 AM Pacific Time, and MacRumors will have full coverage of the event as it unfolds.
This past July, Apple and IBM announced an exclusive enterprise mobility partnership that would see both companies collaborating on a series of new business apps and services. As a part of the agreement, IBM would begin selling iOS devices to its corporate customers, create iOS apps, and provide cloud services, while Apple would offer a new AppleCare service tailored to specific enterprise needs.
Apple CEO Tim Cook and IBM CEO Virginia Rometty (Apple/Paul Sakuma)
Now, in an interview with Tech Pro Research, IBM executive Glenn Finch has given new details on the company's partnership with Apple, including how its enterprise apps will fit into the iOS ecosystem. According to Finch, IBM will create a hundred apps across a number of industries including software for financial services, telecom, and health. The executive also noted that the apps with be tailored to "client demand", as feedback will play a major role in making design changes.
"The promise of this whole partnership," Finch explained to me, is that "you have a built-in adoption curve already present." His customers in the enterprise already use iPhones and iPads at home; they trust Apple, they trust the apps, and they intuitively know how to work with them. The devices are known.
Finch also spoke on where the companies overlap, stating Apple's focus on user experience and design compliment IBM's data-driven approach. AppleCare support for enterprises will also be a joint effort between the two companies, as Apple technicians will perform warranty work on hardware while app maintenance and support will be provided by IBM.
From a procurement perspective, Apple already has an enterprise group and IBM isn't looking to step on their toes - however, IBM has an army of salespeople with clients every day, something that Apple is sorely lacking. The two companies are working out the specifics there to make sure they don't trip over each other too much.
Apple and IBM will begin rolling out its first apps under the new partnership later this fall, as more apps are scheduled to be released in 2015. Both companies will also look to launch AppleCare support for enterprises later this year.
Apple's highly anticipated September media event is being held today at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts in Cupertino, the site of the unveiling of the original Macintosh and iMac.
