Apple unveils iPhone 5, updates to iPod Touch and iPod Nano

The iPhone 5 was the big star of the show, occupying the first hour of the proceedings. The new phone is taller than its predecessors, moving to a 4″ screen that allows for an additional row of app icons on the home screen and more space for apps to work with. The chassis of the phone was also changed, with this being the first iPhone to come in a two-tone arrangement  - you have a choice of black/slate or white/silver. The old 30 pin dock connector has been exchanged for an 8 pin reversible Lightning connector, a move that coupled with the change to the physical size of the phone ensures that you’ll need to buy totally new iPhone 5 accessories or use a bulky adapter. Overall, the new phone is 18% thinner and 20% lighter.

Internally there are quite a few changes as well. The new iPhone sports a faster processor for approximately double the performance across the board. The phone also now supports high speed wireless speeds using the 5 GHz frequency and the much-anticipated 4G LTE support. The new iPhone also has had its camera, video and audio capabilities upgraded, with a new sapphire lens and hybrid IR filter that should improve low-light performance. Video taken from the front camera is now in HD, while the rear camera offers improved image stabilisation. The improved processor also allows for 40% faster pictures. Finally, an additional noise cancelling microphone has been added.

The iPod range also was quite exciting. The iPod Touch makes use of the same taller display as the iPhone 5, but is even thinner at 6.1 mm and weighs only 88 grams. The iPod Touch also sees the same A5 processor as the iPhone 4S, battery life for 40 hours of music, an improved 5 megapixel backside illuminated camera and a newly HD front-facing camera. In terms of connectivity, the new iPod Touch features Bluetooth 4, Wireless N and support for AirPlay mirroring. Finally, the iPod Touch also includes Siri. The iPod Nano has also seen some changes, with a new bubble UI, a larger screen, Bluetooth and an FM tuner. It essentially looks like a tiny knock-off iPhone, which is actually pretty cool.

As well as the new iPhone and iPods, Apple also introduced some new iPhone 5 accessories. While a number of adapters are included here for the new Lightning connector, they have also introduced a redesign of their iconic earbuds. The new models are called ‘Earpods’ and should be more comfortable and offer better audio.