Apple introduces new iPhone that can be unlocked with a glance



LOS ANGELES, Antje Weser (dpa) - Tech giant Apple introduced on Tuesday the iPhone X, the company's first mobile phone that does not feature the iconic home button, but can be unlocked with a glance because of its new facial recognition technology.
The company showed off the new device at the first event ever held at Apple's shiny new flagship, the Steve Jobs Theater on its new campus in Cupertino, California.



Before introducing the new products, Apple chief executive Tim Cook addressed the victims of Hurricane Harvey and Irma. "You are in our thoughts. We send you our strength. You are in our prayers," he said.
Just last week, the company donated 5 million dollars to "Hand in Hand A Benefit for Hurricane Relief" to support those impacted by the natural disasters.
"The most advanced iPhone we have ever made," Cook praised the new device during the event. "It really is the future of the smart phone."
The larger, edge-to-edge 5.8-inch display did not leave any room for the home button that has been a feature on the iPhone since its inception.
The iPhone X - with X standing for 10 - uses infrared facial recognition, known as Face ID, for its unlock function.
The new unlock method replaces Touch ID, Apple's biometric fingerprint authentication technology used in previous models.
The phone uses 3D face-scanning technology. "It learns your face and adapts over time," Apple senior vice president Phil Schiller explained during the presentation.
The front-facing camera enables Face ID. Apple says the camera projects and analyses more than 30,000 invisible dots to create a precise depth map of the users face.
The company claims the chance of someone else's face unlocking your phone is less than one in one million.
The iPhone X also features better cameras than its predecessors, with optical image stabilization and a "portrait lighting" mode which adjusts lighting for portrait shots.
Apple said the phone, which was released on the 10th anniversary of the device, also has an increased battery life and wireless charging capabilities, it has a stainless-steel case and glass on the back and will be available in space grey and silver.
The company also gave a sneak peak at its wireless charger, called AirPower, which is set for release next year.
The iPhone X comes at a starting price of 999 dollars, with orders opening on October 27 and shipping starting November 3.
The company also announced the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus during the event, updated versions of last year’s iPhone 7 and 7 Plus models that will also offer wireless charging.
The models have faster processors, a True Tone display, and upgraded cameras.
They have glass backs and come in silver, space grey and gold.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 8 start on September 15 and it will be available on September 22 at a starting price of 699 dollars.
Apple also introduced a new Apple Watch with an integrated mobile phone function Tuesday.
The new Apple Watch Series 3 has LTE mobile capabilities, which means it doesn't need to be tethered to the iPhone to make phone calls or stream music.
It features a faster dual-core processor, which allows for quicker app launch times and enables Siri, Apple's personal assistant programme, to speak using the built-in speaker.
The new watch also has a W2 wireless chip for faster Wi-Fi.
The Series 3, which comes in gold, silver, or space grey, will cost 399 dollars with mobile and will be available on September 22.
Apple also introduced a new Apple TV that offers 4,000 pixels resolution and lets users stream High Dynamic Range (HDR) video.
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Friday, September 15th 2017
Antje Weser
           


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