Maybe Apple events don't feel historic anymore, but plenty of interesting things happened yesterday

[View this email in your browser]( [Open Ars Technica in your browser]( [Ars Orbital HQ] [The iPhone 11]( It's here, and it's... definitely iterative, but still spectacular in certain ways? Yesterday, [Apple held its annual fall event]( and with it introduced the world to the latest iPhones: [iPhone 11]( [iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max](. These events and the corresponding phones may not be the spectacle and cultural touchstone they once were ([no Drake or U2 this time]( for instance), but they still matter given the tremendous consumer interest and the hints they provide about where Apple's focus is in the short- and long-term future. While Apple's big future bet still seems to [reside with AR/VR]( everything that happened yesterday sat squarely in today's tangible reality. As more and more tech companies of all sorts pivot to as-a-service, Apple finally unveiled its most naked efforts on that front by providing dates for its monthly gaming and monthly TV service (game now, watch TV in November). And in an era where phones function largely as social media/life documentation devices, the true headlining feature in this new hardware is the camera, which is both improved technically and from an ease-of-use perspective. But perhaps most notably, Apple went ahead and changed up its entire value proposition (albeit slightly at first): finally, the entry version of the latest iPhone no longer costs nearly $1,000. The base iPhone 11 is $699, though the "pro" devices (aimed at creators who prefer these things to DSLRs or at least need the mobile companion) will still eclipse $1,000. For those who followed the news as it happened, we've already gone hands-on with the [phones]( the new [iPad]( and the new [Apple Watch]( and will happily share those first impressions. But for everyone else, this week's Orbital Transmission is here to catch you up on everything to know coming out of perhaps the fall's biggest annual tech event. Maybe these aren't [slack-jawed amazement historic moments anymore]( but it's still a [$100-billion company]( trying to react to and predict where consumer tech is headed. That'll always be fascinating. —[@NathanMattise]( [Advertisement]( [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Powered by Live Intent]( [Ad Choices]( Orbital Transmission 09.11.2019 [Tim Cook discussing Apple TV+] [Apple TV+ arrives November 1]( but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ on what shows Well, we don't know what will be available, but the streaming wars officially expand on November 1. CEO Tim Cook announced [that Apple TV+ will launch]( with some original shows on Nov. 1—nearly two weeks before Disney+ debuts on Nov. 12. Apple's new service is $4.99/mo., and purchases of certain new Apple products will (naturally) come with a free trial year. Cook insisted new series will be added to the service monthly, but he didn't put dates to any of the previously announced shows like the Steve Carell/Jennifer Aniston Morning Show, Ronald D. Moore's Moon landing alt-history [For All Mankind]( or[Jason Momoa's futuristic society See.]( [Surprise, it's a new iPad!]( Wait, what? A new iPad? [A new iPad!]( This week's Apple event was unlike others in recent years in one important way: we had a genuine surprise! In the lead-up, we considered the announcement of a new iPad as "[probably not just yet]( But barely a half hour into this week's presentation, there it was—[a new 7th gen iPad](. This device essentially replaces the previous entry-level tablet, and it's available on September 30 for $329. The headlining features are a 10.2-inch "Retina" display and an A10 Fusion chip. The latter is the same chip used for the existing 6th-gen iPad, and that chip was first introduced with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus—so don't expect a significant performance upgrade. Still, it should provide enough power for the more basic entertainment and Web browsing needs the iPad is primarily aimed at. [New Apple Watch]( is like the old—but with a compass, better display The [new Apple Watch Series 5]( is available for preorder right now, and it will be widely available in stores on September 20. (The GPS models start at $399 while cellular models start at $499.) It largely looks like a slight update on the Apple Watch Series 4, but there are two notable updates. First, Apple has introduced an always-on display that can adapt in a few different ways to still preserve battery life. And second, the Apple Watch finally has a built-in compass for those moments in life when GPS connectivity just won't cut it. (As a bonus, the device will be leveraged once again for some [large-scale scientific studies on health]( ⌚.) [Hey, Frogger!]( Legends like Capcom and Konami will help [launch Apple Arcade]( While we previously learned about Apple Arcade—the company's new streaming game service—this week we learned the platform will launch this month: [Sept. 19 for $4.99/mo]( (a one-month free trial will also be available). And at this latest Apple event, the company showcased a trio of games from developers like Capcom, Konami, and Annapurna. Konami is bringing its legendary Frogger franchise. Annapurna will offer a "playable music video" (which looks kinda like a jet bike rhythm game). And Capcom has perhaps the most interesting looking title, an underwater exploration/survival titled called Shinsekai: Into the Depths. [A special forum thread from Sept. 11, 2001]( One quick, final note this week: [Ars Technica turned 20 earlier this year]( and one of the most memorable events in the early days of the site had absolutely nothing to do with technology. By the time September 11, 2001 rolled around, Ars was about 1.5-years-old yet the site had already developed into a cohesive, active community. The forums in particular became a daily hang out spot for many like-minded techies, so perhaps it's only natural that this space could also serve as a communal grieving spot for so many shaken by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. "I can't be the only person who remembers the Ars OpenForum reaction to the horrific events of 9/11. As most of us do, I remember the day vividly; I was in graduate school in London and spent most of the day following the event on the forum," wrote longtime Arsian Jonathan Gitlin for our 20th anniversary celebration. "A couple of days later, people started posting images from around the world in this thread." Now everytime 9/11 comes up on the calendar, our minds take us back to [that thread]( and the community that came together from all over the world to organically build it. [Advertisement]( [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Powered by Live Intent]( [Ad Choices]( [Facebook Logo]( [Twitter Logo]( [YouTube Logo]( [Instagram Logo]( Copyright © 2019 Ars Technica / Condé Nast, All rights reserved. You are receiving our newsletter because you signed up at Ars Technica (). Our mailing address is: Ars Technica / Condé Nast 1 World Trade CenterNew York, NY 10007 [Add us to your address book]( Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](. [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display]                              Â