Apple unveils new iPhones and bigger, better iPad

New iPhones, a super-sized iPad and an updated Apple TV were all introduced at Apple's event in San Francisco.

It was a product bonanza for the tech giant, but there were few surprises, with much of the detail leaked ahead of the event.

Apple kicked off the big announcements by unveiling its long-rumoured iPad Pro, which takes over as the flagship of the iPad line, clocking in at faster speeds than 90 per cent of portable computers according to Apple.

The tablet has a 12.9 inch screen and is powered by a new A9x chip that is up to 1.8 times faster than its predecessor. It also takes advantage of the multitasking introduced in iOS 9.

The company showed off a range of apps for the new device, from photo editing to Dublin-based 3D 4Medical’s anatomy software.

Going on sale in November, prices for the new iPad Pro start from $799, with a 32GB, 64GB and 128GB version available.

New accessories for the iPad include a smart keyboard cover, and a new stylus, dubbed the Apple Pencil, which cost $169 and $99 respectively.

As expected, the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus introduce 3D Touch to the smartphone range, which Apple chief executive Tim Cook said were the most advanced iPhones the company has created.

“Although they look familiar, we have changed everything about these new iPhones,” he said.

Among the changes are the ability to shoot video in 4K – roughly four times the resolution of high definition – a 12 megapixel rear facing camera and a 5 megapixel front facing camera. The display can also work as a flash for selfies.

The new iPhones are powered by the A9 chip, which Apple said was 70 per cent faster at CPU tasks and 90 per cent faster at graphics tasks than its predecessor, the A8.

It also has a new generation Touch ID sensor that recognises your fingerprint faster.

The new iPhones will go on sale on September 25th, but Ireland isn't in the initial group of countries to get the devices.

After a long period of neglect, Apple TV was dragged into the modern age, with a new app-based interface, Siri and a Bluetooth remote control. TV OS will have its own app store, opening it up to games and other software.

“We believe it’s the future of TV,” said Cook.

Siri can be used to find programmes to watch, searching across multiple apps to find the programme you are looking for, or rewind a programme if you miss a crucial moment. The TV device will come in 32GB and 64GB versions, starting from $149.

The firm added to its smartwatch collection, with a new deal with Hermes to create a line of straps for the Apple Watch, and added two new options to the Sport line up, in gold and rosegold.

Apple also announced iOS 9 would be available from September 16th.