MacRumors

Following the conclusion of today’s iPhone-centric event in San Francisco, Apple has seeded the first betas of iOS 9.1 and Apple tvOS to developers. The betas were seeded alongside the iOS 9 Golden Master and the OS X 10.11 Golden Master. All of the beta software is available for download immediately from the Apple Developer Center.

tvOS, just announced today, is the operating system that runs on the fourth-generation Apple TV. It includes a full App Store and tools that will allow developers to create apps for the Apple TV.

iOS 9.1 is an upcoming update to iOS 9 that will include new features for the iPad Pro, adding support for accessories like the Smart Keyboard and the Apple Pencil, both of which were designed for the 12.9-inch tablet.

tvOS will be available to the general public beginning in October, when the new Apple TV is released. iOS 9.1 will likely be released in November alongside the iPad Pro.

What's new in iOS 9.1:

Emoji - iOS 9.1 includes some long-awaited new emoji like the taco, unicorn, and burrito. These emoji are part of Unicode 8.

Hey Siri - In the Settings app, there's a new Siri setting that lets you give voice examples for the "Hey Siri" feature that can be activated whenever the iPhone is connected to power. With the new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, this will be essential because "Hey Siri" activation can be used even when an iPhone is not plugged in.

Apple today seeded the golden master (GM) version of watchOS 2 to developers, which is the version of watchOS 2 that will be released to the public on September 16 alongside iOS 9.

watchOS 2 requires iOS 9 and can be downloaded over-the-air through the Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General --> Software Update.

Today's golden master release follows five developer betas of watchOS 2, which were seeded to developers from June 8 to August 6, when the fifth and final beta was released.

watchOS 2 is the first major update to watchOS, the software that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 2 introduces several new features developers can use to improve their apps, including more efficient native apps that run on the watch itself instead of the iPhone. The new software also allows developers to access the Taptic Engine and sensors like the heart rate monitor, microphone, and accelerometer.

Thanks to the new tools for developers, Apple Watch apps will be more complex, full-featured, and faster. Other features in watchOS 2 include photo and time-lapse watch faces, third-party Complications, a longer screen activation time, Time Travel, and a Nightstand mode that's activated when the Apple Watch is charging.

Apple today seeded the golden master (GM) version of iOS 9 to developers. The golden master represents the final version of iOS 9 that will be released to the public on September 16, two days ahead of the official launch of the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus.

The update is available through Apple's over-the-air updating mechanism on iOS devices and it can also be downloaded through the Apple Developer Center.

Prior to the launch of the golden master, Apple seeded five betas of iOS 9 to developers and public beta testers, with the fifth and final beta released on August 6.

iOS 9 focuses on intelligence and proactivity, allowing iOS devices to learn user habits and act on that information, providing recommendations to places we might like, apps we might like to use, and more. Siri is smarter with iOS 9, able to create contextual reminders and offer up more information through improved search options.

Built-in apps like Maps, Notes, and Mail have been improved in iOS 9, and Passbook has been renamed Wallet. iOS 9 introduces split-screen multitasking for the iPad for the first time, and there are some significant under-the-hood improvements that will result in more battery life, more storage space through smaller app install sizes, and enhanced performance.

Alongside the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus, Apple today debuted four new docks that are compatible with the new iPhones and the existing iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. The docks come in colors that match the finish of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus and are available in Gold, Rose Gold, Space Gray, and Silver. The docks are available for purchase immediately from Apple's online storefront and are priced at $49.99.

Apple is also launching new leather and silicone cases for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, which are available in new colors. The leather colors include Midnight Blue, Saddle Brown, Rose Gray, Brown, and Black.

In silicone, customers will be able to choose from White, Charcoal Gray, Stone, Antique White, Blue, Turquoise, Midnight Blue, Lavender, Pink, Orange, and Red. Many of the colors match the newly announced Apple Watch band line-up as well.

Today at its "Hey Siri" special event, Apple announced a brand new program at its retail stores called the iPhone Upgrade Program. The program is designed for users who want to have the newest iPhone every year, and even comes with AppleCare+ included. Those who sign up for the program will be able to trade-in their current iPhone for a new model after 12 monthly installments are made, starting a new cycle of the program each year.

Users are given an unlocked iPhone and allowed to pick from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon, allowing customers to choose their current carrier or select a new one if they "don’t have any carrier commitments." iPhone 6s users can expect to pay $32.41/month (16GB), $36.58/month (64GB), or $40.75/month (128GB) while on the service. Alternatively, those opting for the larger-screened iPhone 6s Plus will see slightly higher prices: $36.58/month (16GB), $40.75/month (64GB), or $44.91/month (128GB).

Users who are interested in using the iPhone Upgrade Program to finance a new iPhone 6s or 6s Plus can do so by making a reservation online starting at 12:01 PDT Saturday, September 12, the same day pre-orders for the smartphone go live. The reservation will allow you to hold a spot at the Apple Store of your choosing for an appointment in setting up a new iPhone 6s or 6s Plus with the Upgrade Program.

Apple today announced a new feature for the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus called "Live Photos," allowing users to use the new 3D Touch feature on the iPhone to see quick, GIF-like movements in photos they have taken. The Live Photos feature is reminiscent of the fantastical moving photos featured in the Harry Potter movie, allowing users to see short bits of animation in their images.

Apple emphasized that Live Photos are not video, they're photos taken with all of the same high-quality camera capabilities brought to the new generation of iPhone, but they include an extra 1.5 seconds of footage at the beginning and the end of the photo to enable the mini animations. These animations are displayed when force pressing on a photo and when scrolling through photos in the Camera Roll.

According to Apple, Live Photos will be able to be viewed on the entire line-up of the Mac, iPhone, iPad, and even Apple Watch line. Users will even be able to use the new feature to set up Live Photos as a lock screen on iPhone, and even use the feature to make custom motion wallpapers for the Apple Watch. With a Live Photo as an Apple Watch face, it'll animate each time you raise your wrist to look at the time.

Apple today announced that iOS 9 will be released to the public on September 16 for compatible iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices. The software update will come preinstalled on the new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus out of the box when the smartphones launch on September 25.

iOS 9 is compatible with the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, iPhone 4s, iPad Pro, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad mini, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4, fifth-generation iPod touch and sixth-generation iPod touch.

iOS 9 was announced last June at WWDC and features a News app, Proactive Suggestions, Low Power Mode, split-screen multitasking on iPad, Apple Maps transit routing, a new systemwide San Francisco font, an optional iCloud Drive app, wireless CarPlay support, a revamped two-factor authentication system, keyboard enhancements, improved security, new developer tools and more.

At Apple's media event in San Francisco today, Apple announced an App Store for the new Apple TV will bring unique gaming experiences into a user's living room. The first experience the company showcased was a co-op Crossy Road experience that lets one player use the new Apple TV remote and another use an iPhone or iPod touch to control various characters in the game.

Each player controls a different Crossy Road character, and the idea behind the game, as on iOS, is to make it across the road. While Crossy Road uses touch-based controls via the Apple TV remote and the iPhone, other games will use motion-based controls that take advantage of the sensors built into the remote.

At the event, Apple also showcased an upcoming game from Harmonix, the studio behind Rock Band and Dance Central. Called Beats Sports, the game takes a "Wii Sports" angle on the music rhythm game genre, letting users play games like tennis along with the beat of the music.

Harmonix confirmed that up to four players will be able to play the game simultaneously with the use of an iPhone or an iPod Touch, similar to Crossy Road's co-operative play. Apple briefly touched on more robust console-style gaming experiences for Apple TV -- like Disney Infinity 3.0 and Guitar Hero -- but didn't give any more details as to how those peripheral-heavy games will work on the new Apple TV.

With the Apple tvOS SDK available to developers beginning today, we should be seeing a lot more gaming concepts for the Apple TV surfacing in the near future as developers create games for the device ahead of its October launch.

Today at its "Hey Siri" special event, Apple announced two brand new accessories for the newly-announced iPad Pro. The Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil both allow iPad Pro users to have more tactile experiences for heavy-duty work that a touch-screen alone can't sustain, increasing productivity.

The Smart Keyboard comes built into a Smart Cover and uses the Smart Dome Switch from the MacBook, which means that the keys click down evenly from wherever you hit them. According to Apple, the keys offer the "accuracy, stability, and satisfying key feel of standard keyboards." The keys are covered by a soft, custom woven fabric and the entire keyboard itself is "easily foldable and can transform into a Smart Cover."

The Keyboard connects to the iPad Pro via a new magnetic port called the Smart Connector, which can transmit both data and power at the same time. Because it connects directly to the iPad Pro, the Smart Keyboard does not require a separate battery, on/off switch, or Bluetooth pairing -- snap it on and it works automatically. The Smart Keyboard works with the QuickType features in iOS 9, for quick access to word predictions and autocorrect.

The Apple Pencil is a stylus that's been designed from the ground up to work with the iPad Pro. The touch system of the iPad Pro was designed with the Apple Pencil in mind, for a dramatically reduced latency and impressive accuracy when used for activities like fine art illustration and detailed 3D design.

Sensors inside the Apple Pencil allow it to detect its position on the iPad Pro's screen, tilt, and force, enabling pressure sensitivity. It also calculates both angle and orientation to produce both broad or shaded strokes, and it's precise enough that artists can touch a single pixel on the screen.

The Apple Pencil works with popular iOS apps like Mail, Notes, Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, and Office 365. The battery lasts for several hours and it's able to be recharged via the iPad Pro through a built-in Lightning connector.

Both the Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard are sold separately from the iPad Pro. The Apple Pencil will retail for $99, while the Smart Keyboard will retail for $169. Both accessories will be available for purchase in November alongside the iPad Pro.

Today at its "Hey Siri" event, Apple announced a partnership with Hermes to create a special Apple Watch collection called Apple Watch Hermes. The new collection will feature three brand new bands and watch faces. The watch bands will include the Double Tour, Single Tour, and the Cuff.

Uncompromising craftsmanship. Pioneering innovation. Groundbreaking functionality. Apple Watch Hermès is the culmination of a partnership based on parallel thinking, singular vision, and mutual regard. It is a unique timepiece designed with both utility and beauty in mind. With leather straps handmade by Hermès artisans in France and an Hermès watch face reinterpreted by Apple designers in California, Apple Watch Hermès is a product of elegant, artful simplicity — the ultimate tool for modern life.

The new Apple Watch Hermes collection will come in 10 unique options for customers to choose from, but the individual Hermes bands will not be sold by themselves. The Double Tour band will be available only in 38mm sizes, due to its more feminine look, and come in four different colors. Both 38mm and 42mm customers will be able to choose from the three color options of the Single Tour band, while the larger Cuff style is offered in one single 42mm leather option.

Pricing wise, the Double Tour collection will cost $1,250, the Single Tour will cost $1,100, and the Cuff comes in at the most expensive mid-tier Apple Watch option yet: $1,500. The collection won't be available to purchase online, and will follow the Apple Watch Edition route and will only be available at specific Apple and Hermes retail locations across the country in October.

Apple today at its "Hey Siri" media event announced that watchOS 2 will be released to the public on Wednesday, September 16 for the Apple Watch Sport, Apple Watch and Apple Watch Edition. The golden master (GM) version of the software was seeded to developers shortly after the event wrapped up.

watchOS 2 was announced last June at WWDC and features native third-party apps, third-party complications, new watch faces, a landscape Nightstand alarm clock mode, Activation Lock, FaceTime audio calls, new health and fitness achievements, and an improved Siri experience.

With new tools and APIs available in watchOS 2, Apple Watch apps will be more complex, full-featured, and faster. watchOS 2 introduces several new features developers can use to improve their apps, including more efficient native apps that run on the watch itself instead of the iPhone. The new software also allows developers to access the Taptic Engine and sensors like the heart rate monitor, microphone, and accelerometer.