Summary of Apple's March 21, 2017 Product Announcements

Today has seen a round of product announcements from Apple, including the launch of a new iPad; a special PRODUCT(RED) iPhone; changes to storage sizes; some new accessories; and a new iOS app.

iPad

The iPad Air 2 has been discontinued and replaced with a new 9.7-inch iPad equipped with an A9 chip and a brighter Retina display. This new model is simply called "iPad," and is Apple's new entry-level model at the 9.7-inch size.

The new iPad includes FaceTime cameras on front and rear; Touch ID; and is available in Apple SIM and cellular models with silver, gold and space gray color options. Prices start at US$329, with online availability beginning Friday, March 24, 2017 and in-store availability starting next week.

Apple has also doubled the storage and reduced the price of the iPad Mini 4. The 128GB iPad Mini 4 with Wi-Fi is now available for US$399, with the 128GB cellular model available for US$529. The 32GB iPad Mini 4, as well as all remaining variants of the iPad Mini 2, appear to have been discontinued.

iPhone

Apple today also announced a new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus PRODUCT(RED) Special Edition. The new color option is described as a vibrant red aluminum finish in recognition of more than 10 years of partnership between Apple and (RED), which Apple says gives customers a way to contribute to the Global Fund and "bring the world a step closer to an AIDS-free generation."

The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition will be available in 128GB and 256GB models, with prices starting at US$749. Like the new iPad, it will be available to purchase from Friday, March 24, 2017.

In addition to the new PRODUCT(RED) iPhone, Apple has also doubled the storage capacity for the iPhone SE. The device is now available in 32GB and 128GB models, starting at US$399 with availability to purchase beginning Friday, March 24, 2017.

Apple Watch

For Apple Watch owners, a number of new bands have been introduced. These include 3 new colors for the Sport band (Pebble, Azure and Camellia); 6 new colors for the Woven Nylon band (Berry, Tahoe Blue, Orange, Red, Pollen and Midnight Blue); and 3 new options for the Classic Buckle (Sapphire, Berry and Taupe). The Classic Buckle also has a new buckle design for all colors.

Nike Sport Bands are now available for purchase separately; available colors are Anthracite/Black, Pure Platinum/White, and Volt/Black. In addition, new Apple Watch Nike+ models are available in 38mm and 42mm Space Grey Aluminum Case with Anthracite/Black Sport Band; and 38mm and 42mm Silver Aluminum Case with Pure Platinum/White Sport Band.

To round out the Apple Watch updates, there are now four new Apple Watch Hermès bands available: 38mm Double Tour in Bleu Zéphyr Epsom leather, 38mm Double Buckle Cuff in Fauve Barenia leather, 42mm Single Tour in Lime Epsom leather, and 42mm Single Tour in Colvert Swift leather. The Apple Watch Hermès collection has been updated to include a model which pairs the 38mm Double Buckle Cuff in Fauve Barenia calfskin, as well as an exclusive Hermès Sport Band in signature orange.

iPhone Cases

Apple has also announced new colors of its silicone and leather cases for iPhone. The silicone case is now available in Azure, Camellia, and Pebble; while the leather case now comes in Taupe, Sapphire, and Berry.

Apps

Today hasn't been all about hardware and accessories, as there is also a brand new app from apple called Clips. The app allows you to combine video clips, photos, and music with animated captions and effects into creative videos for sharing on a variety of platforms. Clips will be available in April and will require iOS 10.3.

Lastly, Apple's Swift Playgrounds app is now available in five new languages: Simplified Chinese, Japanese, French, German, and Latin American Spanish. Swift Playgrounds is an iPad app which teaches users to code using Apple's Swift programming language. The app includes Apple-developed programming lessons, puzzles, and challenges which teach core coding concepts; built-in templates are also included for users to create their own programs.