Apple today took the wrapping off new iPhones, its larger iPad Pro and updates to its iOS and watchOS operating systems.
Keeping with tradition, Apple unveiled incremental upgrades to its iPhone devices rather than a complete design overhaul.
The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus feature the new 3D Touch capability, which senses pressure to enable the new 'peek' and 'pop' gestures.
Pressing lighty allows the user to 'peek' at a photo, email, web page or other content, while pressing more heavily takes the user into the desired content.
The new phones come equipped with changes to the camera - the 'Live Photos' function captures the moment before and after a photograph as well as the image to provide a "living memory" rather than a frozen instance in time, Apple said.
The phone's camera has also been upgraded from 8MP to 12MP on the back, and from 1.2MP to 5MP on the front. Support for 4K video is also included.
The iPhone 6s models carry Apple's new A9, 64-bit chip, which the company claims will provide 70 percent faster CPU and 90 percent faster GPU performance than its A8 predecessor.
The new iPhones also support up to 23 global LTE bands.
The iPhone 6s will start retailing from A$1079 for the 16GB model, ranging to A$1379 for the 128GB model. It comes in gold, silver, grey and rose gold.
Its larger sister, the iPhone 6s Plus, will retail in the same colours from A$1229 for the 16GB model and A$1529 for the 128GB model.
The phones will go on sale through Apple, carrier and reseller partners from September 25. Customers can pre-order from September 12.
iOS 9 arrives
The next iteration of Apple's mobile operating system, iOS 9, makes its debut with the new devices after being unveiled at the company's developer conference in July.
iOS 9 includes new multitasking capabilities for the iPad that allow users to view and interact with two applications at the same time.
'Slide over' lets users work in a second app without leaving the app originally being worked in; 'split view' allows users to view and interact with two apps at the same time; and 'picture-in-picture' means apps can be used while the user is in a video or FaceTime call. Additionally, a new shortcut bar displays editing tools.
In iOS 9, Apple has redesigned the Notes application to allow users to draw a sketch, create checklists or take a photo within a note. Similarly, Apple's first foray into publishing - the News app - will land on the home page to allow device owners to combine their favourite publications in one place.
Apple claims battery optimisations will deliver users on average one hour extra battery life, and is also now offering a low-power mode to extend the device's charged life.
The new iCloud Drive app allows users to access any file saved to iCloud from within the app, with browsing available by date, name or tags.
Siri has also been given an overhaul, and can now search through photos and videos based on dates, locations and album, and can be asked to remind the user of items in applications to follow up on later.
The Maps application now includes support for metropolitan transit systems and schedules, but the feature is only available in the US.
iOS 9 will be available from September 16 for the iPhone 4s, iPad 2, iPad mini, and fifth-generation iPod touch and newer devices.
A big iPad
The arrival of a larger iPad has been predicted by analysts and Apple watchers for years, and the company today finally announced its iPad Pro, a larger version of the popular tablet, intended as a replacement for notebooks.
The iPad Pro boasts a 12.9in screen - compared to the current iPad Air's 9.7in screen - and contains the new A9X processor, which will make the device faster than most notebooks on the market, Apple claims.
The device can be coupled with a keypad that attaches to the iPad via a magnetic connector that handles power and data, as well as a stylus dubbed the 'Pencil' aimed at creative users.
It puts the iPad Pro squarely in competition with Microsoft's Surface.
Apple claims its 64-bit A9 chip offers desktop-class CPU performance and console-level graphics, and says the iPad Pro will contain all-day battery life.
The iPad Pro will become available in November in the US, but Australian availability and pricing is yet to be announced. It will retail from US$799 up to US$1079. The keypad will cost US$169 while the Pencil is priced at US$99.
WatchOS 2
Apple similarly unveiled its first software upgrade to the Watch operating system, with watchOS 2 to become available from September 16.
The updated OS enables third-party applications to display information on the watch face.
Apple has opened up some of its Watch hardware and APIs to allow app developers to create native third-party apps such as video playback, measuring heart rate, or using the speaker and microphone in iTranslate, the company said.
Apple has beefed up the Watch's communications capabilities by allowing users to respond to emails via dictation, preset replies and emojis, and the 'Time Travel' feature lets users scroll through past and futue events.
WatchOS 2 also includes the new Activation Lock, which requires an iCloud Apple ID and password to activate the Watch to protect the device should it be stolen.
Companion devices need to run iOS 9 to access the full list of watchOS 2 features.
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