Of Presentations & Presents
We have a lot to fill you in on this issue! With two brand-new iPhones fresh off the presses, mobile accessory makers launching products in time for the holidays, and the release of the Apple Watch just around the corner, it’s an exciting time to be an Apple fan.
As Apple unveiled its stream of new products in early September, iPhone Life reported live as the event unfolded from the CTIA Super Mobility Week conference in Las Vegas, where thousands of mobile retailers, carriers, and distributors gathered to network in the sweltering desert city.
While at CTIA, a thought kept returning to me—that in the mobile world, great ideas are a dime a dozen, while great execution is hard-won.
Apple’s smartwatch is just one example of this. Like with the iPhone and even the iPad, the iconic tech company has taken an established concept and turned it into an intuitive product with new and varied uses. While we all reveled in the dramatic moment as CEO Tim Cook announced “one more thing,” bringing back Steve Jobs’s famous line, the success of Apple’s next chapter has more to do with execution than innovation.
The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, for instance, borrow largely from features we’ve already seen in Android phones. While the expansive displays and NFC capabilities may be nothing new to the smartphone industry, the fact that they come with the polish and style of iOS is what keeps Apple fans coming back for more.
This idea was evident as we made the rounds of CTIA’s show floor. I gravitated toward companies that not only had great concepts, but that also demonstrated passion and precision in the way they brought those ideas to market. As is our tradition, we gave out more than 20 awards to top companies for their innovative products, from GGMM’s playful yet elegant speaker designs to Evutec’s Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood and Kevlar iPhone cases (look out for profiles of our winners in the Jan/Feb issue of iPhone Life).
’Tis the Season to Buy
Between Apple’s new releases and the looming holiday season, this issue is all about helping you decide what products are worthy of your hard-earned cash. Our iNews section will help you decide if the new iPhones are for you and whether to save room in your budget for the Apple Watch come 2015. Our Gear Guide (pg. 30) includes gift ideas for everyone on your shopping list, as well as the coolest accessories we’ve seen this year. Cheers!