Apple Announces iPad Pro, iPhone 6S
Apple made announcements including the larger-screened iPad Pro and the iPhone 6S line during Wednesday's product event:
• iPad Pro is a 12.9-inch tablet that will start at $799 and is targeted for productivity and creative endeavors. The device has Retina display and has the highest resolution of any iOS device, according to Apple. The iPad Pro will be available starting in November for $1,079 (128GB), $949 (128GB) and $799 (32GB). The device will also work with a “smart pencil” ($99) and “smart keyboard” ($169). Read more on The Verge.
• The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus will include a pressure-sensitive screen that allows for new ways to interact with the device. The iPhone 6S will have a 4.7-inch screen, the same size as the iPhone 6. With a standard 2-year carrier contract, the iPhone 6S will run at $199 (16GB), $299 (64GB) and $399 (128GB)—the same pricing that was initially announced for the iPhone 6. Pre-orders start Saturday and shipping begins Sept. 25. Read more on The Verge.
• Apple also announced that Boston's Harmonix, the developer of Rock Band and Guitar Hero, has developed a Wii-like game called Beat Sports for the new Apple TV. Read more on The Verge.
— Kyle Alspach
Harvard & MIT Among Nation's Top 10 Universities
Another national universities ranking, another feather in their caps for Harvard and MIT. U.S. News & World Report released the list today, and the pride of Boston and Cambridge came in at No. 2 and No. 7, respectively. Rounding out the top 10, in order (and including ties), were: Princeton, Yale, Columbia, Stanford, University of Chicago, Duke, University of Pennsylvania, California Institute of Technology and Johns Hopkins. For the full list, head here. – Alex E. Weaver
Localytics Is Moving to a Larger HQ in the Downtown
Localytics is planning a major expansion into a larger new headquarters in early 2016. The company, a maker of analytics and marketing software focused on mobile apps, is moving to 2 Center Plaza from its current location on Arch Street. The move will give the firm 55,000 square feet of space compared to its current 18,000, and will make Localytics that anchor tenant at Center Plaza, which is located between City Hall Plaza and the Financial District. The move follows the company’s growth to 250 employees—with 170 of those in Boston—and its $35 million funding round in March. In a news release, CEO Raj Aggarwal said that along with giving the company a "home for many years to come," the new HQ will aim to be a hub for the local tech scene. "Our vision is also to open our new office up to the Boston startup community and give these companies an opportunity to host events and meetings, making the office a center for innovation," Aggarwal said. — Kyle Alspach
Five Guys Eyeing Allston Location
Good news for anyone within spitting distance of Allston: Apparently, delicious burger chain Five Guys is planning to open up shop there, pending a neighborhood meeting Wednesday evening. Then again, you know how these neighborhood meetings can go. Someone is allergic to the smell of fryer grease and the whole kit and kaboodle gets derailed. Whatever. Eater Boston has the details. – Alex E. Weaver
Fast-Fashion Dept. Store Primary Opens Thursday in DTX
Primark, the fast-fashion retailer that's put its first U.S. roots right here at the base if Millennium Tower, is set to open shop Thursday. That's good news for your fall wardrobe. And potentially bad news for your paycheck. – Alex E. Weaver
Boston Sports Fans Top Another Ranking
Boston sports fans stood by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady through the duration of his successful struggle against the NFL, but that was no surprise to anyone familiar with the local population. And to further the concept, Boston fans as a whole (not just football fans) were recently named to be the best in the U.S. according to WalletHub. Here's a nice writeup on it coming from Boston Magazine. – Hayden Bird
