Apple’s Big Day: Everything You Need to Know

Wednesday was a big day for Apple. The company announced a new version of its iPhone, new iPods, and a number of updates to iTunes and the next version of its mobile operating system, iOS 6.

Do all the announcements have your head spinning? Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know from today’s event.

iPhone 5

The biggest news out of today’s Apple event was the iPhone 5. The next generation of Apple’s popular handset has a larger screen than previous versions at 4 inches, and a 1,136 x 640 display, making it still qualify as “retina.”

Apple’s vice president of worldwide marketing, Phil Schiller, says the iPhone 5 is “the most beautiful product we have ever made.”

SEE ALSO: iPhone 5 Compared With Competitors [CHART]

The thinner and lighter phone will have a faster processor, an upgraded 8-megapixel camera with built-in panorama mode and improved low-light performance, and will support LTE data networks.

With the launch of the phone, Apple is also ditching the 30-pin connector it has used in its products since 2003, replacing it with a new “Lightning” connector. An adapter for the new connector will allow you to use it with any accessories you already own.

Apps that are designed for the current iPhone screen will still work on the iPhone 5, however, they’ll appear with a black bar on either side of the screen to compensate for the changed screen size.

Starting at $199 for the 16GB version of the handset, Apple will also be offering a 32GB version for $299, and a 32GB version for $399.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 5 will start Friday, and it officially goes on sale Sept. 21.

A Closer Look at iOS 6

While on stage, Apple showed off some of the features we’ll see in iOS 6. Most notably, Apple’s senior VP of iOS, Scott Forstall, showed off the new Maps application that will include turn-by-turn directions. SEE ALSO: Five Disappointments of iOS 6

Apple’s WWDC, iOS 6 will also have Facebook integration, improvements to Siri, shared photo streams, and full-screen viewing in Safari.

Updated iTunes

Apple unveiled an updated version of iTunes. Available in October, the desktop app will have a new edge-to-edge design, iCloud integration, and a number of other features and enhancements such as the ability to manage playlists and see upcoming songs from the app’s mini player. SEE ALSO: 10 People Distracted by Untucked Shirts at Apple Event

Facebook is also now integrated into iTunes â€" including the mobile version of the app â€" allowing you to see at a glance what apps, songs and books your friends have liked. The move seems to signify Apple’s abandonment of its own music-based social network Ping.

iPod Touch With Siri

Apple made a major update to the iPod touch Wednesday, most notably adding Siri support to the device.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s iPhone 5 Announcement By The Numbers

The player uses Apple’s dual-core A5 processor, and has a new 5-megapixel camera that uses some of the same technology found in the camera on the iPhone 5. Past versions of the iPod touch camera could shoot video, but not take photos, making this a first for the device. Video on the player is recorded at 1080p.

The iPod touch will be available in multiple colors â€" black, white, blue, yellow and red â€" with each coming with a matching camera loop. Arriving in October, the 32GB version of the player will be $299, and the 64GB version $399.

New iPod Nano

An updated version of the iPod Nano has a 2.5-inch multi-touch display and is 38% thinner than its predecessor. The tiny device has built-in Bluetooth support, and an FM tuner that allows users to pause and start the radio as well as built-in fitness tracking.

The updated iPod nano will be $149, with pre-orders starting Sept. 14.

Meet EarPods, Your New Apple Earphones

Apple unveiled redesigned earphones for its mobile products. They will ship with the iPhone and new iPod touch, but are available now in the Apple Store.

The headphones have sound ports built into the stem and the sides. The vents on the side of each EarPod “allows air inside the stem, which acts as an acoustic chamber, to flow out,” according to Apple. “So you hear deeper, richer bass tones.”

Apple says it 3D-scanned hundreds of ears to create the perfect fit for the EarPods so that they rest in your ears, but don’t create a seal like traditional headphones.

What’s Next?

Apple is rumored to be launching a smaller version of its iPad soon. The announcement didn’t come today, but is expected to come at a separate event next month.

What do you think of Apple’s announcements? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.