VOA慢速英语2020--苹果发布首款5G智能手机iPhone12

Apple has announced its first smartphones built to work with 5G, the world's fastest ever wireless¹ technology.

While the new phones may have been long awaited by Apple fans, many users will not experience the reality of 5G anytime soon. This is because 5G networks are still being built in many parts of the world, including wide areas of the United States.

Four new models

At a virtual release event on Tuesday, the company announced four versions of its latest device, the iPhone 12. The base model has the same display size as the iPhone 11 – 15.5 centimeters - but the new iPhone 12 is lighter² and thinner. It sells for $800.

A much smaller version, called iPhone 12 Mini, has a 13.7 cm display. It is priced at $700. The company describes the Mini as "the world's smallest, thinnest, lightest 5G phone."

The other two devices – the iPhone 12 Pro³ and iPhone 12 Pro Max – are aimed at users seeking Apple's highest end smartphones. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the largest of the new devices, with a 17 cm display. The Pro version comes with a 15.5 cm display. The iPhone 12 Pro sells for $1,000, while the Pro Max costs an additional $100.

Apple says the Pro and Pro Max versions offer a more powerful three-camera system and improved photo processing tools to produce higher quality pictures and video.

The two devices also come equipped with a new three-dimensional, or 3D "LiDAR" sensor⁴ system. LiDAR is a technology that uses light lasers to scan areas and measure distances. Apple said users will be able to use the tool to create "depth maps" of whatever space they are in. LiDAR can also improve camera operations in low light situations and at night.

Pre-orders will begin October 16 for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro in the United States, Britain, China and some other countries. The iPhone Mini and Pro Max will be available for pre-order on November 6 and will arrive in stores November 13.

5G technology

The company said all its iPhone 12 models in the United States will support "millimeter wave" 5G, the fastest version of the technology, as well as mid⁵ and low band signals. Some competing Android devices support only the lower band versions of 5G.

Apple brought in the head of U.S. wireless carrier Verizon, Hans Vestberg, to explain the strength of 5G on its network. 5G promises much faster speeds for things like downloading movies and gaming on mobile devices. 5G is also expected to prevent internet slowdowns in high use areas.

But connecting at such speeds currently can be rare. While major telecom operators have launched 5G networks, major speed improvements are still uncommon⁶ in much of the world. Some parts of Asia – notably⁷ China and South Korea – have established 5G networks that offer users major speed improvements.

Bob O'Donnell is head of TECHnalysis Research, a technology market research company. He told the Reuters news agency he thinks Apple may be setting users up for disappointment by drawing too much attention to the benefits of 5G.

Many users receiving their new 5G iPhones will only be able to experience small speed increases until wireless carriers fully⁸ build out their network systems, O'Donnell said. "I don't feel like Apple clarified that as much as they could have."

Still, many industry experts expect the new 5G devices to sell well since Apple has one of the world's most loyal and wealthy user bases. The iPhone remains⁹ at the center of Apple's business.

Competitors making Android devices – such as South Korea's Samsung and China's Huawei – began launching their 5G smartphones more than a year ago.

HomePod

During its launch event, Apple also announced it was shrinking the size and price of its HomePod smart speaker. The new HomePod Mini – which is based on Apple's Siri assistant technology - will cost $100 and start shipping¹⁰ on November 16.

The smart speaker launch is seen as a move by Apple to catch up to Amazon and Google in the market for internet-connected home devices. Apple still holds only a small share of the market.

Experts say a big reason for Apple's low sales of its smart speaker is that its main HomePod device costs $300, while competing products from Amazon and Google cost as little as $50.

Words in This Story

virtual – adj. using computer and internet technology to conduct activities normally carried out in person

display – n. a computer or device screen that shows electronic information

three-dimensional - adj. appearing to have length, depth and width

scan – v. the act of scanning, or looking at all or part of something

disappointment – n. feeling unhappy about something that did not turn out as good as expected

benefit – n. a good or helpful result or effect

clarify – v. make something easier to understand by explaining it

1 wireless   

adj.无线的；n.无线电

参考例句：

• There are a lot of wireless links in a radio.收音机里有许多无线电线路。
• Wireless messages tell us that the ship was sinking.无线电报告知我们那艘船正在下沉。

2 lighter   

n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级

参考例句：

• The portrait was touched up so as to make it lighter.这张画经过润色，色调明朗了一些。
• The lighter works off the car battery.引燃器利用汽车蓄电池打火。

3 pro   

n.赞成，赞成的意见，赞成者

参考例句：

• The two debating teams argued the question pro and con.辩论的两组从赞成与反对两方面辩这一问题。
• Are you pro or con nuclear disarmament?你是赞成还是反对核裁军？

4 sensor   

n.传感器，探测设备，感觉器（官）

参考例句：

• The temperature sensor is enclosed in a protective well.温度传感器密封在保护套管中。
• He plugged the sensor into a outlet.他把传感器插进电源插座。

5 mid   

adj.中央的，中间的

参考例句：

• Our mid-term exam is pending.我们就要期中考试了。
• He switched over to teaching in mid-career.他在而立之年转入教学工作。

6 uncommon   

adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的

参考例句：

• Such attitudes were not at all uncommon thirty years ago.这些看法在30年前很常见。
• Phil has uncommon intelligence.菲尔智力超群。

7 notably   

adv.值得注意地，显著地，尤其地，特别地

参考例句：

• Many students were absent,notably the monitor.许多学生缺席，特别是连班长也没来。
• A notably short,silver-haired man,he plays basketball with his staff several times a week.他个子明显较为矮小，一头银发，每周都会和他的员工一起打几次篮球。

8 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

9 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

10 shipping   

n.船运（发货，运输，乘船）

参考例句：

• We struck a bargain with an American shipping firm.我们和一家美国船运公司谈成了一笔生意。
• There's a shipping charge of ￡5 added to the price.价格之外另加五英镑运输费。