Yesterday, September 12, Apple launched its eagerly awaited iPhone 8 and iPhone X models to widespread worldwide attention, the same day that Australians began receiving ballots in the postal survey about same-sex marriage.

Ahead of the product launch, Apple’s openly gay CEO Tim Cook (who came out in 2014, saying “I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me”) signed off on a statement urging support for Australia’s marriage equality campaign.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McvLyEYwVvg

“We support marriage equality and believe all Australians deserve the freedom to marry the person they love, and to have their relationships recognised with the same dignity and legal protections as their neighbours, friends and family,” the statement reads.

More than 16 million survey forms have been sent to eligible voters’ households from September 12 with voters encouraged to return them by October 27, with a deadline of November 7.

On the survey, which is set to cost $122 AUSD million, respondents are asked: ‘Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry? Yes or No.’ The results will be released at 11.30am, November 15.

Last year, Apple joined 647 corporations who publicly pledged their support for marriage equality in Australia, joining Airbnb, Atlassian, eBay, iiNet, PayPal, Twitter, and Telstra.

Among new product features encorporated into new models are wireless charging capabilities, a first for the device and on the iPhone X, facial recogntion software. Larger screens, a faster processor and “the most durable glass ever in a smartphone” have also been promised.

Wireless charging means the new iPhones can be charged by simply placing it on a power pad. It is the first time the technology has come to the iPhone range.