Apple Introduces the iPhone 6 and More

Apple today unveiled two new iPhones, mostly confirming the rumors about bigger displays, a faster processor and a redesigned keyboard. But the new iPhones were just the beginning of a series of major announcements, which included the roll out of iOS 8, a brand new mobile payments system, and Apple Watch, the company’s highly-anticipated wearable device which will go on sale early next year.

Here’s a quick wrap-up of what we learned during today’s presentation:

New iPhones

As expected, Apple is introducing two new iPhones – the iPhone 6, which will have a 4.7-inch screen, and a larger 5.5-inch model which will be known as the iPhone 6 Plus. Both phones will showcase a new Retina HD display, featuring over 1 million pixels on the iPhone 6 and over 2 million pixels on the iPhone 6 Plus.

It was clear from today’s presentation that Apple spent many hours agonizing over the functionality of the bigger iPhones and was keen to adhere to a principle of Apple founder Steve Jobs, who believed that mobile phones should be capable of being operated with just one hand. Consequently, there are some new swipe and touch gestures included with the new iPhones, including a “Reachability” feature that allows users to quickly slide content to the bottom of the bigger screen.

Apple also gave assurances that the majority of the 1.3 million apps that are now in the App Store would look good on the bigger screens thanks to a “desktop-class” scaler that’s incorporated into the new devices.

Other enhancements include a brand new A8 second-generation 64 bit chip, which will improve processing speeds by up to 50 percent, an M8 motion coprocessor, which gathers data from advanced sensors, and a barometer, which can help health and fitness apps measure elevation and performance.

Camera enhancements include optimal image stabilization and a number of improvements to the iPhone’s video capability, including video stabilization and the ability to shoot slo-mo video at up to 240 frames per second. There will also be “burst mode” for the front-facing FaceTime camera, which will no doubt please the selfie generation!

The new iPhones come in gold, silver or space gray and start at $199 for the 16GB iPhone 6 and $299 for the 16GB iPhone 6 Plus. Responding to calls for more storage, Apple is skipping the 32GB version of both devices, instead jumping straight to a 64GB option followed by a brand new 128GB category.

Customers will be able to pre-order the new phones from September 12, with the ship and in-store date set for September 19. In keeping with previous discounting policies, the existing iPhone 5S will now be available from $99 and the iPhone 5C for free, both with two-year contracts.

iOS 8

Apple’s new mobile operating system features an all-new Photos app, which makes it simpler to search and organize your photos, plus an updated Messages app, which allows users to add voice to a message or quickly send a video.

There are also enhancements to the keyboard, improvements to the Health app, and more synchronization through iCloud, including the ability to start an e-mail on one device and finish it on another.

iOS 8 will be available for download on September 17 and is compatible with the iPhone 4S, iPad 2, iPod touch 5th generation, and later devices.

Apple Pay

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the presentation (apart from U2 giving away their new album on iTunes for free; more on that later) was the announcement of Apple’s new mobile payments system called Apple Pay. The surprise was not the fact that Apple was getting involved in payments – that information had been widely leaked before today’s event – but just how far along Apple is in terms of development and deployment.

Making a payment using Apple Pay will be as simple as placing your iPhone next a checkout reader and holding your finger on the Touch ID button. There are currently an estimated 220,000 US merchants featuring tap-to-pay devices at checkout with more coming on stream all the time. To facilitate utilization of its payments system, Apple has already made arrangements with dozens of well-known retailers, including McDonald’s, Macy’s, Walgreens, Duane Reade, Staples, Disney and Whole Foods. The payment system will even work online, with apps like OpenTable and Groupon displaying a Touch ID button within their apps.

If you have an iTunes account, Apple will automatically add your iTunes credit or debit card to Apple Pay on sign up, and entering additional payment options is as simple as taking a photo of the relevant card. Apple took great pains to stress that they will not be tracking users purchase or spending habits. Even the cashier won’t be able to see any information, including the customer’s name and address.

Apple Pay will only work with the new iPhones but it should be operational as soon as they are available.

Apple Watch

Last but not least was the much-anticipated announcement of Apple’s first foray into wearable technology through Apple Watch (not called iWatch as most people had speculated).

Although the square face of the Watch looks a lot like some of the other wearable tech devices that have appeared over the last few years, the Apple device can be customized to the nth degree. It comes in three different versions – Watch, Watch Sport and Watch Edition – and each version can be fitted with a multitude of different straps to “fit your tastes and personality.”

The Watch will feature an array of custom apps that will allow you to do everything from control your music to send an “I’m thinking of you” message to a loved one through a simple wrist tap. In fact much of the functionality of the Watch relies on Haptic technology – vibrations or taps that have a specific meaning. For example, the Watch’s GPS function can send a different turn right or turn left haptic, so you know where to go without even looking at the device itself.

Along with the usual tap-to-zoom and swipe gestures, the Watch features a control wheel or “Digital Crown” that resembles a large winding wheel on the side of the device. Pressing or turning the Digital Crown allows additional scrolling, as well as a quick way to get back to the Home screen.

Despite the inclusion of email, contacts and other everyday functions, it was clear from the presentation that Apple was placing great emphasis on the health and fitness possibilities of the Watch. As well as a heart rate monitor, the Watch features several other sensors that allow the device to interact with an array of health and fitness apps, helping users both monitor current activity and set future goals.

It remains to be seen whether wearable technology is a fad or whether it has some usefulness to individuals beyond the geeky and the curious. It certainly got the Apple faithful excited, with a launch date of “early next year” eliciting the only groan of the entire presentation. Prices for the Apple Watch will start at $349.

Something for nothing

As they have often done in the past, Apple executives added a musical component to today’s presentation, inviting U2 to come on stage and play a track from the band’s new album, Songs of Innocence. Afterwards, Apple CEO Tim Cook and U2’s Bono got together to announce that the album would be available as a free download on iTunes through October 13. That represents a potential fan base of over 500 million and presumably a sizeable investment for Apple – a fitting way to end a presentation that was never short of surprise or big ideas!

Comments:

  1. Hello i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anyplace, when i read
    this piece of writing i thought i could also create comment due
    to this good post.

  2. I read this article completely about the resemblance of newest and preceding technologies,
    it’s remarkable article.

  3. Hi are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying
    to get started and create my own. Do you need any coding knowledge
    to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!

  4. You really make it appear so easy along with your presentation however I in finding this topic
    to be actually one thing which I believe I would
    by no means understand. It kind of feels too complex and very broad for me.
    I’m taking a look ahead to your next submit, I will attempt to get
    the cling of it!

    my web-site poker online

  5. I was recommended this website by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this
    post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my
    difficulty. You are amazing! Thanks!

  6. Hey there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which
    blog platform are you using for this website? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform.
    I would be great if you could point me in the
    direction of a good platform.

  7. I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s
    a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to
    come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
    Excellent work!

  8. Do you mind if I quote a few of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your
    weblog? My website is in the exact same niche as yours and my visitors would really benefit from
    some of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this ok with you.
    Many thanks!

  9. Attractive component to content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital
    to assert that I acquire actually loved account your weblog posts.
    Any way I’ll be subscribing in your augment or even I fulfillment you get admission to constantly fast.

  10. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I
    find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complicated and very broad for me.
    I am looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

  11. Just want to say your article is as astounding.

    The clearness in your post is simply great and that i could suppose you are knowledgeable on this
    subject. Fine along with your permission allow me to snatch your RSS feed to stay updated
    with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the rewarding work.

  12. you are actually a good webmaster. The web site loading speed
    is amazing. It seems that you are doing any unique trick.
    In addition, The contents are masterpiece. you have done a great activity in this topic!

  13. Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Taking the time and
    actual effort to make a top notch article… but what can I say…
    I hesitate a whole lot and never manage to get anything done.

  14. Hi there, I found your site by the use of Google whilst searching
    for a similar topic, your web site came up, it
    seems to be good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hello there, just changed into aware of your blog via Google, and
    found that it is really informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels.

    I’ll be grateful for those who proceed this in future.
    Lots of folks shall be benefited from your writing.
    Cheers!

  15. It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy.
    I’ve read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you some interesting things or suggestions.
    Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article.
    I wish to read even more things about it!

  16. An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a
    co-worker who had been doing a little homework on this.
    And he in fact ordered me lunch because
    I found it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!!

    But yeah, thanks for spending some time to talk about this issue here on your
    web page.

  17. Hello would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with?
    I’m looking to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a difficult
    time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique.
    P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!

  18. Hmm it looks like your website ate my first comment
    (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
    I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to everything.
    Do you have any tips and hints for first-time blog writers?

    I’d definitely appreciate it.

  19. I do not know if it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else encountering issues with your website.
    It looks like some of the text within your content are running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if this is
    happening to them too? This might be a problem with my web browser because I’ve had this happen before.

    Cheers

  20. Its such as you read my thoughts! You seem to understand
    so much about this, such as you wrote the e-book in it or something.
    I think that you simply could do with some p.c. to drive
    the message house a little bit, however other than that, this is wonderful blog.
    A great read. I’ll certainly be back.

  21. Hey! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website?
    I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had
    problems with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform.
    I would be great if you could point me in the direction of a
    good platform.

  22. Having read this I believed it was really enlightening.

    I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put
    this short article together. I once again find myself spending way too much time
    both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth
    it!

  23. Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this site.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s difficult to get that “perfect balance” between usability and appearance.
    I must say that you’ve done a amazing job with this.
    Also, the blog loads super fast for me on Opera. Outstanding Blog!

  24. You are so awesome! I don’t suppose I’ve read through anything like this before.
    So nice to find someone with genuine thoughts on this subject.

    Seriously.. thank you for starting this up.

    This site is something that’s needed on the internet,
    someone with a little originality!

  25. Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide credit
    and sources back to your site? My website is in the exact same niche
    as yours and my users would certainly benefit from some of the information you provide
    here. Please let me know if this ok with you.
    Many thanks!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *