Apple’s special media event just finished and they introduced a ton of new products. We expected the iPhone 6, smart watch and new mobile payment plan, but we got so more much. Apple introduced us to the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, Apple Pay and Apple Watch in addition to giving away U2’s new album for free to every iTunes user.
The iPhone 6 is the eight-generation smartphone and is the successor to the iPhone 5s. This new phone has a plethora of new features, a brand new design and comes in a 4.7″ display size (iPhone 6) and 5.5″ display size (iPhone 6 Plus). For internal tech specs, it has the A8 processor (second-generation 64-bit architecture) with the M8 co-processor, NFC, advanced LTE and Wireless connectivity, a new Retina HD display and rear 8MP iSight camera.
Introducing the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will be available for preorder on September 12th and released on September 19th. The iPhone 6 starts at $199 for 16GB, $299 for 64GB and $399 for 128GB. The iPhone 6 Plus is $299 for 16GB, $399 for 64GB and $499 for 128GB.
Although we were pretty sure Apple would call its smart watch, the “iWatch”, they decided on a different name. The smart watch si simply called “Apple Watch.” The watch face comes in two sizes: 38mm (1.5″) and 42mm (1.65″) and three different materials: stainless steel, aluminum and 18-Karat gold. In addition, there are six different bands: leather loop, classic buckle, modern buckle, link bracelet, sport band and Milanese loop. To go even further, Apple designed three different collections to please everyone. The regular Apple Watch is be the traditional smart watch. The fitness-oriented Apple Watch Sport is designed for the active and people who like to move. Finally, the elegantly-designed Apple Watch Edition is the higher-end smart watch that comes in a gold case.
The new smart watch comes in three new collections: Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition.
The iPhone works in conjunction with the Apple Watch so you can easily read notifications, send messages, call friends and use Digital Touch. Digital Touch is a new feature that allows two people with watches to connect by using drawings, taps, their heartbeat and voice versus regular text messaging. Other apps are designed to work on the watch too: Maps, Passbook, Music, Apple TV and iTunes remote, Weather, Siri and more. In addition, third-party developers can create their own apps for the smart watch.
The iPhone 6 and Apple Watch both come with the NFC chip so you can now use them to pay for purchases at brick-and-mortar stores. Instead of pulling out a credit card for your purchase, just hold the iPhone near the terminal with your finger on Touch ID. The phone will wirelessly transmit a one-time use code and your unique Device Account Number that will process your payment.
Apple Pay works with iPhone 6 and Apple Watch.
The new Apple Pay system will work with major credit card companies, like MasterCard and VISA, large banks, like Capital One and Chase, and is accepted in stores, like McDonald’s and Walgreens. The system works from the Passbook app.
Apple Pay also works in apps so you can purchase goods without entering in your billing address, contact information and credit card number. When you are ready to make a purchase, select “Apple Pay” and press your finger on Touch ID. The app knows to charge the card and send your purchase to the information on file.
Other Announcements
In addition to the amazing products that Apple announced above, the new album by U2 will be available for free to all iTunes users. The album, which is title “Songs of Innocence”, is free to download. Click on this link on your iPhone, iPad or iPod to get the album.
The newest operating system, iOS 8, for iPhone, iPad and iPod will be available for download on September 17th.
Finally, 9to5Mac has noticed that Apple has removed the iPod Classic from its store. Apple has also redesigned their website to be iOS 7-like.
