iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch release date, price and features

Say hello to the new iPhone 6. The two larger handsets were announced along with the highly speculated Apple Watch. Source: Supplied

 

THE wait is over. Apple has finally taken the wraps off TWO brand new iPhones as well as that one more thing we were all hoping for: the Apple Watch. 

After months of speculation, rumours, hearsay and hogwash we all can exchange a collective sign of relief for gasps of excitement as the new, exciting gadgets arrive.

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

Bigger, better and more thumb-friendly. Source: Supplied

 

In front of a rapturous crowd Apple’s CEO Tim Cook announced “the biggest advancement in the history of the iPhone” by unveiling the completely redesigned, iPhone 6 and the even larger iPhone 6 Plus. The handsets looked like many of the multitude of internet leaks measuring in at 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch respectively sporting smooth edges, a thinner profile and sharper screen. The bigger phones have been designed to be used one-handed and can be turned landscape on the homescreen just like a really mini iPad.

How the new phones measure up. Source: Supplied

 

But much more than a facelift the insides have been given a revamp with a faster A8 processor that’s 25 per cent faster than the 5S. Keeping up with the fitness gadget craze it’s updated its motion tracking M8 processor that can tell the difference between if you’re running or cycling. Sadly, it’s still 8-megapixel rear camera but their have been some tweaks including an image stabiliser for the iPhone 6 Plus, and a burst mode for the front camera that will delight selfie seekers. The handsets will be available from September 19th (you can pre-order from the 12th, if you don’t want to sleep outside the store) with Australian pricing as follows:

iPhone 6

16GB — $869
64GB — $999
128GB — $1129

iPhone 6 Plus

16GB — $999
64GB — $1129
128GB — $1249

Apple Watch

It’s about time. Apple’s smartwatch could change the game. Source: Supplied

 

We heard about it, we thought about it, but no one really knew if Apple would actually announce it.

Well, they did, and oh boy are we about to see a game changer in the wearable stakes. So far, we’ve been unconvinced to don a smartwatch but Tim Cook rocked out the Apple Watch (not iWatch) and it's a rectangular, super sleek piece of kit that can perform so many tricks the crowd were struggling to keep up. The display is flexible and made out of sapphire, the second hardest transparent material, behind diamond and is controlled by a digital crown (that dial on the side of regular watches). There are sensors on the rear that take your vitals such as heartrate.

Got your pulse racing? Source: Supplied

 

The types of apps we were shown displayed on the customisable face included maps, photos, music control as well the ability to talk to other Apple Watches. You can create a doodle on the screen and send it top them or, if you want to really creep them out, let them feel your heartbeat as it uses a ‘Tapic’ vibration feature to alert you to notifications. It comes in three different editions including a ‘Sport Edition’, which is more rugged and a more premium version.

Let’s face it, the more customisable the better. Source: Supplied

 

But the most appealing aspect of the Watch is how much you can control with it. As well as controlling music on other devices you can also work your Apple TV, unlock your hotel room door and even find where you parked your BMW.

Australian prices for the Apple Watch haven’t been announced but the US price starts at $349 and will be available from early 2015.

Apple Pay

The NFC that the iPhone has long needed is finally here. Source: Supplied

 

The tech giant has also launched Apple Pay, which it says will mean the end of the wallet as we know it.

Both the new iPhones as well as the Apple Watch will be able to use the system where you simply tap to purchase items. The system is launching in the US starting with American Express, Mastercard and Visa and major banks, with no word on when the system is likely to hit Australia. Mr Cook says Apple Pay “will forever change the way we buy things”.

This was by far the biggest, most crucial, product unveiling Apple has had after rivals have been leading the charge in larger mobile phones for some time. With these larger screened iPhones it has delivered on the cries from consumers and could keep the competition from knocking on its door. As for wearable technology, it finds itself in a rare situation of playing catch-up but has pulled off a stroke of excellence by making us actually want to own one — something no others have managed to do.

While the gadgets were a success, it wasn’t all been smooth sailing with the live stream of the event crashed for everyone around the world leaving Apple fans on their knees as they tuned into get a glimpse of the new gear. For those who missed it, here’s how it all went down:

Here they are. Ta-dah! Source: Supplied

All times are AEST (yes, we really did get up this early)

2.30am: The invited crowd is gathering and shuffling into the auditorium.

2.50am: Inside the Flint Centre where Tim Cook will take to the stage.

3.0oam: Agh. Anyone who isn’t using Apple’s Safari browser won’t be able to watch the live stream of the keynote. Cheers, Apple.

3.05am: Live stream feed is down for everyone anyway. Technology, eh?

3.08am: Tim Cook skips the usual figures and company stats to get straight to the nitty gritty by stating “today we are announcing the biggest advancement in the history of the iPhone”.

3.10am: It’s official Apple will be releasing TWO new iPhones: the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. the iPhone 6 is the expected 4.7-inch screen with a Retina HD display. The Plus will be rocking a 5.5-inch screen size. The rumour mill, it seems, was bang on.

3.12am: The iPhone 6 will be 6.6mm thin and the 6 Plus 7.1mm. Much slimmer than the already svelte iPhone 5S at 7.6mm

3.15am: Official images of the new iPhones. Prepare to ‘ooh’ and ‘ahhh’.

 

Fancy new phones. Source: Supplied

 

The iPhone 6 has 38 per cent more pixels than the iPhone 5S and the 6 Plus has 185 per cent more. Source: Supplied

 

WERE THE iPHONE RUMOURS CLOSE?

3.20am: The 6 Plus will be able to be used in landscape mode on the home screen. So it looks a little like a mini, mini iPad.

3.22am: How times have changed. The iPhone 6 is 84 times faster than the original iPhone.

Whoa! Source: Supplied

 

3.24am: The iPhone 6 Plus will play video games in higher resolution than video game consoles.

3.27am: A spankier new A8 processor chip will make the new iPhones 20 per cent faster than the previous models. its graphics performance is now a whopping 50 per cent faster.

3.29am: Fitness and motion tracking is going to play a big role. The new M8 chip inside the phone will be able to tell the difference if you’re running or cycling.

3.30am: Sigh. An 8-megapixel camera still remains, but it has been updated. The iPhone 6 Plus gets fancy optical image stabilisation

A snappier snapper. Source: Supplied

 

3.34am: Apple CEO Tweets for first time from an iPhone 6. Do you love it?

3.40am: Both iPhones will be available from September 19th. Prices for the iPhone 6 Plus look to be about $100 more.

3.44am: After a brief Justin Timberlak and Jimmy Fallon cameo, Tim Cook is now talking about the mobile wallet. A new payment process called Apple Pay. So the iPhones officially have NFC. The demo looked really easy to use. Simple touch and pay system.

NEW iPHONE TO BE USED AS YOUR WALLET

3.52am: List of stores in US supporting Apple Pay. We heard McDonalds. Sold. But will it be another US-centric feature, much like Siri was when it was first launched?

3.59am: Now, every Apple event wouldn’t that “one more thing”. And crowds were not let down. Yes, after all the rumours the iWatch is real and its simply called the Apple Watch.

The “most personal device we’ve ever created” Source: Supplied

 

4.02am: Crowd is going crazy. Tim Cook claims “this product will redefine what people expect from its category”

4.05am: The Apple Watch has a rectangular face but circular interface. Looks very pretty. Watch senses you’re raising your wrist and turns on the display.

Will work with iPhone and will use apps. We’re very excited.

'Apple Watch' unveiled

4.09am: Apple’s design guru Jony Ive talks us through the Apple Watch. Sensors on the back that read your vital signs. The screen houses a number of apps that look like tiny dots. The Watches can talk to each other. It comes with six different straps.

Watching out for your heart rate and more. Source: Supplied

 

Watch face with apps controlled by a digital crown. Source: Supplied

 

4.12am: The display senses force from your touch. It will come in a ‘Sport Edition’, which is more rugged as well as a “Watch Edition” which is more premium.

4.15am: Tim Cook: “we’ve been working on Apple Watch for a long time”.

Digital crown is like you home button on your iPhone Source: Supplied

 

4.19am: Apple Watch being demoed on stage. Looks really intuitive and customisable. The astronomy face is awesome — it let’s you look at the whole solar system on your wrist!

Scribble a doodle and send it to someone. Source: Supplied

 

4.21am: You can control mucis on devices around you, on your Mac and even the music stored on the Watch.

Customisable faces and multiple strap options. Source: Supplied

 

4.22am: Notificiation from calls, text, emails etc will be through Taptic, which “is like someone tapping you on your wrist”

4.23am: You can dictate into the Watch or use editable emojis to reply to people.

4.25am: Siri is also included in the Apple Watch.

Like Maps on your iPhone, but smaller and on your wrist. Source: Supplied

 

4.27am: Apple Maps looks amazing on the device. zooming in and out of the map looks easy and clear. We think we’ve fallen in love with this wearable. And if you want people to falling love with you it can let you send your heartbeat to other Watch wearers and let them ‘feel’ it. Or you might thin this is just a bit creepy.

Let others feel your heartbeat. Eww. Source: Supplied

 

4.32am: Using with W Hotels you can unlock your hotel room by waving your hand near the lock and with BMW you can find where you parked your car. Awesome. This has already blown other wearables out the water.

4.34am: Some of the world’s most respected health and fitness experts helped develop Apple Watch.

The Watch can tell if you’ve been sitting for too long. Source: Supplied

 

4.35am: It has an accelerometer to measure body movement and can track three aspects of movement and GPS with your iPhone to track your distance. It also has dedicated fitness apps. there are so many features we’re struggling to get them down.

Here you go, health freaks. Source: Supplied

 

4.41am: Price stated starts at $349 and will be available early 2015.

4.43am: Another revelation: Apple Pay will work with Apple Watch.

4.47am: A brief musical interlude from U2 ...

4.54am... that leads Apple and U2 to rather awkwardly announce their new album will be free on iTunes NOW!

5.00am: Well, that wraps things up. Tim Cook thanks his Apple staff and invites guests to get hands-on with the new devices.

So that’s it until the next time. Surprises were few thanks to the torrent of leaks from the internet but the products looked good nonetheless. The Apple Watch could be the masterstroke though as it genuinely looks like a wearable that we could get along with.

new.com.au 10 Sept 2014

Apple, a company with a Draconian policy towards technology.

Apple, a company that disables key features of its technology products.

Apple, a company that just now releases 4.7 and 5.5 inch screens, where its competitors have already released 5.5 and 6 inch screens.

Apple, a company that refused to fix a cloud vulnerability that allows easy hacking.

Apple, a company that rips off Australian customers.

Apple, a company that uses slave labour to sell its phone in the U.S. for $100 and Australia for over $700.

Apple, a company that is involved in tax evasion with full support of the authorities.

Apple, a company that did not disclose to its customers, the constant tracking technology used.

Apple, a company that used your stock portfolio data for its financial gain, read fraud,

and many more points not mentioned.

Apple, a company that you would still trust?