The New Apple Devices- What We Learned From Yesterday’s Big Reveal

Apple fanboys rejoice! Yesterday was quite possibly the biggest day for Apple since the release of the first iPhone back in 2007. There were few surprises (thanks to the incessant rumors surrounding the event), but the tech community was still in a state of shock and awe as Apple introduced three new devices: the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and the revolutionary Apple Watch.
Here’s a highly simplified breakdown of the latest Apple gadgets that will no doubt have our wallets crying for mercy in the near future.

iPhone 6 and 6 Plus

“Bigger than bigger.” That’s exactly what you’ll get from the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. The 6 boasts a 4.7 inch screen, while the 6 Plus will push the limits of your back pocket at 5.5 inches. Both phones have a Retina HD display, with the iPhone 6 Plus maxing out with an impressive 1920×1080 resolution. Thanks to the A8 chip, M8 motion processor and 64-bit architecture, you’ll experience longer battery life, which makes everyone happy.

The cameras on the phones got an upgrade as well. You can now capture 1080p HD video at 60 frames per second, in addition to slow motion video (240 frames per second) as well as time lapse video. With the new iPhone models, you’ll also get better and faster autofocus, enhanced face detection, exposure control, auto stabilization, a panorama feature, and a photos application to help you edit all your amazing shots. Long story short, it’s going to be nearly impossible to take a bad photo.

With the release of iOS 8 on September 17th, both new and old phones will receive insane features and upgrades. The most talked about feature, which will only be available for the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, is Apple Pay. With this feature (coming in October), you’ll be able to use your iPhone to pay for items in stores with a single touch. I guess Apple figured since you won’t be needing your wallet anymore, you’ll be able to comfortably fit the phone in your back pocket (thank goodness).

The phones will be available in 16, 64, and 128 GB sizes with prices starting at $199 for the iPhone 6 and $299 for the 6 Plus, providing you sign a two-year contract. Both iPhone models will launch next Friday, September 19th, but you can pre-order them online starting this Friday.

The Apple Watch

Sweet mother of pearl, what doesn’t this thing do? The full list of features is too long to contain in a single blog post, so I’ll just hit the highlights.

You’ll be able to receive your phone calls, messages, and e-mail right on your wrist. The Apple Watch contains a speaker and microphone for quick chats, and calls can be transferred to your iPhone if necessary.

The new Digital Touch feature will give Apple Watch wearers a fun way to connect. You can use your finger to sketch to a friend, use the walkie-talkie feature for spur of the moment sound bites, or let others know you’re thinking of them with a gentle tap that they’ll feel on the wrist. You can even send your heartbeat! (Take THAT, Dick Tracy!).

The most impressive feature of the watch is no doubt the way it tracks your health and fitness. Through the new Activity App, you can receive a breakdown of how many calories you’ve burned, how many minutes of brisk activity you’ve done, and how often you’ve stood up to take a break from sitting. The Workout App can be used when you’re doing a dedicated cardio workout, showing you info such as time, distance, calories, and pace. Apple’s goal with this is to motivate people to sit less, move more, and just be more involved in their overall health.

The Apple Watch will come pre-loaded with several familiar apps including Calendar, Maps, Stocks, Weather, and Photos. The Apple Pay feature will also allow you to make payments direction from your wrist.

And oh yeah, it tells the time.

While the software on the new Apple Watch is no doubt top notch, the hardware is just as impressive. The watch will be released in three tiers: The Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, and Apple Watch Edition. The Apple Watch is designed with a stainless steel case while the Apple Watch Sport is made from a more durable anodized aluminum. The Apple Watch Edition will no doubt cost a pretty penny with its 18-karat gold cases in yellow or rose. Each watch will come in two sizes to cater to different sized wrists, with a plethora of bands to match any and every taste and style.

The only caveat to the Apple Watch is that an iPhone is required to use it, and it must be an iPhone 5 or later. There is no official release date as of yet, but according to Apple it will be available in early 2015. Prices start at $349, and who knows how expensive those beautiful bands will be? At least Apple has given us plenty of time to save up.
For more information about either of these amazing devices, head over to Apple.com. Just make sure no one catches you drooling.