Apple much awaited event was successfully concluded yesterday. So I decide to write a summary blog post on it. To start with, there was not much of a surprise this year (except one). It was already leaked that they will be launching Apple Watch. But Apple Pay did come as a surprise to some extent.
Contents
About the Event:
Apple supplied a live feed and a live blog for this event at: http://www.apple.com/live/2014-sept-event/ and was also available on Apple TV. But it was restricted to Apple devices only. The live video feed was not up to quality, they have to improve it for next time. The live blog was good with lots of beautiful images and tweets.
Though Tim Cook did a good job, I missed THE GREAT Mr. JOBS.
About: iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
As expected and rumored the new iPhone comes in two variants with larger screen. IPhone 6 and 6 plus comes with 4.7 inches and 5.5 inch screen . I think they will give a very good competition to Samsung’s S5 and Galaxy Note 4.
Along with size Apple had also increased their sharpness. They call them Retina HD screen. The iPhone 6 has a resolution of 1334 by 750, with a pixel-density of 326 pixels per inch (ppi). IPhone 6 Plus has 1920 by 1080 resolution and 401 ppi. This makes visual even better.
Other than larger and better screen below is some more tech improvement you will get:
- New Gen 64-bit Apple A8 and an M8 coprocessor.
- iPhone 6 is dramatically thinner. (iPhone 6 is merely 6.9 mm. iPhone 6 Plus is slightly more at 7.1 mm.)
- Dual-domain pixels on the photo-aligned IPS display
- The new landscape view for iPhone 6 Plus.
- Comes with iOS 8 and Metal.
- Has a barometer that senses air pressure to measure relative elevation.
- Faster LTE than iPhone 5s.
- Supports over 200 LTE carriers around the world.
- Supports Voice over LTE.
- 8MP iSight camera, 1.5µ pixels, ƒ/2.2 aperture. And an all-new sensor.
Both models will be available in three different storage tiers: 16GB, 64GB and 128GB models. The iPhone 6 models will sell for $199, $299 and $399, respectively, while the iPhone 6 Plus will cost $299, $399 and $499.
About Apple Watch:
With Apple Watch the company had entered in a new product category. The look and design are good, but the main improvement (compared to competitors) is the intriguing features.
It comes with all the necessary feature like a heart rate monitor, pedometer, maps, message notification and other stuffs. But the majority of its computation is done with the iPhone 6. There is no guesses, you will need an iPhone to use Apple Watch. Apple Watch will not work as a standalone gadget (not yet).
Some good features are:
- Custom apps.
- Flexible retina display.
- Range of watch faces and personalization options.
- Comes in leather, metal and plastic bands.
Apple Watch will come in three different models—from a baseline version to an ultra-luxe 18K gold edition—with two case sizes (38mm and 48mm thick) and six different bands will allow a wide degree of personal customization.
About Apple Pay:
The NFC was expected to be included in the iPhone. Apple went a step ahead and include the NFC based payment system. This does come unexpected, but the surprises are good. Before we dig any further, let me tell you that Apple Pay will work only with iPhone 6 (and 6 plus) because all earlier iPhone do not have NFC tech.
Apple Pay is more secure, faster and convenient way to pay. To pay you have to hold your iPhone close to a sensor at the store’s cash register and then use your Touch ID to authorize the transaction. Apple Pay can use your card stored in your iTunes account or you can take a photograph (using iSight camera) of your debit/credit card to use.
Some features worth noting:
- When you add a card to Passbook, its number is never stored or shared on your device or Apple servers.
- Each transaction is authorized with a one-time unique number.
- It generates a dynamic security code, replacing the static security code from the back of your card.
- If you lose your iPhone, you won’t have to cancel cards.
- Apple don’t know/track your transactions.
- Cashiers don’t see your name, your card number, or your security code.
Apple Pay will work with the three major payment networks: American Express, MasterCard, and Visa. It will be available in the U.S. In October 2014. And work is underway to take it worldwide in the near future.
This Apple event was good, but I would not say the best. Lets hope Apple Pay and Watch does become a success and revolutionize the respective industries.
Azad Shaikh
Azad Shaikh is an internet geek at heart. From reviews about computer components to playing X-box one games, Azad takes pleasure in writing about anything and everything about computers. He is a computer engineering graduate and certified ethical hacker. In his leisure time, he reads and explores the internet.
