The IT Nerd

Well… This has been an interesting day. Apple had their press event today and here’s a recap of what was announced:

• iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus: As expected, Apple announced two new phones. The 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus. They come with a “Retina HD Display” on both phones as the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 features a 1334×750 display at 326 pixels-per-inch while the iPhone 6 Plus features a 1920×1080 display at 401 PPI. Both phones are extremely thin and sport the 64-bit A8 chip, which features 2 billion transistors on a 20nm processor. It’s has 25% faster CPU performance and is 13% smaller and 50% energy efficient when compared to the A7. There’s a new M8 motion coprocessor which can now estimate distance and elevation changes with a new barometer. You get 802.11ac, and faster LTE as well up to 150Mbps. The iPhone 6 now also includes Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) technology, including 20 LTE bands. The camera is still 8 MP, but it’s been enhanced. Both models have “Focus Pixel” technology which allows the lens to move in and out to better determine autofocus points. The camera also features next-gen tone mapping and noise reduction as well as image stabilization. Both devices shoot in 1080p at 30fps and 60fps, along with 240fps slo-mo video. NFC is included for Apple’s new payment system which I will discuss in a bit. Both phones will be available in 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB variants. Pre-orders start today with the phones being available on September 19th.
• iOS 8: The public will get their hands on iOS 8 on September 17th as a free download. If you have a iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, the 5th generation iPod touch, iPad 2, iPad with Retina Display, iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad mini with Retina Display, you are good to go to upgrade.
• Apple Pay: This is Apple’s new payment system that ties in with the NFC system on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, TouchID and something called “Secure Element.” To make a payment, users hold the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus to a receiver while holding the Touch ID home button. Apple states that card numbers will only be stored or shared in Secure Element, and if an iPhone is ever lost or stolen, Find my iPhone can suspend all payments. It will launch in the US only next month.
• Apple Watch: The much rumored wearable device was finally announced. The Apple Watch will have six different watch straps, which are easily interchangeable, from materials from refined leather to sport bands. However, the Apple Watch will require a iPhone to work. Three variations in two sizes were announced: Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, and Apple Watch Edition. The Apple Watch sports new input technologies that can determine the difference between a tap and a press, allowing for brand new range of contextually specific controls. Additionally, the Apple Watch comes with a brand new user interface. There’s inductive charging, apps that can be loaded onto the watch, it can detect pulse rate and it has a gyroscope and accelerometer,  It’s shipping in 2015.

So, will you be going after an iPhone 6 or an Apple Watch? Post a comment and share your thoughts.

This entry was posted on September 9, 2014 at 3:39 pm and is filed under Commentary with tags Apple. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.