Apple launches new phones, watch and mobile wallet
Apple today announced an unprecedented range of additions to its product catalogue, including the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, Apple Pay and Apple Watch. The keynote session in Cupertino, California, saw the unveiling of new NFC mobile payment capabilities to be built as standard into the new models, and the launch of the Apple’s foray into the wearable technology space with Apple Watch, as widely anticipated.
In a quick-fire presentation focusing on 3 distinct areas of innovation, Tim Cook et al rattled through the latest updates on the iPhone. With ironic nods towards various information leaks in the build up to the announcements, Apple’s SVP of Marketing Phil Schiller went through the specification for each of the new iPhones. Then came the two announcements long expected, that of NFC-enabled mobile payment capabilities for the new range of iPhones, and the Apple Watch. On the way, Cook provided a nod to iOS 8, which is scheduled for release on 17th October.
iPhone 6 & iPhone 6 Plus specifications:
- 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screen size, with 1080p resolution for the 6 Plus
- 6.9mm & 7.1mm thin
- Apple A8, 64-bit chip
- Up to 20% faster CPU and 50% faster graphics
- Enhanced battery life & size
- Support for 20 LTE bands plus carrier aggregation
- VoLTE enabled, confirmed with USA & Korean carriers
- Voice over Wi-Fi enabled: confirmed with EE in the UK and T-Mobile in the US
- 8 Mega Pixel Camera with enhanced Auto-Focus, 1080p resolution at 60fps and Optical Image Stabilisation
- Pre-order from 12th September, with release on 19th September
- iPhone 6 16GB, 64GB & 128GB models available from $199, $299 & $399 on a two year contract
- iPhone 6 Plus equivalents come at a $100 premium
Apple Pay:
- Live in October 2014
- 220,000 retailers currently confirmed as partners
- Utilises existing contactless payment systems and infrastructure
- NFC strip located across the top of the iPhone & TouchID is used as an authenticator for transactions
- No card numbers are stored on the phone or provided to the merchant.
- Uses a one-time payment number and dynamic security codes
- If your iPhone is lost, Find My iPhone will erase any card information stored on the phone, but Apple stressed that you will not need to cancel your cards
- Apple Pay will only be available on iPhone 6 models
Apple Watch:
- “The most personal device we’ve ever created” – Cook
- Utilised the iPod Nano as “the DNA of Apple Watch”
- Touch screen with force sensitivity
- Wireless charging
- iPhone required to operate
- Compatible with Apple Pay
- Available early 2015
- Prices starting from $349
For an initial take on the broader implications of these launches see our analysis: Apple has first interesting product launch for four years.
