Apple Release Roundup: iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and iWatch Killer Features with Apple Pay

Apple just finished its press events discussing a series of product launches including the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and the iWatch. The iPhone 6 Plus marks Apple's entry into the phablet market featuring the landscape view. With the iWatch taking on Android Wear and other similar competition, many analysts think that Apple has started zoning in on Android's turf. The question now is whether reality will translate the promises made during the keynote. Can Apple's products truly deliver the convenience and innovation they promised? Will their technology be sustainable? A rundown of their features will provide insight whether they are truly killer features to wait for.

The features of the upcoming flagship confirm previous reports and specs. According to Apple's Tim Cook, the iPhone 6 has pushed the standard of iPhone. The CEO claims: "Today, we are pleased to announce the biggest advancement in iPhone." Both the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch versions will come in three options: 16GB, 64GB and 128GB options. The 4.7-inch model goes by the name iPhone 6 while the larger one goes by iPhone 6 Plus. The iPhone 6 is available starting at $199 for 16GB while the iPhone 6 Plus is available starting at $299 for 16GB. Prices are given based on a two-year contract.

Design, Build and Screen

Cook noted that the iPhone 6 is the thinnest flagship to be made yet. The iPhone 6 measures 6.9mm while the iPhone 6 Plus measures 7.1mm. Both devices feature the Retina HD display. The iPhone 6 comes with a 4.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit widescreen Multi‑Touch display with IPS technology, 1334-by-750-pixel resolution at 326 ppi and 1400:1 contrast ratio (typical). The iPhone 6 Plus, on other hand, comes with 5.5-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit widescreen Multi‑Touch display with IPS technology, 1920-by-1080-pixel resolution at 401 ppi and 1300:1 contrast ratio (typical).

Other features of the devices include dual-domain pixels for wider viewing angles and fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating on front.

Performance and Operations

A refreshing feature for people is the landscape mode allowing people to scale icons horizontally. For those used to the one-hand operation, the flagship comes with one-hand mode allowing people to navigate through the system forward and backward simply by swiping. The A8 processor makes the iPhone 6 series 50% faster compared to the original iPhone. They also come with M8 motion coprocessor allowing people to experience console-like gaming and entertainment experience. The A8 chip supports high-end graphics even prompting some developers to start creating iPhone 6 games.

The iPhone 6 pre-order starts on September 12.

iWatch

The iWatch will be a latecomer as Apple announced its release in early 2015 compared to the fall launch of the iPhone 6 series. The device will be available in three different options with analysts predicting it to be the game changer for the company. Forbes noted the decline on the iPad sales thus the need for Apple to put a more innovative product. Seeking Alpha expects the Apple Watch to bring in as much as $6.91 billion in net income upon release. The device has been considered disruptive but in a good way because it breaks the barrier between Apple's innovations. It can have considerable impact on the top and bottom line results. It can be synced with Apple iPhone devices starting from the iPhone 5 to allow users to send messages and take advantage of other functionalities of the smartphone series.

Apple Pay

Apple drew enough intrigue about the Apple Pay feature but it brings to light more security and execution concerns following the iCloud controversy. Apple Pay works with Touch ID for natural motion payment and cashless transactions. The feature will come this October starting in the U.S. Apart from Eventbrite tickets and airline tickets, the latest application covers games passes, concert tickets, loyalty cards and credit cards.

It users Near Field Communication or NFC to connect the device to payment terminals. According to Forbes, it can be a curious matter for users to check out the new payment system but Apple needs to reconcile it with the privacy issues. Apple did promise anonymous transactions during the keynote.