Katelyn S. Irons | Echo
Apple entered the smartwatch market on Tuesday with the announcement of its next products: two larger iPhones (the 6 and 6 Plus) and Apple Watch. The new iPhones are already predicted to sell out on opening weekend, according to USA Today.
"This will be the biggest iPhone launch since the introduction of the first iPhone," said Tim Bajarin, an analyst with Creative Strategies, to USA Today.
iPhone 6 and 6 Plus
The iPhone 6 debuted as 4.7 inches and only 6.9 mm thin, compared to the iPhone 5 which measured at 7.6 mm thick. Apple continues to slim its devices despite user feedback complaining the iPhone 5 was too thin and light. The iPhone 6 Plus is 5.5 inches, fitting in the "phablet" category of devices.
"Honestly, making the screens larger is not groundbreaking or anything to spend hundreds of dollars on," senior Jerchovia Moxey said. He was not impressed by the new selection of products.
Like the original iPhone, the 6 and 6 Plus have the rounded edge aluminum style but differ from the original in size and thinness. The 6 has the same pixel density as the iPhone 5s (326ppi), but the 6 Plus comes with a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution with a 401ppi density.
The 6 series will have a new 64-bit A8 chipset, which makes it 25 percent more powerful than the A7 in the iPhone 5s. It also will include NFC (near-field communication), coinciding with the launch of Apple Pay, a wireless payment method already accepted at many businesses and banks.
Senior Devin Moore doesn't have strong feelings one way or the other about the new iPhone, but he's excited to start using Apple Pay.
"I think this is where Apple is making the biggest waves," Moore said.
The iPhone 6 (starting at $199) and 6 Plus (starting at $299) will be available for pre-order starting September 12 and in stores beginning 8 a.m. on Sept. 19.
Apple Watch
Apple also announced its first smartwatch, available with six different bands. The face comes in stainless steel, aluminum or 18K gold. This smartwatch will be touch sensitive, allowing users to navigate right on the watch face. CEO Tim Cook describes it as a "comprehensive" health and fitness device, walkie-talkie, remote control for Apple TV and payment system compatible with Apple Pay.
"Apple Watch is the most personal device we've ever created," Cook said. "It will redefine what people expect from a watch."
Apple Watch integrates previous tech like Siri and adds features like a heart rate sensor, GPS and accelerometer. Apple Watch will work with iPhone 5 and later devices. It is scheduled to be released early in 2015, priced at $349.
