Well, it was certainly worth the wait.
When Apple put out a cryptic poster hinting at a momentous product unveiling, the move characteristically sent Apple's many acolytes into a tizzy of speculative fervor. The poster teased that "We wish we could tell you more," but true to its word, the company waited until the big date printed: "9.9.2014." When that day arrived, Apple more than lived up to the sense of eager anticipation its poster had generated. Indeed, the company made not one, but three quite large announcements. Let's break those down one by one.
First: The iPhone 6
No surprise there. For months now, it's been projected that the newest iteration of the iPhone would be introduced at Apple's public showcase, and that's exactly what happened. But what most customers likely didn't predict are the particulars of the new device. Here's what sets number six apart from its predecessors, as highlighted by a piece in TIME.
- Not one, but two models. If you're fine with your current iPhone's size and screen resolution, then you might as well look into the iPhone 6 – which is to say, the first of two new iPhone models. But if, like us, you're a total mobile nut who needs the most cutting-edge device around, then your eyes will fall squarely on the iPhone 6 Plus. This enhanced version isn't only bigger – at 5.5 diagonal inches, it represents a pretty sizeable boost in iPhone size – but also features a crisper screen resolution, at 1080p HD instead of the regular model's 720p HD.
- Apple Pay. Can you believe that people used to buy groceries with little folded-up pictures of Abe Lincoln? With an increasing push toward e-currency and mobile payments, Apple's iPhone 6 is hopping on the bandwagon by offering a sensor-based payment system that will take place solely with your device. But don't toss out all those credit cards just yet. This being a new system, we'd advise that you approach it with caution and wait to see how it does before making the full conversion.
- One handed mobile bliss. How often do you find yourself using your phone at the same time you're on the subway, or eating a sandwich, or any other number of activities that may preclude the use of both hands? Well, the iPhone 6 has you covered. The new phone will feature a special reachability function for those moments when you only have one hand to spare.
Second: The smartwatch
This was the really big piece of news to come out of the conference, since it was one thing that wasn't totally predicted. Whereas other Apple products can be traced to Steve Jobs' visionary blueprints, the smartwatch, as experts point out, is all the work of new CEO Tim Cook.
"I believe it's going to be historic," consumer technology analyst for Creative Strategies Tim Bajarin told The New York Times. "The design of this product is all Tim's fingerprints."
Being as smart as its name implies, the watch's functionality will extend well beyond telling the time, and include capabilities like fitness tracking and mobile payment. But yesterday's announcement represented only the very beginning of the watch's introduction to the world. People will have to wait to see what it looks like – which hasn't stopped them from speculating.
Third: iOS 8
The details behind the eighth version of the company's iOS were also fleshed out before the September 9 conference, but certainly play into Apple's new developments. Among other things, iOS 8 will feature a broad-based health app that can serve as a kind of personal upkeep hub for users, according to TIME.
