We've gotten used to Apple media events, which are usually slick productions, with any bit of surprise coming when a demo goes awry. That's one of the main reasons Apple always has multiple backups of products arrayed around the stage, ready to go should something break during a demo.
Today's media event was no different, except the item that broke was the Internet. (No, Apple didn't have a spare Internet hanging around to use.) Seems Apple was so successful at marketing the event that many folks, myself included, reported trouble in streaming the live event.
Luckily, even though the live stream was often interrupted, the blog feed from Apple remained active during the keynote, making it easy to piece together what was happening on stage.
I'll view the event again in its entirety once Apple posts the keynote address on its site. In the meantime, the Apple web site and store have been updated with all of the information about the new iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, Apple Pay, and Apple Watch.
The New Goodies From Apple
I'm going to run down a few key points about each of the new products, but I'll also send you to About Expert Sam Costello, who covers the iPhone and was able to see the live stream from the Apple event as well as Priya Viswanathan our Mobile Devices Expert:
Full Coverage of Apple's iPhone 6 and Apple Watch Event: Sept. 9, 2014
Apple Unveils the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and Apple Pay
Let's start with the new iPhone 6. As was widely reported, two models of the iPhone were introduced. The iPhone 6 is the smaller of the two, with a 4.7-inch display; the iPhone 6 Plus is the larger model, at 5.5 inches.
Don't let the word "smaller" fool you. The iPhone 6 is larger than any other iPhone, except the new iPhone 6 Plus. Although the display on the iPhone 6 is larger, Apple was once again able to make it slightly thinner, at 6.9 mm thick. The Plus comes in at 7.1 mm thick. I guess the iPhone 6 Plus wasn't on the same exercise regime as the svelte iPhone 6.
Display resolution comes in at 1334 x 750 for the iPhone 6, and 1920 x 1080 for the Plus.
Both phones are powered by two new processors: the A8, the next generation CPU from Apple built on a 64-bit architecture, and the M8 motion coprocessor, which is used to gather data from various sensors, including a new barometer that's being used in health-related apps to determine elevation. This lets the health apps know if you're climbing stairs, jogging up or down inclines, or, when out trekking, encountering elevation changes.
Additional technology included in the new phones is an NFC-based payment system. This new offering from Apple, called Apple Pay, could really change how we pay for goods and services. It adds important security systems that make it impossible for anyone, even the cashier at a store, to ever see your credit or debit card information.
The iPhone 6 Plus offers a few improvements, besides its larger display size and higher resolution. For one thing, it has a larger battery, which Apple says that, in conjunction with the energy-efficient A8 and M8 chips, will result in improved battery life and run-time.
Sam Costello has all the details, specs, and prices, so jump on over to the link above to get the lowdown, but do come on back.
Apple Watch
The iWatch turned into the Apple Watch; we never did think the "i" would stay in the device's name. The name Apple Watch certainly avoids the legal hurdles that Apple would have had to go through to use the name iWatch in all of the countries in which it plans to release the device.
The Apple Watch is quite different than what most rumors envisioned. Apple decided that it simply couldn't take the standard touch-based iOS interface and make it work on a display that is so small. Tim Cook pointed out that it would be impossible to pinch to zoom or slide, or perform other gestures, because your fingers would end up blocking your view as soon as you tried to perform a gesture. And using a stylus to overcome this interface issue wasn't an option.
Instead, Apple did what it does so well. It took a new look at how a small form factor interface should work on a watch, and came up with the digital crown. The crown is the stem that sticks out on the side of a watch. Apple decided that keeping the crown and turning it into a major interface element would be an ideal way to handle the user interface. With the digital crown, your fingers never block the screen as you scroll, zoom, or select. Think of it as a touch-based click wheel or track pad.
You can find more about the Apple Watch at Apple's web site, or by stopping by our iPhone/iPod expert's site to see the details on the Apple Watch offering.
U2 Album Giveaway
Last up from the event is a gift from Apple and U2. U2 was on the stage to close out the keynote, a nice way for those in attendance to wind down from the keynote and enjoy a bit of music. At the end of the set, Tim Cook and Bono decided there should be just one more thing.
The iTunes Store will offer U2's newest album, Songs of Innocence. Until October 13, the album will be available as a free download from iTunes. So, if you’re a U2 fan, head on over to the iTunes Store and grab the free Songs of Innocence album download.