Major Announcements in the Apple Keynote Speech: Why Everyone Should Being Paying Attention

As Apple CEO Tim Cook took to the stage yesterday morning at the Historic Flint Center in Cupertino, California iPhone and Apple lovers everywhere were filled with anticipation as they tuned in on their Apple product. With rumors swirling of the new iPhone 6 launch and some skepticism of the long awaited Apple Watch preview, tech nerds everywhere were like kids on Christmas Day as Cook broke the latest announcements beginning with the new software.

As expected, the new iOS 8 will be launching on all Apple products starting September 17^th.  New updates and additions to your current Apple products will be available from everything like tracking your health habits to new horizontal keyboarding, your iPhone, iPad and iPod will all be getting a refresher.

Next Cook went into the much anticipated iPhone 6, but not without giving it a twist; there were two completely different phones and in different sizes.  “Today we are launching the biggest advancement in the history of iPhones,” exclaimed Cook.  The iPhone 5 model is four inches, so obviously the first noticeable difference how much larger the iPhone 6 screens were. The iPhone 6 is 4.7 inches and the iPhone 6 Plus is 5.5 inches. The first thought that might come to mind was could affect or cannibalize their own Apple product, the iPad. Another physical feature that looked different is how thin the new iPhone 6’s were at 6.9mm and 7.1mm wide including a curve edge to better fit in the hand.  One of the many new features that the iPhone 6s possess, was the ApplePay function.  Per usual, Apple thought “how could we make the buying experience more simple?” and targeted the futuristic idea of eliminating the wallet.  Cook even admitted that the idea of revolutionizing the payment method has been attempted before but never successful and this phone will be the answer.  ApplePay will store your credit cards, debit cards and banking information in a very private manner.  The iPhone 6s now have a sensor on the top on the phone to which you can scan in front of a device at the store.  Shopping online? No problem. With one touch, the phone taps into your payment information as well has your shipping information already stored, making the online purchasing process virtually complete all in a few simple touches.  I don’t know about you, but this could be very, very dangerous for my shopping addiction.  With the new slogan, “Bigger is Bigger,” the iPhone 6 ($200-$400) and the iPhone 6 Plus ($300-$500) will be available for presale September 12^th and will be sold September 19^th.

After the details of the new iPhones, Cook came back on the stage proclaiming a phrase Steve Jobs commonly used “One more thing,” and the crowd went wild, standing, cheering as if they knew what was coming next, (as if the iPhone 6 wasn’t enough).  The long-awaited Apple Watch was announced and previewed. I could go on forever with all the new traits, features and even a completely new user interface, but there’s a few major highlights I found extraordinary.  The super-sleek appeal of the watch was the first thing I noticed, leaving me wondering how durable the watch would be.  It was later explained that the watch was coated in a unique formulation of 18-karat yellow and rose gold.  The watches came in screens of two sizes, 38mm and 42mm and in three different designs: Apple Watch, Apple WatchSport and Apple WatchEdition.  If you are like me, the thought of how one would navigate the on the watch would be possible.  Outlining the evolution of their past Mac and Apple products’ navigation tools such as the mouse for computer, the scroll pad for the iPod and the multi-touch design on iPhone, Apple was proud to announce the Digital Crown.  Providing as the Home button, a knob located on the side of the watch, similar to a knob used on a traditional watch to change the hands, would help zoom in and out of the screen.  Of course the multi-touch design would be utilized as well, the AppleWatch could function just as the smartphone. 

It was clear Apple wanted to cover and perfect all aspects of the AppleWatch before launch including the durability, the functions and even the way it looked.  They even offer 6 different styles of innovative straps for individuality.  “We’ve set out to make the best watch in the world,” beamed Cook who was thrilled to about unveiling the futuristic watch.  The AppleWatch (starting at $350) will be released early 2015, so you know what I’ll be asking for next year.