Curtain-Raiser: The iPhone 6 and Apple Watch Preview

Apple unveiled two much anticipated products at its annual event last week: the new iPhone 6 and Apple Watch. While the iPhone 6 is the latest smartphone offering, the Apple Watch is the first wearable gadget the company has launched in recent memory. With the iPhone 6 (and iPhone 6+), Apple is attempting to displace Samsung off the largest cellphone maker slot. The Apple Watch, on the other hand, is an attempt by the company to enter the as-yet-nascent, but rapidly expanding, wearable technology market and gain a foothold there.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at the specs and important features of both devices. If you’re planning on purchasing either (or both) of the devices, this information will be very useful:

The iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 +

There are two versions of the new iPhone: the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6+. While both devices have the same processing power, the iPhone 6+ is larger and has a longer battery life. It is, as a result, priced higher than the basic version.

At first glance, the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6+ bear little resemblance to the iPhone 5s. They have curved, rounded corners that make them visually similar to the iPad.

Like the iPhone 5s, both models will be available in three gleaming metallic colors: gold, space grey and silver. The screen is slightly curved and fits smoothly into the metallic body of the phone. The power button is located to the right side of the device and can be accessed with a single finger. The volume buttons have been slimmed down a little (in line with the slim look) and are located to the left.

The smaller phone, the iPhone 6, has a 4.7 inch display that supports a resolution of 1334 x 750 (326 ppi), while the bigger iPhone 6 has a 5.5 inch display that supports a better resolution of 1920 x 1080 (401 ppi).  Both devices incorporate Apple’s Retina HD display.

If you look at the processing power, both devices have Apple’s newest A8 chip with a dual core 1.4 GHz Cyclone CPU. The device also has 1GB RAM. To put it into perspective, both devices can run the most demanding 3D games smoothly. They also come with sensors that have now become a standard part of most recent smartphone: an accelerometer, compass, barometer, gyroscope, a proximity sensor and more. Both iPhones ship with the newest iOS 8.

The cameras on both the devices have been improved significantly. The optical sensors, noise reduction, tone mapping and the autofocus targeting features on the 8MP back camera have been upgraded. Video capture at 1080p, at a solid 60 fps, and slo-mo at 240 fps gives more reasons to get trigger-happy.

Apart from the back facing camera, the front facing camera receives significant boost as well. FaceTime users will experience crystal clear images with a larger aperture, improved face detection, and an all new sensor. With the iPhone 6, selfies are all set to look better.

The new iPhone promises better battery than it’s predecessor, the iPhone5. It would support 50 hours of audio playback, 11 hours of video playback, and 11 hours of Wi-Fi usage. The iPhone 6+ is expected to do a tad better and support 80 hours of audio, 14 hours of video and 12 hours of Wi-Fi usage.

The phone will also have Touch ID, an improved finger print scanner to access your phone and make purchases from Apple stores. Touch ID will also let you make payments in select stores with a single touch on your iPhone 6.

The iPhone 6 would be priced at $199 on contract, while the iPhone 6 + will sell at $299. The unlocked (contract-free) version of the iPhone 6 will retail at $649, while the iPhone 6 + will set you back by $749. You can preorder the devices on the Apple website currently. The phone will be available in stores on the morning of 19^th September.

The Apple Watch

The Apple Watch, which was dubbed as the iWatch until it’s unveiling, is an ambitious product. Apple, for long has had a tradition of christening it’s devices preceded with an “i”. It’s decision to drop the customary prefix is a much debated topic. According to experts, this maybe a marketing strategy aimed at targeting general consumer, not just gadget lovers. Only time will tell how well the ploy works.

The Apple Watch is beautifully designed. It looks stylish and stands out on your wrist. The Watch is available in 3 categories or collections as Apple terms them: Watch Edition, Watch Sport and Watch. The Watch Edition Apple Watch is designed like a luxury watch; the Watch Sport is like a sports watch; while the normal Watch is like your everyday casual watch.

You can choose from one of 6 colorful models, spread across the categories: Stainless Steel, Silver Aluminum, 18-Karat Rose Gold, 18-Karat Gold, Space Grey Aluminum and Space Black Stainless Steel. All six models can be purchased in 2 sizes: 38mm and 42mm. You can change the straps on every watch, but you will probably have to buy them separately.

Like the iPhone, Apple Watch has a touch screen Retina HD display, which Apple claims won’t drain the battery too much. As of now, the battery life of the Apple Watch is unknown. The Watch also pack a pretty powerful S1 processor, which will be enough to support an array of powerful apps. These apps will be able to use new gestures and taps that Apple has added to the Watch to make it more convenient to use. You can also turn the Digital Crown on the Watch to get it to do various tasks like zoom in and out and scroll up and down a page.

Apple has already indicated the watch will contain apps that help you keep track of your health and fitness levels. Some useful apps and features the Watch has include Workout App, Activity App, camera, remote wallet, maps, Apple TV, weather, calendar, music player, and camera. The watch also has sensors that can measure your heart rate and pulse (over a period of time).

Perhaps the defining feature of the Apple Watch is that it can connect to the iPhone and work as an extension of the device. Apple has also indicated that it’s possible to start something on the Watch and finish it on the iPhone, like an email or a message.

Apple is likely to release the Apple Watch in early 2015. Also, as of now, Apple has only told us that the Apple Watch will start at a hefty $349.

Will Apple succeed in cornering a majority market share with its newest products? While both products are revolutionary in their own right and have generally been received positively, it’s too early to tell. Keep your eyes peeled for more on the new iPhone and Apple Watch. We will bring you the extensive hands-on review shortly. What did you think of the Apple Watch and the new iPhone 6? Would you be buying either or both of the Apple gadgets? Let us know in the comments below.