One look at the Flint Centre, and no one would say that it is a tech event. It was touted to be Apple’s biggest keynote in a while as this was the first time Apple CEO Tim Cook was launching a new product line. So did he pass the litmus test or not? Here is a rundown of what happened at Flint Centre and how good/bad it was:
iPhone 6 / iPhone 6 Plus
Apple had to finally give in to the demand for big screen phones and hence it launched two new successors to the iPhone 5S. The first one is the iPhone 6 which has 4.7 inch screen whereas the second is called the iPhone 6 plus which sports a 5.5 inch screen. Both the phones are very similar in terms of features and the only thing that sets the 6 plus apart is the resolution and the camera.
The iPhone 6 has a 1334×750 resolution at 326 ppi and Digital Image Stabilization whereas the iPhone 6 Plus has a 1920×1080 resolution at 401 ppi and Optical Image Stabilization. Other specs like the A8 chip with 64-bit architecture, M8 motion processor, 8-megapixel iSight camera with 1.5µ pixels, ƒ/2.2 aperture, etc remain the same for both. Like the 5S, the 6 and 6 Plus will be available in Space Gray, Silver and Gold colours.
Apple Watch
Apple has been delaying the launch of their much awaited wearable since forever. Finally, at the event, the Apple Watch was revealed. Like mentioned earlier, this is the first time that Apple has launched a new product line under the leadership of CEO Tim Cook. The watch will be available in 3 variants — Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition. Even these variants can further be customised by changing the straps. The watch has a round dial and a crown that can be used to zoom in/out. With the Apple Watch, you can see and respond to messages, calls, and notifications easily. It also works well with Health, a all new feature in iOS 8, so it maybe time to ditch those fitness bands. Apple Watch will be compatible with iPhone 5, 5C, 5S, 6 and 6 Plus.
Apple Pay
At this event, Apple launched a service called Apple Pay which will help people make mobile payments in an easy and secure way. It works with iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus through a chip called the Secure Element. Apple Pay supports debit and credit cards from the three major companies, that is Visa, MasterCard and American Express. It works with TouchID and Apple Watch, so that makes payments even easier. Apple has also tied with with giant chain stores like McDonalds, Subway, Staples, Apple Store (obviously), etc.
All in all, for me (an Apple fan) the event was a letdown. Being an iPhone 5S user and contented with its screen size, there was nothing, like absolutely nothing in the iPhone 6 that would tempt me to buy it. Apple probably knew that putting a bigger screen would become a sole purchasing reason for most. This is similar to what they did with the iPhone 5 as it was almost a bigger 4S. I guess, we will have to wait for the iPhone 6S (or whatever they call it) to get new features. Something as awesome as TouchID would be great. Coming to Apple Pay, it maybe of very little use in India as RBI’s two-step authentication may step in.
And, finally, the Apple Watch, is going to be released next year, which gives enough time for other companies to make their way through in the market. Saying that, the fact that Apple watch works only with the iPhone, users of the the iPhone will have to wait for the Apple Watch if they are a fan of wearables. Anyhow, the event was watched by most tech enthusiasts, some with love and some with loathe.