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“The iPhone 6 will feature a 4.7-inch screen, up from the 4-inch screen on the models released in each of the previous two years. The iPhone 6 Plus will have a 5.5-inch screen and other improvements, including longer battery life, that will cost an additional $100. The new phones are not as big as Samsung's latest flagship phones – 5.1 inches for the Galaxy S5 and 5.7 inches for the Note 4 – but they will be large enough to neutralize a key advantage Samsung and other Android manufacturers have had. The iPhone 6 will also have a barometer to estimate how much users climb stairs, not just how far they walk or run. Apple is improving a slow-motion video feature by allowing even slower shots on the iPhone 6. The camera will be able to take 240 frames per second, double the rate of last year's iPhone 5s. Normally, video is at 60 frames per second. Starting prices for the new iPhones will be comparable to those in the past – $199 with a two-year contract for the iPhone 6 with 16 gigabytes of storage. However, the step-up models will have double the memory as before – $299 for 64 gigabytes and $399 for 128 gigabytes. The iPhone 6 Plus phones will cost $100 more at each configuration.

Apple is calling its new payment system Apple Pay. Consumers will be able to use their phone cameras to capture a photo of their cards. Apple will verify it behind the scenes and add it to the phone's Passbook account so people can make payments at a retailer. Apple announced several merchants that will accept this system, including Macy's, Whole Foods, Walgreens and Disney stores. American Express, Visa and MasterCard all are cooperating with Apple, too, as well as most major banks. For security, the card number is stored only on the device. Each time you pay, a one-time card number is created to make the transaction.

Cook says Apple had to invent a new interface for the watch because simply shrinking a phone would not work. Much of the interaction will be through the dial on the watch, which Apple calls the digital crown. It's used to zoom in and out of a map, for instance. Apple worked with app developers to create new functionality. Users will be able to unlock room doors at some Starwood hotels or remind themselves where they parked with a BMW app. The new watch will come in a variety of styles, with a choice of two sizes.

Though much of the attention has been on new gadgets, the software powering those gadgets is getting its annual refresh. Apple considers iOS 8 to be its biggest update since the introduction of the app store in 2008. Existing iPhone and iPad users will be eligible for the free upgrade, too. Among other things, iOS 8 will let devices work better in sync. For instance, it will be possible to start a message on an iPhone and finish it on an iPad. With an upcoming Mac upgrade called Yosemite, it will be possible to continue working on that same message on a Mac computer. These handoff features will extend to the Apple Watch. The new software will be available to existing users on September 17”. – Michael Liedtke via The Associated Press


Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)

Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)




Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, discusses the new iPhone 6, center, and iPhone 6 plus, right, on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)

Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, discusses the new iPhone 6, center, and iPhone 6 plus, right, on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)




Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new Apple Watch on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)

Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new Apple Watch on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)




Apple CEO Tim Cook discusses the new Apple Watch on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)

Apple CEO Tim Cook discusses the new Apple Watch on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)




An Apple Watch is shown on screen during an Apple event at the Flint Center in Cupertino, California, September 9, 2014. (Photo by Stephen Lam/Reuters)

An Apple Watch is shown on screen during an Apple event at the Flint Center in Cupertino, California, September 9, 2014. (Photo by Stephen Lam/Reuters)




Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an Apple event announcing the iPhone 6 and the Apple Watch at the Flint Center in Cupertino, California, September 9, 2014. (Photo by Stephen Lam/Reuters)

Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an Apple event announcing the iPhone 6 and the Apple Watch at the Flint Center in Cupertino, California, September 9, 2014. (Photo by Stephen Lam/Reuters)




Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)

Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)




Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new Apple Watch on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)

Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new Apple Watch on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)




Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new Apple Watch on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)

Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new Apple Watch on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)




Apple CEO Tim Cook discusses the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. The iPhone 6 will have a screen measuring 4.7 inches, while the iPhone 6 Plus will be 5.5 inches. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)

Apple CEO Tim Cook discusses the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. The iPhone 6 will have a screen measuring 4.7 inches, while the iPhone 6 Plus will be 5.5 inches. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)




Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, discusses the camera features on the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)

Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, discusses the camera features on the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)




Apple CEO Tim Cook discusses the new Apple Watch and iPhone 6 on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)

Apple CEO Tim Cook discusses the new Apple Watch and iPhone 6 on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)
10 Sep 2014 11:51:00