Apple’s at it again. In the weeks leading up to the big announcement event this morning, several speculations circulated regarding Apple’s new debuts. Today, most of those rumors were confirmed.

Instead of geeking out on specs of each new product, we’ve created a recap of the big picture to get you up to speed. We’ve also included images to give you a good visual of what these new products look like. Let’s jump in:

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

(Picture courtesy of Apple)

The latest iPhone additions (6 and 6 Plus) are the most advanced in the line. The major difference is screen size. The iPhone 6 has a screen size of 4.7″ and the iPhone 6 Plus comes in at a whopping 5.5″ – the biggest iPhone yet. This puts iPhone in the same league size-wise as some of the larger Samsung phones.

(Picture courtesy of Mashable)

Other features/improvements found on the new iPhones include:

• New A8 processor chip, which Apple says is up to 50 times faster than the original iPhone
• Longer battery life
  
• More than 200 LTE networks world-wide
• Built-in Wi-Fi calling that will hand off calls from Wi-Fi to cellular network and back while on the same call
• A new technology called “Focus Pixels,” which will allow the 8-megapixel camera to focus almost twice as fast
• Super slow motion video that can be taken at 240 frames per second

When and How Much?

In the US, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will go on sale September 19 with pre-orders starting September 12th. The iPhone 6 prices will be $199 for a 16GB model, $299 for 64GB and $399 for 128GB (all with a two-year contract from your service provider). The iPhone 6 Plus will be $100 more for each model under the same two-year contract. Both phones will come in Apple’s now standard gold, white and space gray.

The Apple Watch

(Picture courtesy of Apple)

The Apple Watch has been, by far, the most speculated gadget, as patent documents filed by Apple have been floating around for years (and it’s pretty darn cool). However, all this cool new technology won’t be available until sometime in 2015, and you’re required to have an iPhone 5 or newer.

At a whopping $349 per watch, you’d expect a ton of features, and you’d be right. Even Apple CEO, Tim Cook, said there were too many features to cover in the lengthy presentation. Once again, we’ll focus on the top-level features which include:

• A sapphire display with 11 watch faces that include traditional analog options, a contemporary sundial and an interactive, real-time 3D model of the earth, sun, moon and planets – Some faces are highly customizable
• Four sensors on the back that connect with new fitness and workout apps – sensors monitor and measure your movement and heart rate
• Near field communications or NFC that will work hand-in-hand with ApplePay (see below)
• A choice of six straps that use a proprietary connecting mechanism
• Accuracy to 50ms

iOS8

The overhauled and updated mobile operating system that was announced at WWDC earlier this summer will finally be available to download starting on Wednesday, Sept. 17. iOS 8 will work with all 4S iPhones and newer, second-generation iPad and newer (including both the iPad mini and iPad mini with Retina display) and the fifth-generation iPod Touch. Apple’s new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus will come loaded with iOS8 when they begin to ship on Sept. 19.

(Picture courtesy of Apple)

ApplePay

Apple is finally integrating near field communications or NFC into the latest iPhones, as well as the Apple Watch. This short-range wireless technology has been touted as the answer to the archaic card reader system that we have known for years. With this NFC technology integrated into their products, Apple is now jumping into the payments business with the introduction of a new digital wallet called ApplePay.

To make sure this new initiative gets off the ground quickly, Apple is partnering with Visa, MasterCard, and American Express along with several issuing banks to allow iPhone users to securely store their credit card accounts on their phones. Apple Pay will be available in 220,000 US merchant locations that already take mobile payments via the NFC’s short range, secure wireless capabilities. Apple is also working with high-profile retailers, including Macy’s, Walgreens, Staples, Subway, McDonald’s, Disney, and Whole Foods, among others to bring Apple Pay to physical store locations everywhere. This might have a huge impact on the more that $12 billion in credit and debit card transactions that take place each and every day.

(Picture courtesy of Apple)

There you have it – A brief recap of the news of the day, which belongs to Apple. Are you excited about these new releases? What do you think of the new iPhone screen sizes? Would you buy and/or wear an Apple Watch? Let us know below if you’re going to purchase any of these products once they’re available, especially the Apple Watch!

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