Apple on Tuesday unveiled its two latest versions of the iPhone and a new watch, after weeks of buzz and a frenzy of anticipation from fans of the Cupertino, Calif., icon.
The devices are sure to grab consumers’ attention and set a new bar for the technology that people carry around in their pockets — and on their wrists.
The release itself captured headlines and monopolized social media streams on Tuesday, even as the rollout was marred by troubles with its livestream that prevented many fanatics from tuning in.
{mosads}The new Apple Watch “is the most personal device we’ve ever created,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook, and is sure to change the game for the still nascent market for so-called “smart” watches.
The device uses a “crown” button on the side to navigate through emails and applications as well as track the movement of the person wearing it.
It’s “a comprehensive health and fitness device,” Cook said, which monitors people’s heartbeat and monitors their activity similar to a Fitbit, in addition to performing other functions.
Though the watch will likely generate the biggest headlines, Cook also pitched the two new phones — the iPhone 6 and the 6 Plus — as “the biggest advancement” since the iPhone was first sold seven years ago.
The two phones come in different sizes, both larger than the iPhone 5 and promise better battery lives and improved cameras.
The new chip powering both phones will also be able to detect how people move, which could be valuable for fitness apps that track people’s activity.
Additionally, they come with a new Apple Pay system that lets owners pay for things through their phones instead of using a debit or credit card.
“Apple Pay will forever change the way all of us buy things,” Cook said, while describing the company’s plans to “replace” people’s wallets.
Credit cards rely on outdated technologies, he said, while making a subtle reference to major hacks at stores like Home Depot and Target.
“It’s no wonder that people have dreamed of replacing these for years,” Cook said. “But they’ve all failed.”
The phone and watch feature could lead to quicker payments at stores and restaurants and inspire more people to watch their health, but may also inspire fears about privacy from advocates who worry about tech devices that capture users’ information.
Apple’s payment system won’t track people’s purchases or store their data, the company said. Major retailers like McDonalds and Whole Foods have signed up to accept the payment system.
This story was updated at 2:25 p.m.