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Apple unveils smartwatch and new, larger iPhones

48 Comments
By MICHAEL LIEDTKE and ANICK JESDANUN

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48 Comments
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The watch looks like the Sony smartwatch. And the new iphone's sides is just like the new Xperia Z3's.

Shamesung fanboys. Look how beautiful the new iphone is. Compare it to your platic galaxy s phones.

-17 ( +5 / -21 )

I bet Apple sells a bunch of these and makes tons of money.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Hey, Nice Galaxy Note you have there Apple.

8 ( +14 / -8 )

About 5 years too late and couldn't have happened to a nicer company.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Just finished my S3's 2y contract with docomo. Want to get a larger phone, looks like the note 4 for me. I mean iphones are good phones but an 8MP camera (only 1.2 front), lower screen resolution, mono speakers and no SD card? No thanks.

Here's a link with a side by side of the 3 major "phablets" (sorry, i hate that word)

http://blog.gsmarena.com/xl-size-apple-iphone-6-plus-vs-samsung-galaxy-note-4-vs-lg-g3/

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

I'll buy that for a dollar!!

1 ( +6 / -5 )

8 megapixel camera no SD, NFC which other phones have had for 4 years, no word on the actual screen resolution or battery life (2 extra hours doesn't mean anything)... I can get 10 days of battery on ultra battery saving mode or 3 days on normal usage mode on my S5...

I'm sure it will be popular and sell to the apple lovers but it's nothing ground breaking at all.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

iGarbage...Steve Jobs would be rolling in his grave right now.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

The Sharp Aquous Crystal X, bevel free, and Sexy. Apple? Phfff...

0 ( +5 / -5 )

The watch looks exactly like an ipod nano but 3 times the price and size to add a crown and networking.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Smartwatches still a gadget solution looking for a problem. Being tied to the phone also limits it for an expensive accessory.

iPhone just catching up on hardware specs and finally implementing NFC.

Still can't expand storage though. Did they mention expanding the RAM yet? iOS has been pretty efficient at using its only 1GB RAM, but keeping it still at 1GB RAM is being cheap (to me, that's more important than metal or plastic).

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Galaxy Gear with an Apple logo on it. Who's copying who now? Can't wait to see what mediocre defence Apple's sheeple will come up with this time to defend an even more mediocre and severely overpriced product.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

iFLOP!

-1 ( +9 / -10 )

titaniumdioxide

Shamesung fanboys. Look how beautiful the new iphone is. Compare it to your platic galaxy s phones.

Guess that's why every iPhone user covers their iPhone up in a case, because it's so beautiful. Please...

3 ( +9 / -6 )

A big question nobody asked so far is whether the NFC mobile payment system through Apple Pay is compatible with user-refillable prepaid mobile payment systems used in Japan such as Mobile Suica and Rakuten Edy. If Apple Pay does support these two widely-used mobile payment systems, the iPhone 6 is going to be a HOT seller in Japan.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It doesn't have Felica support.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

@iradickle

LJust finished my S3's 2y contract with docomo. Want to get a larger phone, looks like the note 4 for me. I mean iphones are good phones but an 8MP camera (only 1.2 front), lower screen resolution, mono speakers and no SD card? No thanks.

I own both an iPhone and a Note and can tell you that there's no comparing them. The Note has the bigger screen size, but it scratches easily and just feels cheap. The new one has a metal band (like the iPhone 5 curiously), but still looks cheap & tacky with the faux leather back.

You mentioned that it only has a 8MP camera. I'm no camera guru, but I'm aware that you can't judge the camera's quality purely on MP count. The iPhone has a better light sensor & is widely regarded as the best phone camera out there. Do some reading first mate!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

After the Fappening iCloud disaster, it's interesting that some people would even think about trusting their financial information on an Apple mobile device through Apple Pay.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

I own both an iPhone and a Note and can tell you that there's no comparing them. The Note has the bigger screen size, but it scratches easily and just feels cheap

Me too I own both an iPhone 4s and the original note......funny I experienced the opposite, the 4s turned out to be far more fragile than the note... and for the same money the note is like a mini computer whereas the iPhone due to its limits is just a phone. Each their own I guess, but even at 5.5 inch, the iPhone will still always be just a phone.....

0 ( +5 / -5 )

WOW smartwatch and new 5.5-inch screens, man thats innovation for you!..... oops hold on!?

3 ( +7 / -4 )

I stayed up to watch. Half the transmission was a test pattern or Chinese translation. The other half was about a wearable device that stops working when the iPhone runs out of battery.

Oh well, the first iPod required that you use a Mac. Only understandable that they push their new product to established audience first.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@Raymond Chuang

A big question nobody asked so far is whether the NFC mobile payment system through Apple Pay is compatible with user-refillable prepaid mobile payment systems used in Japan such as Mobile Suica and Rakuten Edy. If Apple Pay does support these two widely-used mobile payment systems, the iPhone 6 is going to be a HOT seller in Japan.

I could write a ten page report on why it's become this way but, to put it simply, each vendor wants their own ecosystem. Apple Pay will never become mainstream in Japan, for the following reasons:

Suica, Felica, Edy & the like all run on a different standard to the NFC used abroad Apple Pay needs the vendor & its own IR sensor to make the exchange Eddy Cue mentioned that 'the big banks' are on board - N-E-V-E-R going to happen with Japanese banks. Japanese banking & technology have never gone well together.
0 ( +1 / -1 )

Lots of Android fanboys here but it's true... Apple takes the average (even though way too large) size of a cheap, inconsistent looking Android phone and turns it into a quality, noble product. Personnally I'm not too keen on the new sizes. Too large for a phone, too small for a tablet!

-3 ( +5 / -6 )

I'm no fan of Apple products but I will give credit where it's due with their iPod range and the original iPhone bringing the fledgling smartphone market to the masses.

That watch though is so damn ugly, looks like it was designed ten years ago, the LG/Moto watches show just how beautiful a gadget they should be now. It won't stop the fanbois buying it though which is the annoying part.

I see nothing special about the new iPhone either, all I see is a company no longer innovating but just playing catch up. I do wish people would stop going on about how nice smart phones looks considering that the vast majority will be hidden underneath protective cases, in the end it ends up being a moot point. The real talking point is always going to be the OS and user interface as that is what makes or breaks a phone.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Yeah,no thanks I will stick with my Galapagos flip phone,If I want to call someone I use it If I want to surf the web I use my Latop. Seems like Apple has some people in a daze,every couple of moths they make improvements to what seems to be the same product but makes people break their piggy banks and for lines for days just to have it. Maybe I will change my mind when the Iphone 30 comes out.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

OooooKaay: Well: As far as Watches are concerned; haven't worn one in more than 15 years, why would ANYONE be wearing a WATCH any more? Phone this, tablet that. I have had no real NEED for even a "Cell Phone" for some time. I use an App that gives me a CALLABLE number for anyone that wants to get ahold of me. Wi-Fi only capable on RECEIVING end, ME. Server allows for OFF-Line saved Voice Mails (NO Payments needed). Who needs even an ACTIVE phone any more, unless you just WANT to pay a 4G service? THINK about how much you NEED any of this crap (not just Apples).

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

WA4TKG

I'm really curious as to what you do for a living that you can get away with not having a cell phone.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The watch looks like the Sony smartwatch. And the new iphone's sides is just like the new Xperia Z3's. Shamesung fanboys. Look how beautiful the new iphone is. Compare it to your platic galaxy s phones.

Yeah, the competitors copied Apple products well, didn't they? I've seen the Samsung watch and it's very clunky and slow. The Apple watch will be much faster and have much more functionality. I'm only interested in the battery life of the Apple watch. If it can get a full day out of a charge I'll be very interested in buying one, but I think I'll be waiting for the second generation model.

On the dark side, I distinctly remember Steve Jobs telling Cooky that they will never build a larger iPhone. Bigger is not better! Better is better!

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

"I'm really curious as to what you do for a living that you can get away with not having a cell phone."

LOL there are still tons of jobs that don't require a mobile phone. Pretty soon though most jobs will require an Apple Watch, nyuk nyuk!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Why the hate for Apple?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

as expected nothing really new for the iPhone, boring design...but the Watch design is so bad, I can't believe someone could buy it. LOL

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The Apple watch won't be coming out until next year winter. And it's tethered to the iPhone. You have to have the iPhone with you, to make the watch work. This is what Samsung Galaxy Gear was - a year ago. They've just announced the redesigned watch that isn't tethered to a Samsung phone. Another step too late for Apple.

With all the build up and hype about the Apple event, I was expecting they would come out with something that would blow everything out of the water. But it turns out, they're just playing catch ups.

Bigger screens? Three years too late. 720dpi Higher resolution screens? Samsung's new Note 4 has 1440. One Gig Ram? Samsung's new Note 4 has three Gigs. Apple Pay? Are you serious? Android had NFC's for like years. And Apple is just getting on board now? I see absolutely nothing new in the new iPhone's that hasn't been done already, so I just didn't understand all the clapping and joy in the audience during the introduction. Further puzzling is all the rave reviews of Apple's "innovation". Oh my god.. talk about over-hyped.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

I certainly consider myself a "Mac Man". I own the new MacBook Pro, iPhone, and I have an iPod Nano as well.

I plan to get the iPhone 6 Plus next year and the Apple Watch once it is released in the Spring 2015.

Since Steve Jobs returned to Apple and before his death, he gave Tim Cook his vision for the future of Apple - all written down on one piece of paper.

Tim and his brilliant team of engineers at Apple have certainly honored Steve Jobs by carrying the torch of innovation and technology forward into this New Frontier of the Information Age.

I continue to be dazzled and impressed with Apple and Samsung should really appreciate Apple otherwise if Apple never introduced the Smarphone, Samsung would still be fighting Sony in the Television Market (Bow to your Masters Boys...Bow to Your Masters).

Apple Rules.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

I love Apple Products

But I felt disappointed at the latest AppleEvent.

A bigger screen size doesn't mean it is better, I makes me think that I would need to add some hands-free equipment because my hand would not hold a "phablet"

I have hopes for the Apple Watch though, from the point of view of health issues, it would be nice that heart monitoring, blood pressure, it also can measure sugar levels and had a log of that for your medical records, I would wait for it to be smaller though, but the design is promising...

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

No matter how many times Apple fanboys try to convince themselves. Tim Cook is not Steve Jobs. Never will be a visionary quite like him. Steve knew how to innovate. Even if Jobs gave him a road map, Cook doesn't have same intolerance for mediocrity that Jobs had. Jobs pushed the company to come up with very original ideas. Thus, presently we are witness to the birth of the Apple Watch...the most uninspired piece of technology from this company.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I continue to be dazzled and impressed with Apple and Samsung should really appreciate Apple otherwise if Apple never introduced the Smarphone, Samsung would still be fighting Sony in the Television Market (Bow to your Masters Boys...Bow to Your Masters).Apple Rules.

Ha ha funny man, so Apple should bow to Sony for inventing the walkman. Bow to your master!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Apple never innovates, they just know how to refine and market products. I do find Apple products to be less fussy and more reliable even though they aren't first or the highest spec products out there, but that's coming from just a somewhat computer savvy guy. I think Apple has a good chance at making NFC payments much more mainstream. The Apple Watch holds zero interest for me...

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@sighclops

If you READ my post i wrote (only 1.2 front) mate. And the iphone 6 is still disappointing.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The head of LVMH watches said the watch looked like it had been designed by a student in their first trimester. HTC are running an ad featuring the iPhone 6 saying welcome to 2012 with it.

I remember the first iPhone was awesome and they led the way... not anymore

0 ( +4 / -4 )

"the Watch design is so bad"

Watch Apple sell tons of these. Nyuk nyuk!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

It's funny that many Android users who are supposedly happy with their Android phone are ranting all the time when Apple comes out with new products! Clearly a sign of envy.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Goods points wipeout!

I cannot live without a wristwatch, however, I'm not interested in digital watches, just plain old analog that run on battery. Incidentally, I prefer Casio watches, they are the best, beautiful and cheap! I bought this one http://the-collectiveonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/ewsdrftyghu.jpg for 2000Yen

0 ( +2 / -2 )

It's a bit disappointing, dispense with the need for an iPhone, and then it becomes slightly more interesting... taking a call on your watch would be very retro 1960's Spy movie type of thing...but having the added weight of a iPhone sitting in your pocket (assuming you have one large enough) becomes rather inconvenient. ...

I've also not worn a watch for a long term ... doing so leads to sweat rashes under the wrist band, and it's always in the way when typing - to the point you need to take it off, and well, I can see the time on my mobile phone or Computer or wall clock... so why bother.

Battery life - this'll be an interesting subject to follow, (not just for Apple but other wearable technologies too), it's a major drag having to keep worrying about charging my iPhone, and especially with the new proposed rules for electronic devices, since if the battery is flat and I wish to board a plane, then it's likely to be left behind.... I guess having a garrote in an analog watch is a lot less dangerous than an Apple Watch with a flat battery,...

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSxOkPxKEk_MhdlhIgG2qcvMCi6mkHVZcp1kZw0JVGuzLguTwwFiQ

.. maybe its got to do with the weight ?

(I can see the jokes coming with wearable pants & jackets , not being fully charged up!... ;D )

1 ( +1 / -0 )

''Shamesung fanboys. Look how beautiful the new iphone is. Compare it to your platic galaxy s phones.''

Shame is a spiritual pain, usually caused by the strong feeling of inferiority, which, more often than not, is of economic kind: --I cannot afford an xxx, have to settle for a xxxx, and people can see that, etc. Once upon a time you could explain to yourself that the reason you settle for a lesser one is because size matters. Not anymore.

On the other side of the same fence, things work on the opposit direction. People move in society used to be conscious of the kind of watches--those Made in Switzerland--they wear. Not any more. I need to wear this plastic thing because my Tokyo Branch may - - etc.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Thus, presently we are witness to the birth of the Apple Watch...the most uninspired piece of technology from this company.

Really? You're not including Pippen, then...?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Thus, presently we are witness to the birth of the Apple Watch...the most uninspired piece of technology from this company.

Really? You're not including Pippen, then...?

Or iPod Hi-Fi: a rather ugly speaker, priced $350.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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