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Apple unveils bigger iPhone handsets Apple unveils watch and new iPhones
(34 minutes later)
Apple has unveiled two new smartphones - the iPhone 6 and a larger model, the iPhone 6 Plus. Apple has unveiled a smartwatch - the Apple Watch - its first new product line since the first iPad and the death of Steve Jobs.
Both are bigger than its previous handsets - features that experts say should appeal to gamers, business workers and others. The device runs apps, acts as a health and fitness tracker and communicates with the iPhone.
They are also about half a millimetre thinner. Although many companies already sell competing products, experts note that Apple has a history of entering sectors relatively late and then changing their direction with influential devices of its own.
Apple also upgraded the displays' resolutions, included a faster processor, added image stabilisation and has promised longer battery life. Apple also unveiled two new handsets that are larger than previous models.
The smaller model's screen measures 4.7in (11.9cm) and the larger one's 5.5in (14.0cm). The iPhone 6's screen measures 4.7in (11.9cm) and iPhone Plus 5.5in (14.0cm) - a change that analysts said should help it prevent users migrating to Android.
The firm also announced a new service called Apple Pay, which chief executive Tim Cook said he wanted to "replace the wallet" in shops.
It uses an NFC (near field communication) chip featured in the new phones.
The firm described the service as being "secure" because it worked without Apple needing to store the credit card details itself, or the user having to share their name and card details with the cashier.
iPhone owners will be able to use it by waving their handset above an NFC reader at a shop's till.
Several other firms have tried to pioneer touchless payments, but they have yet to catch on beyond credit cards that include the feature.
One expert noted that Apple already had experience of handling payments for third-party goods since it operated more than 800 million iTunes accounts.
"Apple has already got credit card details on file in the hundreds of millions, and is now seeking to leverage that billing relationship trust into an in-store experience with contactless payments," said Windsor Holden, head of forecasting at Juniper Research.
"The industry has been riven with disagreements as to the optimal model for deploying such mobile device-based proximity payments.
"But if anyone can, Apple can."
The service launches in the US in October.
Bigger phones
Apple saw its global share of smartphone shipments slip from 13% to 11.7% between the second quarters of 2013 and 2014, according to research firm IDC.Apple saw its global share of smartphone shipments slip from 13% to 11.7% between the second quarters of 2013 and 2014, according to research firm IDC.
By contrast, Android's share grew from 79.6% to 84.7% over the same April-to-June period, with Samsung the biggest brand and Chinese firms Huawei and Lenovo two of the fastest risers.By contrast, Android's share grew from 79.6% to 84.7% over the same April-to-June period, with Samsung the biggest brand and Chinese firms Huawei and Lenovo two of the fastest risers.
"The main benefit for Apple in going to a larger size of screen is not so much to woo people over to its devices, but to prevent its customers defecting, particularly to devices such as Samsung's Galaxy Note," said John Delaney, head of IDC's European mobility team."The main benefit for Apple in going to a larger size of screen is not so much to woo people over to its devices, but to prevent its customers defecting, particularly to devices such as Samsung's Galaxy Note," said John Delaney, head of IDC's European mobility team.
"There is a clear preference among a segment of Apple's traditional market for a big phone."There is a clear preference among a segment of Apple's traditional market for a big phone.
"But one should bear in mind that Apple's decline is relative - the smartphone market has expanded, and most of the expansion has taken place in the lower price bracket that Apple doesn't address.""But one should bear in mind that Apple's decline is relative - the smartphone market has expanded, and most of the expansion has taken place in the lower price bracket that Apple doesn't address."
Apple had previously justified the 3.5in and 4in screen sizes of its existing iPhones as being suited to one-handed use. In 2010, the company's co-founder Steve Jobs went so far as to say "no-one's going to buy" a phone that they could not get a single hand around.Apple had previously justified the 3.5in and 4in screen sizes of its existing iPhones as being suited to one-handed use. In 2010, the company's co-founder Steve Jobs went so far as to say "no-one's going to buy" a phone that they could not get a single hand around.
But one expert said a market had developed for so-called phablets.But one expert said a market had developed for so-called phablets.
"It's not all consumers, but there are some people who want the larger screen real estate," said Carolina Milanesi, chief of research at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech."It's not all consumers, but there are some people who want the larger screen real estate," said Carolina Milanesi, chief of research at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech.
"Watching video is definitely something that appeals on a bigger display, as well as gaming. And for business customers, having more space to do emails properly and look at and edit presentations helps.""Watching video is definitely something that appeals on a bigger display, as well as gaming. And for business customers, having more space to do emails properly and look at and edit presentations helps."
SMARTPHONE SALES BETWEEN JANUARY AND JULY 2014:SMARTPHONE SALES BETWEEN JANUARY AND JULY 2014:
New sensorsNew sensors
Apple said that the A8 chip featured in the new phones would provide 25% faster compute performance than before.Apple said that the A8 chip featured in the new phones would provide 25% faster compute performance than before.
The improved resolutions - dubbed "retina HD" - mean that the iPhone 6 offers 326 pixels per inch and the iPhone 6 Plus 401ppi. While better than before, the resolutions are still beaten in terms of raw numbers by Samsung's flagships - the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4.The improved resolutions - dubbed "retina HD" - mean that the iPhone 6 offers 326 pixels per inch and the iPhone 6 Plus 401ppi. While better than before, the resolutions are still beaten in terms of raw numbers by Samsung's flagships - the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4.
New sensors include a barometer, which can sense air pressure to measure the elevation. Apple suggested this would help fitness apps distinguish whether the owner was running up a mountain or along a flatter surface.New sensors include a barometer, which can sense air pressure to measure the elevation. Apple suggested this would help fitness apps distinguish whether the owner was running up a mountain or along a flatter surface.
The M8 co-processor can now estimate distances as well, which may should also help provide more accurate readings.The M8 co-processor can now estimate distances as well, which may should also help provide more accurate readings.
The handsets will be available for sale on 19 September.The handsets will be available for sale on 19 September.
Apple's press conference in Cupertino, California is still under way.
There is widespread speculation the company will also unveil its first new product line since the first iPad and the death of Steve Jobs.
Many blogs have predicted a smartwatch, a health-focused wristband or some other form of wearable tech.
Although many companies already sell competing products, experts note that Apple has a history of entering sectors relatively late and then changing their direction with a highly influential device of its own.
More to followMore to follow