MacRumors

Alongside the Apple Watch and iPhone 6, Apple today unveiled Apple Pay, its mobile payments initiative that allows users to pay for items either by waving their iPhone or Apple Watch at a checkout counter or by using Touch ID after clicking the Apple Pay button in an app like Uber. Following that event, Apple invited members of the press to try out the new payment service with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

According to The Verge, the system worked "remarkably smooth" and was the "smoothest payment system" they've seen. They note that Touch ID adds a "real sense of security" and that the entire process is cohesive. However, they do wonder whether it'll work the same in the opening months of the service when retailers are adjusting to the process and the software is in early days.

The phone was loaded up with a handful of credit cards, and holding the top of the phone about an inch from the card reader with my thumb on the TouchID home button triggered a payment from the default card in about five to 10 seconds. If you want to use a different card, just leave your finger off the home button and you'll see a Passbook-style card stack at the bottom of the screen, which you can tap on to bring up the full list and pick the card you want. Then you just put your finger on the reader and you're good to go.

Slashgear agrees that the process is "pretty darn easy", noting that using the iPhone to pay for something is far more of a swift experience than pulling out a credit card, swiping it, and typing in a pin or signing a receipt. Users can add credit cards to Apple Pay by taking a photo of their card.
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Setup involves either granting Apple Pay access to whatever existing credit card you have on file with iTunes or adding a second card: you can do that by taking a photo of the card itself. We've seen the same system used in Uber's app, among others, and generally it does a solid job of recognizing characters.

In an interview with ABC's David Muir, Tim Cook commented that Apple Pay is "incredibly safe" and that Apple is setting a high bar with Apple Pay. Cook went on to say that "it's the most secure thing out there" when told by Muir that some people's confidence in the company's security might be shaken after celebrities iCloud accounts were hacked.



Muir also asked Cook whether he thought Apple killed the credit card with the announcement of Apple Pay. Smiling, Cook replied that Apple "stuck a dagger in it". The Apple CEO finished his interview by noting that components from either the iPhone 6 or Apple Watch were built in 22 of the 50 states in America.

Apple Pay will roll out to 222,000 retail locations across the country. The service will launch next month as a part of iOS 8.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch 10, Apple Pay
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

At its special media event today, Apple unveiled its Apple Watch, showing off a variety of ways to use the device and its apps. However, Apple's presentation and videos did not directly address how the device would work for left-handed users.

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Now, Slashgear has new information on how the device will work for left-handed individuals. According to Apple, users will be able to choose what way the watch's interface orients upon starting up the device for the first time. The bands for the Apple Watch are also swappable, enabling users to ensure the the device is not facing the opposite direction. However, left-handed users will still be required to adapt to the Digital Crown input on the Apple Watch, which is on the bottom left side when the device is worn on the correct wrist.

The Apple Watch will launch in early 2015 at a starting price of $349, and will be available two separate screen sizes of 38mm and 42mm. Apple will also ship 18 different watch straps that are easily interchangeable alongside its different color and material choices.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

Apple has posted the full video of today's special media event on its website. The video should also be made avaliable later today on the Apple Keynotes podcast, which can found on the iTunes Store. [Podcast links: Keynotes, Keynotes in HD, Keynotes in 1080p HD]

Apple has also uploaded its "Perspective" video seen at the beginning of the event.

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Media Event Highlights:

- Apple Announces Apple Watch, Available in Early 2015 for $349
- Apple Announces 4.7-Inch iPhone 6 and 5.5-Inch iPhone 6 Plus, Launching September 19
- Apple Announces 'Apple Pay' Mobile Payment Solution, Enabled at Over 220,000 U.S. Merchants
- iOS 8 Launching on September 17
- Apple Seeds iOS 8 Golden Master to Developers Ahead of September 17 Public Launch

Today at its special event, Apple debuted two brand new ads for the newly announced iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The ads, titled "Health" and "Duo", featuring Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon alongside musician Justin Timberlake as they show off the new phones.

The first ad, "Duo", features the two of them humming the opening of Richard Strauss' "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" as they swipe and tap through new apps and features from both iOS 8 and the new iPhones, like 240 fps video, landscape mode, the Health app and more.


The second ad, "Health", has Fallon and Timberlake introducing the Health app on the iPhone 6 and comparing their health achievements throughout the day.


Both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will be available for pre-order starting Friday, September 12 and will release one week later on September 19. The iPhone 6 starts at $199 on a two year contract for 16 GB while the iPhone 6 Plus starts at $299 on a two year contract with with the same amount of storage.

Apple today released iTunes 11.4 for OS X Mavericks, bringing support for iOS 8. According to the release notes, the update adds the ability for users to sync movies, music, and more to devices running iOS 8.

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iTunes 11.4 can be downloaded via the Software Update Mechanism in the Mac App Store or through Apple’s iTunes website.

The release of iTunes 11.4 comes just over a week ahead of iOS 8’s public release date. Apple has plans to launch the software on Wednesday, September 17, two days before the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus are available in stores.

During today's unveiling of the iPhone 6, the iPhone 6 Plus and the Apple Watch, Apple also announced plans to introduce new cases for both of the new iPhones. First of all, the company will be continuing the leather line of cases that it first introduced for the iPhone 5s, offering cases that will fit both the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus.

The cases are crafted from hand-selected leather that's been treated with aniline dye, and they feature a microfiber interior to protect the phone and its new protruding lens. The leather cases are available in Black, Olive Brown, Midnight Blue, Soft Pink, and Product (RED).

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Along with the leather cases, Apple is also offering custom-fit silicone cases for the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus, which offer protection while "maintaining their incredibly slim form." The silicone cases come in Black, White, Pink, Blue, Green, and Product (RED).
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New custom-fit silicone cases cover iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus while maintaining their incredibly slim form. The camera stays protected just beneath the case, while a soft microfiber lining cushions the entire iPhone. Each perfectly form-fitting case has a smooth finish that feels as good as it looks.

Leather cases for the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 are priced at $45, while leather cases for the 5.5-inch version are priced at $49. Silicone cases for the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 are priced at $35, and 5.5-inch silicone cases are $39.

Cases for the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus are listed on Apple's website and will presumably be purchasable beginning on Friday, September 19, when the iPhones hit stores. Pre-orders for the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus will begin on Friday, September 12.

Following today's media event that saw Apple revealing two new iPhones, a wearable device, and its payments initiative, Tim Cook did an exclusive one-on-one interview with ABC News' David Muir.

In a clip of the interview shared by ABC News, Muir asks Cook if he was thinking about Steve Jobs' during today's event, which took place at the Flint Center at De Anza College, the same location where Jobs unveiled the original Mac in 1984. Cook responded that he thinks of Jobs all the time, and that he believes Jobs would be "incredibly proud" to see the company today.

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I think about Steve a lot. I love Steve dearly. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of him. This morning, being here, I especially thought about him and I think he would be incredibly proud to see the company that he left us -- which I think was one of his greatest gifts to mankind, the company itself -- be doing what it's doing today. I think he's smiling right now.

Jobs apparently was not aware that an Apple Watch was coming, as Apple began work on the device after his passing. According to Cook, though, the "foundation" that Jobs left can be seen in all of the work that Apple is doing today.

His thinking and his taste and his incredible perfectionist kind of view, and his view that you should always innovate, all of those things are alive and well in the company. And I think they always will be. I think his DNA will always be the foundation of Apple.

More of Tim Cook's exclusive interview with David Muir will be available on World News Tonight later today.

After today's media event saw the introduction of two new iPhones and Apple's first wearable device, members of the press were invited to go hands-on with all of Apple's new products. Several sites are now posting hands-on first impressions of both the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, which we've gathered up below to give users an overall picture of the look and feel of the larger-screened phones.

Jared Nelson from our sister site TouchArcade took a look at both the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus. According to Nelson, the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus is actually "manageably large" and the screen is "amazing" for tasks like watching videos, reading texts, and gaming. He says the new Retina Display HD screens look "absolutely incredible" in person.


The Verge says the screen of the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 "looks great" and that the device feels like a "hybrid of iPhone and iPod touch." Though it's bigger, it "doesn't really feel big," and it's "remarkably light and incredibly thin." Sentiments are similar for the larger 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus, but the site noted that even the larger version is "much smaller in the hand" than expected, with the rounded edges making it "somewhat easier to hold."

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The protruding camera is a indeed a bit strange; I can't help but wish Apple would ease up on its relentless pursuit of thinness in favor of a slightly thicker phone with longer battery life, but like I said, the thinness is what makes the large size manageable.

And that large size is pretty key; this is the phone that's going to force Apple to turn the iPad into a true laptop competitor. I have an iPad mini that will never come out again once I get this phone; I have an iPad Air that will need a better reason to come out than simply the size of its screen.

Engadget has similar thoughts about the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus, also noting that the phone's curved edges are "easier to grip" than originally expected." Though the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 has a resolution of 1920x1080, Engadget says there wasn't much difference between the displays of the 4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhones. The site also points out a few of the differences between the two phones, including the 0.2mm difference in thickness (4.7 is 6.9mm, 5.5 is 7.1mm) and the increased battery life of the larger phone.

With it being a brief hands-on, I wasn't able to notice a large enough difference between the two; both looked sharp, clean and had great viewing angles. I'll be able to go into more detail when review units grace my desk, but for now, I'm satisfied enough with the visual quality, and I doubt the difference in pixel density will be a critical factor when choosing between the two sizes.

Gizmodo's first note on the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 is that it "feels like an iPhone." The site was not a fan of the antenna bands on the back, which it says are "not all that pretty," but it did like the Retina HD screen on the device, saying its "brilliant." As for the larger iPhone 6 Plus, Gizmodo called it "HUGE!"

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It's amazingly thin, and incredibly solid, but it barely fits into my hand at all. Just see how those fingers struggle to grasp the new iPhone in the picture above.

Combined with those slick, beautifully machined metal edges, now rounded like an iPod touch or iPad mini instead of chamfered, I was honestly scared I would drop and break the giant handset right there in the Apple tent.

Gizmodo also delves into Apple's one-handed mode, which shrinks anything on the phone's screen into thumb's reach with a double tap on the Touch ID home button.

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But if you do want to use it one-handed, then boy does Apple have a smart solution for that. Double-tap the Touch ID sensor (don't press it, I learned the hard way) from LITERALLY ANYWHERE in the entire iPhone interface, including the homescreen, and everything on the top half of the phone's screen, every icon, will shrink down to put itself within your thumb's easy reach.

Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have nearly identical specifications. Aside from the difference in screen size, the larger iPhone has a longer battery life and optical image stabilization to differentiate it. It also comes with a $100 price premium.

Apple's two iPhones will be available beginning on Friday, September 19, with pre-orders for the devices starting this Friday, September 12. Prices for the 4.7-inch version start at $199, while prices for the 5.5-inch version start at $299.

Related Forum: iPhone

Following today's media event that saw the introduction of two new iPhones and Apple's long-rumored wearable device, members of the press were invited to go hands-on with all of Apple's new products. Several sites have posted hands-on first impressions of the Apple Watch, which we've gathered up below to give an overall picture of the look, feel, and function of the device.

First of all, Jared Nelson from our sister site TouchArcade was able to get a hands-on glimpse at the Watch, and an overview from an Apple employee who walked him through several different features on the device. "We are truly living in the future," said Nelson after trying out both the Watch and the iPhone 6.


According to The Verge, the smaller Watch model felt "very solid and surprisingly light," and the wrist strap was "supple" and comfortable to wear. The site also thinks the device looks "better than most of the smartwatch competition out there," and got a look at the "Digital Crown" control.

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The "digital crown" that Tim Cook spent so much time enthusing about on stage did its job when an Apple representative showed it to us, but unfortunately I wasn't able to try it for myself. That said, if the model running the demo loop is any indication, the dial offers very little resistance. It didn't exactly spin around freely, but neither did I feel any clicking or other forceful feedback as I twisted it. Presumably the feeling that I wasn't getting much feedback from the dial itself is mostly a function of the fact that it wasn't doing anything on the demo unit -- and so spinning it will feel quite different when it's moving software around.

Engadget also got a chance to try out the watch, but wasn't able to test specific features as the demo units were only displaying screenshots. The site tried both the polished steel version with a leather loop strap and the aluminum Sport version, saying that both had an "impeccable" build quality.

The bands were both comfy, though I preferred the look and feel of the leather loop. The magnets inside the leather seem to do the job of clasping well, though without the same magnetic force as those accustomed to the MagSafe connectors found on Apple laptops. As for the rubber sport band, I had some trouble fitting the metal nubbin into its appropriate hole, and I got a little pinch on the underside of my wrist when tucking it into the band. We imagine we'd get the hang of fitting it quickly and painlessly eventually, but our first time strapping it on was not all pleasant.

Gizmodo's first impression of the Apple Watch is that it "could live up to its promises" and that it feels "significantly more premium" than the LG G Watch and the Samsung Gear Live. The site also praised the "digital crown," saying that "it feels like you're wearing a watch that just happens to be digital."

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As for the software, I wish I could tell you more. I watched my new Apple friend demonstrate Glances, which brings up Google Now-like info cards with an upward swipe, that can be rotated through with subsequent right and left swipage. I can confirm that it works, and that it was zippy, at least on this pre-release model.

SlashGear says that the Watch's display is "bright and vivid," and that Apple's choice of materials makes the device feel "premium and solid."

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What helps differentiate the Apple Watch from other smartwatch attempts is the sheer range of options and customizations possible. Other platforms perhaps allow for a couple of strap changes, and maybe two or three case colors; Apple, on the other hand, has put out a full three ranges of different options.

Different straps, different clasps, different colors of straps and clasps; metal, leather, rubber, and all in different colors and finishes. That's before you get to the variations in casing color and even material, ranging to premium 18 karat gold.

Based on the several first impressions of the device, it appears that Apple has quite a bit of work to do to perfect the software and the interface, even if the device itself appears complete hardware-wise. Apple is planning to wait until early 2015 to debut the device, which gives it plenty of time to iron out the kinks. Check out our full Apple Watch post for more details on the device.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

Following today's announcements of the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and Apple Watch, Apple has launched a redesigned website with a brand-new interface for mobile devices. The new interface emphasizes a flat design aesthetic, which includes a drop-down menu bar that allows users to scroll through Apple's product line.

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Individual product pages have also been formatted to fit mobile devices, as text and images fit inside a single column. Apple displayed the full, desktop version of its site on its mobile devices prior to today's announcements.

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Apple also redesigned its Apple Store App last week, making it universal for both the iPhone and iPad and allowing users to start shopping on one device and finish it on another, including a Mac or PC.

Following today's media event that saw Apple unveil both the Apple Watch and two new versions of the iPhone 6, the company has updated its website to provide additional information on its iCloud pricing, ahead of the launch of both iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite.

Apple has a new range of iCloud Storage Plans available with prices that are highly competitive with other cloud storage companies. Customers will continue to get 5GB of storage for free, with 20GB available for $0.99 per month.

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200GB of storage costs $3.99 per month, and 500GB is $9.99 per month. Apple's top tier storage, 1TB, costs just $19.99 per month, slightly more than Dropbox's new $9.99/month price for 1TB storage.

The launch of iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite will see the official debut of iCloud Drive, Apple's new cloud storage initiative. With iCloud Drive, users can store any type of document, including presentations, spreadsheets, PDFs, images, and more, and then access them from any iOS device, Mac, or PC.

Following today's announcements of the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch, Apple has removed the iPod classic from its online store. The last iPod classic was introduced in September 2009, and while a number of rumors have pointed to a discontinuation of the product, Apple still chose to sell it in silver and black color options at $249 for a number of years.

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Earlier this year, CEO Tim Cook was quoted as saying that the iPod was a "declining business." In May, Apple removed the sidebar link to the iPod classic in several of its online refurbished stores, leaving only the iPod nano and iPod touch.

The iPod was Apple's "halo" product for years, introducing many consumers to Apple's line of products. Since their peak in 2008 however, iPod sales have declined sharply as the iPhone and iPad have captured more of the market.

Related Forum: iPod touch and iPod

Apple today announced its long-rumored wearable device, the Apple Watch, which actually uses the Apple Symbol () followed by "Watch" in its name. Apple's Watch is designed to be both fashionable and functional, available in an array of different color and materials with six different types of watch straps that are easily interchangeable. Prices for the device, which will be available in early 2015, start at $349.

There are six different Watch face colors and materials: Stainless Steel, Silver Aluminum, 18-Karat Yellow Gold, Space Black Stainless Steel, Space Gray Aluminum, and 18-Karat Rose Gold.

There's the Apple Watch collection, which has stainless steel or space black stainless steel cases combined with a range of metal and leather bands, the Watch Sport collection, which includes anodized aluminum cases in silver or space gray with colorful, durable bands, and the Apple Watch Edition, which includes 18-karat gold cases in yellow or rose with "exquisitely crafted" bands and closures.

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All of Apple's Watches can be customized with an array of different digital watch faces to suit different tastes. Each of the watches is available in two separate screen sizes for different sized wrists: 38mm and 42mm, and the watches have a flexible, durable sapphire display.

Apple's Watch uses unique input methods, taking advantage of the traditional watch dial or crown, which Apple refers to as a "digital crown" on the device. This scroll-type wheel allows users to zoom and scroll through various user interface elements.

The device also takes advantage of new pressure-sensing technology and is able to determine the difference between a tap and a press, allowing for a new range of contextually specific controls. A second physical button next to the digital crown lets users tap to bring up a list of contacts and then communicate with friends by sending quick drawings, messages, and animated emoji. It's also possible to send a heart beat, drawn from the watch's sensors.

Inside the device, there's a new Taptic Engine that allows users to hear and feel the design of the user interface. According to Apple, users will be able to feel and respond to notifications "easily and intuitively" through the Taptic Engine.

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A new custom designed chip, the S1 processor, integrates many subsystems into one singular module. The back of the watch is constructed from zirconia with four sapphire lenses that can detect pulse rate. There is also a gyroscope and accelerometer, which helps the Apple Watch provide a comprehensive picture of daily activity.

The back of the device is also the home of Apple's charging solution, which uses a MagSafe with inductive charging. The user will not have to worry about exposed contacts or aligning the charger properly. Apple has declined to comment on battery life at this point.

Because it is a watch, the device is designed to keep accurate time, continually checking its internal clock against the definitive global time standard with the "precision found in GPS satellites." Apple's Watch is designed to improve the health and fitness of its users, and thus it is able to keep track of a variety of health metrics, accurately tracking movement and a wide range of activities. An included Activity App gives users an overview of their daily fitness levels, with three "rings" representing calories burned, exercise done, and how often a break has been taken from sitting.

There's also a Workout App, which shows real-time stats like time, distance, calories, and pace when working out. It's designed to encourage users to meet and beat goals, and over time, the Watch is said to be able to act as a personal trainer, suggesting new fitness goals.

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Apple's Watch will support third-party apps, with support for both extended notifications from the iPhone and apps that run directly on the device. The Watch does rely heavily on the iPhone and does not function as a standalone device as it is designed to work with Apple's new Continuity features, letting users shift tasks from one device to another with ease.

The Apple Watch does include support for NFC, and it will function with Apple's new payment initiative, Apple Pay, which lets users make secure payments from the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 plus, and Apple Watch.

The Apple Watch will be available starting at $349, with users able to purchase the device in early 2015.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

At its special media event today, Apple announced the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus. Apple is touting a "Retina HD Display" on both phones, as the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 features a 1334 x 750 display at 326 pixels-per-inch while the iPhone 6 Plus features a 1920 x 1080 display at 401 ppi. The iPhone 6 is said to have more than 1 million pixels, while the iPhone 6 Plus is said to have 2 million pixels.

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“iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are the biggest advancements in iPhone history,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “The iPhone is the most loved smartphone in the world with the highest customer satisfaction in the industry and we are making it much better in every way. Only Apple can combine the best hardware, software and services at this unprecedented level and we think customers are going to love it.”

The new models feature a number of hardware changes, including a chassis that is 6.9 mm thin for the iPhone 6 and 7.1 mm for the iPhone 6 Plus. Both models feature the next-generation 64-bit A8 chip, which features 2 billion transistors on a 20nm processor. The A8 delivers 25% faster CPU performance and is 13% smaller and 50% more energy efficient when compared to the A7. The device also comes with a next-generation M8 motion coprocessor which can now estimate distance and elevation changes with a new barometer.

Apple states that the iPhone 6 will get 50 hours of battery life for audio, 11 hours for video, 11 hours for WiFi browsing and 10 hours for LTE browsing. With its even bigger body, the iPhone 6 Plus will get 80 hours of battery life for audio, 14 hours for video, and 12 hours for Wi-Fi and LTE browsing. The iPhone 6 now also includes Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) technology, including 20 LTE band, as well as 802.11ac Wi-Fi, which delivers 3x faster Wi-Fi and support for Wi-Fi calling.

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The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus also support a new camera system with a brand-new 8-megapixel sensor, along with a circular true tone flash. Apple is also touting "Focus Pixel" technology, which allows the lens to move in and out to better determine autofocus points. The camera also features next-gen tone mapping and noise reduction. Apple also says the camera is complimented by a new gyroscope and image stabilization built into the A8 processor. Exclusive to the iPhone 6 Plus is an optical image stabilization system.

As for video capabilities, both devices shoot in 1080p at 30fps and 60fps, along with 240fps slo-mo video, which is up from 120fps on the iPhone 5s. The front-facing FaceTime HD camera has also received a new sensor with a f2.2 aperture that lets in 81% more light. Users can also shoot single-shot HDR photos and take HDR video.

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Both devices will launch on September 19 in the first wave of countries, with pre-orders starting on September 12. The iPhone 6 will be available in 16 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB variants for $199, $299, and $399. The iPhone 6 Plus will be available in the same storage capacities for $299, $399, and $499, respectively. Both iPhone 6 models also come in the same Space Gray, Gold, and Silver variants. The iPhone 5c is now free on contract while the iPhone 5s will now be offered for $99.

Related Forum: iPhone

Following today's media event, Apple has seeded the golden master (GM) version of iOS 8 to developers. The golden master represents the final version of iOS 8 that will be released to the public on September 17, two days ahead of the launch of the iPhone 6.

The update is available through Apple's over-the-air updating mechanism on iOS devices and it can also be downloaded via the iOS Developer Center. Apple has also seeded a golden master version of the new Apple TV software and Xcode 6.

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Prior to the launch of the golden master, Apple seeded five iOS 8 betas to developers, with the fifth beta released on August 4.

iOS 8 introduces a range of new features, including improved integration with OS X through Continuity, a Health app, Family Sharing features, interactive notifications, a new QuickType Keyboard and improvements to several apps like Safari, Mail, and Messages, with all of the features being refined over the course of the beta testing period.

Related Forum: iOS 8

At a special media event today, Apple announced its new Apple Pay payment solution for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, which utilizes the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, a new "Secure Element" functionality, and the built-in NFC antenna in conjunction with a credit card stored on iTunes. Apple Pay will also be compatible with the just-announced Apple Watch.

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To make a payment, users hold the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus to a receiver while holding the Touch ID home button. Apple states that card numbers will only be stored or shared in Secure Element, and if an iPhone is ever lost or stolen, Find my iPhone can suspend all payments. Apple is also touting privacy, stating that it does not record what users bought or how much they paid. Cashiers also do not see a name, credit card number, or security code.

“Security and privacy is at the core of Apple Pay. When you’re using Apple Pay in a store, restaurant or other merchant, cashiers will no longer see your name, credit card number or security code, helping to reduce the potential for fraud,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “Apple doesn’t collect your purchase history, so we don’t know what you bought, where you bought it or how much you paid for it. And if your iPhone is lost or stolen, you can use Find My iPhone to quickly suspend payments from that device.”

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Apple Pay will first launch in the United States next month as an update to iOS 8 and will be compatible with American Express, Mastercard, and Visa credit and debit cards, with Citi, Bank of America, Capital One, Wells Fargo, and Chase also listed as partners.

Apple highlights that the program will work with over 220,000 U.S. retail stores, including Walgreens, Duane Reade, Macy's, Nike, Bloomingdales, Staples, Subway, McDonalds, and more. Apple will also launch a new Apple Pay API for developers to integrate the system into their apps.

Related Roundup: Apple Pay

Today at its special event, Apple has announced that iOS 8 would be released on September 17 as a free download, just two days before the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus release.

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The new version on iOS will be available for iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, the 5th generation iPod touch, iPad 2, iPad with Retina Display, iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad mini with Retina Display.

9_9_14_eventApple's highly anticipated September media event is being held today at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts in Cupertino, the site of the unveiling of the original Macintosh and iMac.

The event begins at 10:00 AM Pacific Time / 1:00 PM Eastern Time, and Apple is expected to unveil several new products including the iPhone 6 and an "iWatch" wearable device.

Apple will be providing a live video stream on its website for Mac and iOS users and via Apple TV, and the company is also sharing some photos and live blog updates on its event page.

Live Video Stream of Apple's September 2014 iPhone 6 and iWatch Media Event

In addition, we will be updating this article with summary coverage and issuing Twitter updates through our @MacRumorsLive account as the event unfolds. Separate news stories regarding the event announcements will go out through our @MacRumors account.

Apple's online stores around the world are currently down in advance of the event.

Archive of Live Updates in Reverse Chronological Order

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