Packed with innovative new technologies, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus include: the Apple-designed A8 chip with second generation 64-bit desktop-class architecture for blazing fast performance and power efficiency; advanced iSight and FaceTime HD cameras; ultrafast wireless technologies; and Apple Pay, an easier way to simply and securely make payments with just the touch of a finger.¹ Both models include iOS 8, our most advanced mobile OS, featuring a simpler, faster and more intuitive user experience with new Messages and Photos features, QuickType keyboard, a new Health app, Family Sharing and iCloud Drive.
“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.”
Geoff Blaber, Vice President Research, Americas, CCS Insight said “Tim Cook has been consistently promising new product categories and now he’s delivered. Yesterday's event has definitively set the tone and direction of a post Steve Jobs Apple."
“The company has finally broken its long term resistance to a large screen iPhone and in doing so stands to tighten the screw on the competition and its biggest competitor in Samsung."
“Apple’s launch of a 5.5-inch iPhone a year after the iPhone 5C is a clear acknowledgement that it can no longer survive with a “one size fits all” approach to an increasingly segmented smartphone market. The question is whether Apple’s scale and pricing can avoid a margin impact.”
Marco Veremis, CEO Upstream commmented on Apple Pay as NFC technology has finally been included in the new devies, "Today’s launch event showcased great innovations in new areas for Apple, confirming that the company is still at the forefront of premium, desirable technology, staying ahead of consumer trends in Western Markets. Apple Pay has the potential to be a great accelerator for mobile payments, and while no one was expecting today’s announcement to speak about emerging markets, there is an opportunity to look one step further and see how Apple’s potentially revolutionary approach could work in key growth markets.
The potential for Apple Pay in the US and the West is huge and could prove promising for emerging markets as well. Our research with Ovum found that 74% of consumers in China want to spend money with Apple, and the new roster of products will only increase that demand. We also found that what consumers in emerging markets value most in a handset is functionality, ahead of brand image, a preference that home grown competitors like Xiaomi and Spice count one to build a brand following. But there are obvious limitations in some markets where credit card penetration is low. We found that the preferred way to purchase content for nearly half of Nigerian consumers is through their mobile operator by pay as you go. In the same way Apple is looking to seismically shift mobile payments through its credit card database, they could make a similarly powerful change in emerging markets by teaming up with local operators instead of credit cards only."
Visa today confirmed that it will support consumer payments with the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and Apple Watch. Participating financial institutions in the U.S., and eventually in other markets, will be able to add Visa debit and credit cards to Apple Pay and enable their customers to make easy and secure purchases at select merchants both in stores and in apps.
Steve Perry, Chief Digital Officer at Visa Europe, comments: “Apple’s entry to the market represents a critical piece of the mobile payments jigsaw. This is a pivotal moment for digital payments and one that demonstrates the momentum behind mobile and contactless services.
“Visa Europe has led the rollout of NFC payments ever since we launched the first contactless cards and terminals in 2007. Today there are more than 1.5 million Visa contactless terminals in stores across Europe – all ready to take mobile payments. Apple’s decision to enter the market reflects the scale of opportunity that exists in digital payments today. Its support will drive awareness and usage of contactless services around the world – we anticipate a “halo effect” that will benefit all players in the mobile payments ecosystem.”
“We are working closely with Apple and with our member banks to bring this new service to market in Europe.”
"With Apple Watch, we’ve developed multiple technologies and an entirely new user interface specifically for a device that’s designed to be worn. It blurs the boundary between physical object and user interface,” said Jony Ive, Apple’s senior vice president of Design. “We’ve created an entire range of products that enable unparalleled personalization.”
Geoff Blaber commented on the new watches released by Apple, "Apple has succeeded where others have failed in creating a device that stands up to comparison to highly personal pieces of jewellery. More details are needed to ascertain the degree to which the device will be considered a “must have” when it launches in early 2015 starting at $349, but there can be little doubt Apple will quickly sell millions of devices.”
"In a stroke Apple has become a leader in smartwatches and massively raised consumer awareness of the wearables segment. For rivals the delayed launch will dampen demand for their products in the near-term as consumers wait for commercial availability of the Apple Watch before making a final purchasing decision. For Apple’s competitors this launch will force them to rethink many aspects of their product plans."