Apple CEO Tim Cook unveils bigger iPhone

By Rachel Truong
CONTRIBUTOR

Last Tuesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled the highly anticipated iPhone 6 as well as the slightly larger, more technologically advanced iPhone 6 Plus.

Larger than its predecessor, the iPhone 5, the iPhone 6 sports a larger, rounder screen and body. The new dimensions of the iPhone include a length of 5.44 inches, a width of 2.64 inches, and a depth of 0.27 inches. The iPhone 6 also breaks away from the traditional glass back of the iPhone line, in favor of an aluminum backing that will come in three colors: gold, silver, and space gray, a color that is slightly darker than silver.

The iPhone 6 offers a one-handed feature activated by double-tapping the home button. This causes the home screen or app in use to take up only about half the screen, allowing for easier access to numerous functions on the device. This eliminates the need to move or stretch one’s hand in order to use the new, larger model. This feature will be especially useful to students rushing between classes who need to check their email or texts on the run.

However, there are two noticeable new features of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus that many Apple fans have noticed and have concerns about: the protruding camera lens and software changes.
The protruding camera lens is an aesthetic issue that some users claim detracts from the otherwise sleek design of the iPhone. Public reception will determine if the improvement on the cameras will make up for such a change. This protruding camera lens is the compromise between Apple’s attempts to both slim down the iPhone and improve the camera, which resulted in what author Adrian Kingsley-Hughes calls a “camera nubbin.” The camera’s changes include improved color reproduction and quicker autofocus.

Apple’s software improvements for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus include 50 percent better graphics and the ability to connect to 4G services from just about anywhere in the world. Both iPhones will come with iOS 8, which boasts an assortment of new features. Significant among such changes are the ability to send voice recordings via text message and a search feature in a user’s photo gallery.

When asked for their thoughts about the iPhone 6, freshman Maaron Tesfaye expressed her apprehensions about the device. More specifically, about the aesthetic change and its price.

“I think that it’s a little bit too big and lost its edginess,” Tesfaye said. “Everything is curved now and I feel like it’s more sleek and modern looking with the edges.”

Freshman Helen Loli is also unsure about the changes.
“It’s cool that they’re making this many advances,” Loli said. “But I’m perfectly happy with what I have. And for the price, you might as well buy a computer.”

The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are set to be priced at $199 and $299 respectively, with a release date set for Sept. 19. For students looking to purchase one the device SIM-free the 16GB model is priced at $649, the 64GB at $749, and the 128GB at $849. The iPhone 6 Plus adds an additional $100 to each iPhone 6 price, making the 128GB model $949.

In addition to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple also announced its plans to launch Apple Pay, a purchasing system that will allow a user to pay for products using credit cards stored on their iPhone, and its first in a potential line of accessories, the Apple Watch.

The Apple Watch boasts many different functions, including instant messaging, calling, helping a user work out, paying for purchases, navigation, scheduling, listening to music, tracking the stock market, and of course, telling time. Apple Pay comes free with iOS 8, and the Apple Watch is set to cost $349.

Apple has announced many new changes to its line of products, as well as introduced numerous technological improvements to the company’s already existing software. Apple CEO Tim Cook seems excited about these new product, but only time will tell how successful they will be.