Apple Watch: Tech Giant to Introduce New iPhones, Products Today

By Alfred Branch

Technology and consumer electronics giant Apple is holding a huge product launch event today, and the press coverage over the last several weeks has been extensive. Here’s what you can expect, and be sure to check back with Patch today as details emerge.

According to The Wall Street Journal and other media outlets, the strongest speculation is that the company will release two new iPhones, one with a 4.7-inch screen and one considered a “phablet” with a 5.5-inch screen. The larger-screen phones - currently, the iPhone 5s has a 4-inch screen - are designed to compete with large-screen phones by Samsung and HTC, among others. Consumers can also expect improvements to the iPhone’s processors and other potential features, such a new mobile payments system and health-related applications.

Apple CEO Tim Cook teased the launch event:

Health-related applications represent an important new direction for Apple, which has been working with the Mayo Clinic on HealthKit, a suite of software programs to help doctors care for patients, and patients to better track their own health, according to Forbes.

The New York Times writes that Apple also will launch a smartwatch to compete in the growing market of wearable devices. Such watches, which offer some of the functionality of smartphones, have not quite caught on with consumers, but Apple is betting that that could be because it has yet to debut such a device.

The iWatch, which may or may not be its official name, is not expected to hit stores until 2015, and it could cost as much as $400, writes Re/Code.

Apple’s launch event is scheduled for 10 a.m. Pacific Time, 1 p.m. Eastern, from the Flint Center for the Performing Arts in Cupertino, Calif., near the company’s headquarters.

Apple has one retail store in Rhode Island at Providence Place.

What do you expect Apple to introduce today, and what are you most looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below, and check back with Patch for more information on the company’s launch event.

Photo credit: Ptigarstheone via Flickr