Apple confirms rumors, announces iPhone 6, Apple Watch

PHOENIX — It’s official: There will be a new iPhone on shelves in a couple of weeks.

But it won’t be the only new device luring shoppers. The phone comes in a few different models and will also be accompanied by the all-new Apple Watch, scheduled for a later release.

The iPhone 6 will be bigger than its predecessors. Apple had been using a 3.5-inch screen until jumping to a 4-inch design in 2012, a full inch smaller than those produced by Samsung. The new phones are 4.7 inches (iPhone 6) and 5.5 inches (iPhone 6 Plus), which is still smaller than Samsung’s 5.1- and 5.7-inch screens.

The phones will run iOS8, Apple’s latest software. Among other things, iOS 8 will let devices work better in sync. For instance, it’ll be possible to start a message on an iPhone and finish it on an iPad. With an upcoming Mac upgrade called Yosemite, it’ll be possible to continue working on that same message on a Mac computer as well.

The iOS software will also let people do more things without jumping from app to app. For example, if a text message comes in as you’re composing an email, you’ll be able to pull down the text from the top edge and send a reply, all without leaving the email app.

A new keyboard aims to predict what you’re about to type, going beyond standard spell-checking. You can install keyboards from outside parties, too, something Android already allows.

In fact, Apple is opening up more of its features to outside developers than in the past. The fingerprint sensor on iPhones won’t be restricted to Apple’s services, for instance.

During the release announcement, Apple said the 6 is more LTE compatible than its predecessor, meaning faster mobile browsing worldwide. It also boasts new photo technology, including a burst function that determines the best selfie best photo in a group.

iOS8 will also bring along the innovation of Apple Pay, a mobile pay service. The technology a combination of near field communication, Apple’s TouchID and a new chip called Secure Element designed to safeguard credit card information. The new system will not send retailers a credit card number, but a one-use transaction number and is designed to protect both consumer financial information and privacy.

While paying with an iPhone seems convenient, Adam Levin with Identity Theft 911 said it won’t seem so cool when your personal information falls into the wrong hands.

“The question is how carefully will people protect their phones in the first place? Also, what happens if your phone dies? What happens if you find yourself near an insecure network when you’re doing these transactions?”

Levin said consumers may want to wait a few weeks for the program to be debugged before using the iPhone to make purchases.

The iPhone 6 start at $199 and the iPhone 6 Plus will start at $299. Both are scheduled to be released Sept. 19 and Apple will begin accepting preorders Friday.

Apple’s new wearable device has been dubbed the Apple Watch. It’s likely to be a computerized watch or bracelet to help people monitor health, manage homes and even buy merchandise.

Like the iPhone 6, the Apple Watch will debut with different models — Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition. It will be released early next year and starts at $349.

The watch is compatible with other iPhones and Apple Pay, meaning consumers need not by a new phone and watch to use the service.

Consumer electronics companies have yet to demonstrate a compelling need for smartwatches, while bracelets have largely been niche products aimed at tracking fitness activities. Apple’s device is expected to do more and do it well.

Consider the company’s track record: Music players, smartphones and tablet computers existed long before Apple made its own versions. But they weren’t mainstream or popular until the iPod, iPhone and iPad came along. Under Jobs, Apple made those products easy and fun to use.

Prior to the release, rumors abounded about the new products. Apple’s investments in Sapphire glass, including a plant in Arizona. The glass will be used in the new Apple Watch and was made in Arizona.

Even Apple’s reveal event was surrounded in speculation, as some believed the band U2 would release their new album by preloading it on all the new phones, or by playing at the event itself. As it turned out, the band played one song from its new album, “Sons of Innocence,” and it was released on iTunes for free. It is available for exclusive download through Oct. 13.

The prevalence of iTunes entered U2 into the record books, as it was the largest album release of all time. iTunes boasts more than 500 million users.

Though the phones have yet to be released, some Apple fans are already in line. One man, Tomoaki Watanabe, has been waiting outside of a Tokyo Apple store since Sunday.

“Meals can be purchased at nearby convenience stores,” Watanabe said, “and those forming lines will cooperate and take turns taking a bath” at nearby bathhouses.

On the this side of the Pacific, fans are already parked in front of the New York Apple store, though maybe not for the same reason. A report said some of the people are being paid to wait in line by companies looking to make a quick advertising buck.

Apple will also roll out the HomeKit and HealthKit systems. The idea is to turn Apple’s products into a suite of digital servants that do everything from monitoring a person’s eating habits and exercise routines to turning on the coffee maker in the morning.

Again, Apple isn’t first in offering home and health monitoring systems. But consumers haven’t rushed to buy those systems partly because products from various manufacturers don’t always work with one another. With HomeKit and HealthKit, Apple is seeking to create some unity — with Apple’s devices serving as a hub.

KTAR’s Emily Mahoney and Clayton Klapper and the Associated Press contributed to this report.