News Digest

Apple’s iPhone 6 and Watch underwhelm fans and investors

The reaction online to Apple Inc’s unveiling of a watch and two larger iPhones was underwhelming, as Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook seeks to revive the technology company’s reputation as a wellspring of innovation. “Dear iPhone 6 users: Welcome to 2012!”, said @RonAmadeo, who tweeted a photo of the iPhone 6 alongside the Nexus 4. Another Twitter user, @noahshappy, mocked the ever-increasing size of the iPhone, whose latest iteration clocked in at 5.5-inches, as compared to the 4-inch 5S: “I hope each generation of iPhone keeps getting bigger, so that Apple can finally include the toaster function I’ve always wanted.” @sighmike went one better, tweeting a picture of a photocopier alongside the caption: “Can’t wait to get the new iPhone 6” Other users scoffed at the price of the new smartphones joking that the phone’s airplane mode better take them on a vacation.

People are kind of scratching their heads on this watch, especially the fact that to successfully use the watch and to take advantage of its capabilities, you also have to have an iPhone.

Daniel Morgan, vice president at Synovus Trust Company in Atlanta

Apple stocks were sent on a roller coaster ride after the announcement, and it ended the day down 0.4% on Tuesday, which didn’t match up to sky-high expectations and hope. But, the enduring cult appeal of Apple was also reflected online in tweets like that of @chillcommons: “iPhone 6 got people reconsidering their priorities. ‘Do I NEED to eat this month? Does my son really need new diapers?’”