The American technology company Apple has released a new smartwatch, known as the Apple Watch, and iPhones with bigger screens.
The Apple Watch is the first Apple product to be developed by the company under Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook. Mr. Cook became CEO in 2011, just a few weeks before the death of company co-founder Steve Jobs.
The watch will let people watch their health, and will include maps. It will also permit wearers to enter rooms by unlocking the doors. It will cost $349 and will be available early next year.
Apple CEO Tim Cook discusses the new Apple Watch on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Mr. Cook also presented two new models of the company’s iPhone.
The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus have larger screens and more power. The iPhone has been sold worldwide since 2007.
The South Korean technology company Samsung sells many more mobile phones worldwide than Apple does. But Apple is still one of the most valuable companies in the world.
Apple said the smaller iPhone 6 will cost $199. It is about 12 centimeters long. The iPhone 6 Plus is almost 14 centimeters long. It will cost $299 for the lowest amount of storage. Both of the phones will be available on September 19.
The company also said it is starting a new mobile payments service. Apple Pay will let users pay for products using their phones, instead of traditional credit or debit cards.
I’m Jim Tedder.
VOA correspondent Alex Villareal reported this story from Washington. Christopher Cruise wrote it for Learning English. Hai Do edited it.
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And now, words in this story
available - adj., present and ready for use; willing to serve or help. (“There was a list of available candidates.”)
valuable - n., the quality of being useful, important or desired; the amount of money that could be received if something is sold
storage/store - v., to keep or put away for future use; n., place where people buy things
traditional/tradition - n., a ceremony, activity or belief that has existed for a long time