A rather interesting discussion so far.
I've watched the keynote, read several articles, etc. I will say I was glad to see some of the changes made to the phones. Do I think that this new phone is revolutionary? No, more like a evolutionary step for the iPhone. Apple has a long history of taking and improving on (let's face it, there were smart phones long before the first iPhone) other peoples technology and ideas. It's not a bad way to do business, as it allows one to see what does and doesn't work then make it better. Apple obviously needed proof that a larger phone was in demand - they got it so they made it. There is no huge awesome new technology in this phone that is being released - it's really just an improvement.
NFC - been around. Apple may have improved its potential in the new phone; I honestly don't know. Unfortunately, there is only one place in my town I could possibly use it (Subway) (the mcd's here is disgusting) so I probably wouldn't use it a lot.
Larger screens - been around. Apple has improved their devices by offering larger screens. I honestly think they should have come out with 3 sizes and dropped the 5 line. Like a 6s, 6m and 6l (or 6+) where they share the same processor and features and the differences are only the screen sizes to accommodate those that like the small medium and large size phones.
Thinner phones - Apple has honestly always been the master on thin devices; but it's really also looking at what other companies do and making it better.
Fingerprint scanner - more of a convenience lock then hugely secure. It can be hacked as just about every other fingerprint scanner can using the same methodologies.
Really there isn't much new that can be put into a mobile phone - improvements yes (screen, battery, CPU, GPU, storage, etc.) - but actual new groundbreaking technology; unless someone comes up with something, we're probably not going to see a lot of new hardware based features - software is what will make a bigger difference than hardware for a while IMHO.
The watch is kinda cool. I may get one next year as I've been looking for something that would do walking, biking, heart rate, act as a watch, etc. and I just haven't been thrilled by what is on the market currently. Samsung watch is kinda nice, but up there in price like the Apple watch.
I also agree with Van that Apple and Security have not historically gone well together in that they tend to be slow in fixing flaws so some of the new features (ie: NFC) I probably wouldn't use even if I had the opportunity unless I had it tied to a very low limit CC.
All this said, I will say I have pre ordered a 6 (not plus) - my existing phone (Samsung S3) is having all kinds of problems since the latest update to kit kat so it was an opportune moment for me to get a new phone and the main reason I had switched away from Apple iPhone was the screen size (my eyes aren't the greatest, but I can't stand the size of something like the Note2/3/iPhone 6+) and now that Apple has a phone in a size that I like I'll be going back. I won't be using NFC unless I get an attach a low limit CC to it so if it is compromised I wouldn't be out potentially what my main CC's are (then again, with only Subway to use it at, I probably won't use it anyway
).
To sum up - IMHO; TL;DR: The new iPhone 6 is a minor evolutionary step from the 5s (except maybe the sapphire glass, not sure on that yet). Biggest changes will be in the iOS for now. Apple needs to to better handle security issues promptly. I am an iPhone 6 owner (just not in my hands until the 19th) but I don't think it was an earth moving announcement.
