Just this morning I was admiring the depth of coverage Macworld put up in relation to yesterday’s announcement. Some of the smartest tech writers in the business worked at Macworld. I say worked because today, the day after their outstanding work yesterday, most of my friends at Macworld were laid off. The magazine will cease publication. The website will continue. I’m sure this was a difficult decision for whoever had to make it. Today I’m just sad for some talented friends that find themselves out of work. 

Speaking of that new iPhone, if you decide to sell your old one through Gazelle (which is what I do every year), use this link to make KatieFloyd™ and I look like rock stars. This year, I’m selling the iPhone 4S that drops out the bottom of the annual Sparks Phone shuffle.

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Yesterday’s Apple announcements were pretty spectacular. The Apple Watch looks like a really promising product and I’m sure I’ll end up getting one.The more pressing question however is for those of us upgrading to the new iPhone. You can now choose between the 6 and 6 Plus models. I am planning on pre-ordering so I’ve been spending way too much time thinking about which device makes more sense.

The differences are quantifiable:

iPhone 6

Awesome with a 4.7 inch screen.

iPhone 6 Plus

All the iPhone 6 awesome plus a 5.5 inch screen, better camera (optical image stabilization), longer battery life, and $100 more.

I wrote earlier about the dilemma for people that want a small phone but the best features and that situation now exists, at least a little bit. I’ve been leaning toward the larger phone because I’m really curious about how a bigger screen would change my relationship to my iPhone. I really like my iPad and if I had some of those features in my pocket at all times, I may really like that. I’m so curious that I’ve made a mock-up with this template from Ars Technica. I printed the page, folded it around the 6 Plus size, and taped a stack of index cards to the back to give it the approximate thickness of the actual phone. I’ve carried it so far in my fancy work pants and my jeans. It fits fine in my pocket. I’ve set it in my car mount and it seems like the larger screen will not be a problem for me to carry around and a benefit when viewing. In addition to giving me some idea of whether or not the 6 Plus will work, walking around with a paper phone in my pocket has provided my family a seemingly infinite amount of amusement.

I’m probably going to just order the big one. It’s not a tattoo. It’s a phone. If the big one doesn’t work, I suspect next year Apple will have another phone that I’ll be similarly lusting after.

Tomorrow is a big day for Apple. They are taking the stage at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts in Cupertino and going to take the wraps off of the iPhone 6. Moreover, there are also rumors of an iWatch, secure payment, and other bits and bobs. There is even a secret building. For Apple geeks, it is the Super Bowl, Oscars, and Christmas morning all wrapped up into one. Even with the larger venue, there are a lot of us that won’t be able to attend so I thought it would be fun to have my own stay-at-home guide for those of us that didn’t get a golden ticket.

1. Watch the Live Stream

Apple is going to be broadcasting live. Apple is increasingly providing a live stream for these events, which provides the stay-homer with a much better experience. Where we used to have to sit and hammer at the refresh button on our browsers as we waited for our favorite websites to upload blurry photos or crash or both, now we get the whole enchilada, live.

2. Plug in for the Commentary Track

Because the event is live streaming, you don’t need a website that is going to be cranking photos at your browser. Instead, you can now pick someone for their knowledge of Apple and Apple events. There are several good potential sources. I will be watching the comment stream from Macworld. It’s usually Jason Snell and Dan Moren. I think Jason is one of the most rational and knowledgeable guys out there when it comes to Apple and I always find his thoughts insightful.

3. Get Social

If you are reading this article, you are already following the right sorts of people on Twitter. Plug in tomorrow at 10AM PST and watch the banter fly. I’ve come to enjoy the social part of these events perhaps even more that the announcements themselves. I think Twitter is ground zero for this sort of thing.

4. Have Some Fun with It

There are several ways to increase the fun. I know people that insist on watching these events in the same room with fellow geeks. Some people play bingo. Others play various drinking games revolving around Johnny Ive appearing in a white room or saying the word All-U-Min-EE-Um. It is a great day to let your geek flag fly (and check your credit card balance). Go crazy.

5. Don’t Take It Too Serious

Apple is one of the world’s largest companies run by some very smart people. When the show is over and the Internet explodes with commentary about how the company is going in the toilet and the iPhone/iWatch/iWhatever is a bust, don’t take it too seriously. Sadly, making money on the Internet often has a lot more to do with incensing readers than enlightening them. 

On the flip side, the reality distortion field still exists with big Apple announcements and it is easy to get carried away thinking they just cured cancer when, in fact, they just made it a lot easier to buy a pizza. I usually give the whole thing a few days to percolate before deciding how I think Apple’s latest bit of wizardry fits into the big scheme.