September’s Apple Event is always so exciting for tech geeks and Apple lovers alike! On September 7, Apple announced new Apple Watch models, new iPhones as well as the new AirPods Pro.
Apple Watch
Apple announced not one, not two but three smart watches! These are the Apple Watch Series 8, SE and Ultra. The features across all three are impressive. As usual, Apple has managed to surprise us even when we may think there aren’t many more additions to make to their already incredible smartwatches.
Here are the main features for each model:
Apple Watch Series 8
- New temperature sensor – can measure temperature during ovulation to provide retrospective estimates of when you are ovulating. As well as using the cycle tracking technology to notify users of cycle deviation which could signal to potential health problems.
- New state of the art safety feature – the Apple Watch Series 8 boasts the new Crash Detection feature. Crash Detection is able to detect serious collisions and will immediately begin to contact emergency services at which point you have 10 seconds to cancel the call if it is not an emergency.
- International roaming is now available on the new watch models.
- New low power mode can increase battery life up to 36 hours.
- GPS models will set you back $299 and $499 for GPS and Cellular models.
- Available September 16.
Apple Watch SE
- Supports crash detection.
- Apple’s family plan allows children who do not own a phone but have an Apple Watch to call their parents’ contacts and emergency services.
- GPS models will set you back $249 and $299 for GPS and Cellular models.
- Available September 16th.
Apple Watch Ultra
- Designed with explorers in mind.
- 60 hours of battery life on low power setting.
- Newly designed compass app which allows you to set waypoints so you can find your way back to key spots.
- Backtrack feature on compass app uses GPS data to help you retrace steps when you are lost. If you go off the grid at any point backtrack will automatically turn on to help you return should you need it.
- Introduction of fully customisable ‘Action’ button. For example, button can be used to activate an SOS siren to call for attention.
- There are many other amazing features for all the thrill seekers and adventurers of the world. The Verge provide a detailed overview of the new smart watch.
- The Apple Watch Ultra costs $799 and will be available on September 23rd.
AirPods Pro
This time the AirPods Pro have seen major improvements to the sound they are able to produce. During the event Apple proudly claimed that, with these earphones, you can hear even more detail and clarity across a wider range of sound frequencies. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?
Besides the improvements made to the overall sound, here are the main features of the new AirPods Pro:
- Adaptive transparency – helps to reduce the noise of loud background noises such as construction work.
- Touch control – AirPods’ sensors can now be swiped as well as clicked. The swipe sensors may be used to change the volume of whatever you are listening to removing the need to use another device to do so.
- The case includes a speaker which can play an alert when trying to locate the missing case via the Find My app. Additionally, Find My can now better locate your AirPods in the same way that it locates Apple’s AirTags.
- The case includes a space where you can attach a loop to it to minimise the chances of it getting lost.
- Up to 6 hours listening on a single charge, and up to 30 hours with the case.
- The AirPods Pro will set you back $249 and are available on September 23.
iPhone 14
The iPhone lineup is cool but predictable. Many of the changes to the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are the usual. Improved graphics, camera quality and performance are obviously welcome additions. However these aren’t the exciting features.
Here are the exciting new features of the iPhone 14 models:
- All-day battery life
- Available in five colours: midnight, starlight, light blue, purple and (PRODUCT) RED.
- 6.1″ screen on the iPhone 14 and a 6.7″ screen on the Plus model.
- Action mode – makes videos stabile where movement would otherwise make the video shaky. The example showcased during the live event was both impressive and shocking.
- Adapted for eSIMs. All US models of the phone will no longer include a SIM card tray.
- Crash detection.
- Emergency SOS via Satellite – this safety feature allows you to contact emergency services when cellular service is unavailable. Your iPhone will show you where to point your phone to ensure you can send messages via satellite. This is amazing, never-before-seen technology! What’s more, this feature can be used in non-emergency situations to update friends or loved ones with your location via the Find My app. This feature will be free for 2 years and will be available in the US and Canada from November.
- The iPhone 14 costs $799 and will be available from September 16. The Plus model costs $899 and will be available from October 7.
iPhone 14 Pro
As has been tradition with iPhones over the last few years, Apple have released Pro models of the latest iPhone. The new models have ditched the notch and come in four colours: space black, silver, gold and deep purple. As per, there are the usual improvements to camera quality, performance and graphics.
Here is what sets the Pro models apart from the other iPhone 14 models:
- Dynamic Island – the brand-new Dynamic Island replaces the notch that we have seen on iPhone models since the iPhone X. The Dynamic Island showcases your notifications and background ongoing activity in a way that doesn’t disturb you from what you are otherwise doing on your phone. On top of that, the Display Island is interactive.
- Always on display – Don’t worry about ruining your battery life as the Pro models are optimised to ensure that the always on display doesn’t affect battery life. As well as that, the display automatically dims when not in use similarly to how the Apple Watch’s always on display works.
Final Note
This year the most impressive changes announced during the Apple Event were by far the new safety features. From crash detection to emergency SOS via satellite, Apple definitely pulled out all the stops.
Apple also announced that iOS 16 will be dropping for all iPhone users from the iPhone 8 onwards on September 12.
So, will you be buying any of the new products?