On September 15th, the tech world looked to Cupertino again. This time there was no new iPhone to be seen.
In keeping with the motto "Time flies" (Eng. "Time flies"), Apple presented two new models of the Apple Watch from the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino on September 15th. The second highlight from the tech giant's expanded portfolio are two fresh iPad versions. However, users have to wait for the iPhone 12. The next smartphone from Apple has not yet been shown. Still, there is news from the iPhone warehouse.
Everything for your health
Apple has once again emphasized that the different models of the Apple Watch should improve the lives of their users. The company also showed examples of users, including a blind Spaniard and a young athlete with type 1 diabetes, who rely on the numerous features of the Apple Watch.
The new Watch Series 6 and Watch SE should appear in just a few days. The Series 6 is intended to expand the range of health and fitness functions and, thanks to a new sensor, can measure the blood oxygen content of a wearer on the wrist within 15 seconds. With well-known partners such as the University of Washington School of Medicine and the Peter Munk Cardiac Center, data are also to be evaluated in order to better understand how the Apple Watch can help with heart failure – or how heart rate and oxygen levels are used in the early detection of respiratory diseases how Covid-19 or the flu can be useful.
In addition, there is also a new, always active altimeter. Thanks to newly developed hardware, including a dual-core processor based on the A13 Bionic chip of the iPhone 11, the Watch Series 6 should also offer more performance with a battery life of up to 18 hours. The watch will also be available in numerous new colors, including a (Product) Red version for the first time. Other bracelets and new watch faces are also available. The new collection of designs for the customizable user interfaces can, for example, sometimes show several time zones at the same time or are sometimes also specialized for use by surfers and photographers.
With the new "family configuration", thanks to watchOS 7, an Apple Watch can also be connected to your own iPhone and given to family members who do not have their own iPhone. For example, grandma, grandpa or the children can also use the smart watch.
In addition, Apple has presented the Watch SE, which is still equipped with the previous chip, but is also significantly cheaper than its "big sibling". The SE variant has many functions that the Series 6 also has to offer, but will be available from around 291 euros depending on the variant. The Apple Watch Series 6, however, is available from just under 418 euros. The new watches can already be pre-ordered and will be available from September 18th.
iOS 14 with new functions
The next major update for the iPhone's operating system is due to be released tomorrow, Wednesday, September 16. IOS 14 should contain new features and a fresh look for familiar functions. For example, widgets for weather, scheduler and the like can also be placed on the home screen, and a new app media library automatically organizes the programs on the iPhone. In addition, a new picture-in-picture mode makes it possible, among other things, to continue Facetime calls while using another app. But these are just some of the new features.
New tablets presented
Apple also showed a new iPad of the eighth generation. Equipped with an A12 bionic chip, the tablet's processor should offer around 40 percent more performance than its predecessor. Customers can also get a 10.2-inch Retina display for just under 369 euros. In addition, the "Neural Engine" is coming to the iPad for the first time, which is responsible for machine learning and, among other things, is intended to ensure that Siri, the voice assistant, becomes more powerful. The devices will be available from September 18 from around 369 euros. Shortly before the new iPads are released, Apple will also release the iPad0S 14 on September 16.
A new iPad Air with an A14 Bionic Chip will also appear soon. One of the highlights of the tablet with a 10.9-inch liquid retina display is a further developed touch ID sensor. This is no longer on the front of the device, as is the case with older iPhone models, for example, but is hidden in a button on the top. The different versions of the iPad Air can be ordered from next month and will cost from around 632 euros.
Fresh services, but not all in Germany yet
Last but not least, Apple has presented new services, some of which will not be available directly in Germany. Apple Fitness + is intended to enable users to work out even better thanks to videos from a team of trainers and suitable background music. An overview shows, among other things, how many calories users have burned after exercises in areas such as yoga, dance or a session on the treadmill or what distance they have covered. The service is scheduled to appear in the USA by the end of the year, but there is no possible date for Germany yet.
With Apple One, the tech giant also wants to bundle its existing subscription services and is offering packages at different prices that include access to Apple Music, Apple TV +, Apple Arcade and iCloud storage. A so-called "Premier" package, which also includes Apple Fitness + and Apple News +, will not initially be available in Germany. The packages should be available from autumn.