Apple just wrapped up its big fall iPhone event where it announced new iPhones, AirPods and Apple Watches. The event launch was hosted by Apple CEO, Tim Cook.
The event which was live on YouTube offered users a chance to see new Apple products and features that would be available soon for pre-order and order. Here’s the list of the latest additions to the products announced.
- Apple Watch Series 8
- iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
- Satellite emergency service for iPhones
- Apple Watch Ultra
- New AirPods Pro
- The new Apple Watch SE
You can re-watch the event on YouTube
The launch event which was held physically in Cupertino, California, had over 300,000 people on the YouTube Livestream page, which indicates a significant consumer demand for information on the new Apple products. People want to be on the beat as it happens!
Now, in case you are set to buy the new release, here is all you need to know:
The new iPhone 14 will be available to order Friday, and Apple did not increase the prices as some analysts had expected. The new Apple Watches will be available to order next Wednesday and the new AirPods Pro will be on the market by Sept. 23.
Related story: Apple unveils flagship iPhone 13 series with new features but users are far from impressed
Apple Watch Series 8 with temperature sensor
Apple CEO, Tim Cook kicked started off the event by sharing a video of people describing how the watch has helped them during times of emergency.
According to COO, Jeff Williams, the new watch will be called Series 8. It is more durable than previous models and has a new temperature sensor that can be used to help monitor health data, including ovulation.
Apple says the device is designed to keep data secure and private and that health data will only be shared with explicit permission from the user.
A new security feature powered by two motion sensors was also implemented by Apple. The new car crash detector can determine whether you were involved in a serious collision and will immediately contact emergency services.
A new mode on Apple Watches can extend the Apple Watch battery life from 18 hours to 36 hours by temporarily disabling the always-on display and workout notifications.
Apple announces iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
Cook announced the iPhone 14 pro and pro max, the high-end models for this year.
The smaller model with a 6.1-inch screen is called the iPhone 14 Pro. The bigger model will be called iPhone 14 Max. The iPhone 14 Pro will start at $999, and the bigger model starts at $1099. That’s the same price as last year’s models.
The iPhone 14 Pro has a number of new features:
- An always-on display which doesn’t turn off when it’s not in use.
- Apple also introduced a new low-power mode to make the battery life last longer.
- It uses Apple’s latest A16 Bionic chip, which Apple says was built on a 4-nanometer process.
- A 48-megapixel camera thanks to a bigger sensor.
- Better low-light photography.
- Redesigned flash.
These devices have a revolutionary front design that reduces the size of the cutout for the front-facing camera, hence increasing the screen size. The cutout, which Apple refers to as a “dynamic island,” may simply show notifications or other system data, like football scores.
It comes in four colours: space black, silver, gold, and deep purple.
Apple also announced a long-rumoured capability to connect its iPhone 14 series to satellites for emergency services during its event on Wednesday, through a partnership with Globalstar.
The feature is designed to connect an iPhone 14′s antennas directly to a satellite, to send a message in areas unconnected by cell towers.
Apple’s manager of satellite modelling and simulation Ashley Williams said an algorithm in the phone compresses text messages to a size that will “take less than 15 seconds to send” to a satellite before it is relayed to a ground station and on to an emergency service provider.
The emergency satellite service launches in November and is included free for two years with an iPhone 14.
CNBC reports that Globalstar confirmed in a filing that it is supporting the iPhone 14 emergency satellite service, and will “allocate 85% of its current and future network capacity” to support the feature.
The iPhone 14 will start at $799 and the Plus will cost $899. Preorders start on Sept 9 and the smaller version will go on sale on Sept. 16. The Plus model won’t ship until October, though.
Apple announces new AirPods Pro
Announced also by the Apple CEO is the new model of Apple’s AirPods Pro, which are wireless earbuds with noise-cancelling, The new Airpods are set to cost $249 and will go on sale on Sept 23.
They have better sound quality and clarity, Apple said, due to an Apple H2 chip on the inside, an upgrade from the earlier model’s H1.
The new features include:
- New touch control to adjust the volume
- Longer battery life with up to 6 hours of listening time
- A smaller extra-small ear tip
- A speaker added to the case
- Can be charged with MagSafe chargers.
Apple unveils high-end Apple Watch Ultra
Apple also announced the Apple Watch Ultra, a new high-end watch with a new design, bigger screen, and titanium case. The product is aimed at outdoor athletes.
It comes with a new watch face with more information, including a compass. It also has a new orange “action” button for quick use while working out or wearing gloves. It can also show how deep the user is diving while swimming.
It will cost at least $799 and will hit store shelves on September 23. Preorders are available Wednesday.
“Every detail has been engineered to create the most rugged and capable Apple Watch ever,”
Apple COO Jeff Williams
Apple also announced the low-cost Apple Watch SE. The redesigned Apple Watch SE, which is a lower-cost version of its mainline Series 8. will cost $249.
This latest model includes:
- A bigger screen
- A new plastic design on the underside of the watch
- Heart rate notifications
- Fall detection
According to Kif Leswing, CNBC reporter, Apple is marketing it as a device for children who might not need their own iPhone device.
Read also: Apple to launch iPhone 14 on Sept 7 as Twitter faces fresh scrutiny from SEC
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