Apple's Virtual Event Was ... Pretty Boring, Actually
Apple just held a virtual event to announce a series of new products. Unfortunately, the iPhone 12 wasn't one of them, as the tech giant instead focused on a new Apple Watch and iPad.
Apple generally introduces its new iPhone each September. However, this year the announcement has seemingly been pushed back due to COVID-19. There have been many reports surrounding the iPhone 12 to provide us with glimpses of what to expect, but we'll have to wait a bit longer for the official reveal.
In the meantime, continue reading below for details on the new products Apple did announce during its digital event.
Apple Watch Series 6
Building on past generations, Apple Watch Series 6 provides users with even more insight into their overall fitness. A Blood Oxygen sensor and app measures the wearer's oxygen saturation of the blood, ultimately indicating how well-oxygenated blood is being delivered throughout the body. To measure this, Apple has implemented four clusters of LEDs and four photodiodes on the back of the watch.
From a performance standpoint, Apple Watch Series 6 uses a new dual-core processor based on A13 Bionic in iPhone 11, which allows the device to run up to 20 percent faster. With faster charging, you can fully charge the Apple Watch in 1.5 hours, as the timepiece has an 18-hour battery life. Furthermore, the watch's Always-On Retina display is up to 2.5 times brighter than the previous model, making the screen easier to read in sunlight.
watchOS 7 gives customers seven new watch face options, including Stripes, Chronograph Pro, GMT, and Artist, while also offering a low-range VO2 Max health and fitness feature, sleep tracking, automatic hand-washing detection, and new workout types.
New cases and band options will be available this fall, as a blue iteration joins the silver, space gray, and gold aluminum cases, in addition to a (PRODUCT)RED variation.
Apple Watch Series 6 is available for order beginning today, starting at $399.
Apple Watch SE
Apple Watch SE has many of the features found in Apple Watch Series 6, including sleep tracking, automatic hand-washing detection, new workouts, and the same accelerometer, gyroscope, and always-on altimeter, while also boasting the latest motion sensors and microphone, and a slew of health and safety capabilities. To compare, the SE's Retina display is 30 percent larger than Apple Watch Series 3, and the device is two times as fast.
Available in three case finishes made from 100 percent recycled aluminum, Apple Watch SE is currently available for order on Apple.com, starting at $279.
iPad 8
Apple's eighth-generation iPad features a powerful A12 Bionic chip delivering 40 percent faster CPU performance and twice the graphics capability compared to its predecessor. The tablet also has a 10.2-inch Retina display, all-day battery life, and Touch ID that allows you to unlock the device with the touch of a finger.
Even more new features and designs will be available for the iPad 8 upon the launch of iOS 14 tomorrow, September 16. These include compact designs for incoming FaceTime and phone calls, Siri interactions, and Search; a Universal Search function; new sidebars for apps; and redesigned widgets.
As Apple aims to become carbon neutral by 2030, the new iPad has a 100 percent recycled aluminum enclosure and 100 percent recycled tin for the solder on its main logic board. You can order it today, starting at $329.
iPad Air
The all-new iPad Air features Apple's most advanced chip, A14 Bionic. Boasting a new all-screen design, it has a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, new 12MP rear camera, and next-generation Touch ID sensor. P3 wide color support, True Tone, and an anti-reflective coating come together with the all-screen display to deliver an enhanced visual experience. iPad Air is also compatible with Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio, and new Smart Folio covers, in addition to Apple Pencil.
A14 Bionic provides users with a 40 percent boost in CPU performance, as well as a 30 percent improvement in graphics. The new 16-core Neural Engine is twice as fast and can perform up to 11 trillion operations per second.
The tablet comes with a 7MP front-facing FaceTime HD camera, in addition to the previously mentioned 12MP rear camera that is used in iPad Pro. With the new USB-C port, you can take advantage of up to 5Gbps data transfer, which Apple says is 10 times faster for connecting to cameras, hard drives, and external monitors up to 4K.
The thin and lightweight iPad Pro will release next month — starting at $599 — in silver, space gray, rose gold, green, and sky blue colorways.
Apple Fitness+
Fitness+ is an all-new fitness service built around Apple Watch. Incorporating metrics from Apple Watch, users can follow along with studio-style workouts by using iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV.
The service provides personalized recommendations to aid in getting to the next workout, all while offering a more engaging and immersive experience. It also takes past workouts into consideration to suggest new workouts and bring overall balance to your routine.
During a session, the metrics from Apple Watch are shown directly on your viewing screen to give real-time updates and provide motivation. You can also utilize the optional Burn Bar to see how your effort compares to others who have done the same workout.
Fitness+ features trainers from various fields, honing in on the most popular workout types including cycling, treadmill, rowing, HIIT, strength, yoga, dance, core, and more. The service will be available for Apple Watch customers before the end of 2020 for $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
Apple One
Apple One is a subscription service combining Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, iCloud, and more, all in one plan. Apple will begin recommending Apple One plans for customers with Apple subscriptions beginning this fall. You can choose from Individual, which includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and 50GB of iCloud storage for $14.95 per month; Family, which includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and 200GB of iCloud storage for $19.95 per month, and can be accessed by up to six family members; or Premier, which includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, Apple Fitness+, and 2TB of iCloud storage for $29.95 per month, also accessible by up to six family members.
