Here's the lowdown from today's 'Wonderlust' Apple event
%2Favatars%2FXT3vqpiaHT53.jpg&w=96&q=75)
%2F2023%2F09%2F12%2Fimage%2Fjpeg%2FGvjjyv4itng6mh6em399uAytvS3l6LrNog2Vn7B9.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Millions of Apple fans worldwide are watching Apple's "Wonderlust" event with bated breath today. The event is one of the most anticipated annual tech happenings, broadcast from the company's Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, and streamed online.
But what are the main news events? Let's take a quick look (needless to say, we won't be able to comment on everything discussed).
iPhone 15 has some minor improvements and now comes with USB-C
As you'd expect, the biggest announcement at this year's Apple Event is all about the new iPhone. Replete with the usual minor changes to the previous year's model, the most significant change is from Apple's Lightning charging port to the more common USB-C (aka "Thunderbolt"). The same is true for iPads and Macs, which will share a charger and a charging cable.
This isn't, of course, an Apple initiative. Their hand has been forced by European regulatory changes that require electronics to have a standardized charging port, but USB-C technology will be implemented worldwide.
Colors for the iPhone 15. #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/ToMS1ieziq
— Pop Base (@PopBase) September 12, 2023
Apple will keep its traditional four-iPhone lineup and release the standard iPhone 15 models in 6.1 and 6.7-inch sizes. The upcoming iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will resemble the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, with the A16 Bionic processor. Features will include the "Dynamic Island" seen on previous models and come in new color ranges.
The upcoming iPhone 15 boasts a 48-megapixel main camera with an f/1.6 aperture that promises better quality images with higher resolution, even in low-light conditions. Apple also claims they have improved battery life, WiFi speeds, or RAM for the standard iPhone 15 models. It also includes many recycled materials like copper, cobalt, and aluminum.
Some other cool features include expanding Apple's satellite-connected "Emergency SOS" and "FindMy" features to other countries and a new "Roadside Assistance" feature. Prices will range from around $800 for the bog standard iPhone 15 to a whopping £1,300 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. But you can get discounts by trading in your older iPhone models (iPhone 11 onwards).
Apple Watch Series 9 now comes with a woven strap and brighter display
The next version of the Apple Watch, known as the Apple Watch Series 9, has, according to Apple, enhanced performance and longer battery life. It has a brighter display, which is allegedly better for outdoor viewing. Additionally, it comes with an updated optical heart rate sensor and a new "U2" Ultra Wideband chip that will provide more precise location tracking.
Apple introduces the Apple Watch Series 9 #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/dBpiBDlSo9
— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) September 12, 2023
The Series 9 watches from Apple now have a new feature called "double tap." This feature allows users to answer phone calls by tapping their thumb and finger together twice without touching the watch. It uses machine learning to detect small changes in blood flow when the fingers are tapped together. This frees up the other hand for tasks such as holding a cup of coffee or walking a dog.
The Series 9 comes with a band made of woven fabric with a magnetic buckle, which Apple claims is more environmentally friendly. Price will range from $399 to $499, depending on stats.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Apple Watch Ultra will include the same S9 chip as the upcoming Apple Watch Series 9, an improved Ultra Wideband chip, and a new heart rate sensor.
Apple introduces Apple Watch Ultra 2 #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/856PK1qneh
— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) September 12, 2023
The Ultra 2, Apple state, will cost $799.
Apple is working hard to help the planet
One major event theme was Apple's commitment to reducing the company's environmental impact. Apart from claims of reducing water usage, energy consumption, and virgin materials, Apple has made significant improvements across its supply chain to help "remove carbon from the atmosphere."
One of its major claims is the change from air to ocean transport of its products from China and India. While this is disputed, shipping larger quantities of product by ship rather than multiple aircraft is bound to have some impact.
And that's all for now, folks. We are confident the internet will be digesting this information for many days, weeks, and months to come, so if you want to know more, check out your favorite tech reviewers on the web.
SHOW COMMENT (1)
/2023/07/31/image/jpeg/eNK3RS3ljKf5vLSQsStQ1gGHBKjS5wH9w8iL5QjE.jpg "Printed solar panels could generate power from existing infrastructure")
/2023/09/30/image/jpeg/6IjK0KBN2CeWMA7df6Up3U6thpVJXxlG6O1Vqavl.jpg "What are these black balls doing in the reservoir?")
/2023/09/30/image/jpeg/Q3IuT3h5XPfnJ2EWbbBl5YSI7PfMBTI5vxeO1bDq.jpg "Perseverance rover tracks a dust devil moving at 12 mph on Mars")
/2023/09/24/image/jpeg/LbEWVi9Dqey9YK0OQQHLWcm6Fwci9Kgmhp4SL6OG.jpg "10 ancient civil engineering projects still in use")
/2023/09/30/image/jpeg/j7W0nmt9ybApf7s6NcJo5tsvdEi9ZXLNcrEvZOcW.jpg "Codec avatars: The next frontier of Meta’s VR technology")
/2023/09/22/image/jpeg/N09BSEVNiNkMLnA50kD8o3yiMP8ye1mAEFwtWa4G.jpg "Is carbon capture the missing piece in the net zero puzzle?")
/2023/09/30/image/jpeg/TVhkJL65iVgn0Prm58w6RDhGCNHomwpg9mQkYLWj.jpg "DNA tells the story of the first cowboys’ African descent")
/2023/08/23/image/jpeg/ivMD3RG1VXLwimcDFkTj4viol8hAbysi9HLwfOik.jpg "Is medical research entering a new era of fertility treatments?")
/2023/09/30/image/jpeg/IZGEEAVw2PVVXJIIOPpT9vUucMJhQT9h6QTUx6t6.jpg "Google's new undersea cable will connect Portugal and the US")
/2023/07/16/image/jpeg/F8I77CKgbsgtRj8BeCGaJHyen1wVreWvlVsyjiGg.jpg "New developments in Alzheimer's treatments")