Usually, Apple’s September events are about the iPhone. However, this year, COVID-19 slowed down production of the iPhone 12. Instead, today’s Apple event focused on the Apple Watch and the iPad. Apple introduced new Apple Watch models, as well as an updated iPad Air and iPad.
Apple also announced that all of their updates come out tomorrow. That includes iOS 14, watchOS 7, iPad OS 14, and tvOS 14.
Apple’s new products go on sale this month. Some even this week. So let’s take a look!
In This Article:
Apple Watch
Apple started off their presentation today with videos of Apple Watch customers who have used their Apple Watch to improve their daily life, save money on their medication, or even save their life. From there, Apple showed off two new Apple Watch models as well as updates to watchOS 7 that’ll go out to all Apple Watches Series 3 and up.
Apple Watch Series 6
Design
First up, there’s the new Apple Watch Series 6. Now, on the surface, it doesn’t look much different than any of the previous Apple Watches. Seriously, any of them. However, there is one new exciting update to the design: colors. At least two, anyway. The aluminum Apple Watch will come in two additional colors. There’s the new blue color we had previously heard about, as well as a vibrant new red color, for (Product)Red. All the old options are also available, including space gray, silver, gold, and rose gold. The stainless steel now comes in a graphite color, a dark gray shade of steel, along with silver, gold, and “space black.” Apple also carries the Apple Watch Edition in titanium, in space black or titanium colors. It seems they’ve dropped the ceramic white Apple Watch Edition, at least for now.
O2 Sensor
The new heart rate sensor on the bottom has the standard green LEDs, as well as four new red and infrared LEDs. These allow the Apple Watch Series 6 to accurately track oxygen levels in your blood. Various health conditions can affect your blood oxygen level, like asthma.
I recommend anyone who is against wearing masks because they “can’t breath” to get an Apple Watch Series 6. It’ll alert them if their O2 levels drop while they’re wearing a mask. Which it won’t. Because masks don’t lower your O2 levels. But, hey, anything to get these people wearing masks!
Watch Bands
Apple introduced three new Apple Watch band styles. Two make the Apple Watch more seamless and personal than ever with no clasps, no adjustments, just one size fits you. This is the Solo Loop and the Braided Solo Loop.
The Solo Loop is a seamless band of stretchy silicone. It’s basically the sport band with just enough flex to make its way over your thumb as you put it on, then holds in place. No clasps or buckles. It’s the same price as the Sport Loop as well, and comes in a variety of vibrant colors. Unfortunately, the (Product)Red version isn’t out yet, but Apple says it’s “Coming Soon.”
There’s also Apple’s new Braided Solo Loop. This is made from stretchy recycled yarn interwoven with silicone. It’s $99, and comes in a variety of colors, like the Solo Loop.
Finally, Apple introduced new styles of their leather band, including a magnetic leather loop with no buckles.
Screen
Apple improved the screen’s always-on functionality over the Series 5. It now stays brighter, 2.5 times brighter, in fact, so you can more easily read the always on display, even in direct sunlight. Other than that, it’s the same screen. The improvements to brightness of the always-on display likely came from enhancements to the battery life.
And the Rest…
That brings us to the new SOC in the Apple Watch Series 6, the S6. The S6 processor and system on a chip is based on the A13 processor from the iPhone. It’s 20% faster than the Series 5 that came before it.
The Series 6 also now has an always-on altimeter. This means that, like your phone, it can easily track your elevation changes in real time. It’s great for exercising or climbing. Altimeters are usually based on barometers. By knowing the air pressure at sea level, we can estimate altitude using air pressure alone. Barometric pressure can also predict weather. Some iPhone apps use this data for just that, including Dark Sky. We don’t know yet if developers will be able to use the altimeter in the Apple Watch Series 6 like this yet.
Already on sale!
This watch band isn’t for sale yet, but I can’t wait to complete the look
The Apple Watch Series 6 is on sale now, starting at $399. It’ll be available starting this Friday. However, shipments have already slipped until next week.
Apple Watch SE
As anticipated, Apple has revealed a new Apple Watch SE. This replaces Apple’s habit of selling older models for a discount. Instead, you get new hardware with cost savings.
The Apple Watch SE is basically the Apple Watch Series 4 with the S5 SOC from the Series 5. There are wifi and cellular models, as well as all motion sensors and compass. It can still do fall detection, as well as detecting problems with your heart rate. The biggest feature that’s lost is the always-on display. The Apple Watch SE features a display that’s only on when you raise it.
The Apple Watch SE is also on sale today. It only comes in aluminum, and it starts at $279. That’s a savings of $120 over the Apple Watch Series 6. Apple also still sells the Apple Watch Series 3, with its smaller display and larger bezel, for $199.
Family Setup
Just in time for Apple’s best low-cost Apple Watch models, Apple has introduced family setup. Normally, one Apple Watch is tied to one iPhone. However, with watchOS 7 and iOS 14, one iPhone can set up the Apple Watches for multiple people. This is perfect for parents setting up Apple Watches for their kids.
Outside of setup, parents can set school hours, when the more distracting features of the Apple Watch are shut off. They can control the contacts, who kids can message, and use FindMy to see where their kids are.
With cellular-connected Apple Watches, parents can completely replace phones for their kids. The Apple Watch will be able to place calls and text messages, without being as distracting or potentially dangerous as an iPhone. Kids can create memojis, chat, and use allowed apps on their Apple Watches. It’s the perfect tool for parents who want to be able to stay in contact with their kids, but aren’t ready to get them an iPhone yet.
Family setup works on Apple Watches running watchOS 7 and later, the Series 4 Apple Watch and later.
watchOS 7
watchOS 7 has a few other updates as well. VO2 Max is the maximum rate of oxygen your body is able to use during exercise. It basically measures how much oxygen your body can use at any time. While the new Series 6 Apple Watch can tell you how much oxygen is in your blood, this can tell you how much oxygen could be used by your body. It’s usually measured during exercise, and every Apple Watch on watchOS 7 can track it now.
On top of that, there are a few new watch faces. There’s a new GMT face that allows users to display multiple time zones at once and easily jump between them. Handy for anyone who frequently has to communicate with people around the globe.
Apple’s also adding a new countdown face, which can track elapsed time from a given starting point, as well as a new chronograph phase. There’s even a tachymeter face, for measuring speed and distance covered.
Some of the faces are for aesthetics only. Like being able to modify the typography on the watch face, selecting just the right font for the numbers, as well as the style of those numbers. There’s a new animated face design by artist Geoff McFetridge, which shows a different face design every time you look at your watch. And if you really want to see a face every time you look down, you can put your face on your watch face, with Memoji.
Finally, there’s a new stripes face, which allows you to pick colorful stripes going across the screen. This can represent flags, sports teams, or Pride.
iPad
Apple introduced two new iPads today. One is an exciting new redesign, while the other is more of a spec bump, but a good one.
iPad Air
Let’s start with the brand new iPad Air. This new iPad has a larger screen, bumping it up to just under the iPad Pro screen size. The new 10.9″ display features a higher Liquid Retina resolution and P3 color gamut. It also features an anti-reflective coating.
The iPad Air is the cheaper iPad Pro. It works with the Apple Pencil 2, and can wirelessly charge it the same way. It has the same large screen size and squared off edges that the iPad Pro has. However, on the iPad Air, there’s a variety of colors to choose from, including silver, space gray, rose gold, green, and sky blue.
The new iPad Air will work with all of your iPad Pro accessories, including the Magic Keyboard and trackpad. Right now, the iPad Air may actually have a better processor than the iPad Pro. The iPad Pro is equipped with an A12Z processor, an enhanced version of Apple’s A12. However, the iPad Air has Apple’s new A14 chip. This is powered by Apple’s new 5nm process, making its transistors smaller than even those on the most advanced graphics cards. The new A14 chip has Apple’s most advanced neural processor, with 16 cores, making the iPad Air smarter than ever.
On the back, you’ll find an iPhone 7-like sculpted camera bump for its lone rear camera. This is the biggest differentiator between the Pro and Air models. The iPad Air has the 12MP wide angle camera from the iPad Pro, but lacks the ultra wide camera and LiDAR sensor.
Finally, there’s the feature that I hope comes to everything Apple makes: Touch ID… again. This time, Touch ID is relocated to the power button. The power button is wider than it is on other Apple devices, and features a sapphire crystal to protect the sensor. It’s also still a tactile button, unlike the Touch ID on older Apple products.
The iPad Air starts at $599, and will go on sale next month. Apple hasn’t announced an exact date, but they will likely do that during their October iPhone event.
Unless Apple dramatically updates the iPad Pro soon, the iPad Air is the iPad to buy. It’s the best combination of capabilities, price, and style.
iPad (8th Generation)
Apple also upgraded their iPad to the 8th generation. It still features Apple Pencil 1 support, as well as support for Apple’s awful Smart Keyboard. Seriously, don’t get Apple’s version of the Smart Keyboard. I went through three that broke over time, and by the third, I took it apart, cut the keyboard section off, and moved its parts around to just use it as a smart cover. I also don’t recommend this surgery, but I was fed up and didn’t want to buy yet another cover.
The iPad features the A12 Bionic, the same chip you’ll find in the iPhone XS and iPhone XR. An upgraded version of this chip powers the iPad Pro.
The iPad starts at $329, though educators and students can get one for $299. With close to the same power as the iPad Pro, and much of the feature parity thanks to Apple Pencil support and the original Smart Connector, the 8th generation iPad is a steal. It’s the perfect iPad for people who don’t want the extra power or versatility of the iPad Air.
The iPad Air is on sale now, and will start shipping this Friday.
Apple Fitness+
Along with the new features of the Apple Watch, Apple introduced a new subscription that’s perfect for our new work from home lifestyles. Apple Fitness+ works directly with your Apple Watch and any other Apple device. Using an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, you can watch fitness instructional videos while getting live updates on your health, heart rate, elapsed time, and more, thanks to your Apple Watch.
There are 10 types of workouts, many using no equipment at all, like those for aerobics, yoga, or stretching. Some require just a set of dumbbells. Others are made for people with exercise bikes. You could buy a cheap exercise bike and get high quality spin classes like those offered by Peloton for a much lower introductory price.
The instruction provided by the fitness trainers is closely tied to the app as well. When a trainer says “pay attention to your heart rate,” your heart rate appears on the screen. When they say to hold a particular position for 30 seconds, a countdown timer appears on the screen. All of this is done to give you a seamless, personal, yet private workout experience.
You’ll also be able to choose your own workout music from a variety of genres. If you use Apple Music and like what you hear, you can add the playlist used in the workout video directly to your saved playlist.
Apple Fitness+ will be $9.99/month, or $79.99/year (that’s 4 months free). It’s also automatically a family account, you can share it with whoever you want.
Fitness+ will be available before the end of the year. Everyone who buys a new Apple Watch will get Fitness+ free for 3 months.
As someone who has been a bit down and out of shape during quarantine, this might just be the kick I need. I feel like many people stuck at home feel the same.
Apple One
Apple One combines your iCloud storage plan, Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+ and Apple Fitness+ into one subscription. It appears as though Apple will offer tiers, though we don’t yet know if they will be customizable or not.
The $14.95/month individual plan includes Apple Music, TV+, and Arcade with 50GB of iCloud storage. If purchased individually, this would be an additional $6/month, so it’s an easy way to save some money if you’re already using or considering using these services.
There’s also a family plan that’s the same services as the individual plan, but bumps up the iCloud storage to 200GB. This is $19.95/month, a savings of $8/month.
Finally, there’s Apple’s Premier tier. This includes News+ and Fitness+, along with 2TB of storage and sharing with up to 5 people. This is $29.95/month. Apple says this saves users $25/month.
Apple notes that Apple Fitness+ won’t be out until “late 2020.”
Environmental Footprint
Apple also discussed their carbon footprint. They first highlighted the fact that the new aluminum Apple Watch Series 6 is made from 100% recycled aluminum. Outside of that, all of Apple’s offices are now powered by renewable energy. They’ve cut their carbon footprint company-wide by 35% since 2015.
Apple also took the time to make a pledge. By 2030 Apple will be a completely carbon neutral company, from the supply chain to the offices and retail stores. Apple promises to be carbon neutral in 10 years.
If every company did this, we may be able to get climate change under control. As a Californian company, feeling extended drought and fire seasons, as well as larger and more widespread wildfires must have the climate higher on Apple’s priority list than normal.
It should be higher on all of our priority lists.
Apple also announced that, in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint further, the Apple Watch will not come with a charger. They say this allows them to cut the equivalent of 50,000 cars from the road each year.That makes a large difference. It also reduces e-waste, as the chargers often simply end up in the trash. I’ve had two Apple Watches now, and the chargers work for both of them. I keep on in the bedroom and one in my office for when I want to update or install beta software on my watch. I don’t need a third. It’s been Apple’s most dependable cable. I’m sure other Apple Watch owners are in the same boat, especially those who upgrade more often than every 2-3 years, as I do.
Wrap-Up
Today, Apple revealed:
- The New Apple Watch Series 6, with an O2 sensor, faster processor, and brighter always-on display
- The Apple Watch SE, a less expensive Apple Watch based off of the Series 4 with the Series 5’s internal hardware
- The 4th generation iPad Air, a slightly slower iPad Pro with fewer cameras and colorful body, a real steal. It features Apple’s first lock button Touch-ID.
- The 8th generation iPad, with Apple Pencil support and a smart connector for the Smart Keyboard.
This turned out to be a more exciting event than we anticipated. The Apple Watch did bring some exciting new colors and bands, and the iPad Air is far better than we expected. It’s more than a redesign, it’s Apple’s first 5nm device for incredible performance. Plus, here’s to hoping that Touch-ID comes to the iPhone, because I’m really tired of punching in my obscenely long iPhone passcode every time I need to use my iPhone when I’m wearing a mask.
Most of Apple’s new products are on sale today, with others going on sale in October. We’ll find out more about these new services and features next month when Apple reveals the iPhone 12.