Apple has once again wowed tech enthusiasts with its latest event, “Glowtime,” which took place in September 2024. This highly anticipated keynote unveiled a host of exciting new products, updates, and features. As usual, Apple delivered on its promise to push the boundaries of technology, unveiling the new iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, upgraded AirPods, and much more. With so much information packed into the event, it can be overwhelming to track everything. But fear not – we’ve broken down every major announcement and provided all the details you need to know.
Apple Watch Series 10: Specs, Features, and Pricing
Me yesterday: “I’m not getting a new watch”
Apple today: “look at the new satin black Apple Watch Ultra!”
OhHhHhHhH pic.twitter.com/3yUECWoPha
— Jenna Ezarik (@jennaezarik) September 9, 2024
One of the first big reveals at the event was the highly anticipated Apple Watch Series 10. Apple’s latest iteration of its popular smartwatch comes with several enhancements and new features that make it a standout product in the wearable tech market.
Design and Build
The Apple Watch Series 10 is noticeably sleeker and lighter than its predecessors. Apple emphasized the watch’s thinness and reduced weight, making it even more comfortable to wear on a daily basis. Despite its slimmer profile, the Series 10 doesn’t compromise on performance. In fact, Apple claims that the watch is more powerful and efficient than ever before. The newly introduced colorways—black and rose gold—add a fresh aesthetic appeal, offering users more options to personalize their watches.
Improved Speaker
One notable hardware upgrade is the Series 10’s improved speaker system. While some may find the idea of playing music directly from their watch unconventional, Apple has made sure that users will have a better audio experience with clearer sound. Whether you’re taking calls, using voice commands, or playing music, the improved speaker enhances the overall functionality of the device.
Health and Fitness Focus
As with previous versions, the Apple Watch Series 10 continues to focus on health and fitness. The watch includes all the popular fitness tracking features, such as heart rate monitoring, ECG readings, and blood oxygen measurement. With its enhanced sensors, the Series 10 promises more accurate tracking, particularly for activities like swimming, running, and high-intensity workouts.
Price
The Apple Watch Series 10 is expected to start at $399, with prices varying based on the model and band options. For those looking to upgrade their smartwatch experience, the Series 10 offers a comprehensive package of features that cater to both casual users and fitness enthusiasts alike.
Apple Watch Introduces a New Sleep Apnea Detection Feature
A major addition to the Apple Watch’s health tracking capabilities is the introduction of a sleep apnea detection feature. Sleep apnea is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, often going undiagnosed for years. Apple aims to help address this issue by integrating a feature that can monitor users’ sleep patterns and detect irregular breathing or interruptions that may indicate sleep apnea.
How It Works
Using advanced sensors and machine learning algorithms, the Apple Watch will analyze your sleep data and notify you if it detects patterns that are commonly associated with sleep apnea. This feature can be life-changing for users who may not realize they suffer from the condition, as it can prompt them to seek medical advice and begin treatment.
Impact on Health Monitoring
This update marks Apple’s continued efforts to position the Apple Watch as a health-focused device. With the addition of sleep apnea detection, the Apple Watch can now monitor an even broader range of health conditions, potentially saving lives by providing early warnings of health issues.
Apple Watch Ultra 2: New Satin Black Color Option
While there wasn’t a completely new model of the Apple Watch Ultra, Apple did introduce a new color variant for the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The new satin black color option gives the Ultra 2 a more sleek and modern appearance, perfect for users who prefer a minimalist, sophisticated look.
What’s the Same?
Apart from the new color, the hardware and features of the Ultra 2 remain unchanged. Users can still expect the same rugged design, long battery life, and specialized features aimed at outdoor enthusiasts and athletes. Despite the lack of new features, the satin black version offers an aesthetic refresh for those in the market for a high-performance, stylish smartwatch.
AirPods Get Major Updates: AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2
Apple’s popular AirPods line also received significant updates at the “Glowtime” event. The company announced two new versions of the AirPods 4, catering to different user needs. One version serves as an entry-level product, while the other comes equipped with active noise-canceling technology.
AirPods 4: Entry-Level and Noise-Canceling Models
The AirPods 4 now feature an upgraded design that promises a more comfortable fit for long listening sessions. The entry-level version is targeted at users who want great sound without the premium price tag, while the noise-canceling model provides a higher-end experience, perfect for those who want to block out ambient noise.
Improved Audio Performance
Both versions of the AirPods 4 come with enhanced audio quality, making them better at isolating vocals and instruments. Apple claims the new earbuds will also excel at reducing background noise, making them ideal for commuting, working in noisy environments, or simply enjoying music in peace.
AirPods Pro 2: New Features
The AirPods Pro 2 received several exciting updates as well. Apple introduced new noise-protection features that make the Pro 2 more effective at safeguarding users’ hearing in loud environments. Another groundbreaking feature is the ability for the AirPods Pro 2 to function as hearing aids, offering a unique and practical solution for those with mild hearing impairments.
AirPods Max: Color Updates
While the AirPods Max didn’t get any major feature updates, Apple did refresh the color options. New colors are now available for those who want to mix style with functionality.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus: The Next Generation of iPhones
Here it is! The new iPhone 16 and we’ve got a REALLY NICE PINK COLOR!!
It’s got a new action and camera control button to slide your finger to control features. #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/h6U26k7Tzl
— iJustine (@ijustine) September 9, 2024
As expected, Apple’s latest iPhones took center stage at the event. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus both come with a host of new features and improvements, making them the most advanced iPhones yet.
New Colors and Design
Apple has introduced a range of new colors for the iPhone 16 lineup, including a vibrant hot pink option that is sure to attract attention. This bold color has been long awaited by fans and gives users even more options to express their personal style.
Brighter Display and Improved AI
The iPhone 16 features a brighter display than its predecessor, improving visibility in all lighting conditions. But the real game-changer is the integration of Apple’s AI tools, which were first introduced at WWDC 2024. These tools allow users to perform tasks such as creating custom emojis, generating email summaries, and even writing better messages in apps like Slack. This level of AI integration takes personalization and productivity to the next level.
Customizable “Action” Button
One of the most talked-about features is the new “action” button, which made its debut on the iPhone 15 Pro but has now been further refined. Users can customize the button to perform various functions, such as quickly launching the camera, activating Siri, or even starting a workout. This feature adds a new layer of convenience, making it easier to access essential tools without navigating through apps.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max: The Premium Models
For those looking for an even more premium experience, Apple announced the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. These models come with larger displays, longer battery life, and further enhancements to camera performance.
Camera Upgrades
Both the Pro and Pro Max models boast significant improvements in camera quality, with better low-light performance, enhanced zoom capabilities, and more advanced photography tools. Apple continues to push the envelope in mobile photography, making the iPhone Pro models some of the best camera phones on the market.
Battery Life and Display Size
The Pro models also feature larger battery capacities, meaning users can enjoy longer screen time without needing to recharge frequently. Additionally, the larger display sizes make these phones ideal for gaming, watching videos, or multitasking.
