Apple unveiled iPhone 14 with emergency satellite connectivity and crash detection technology at its U.S. launch event.
The company showed off four versions of this new phone at its Cupertino headquarters, with an audience in person for the first time since the big hit.
It also showed off a new extreme sports wearable, the Watch Ultra.
The event focused on the next generation of iPhone, Watch and AirPod products.
Apple CEO Tim Cook took the stage at the Steve Jobs Theater on the tech giant’s California campus – but the presentation itself was completely pre-recorded.
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Apple Watch Series 8
The Apple Watch Series 8 has many new features, including crash detection, a temperature sensor for tracking ovulation cycles and a new low-power mode option.
Menstrual trackers have been viewed with caution since changes were made to abortion legislation in the U.S., and there are concerns that law enforcement may use data about menstruation. Apple said the data on its devices will be encrypted and accessible only through passwords or biometrics.
“We are furthering our commitment to women’s health,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.
A new automatic retroactive ovulation notification could help those trying to conceive, Apple said.
If activated, the new watch can monitor body temperature every five seconds at night and detect small changes that can signal ovulation.
Another new feature is car accident detection. Using sensors, the watch will be able to identify serious collisions and automatically connect its wearer to emergency services, providing their exact location and notifying emergency contacts.
Series 8 also now features a low-power mode, a feature borrowed from the iPhone, which guarantees up to 36 hours of battery life when fully charged.
The Apple Watch Series 8 is available for $399 in the U.S. and £419 in the UK.
Apple Watch Ultra
Swim-proof, dust-proof and crack-proof – Apple has announced a competition with Garmin, Polar and other rugged watchmakers.
Ultramarathoner Scott Jurek from Born to Run was featured in a showcase of the new watches, which focus on larger watch faces designed for extreme sports use.
With up to 36 hours of battery life on a single charge and extended battery life of up to 60 hours on all Ultra watches, Apple promises to provide its customers with enough power to complete super triathlons including swimming, biking and running.
The Apple Watch Ultra retails for $799 in the U.S. and £849 in the UK.
iPhone 14
The company is releasing two sizes of the iPhone 14, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus.
The new phones are capable of sending emergency calls for help via satellite. The phone will display the whereabouts of satellites passing overhead and demonstrate how to properly point the device at them.
It can take anywhere from 15 seconds to a few minutes to send a basic message.
“The investment in adding satellite capability should not be underestimated,” said Ben Wood, principal analyst at CCS Insight.
“It could take years for Apple to work out all the kinks, including a commercial agreement with satellite provider Globalstar and creating the infrastructure needed to get messages to emergency services.”
Technology analyst Paolo Pescatore said he believes the innovation is good news for consumers in “hard-to-reach areas.
“It’s encouraging that providers are starting to take the use of satellite seriously – ultimately reliable and robust connectivity remains highly sought after by all users,” he said.
iPhone 14 camera
The tech giant has announced a new 12-megapixel camera capable of capturing fast-moving subjects, which the company claims is 49 percent better at low-light shots.
The front-facing camera also includes autofocus for the first time to help sharpen selfies.
According to Apple, iPhone users have taken more than 3 trillion photos in the last 12 months.
The iPhone 14 is priced at $799 (US), £849 (UK).
iPhone 14 Pro
The biggest change to the design of iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max is the top of the screen, which is now a pill-shaped cutout.
A feature called Dynamic Island has replaced the black notch that many iPhone users complained about – it changes shape based on the content of the notification.
Another major change is that the phone can always stay on.
When the phone is not in use, the screen goes dark and the refresh rate is reduced.
The phone comes in dark purple as well as black, silver and gold.
The iPhone 14 Pro is priced at $999 (US), £1099 (UK).
AirPods
AirPods Pro are easier to find than their predecessors. Each pair comes with a new system for finding individual headphones that are lost, and an alert that sounds when they fall outside the case.
Plus, the case itself has its own speaker, which plays louder when prompted by “Find my app.
The new AirPods Pro are priced at $249 (US), £249 (UK).
Being here in person, among a crowd of passionate Apple fans, is certainly more fun than it has been in recent years. But nothing was announced today that will revolutionize the technology industry.
If you find yourself in some kind of danger on a regular basis, most of Apple’s new technologies seem ideal. The new iPhone 14 will be able to send text via satellite when off-grid. The Ultra Watch has a chunky design and extra-long battery life – which the company says is perfect for multi-day long-distance travel. Apple also announced a new collision detection system on the new watch and phone that will alert emergency services when it detects a collision. The strategy here is clear. apple continues to promote its hardware as a health and safety aid. Not surprisingly, Tim Cook describes these products as “essential.
But in reality, these are interesting but rather niche updates – features that users hope they never have to use.