Apple’s new generative artificial intelligence technology, termed Apple Intelligence, was prominently featured in its latest releases of watches, AirPods, and smartphones during the “Glowtime” event on Monday.

The online prerecorded session introduced several innovations in the hardware series, utilizing Apple Intelligence to assist in a variety of functions, from sleep apnea diagnosis and hearing loss solutions, to simplified management of extensive photo libraries on smartphones.

“Apple is integrating AI into every facet,” stated Mark N. Vena, president and principal analyst at SmartTech Research based in Las Vegas.

“They accomplished everything necessary,” he commented to TechNewsWorld. “They enhanced the watches, AirPods, phones, and their cameras. Yet, the prime focus across all product categories was clearly on artificial intelligence,” he added.

Gene Munster, managing partner at Deepwater Asset Management, a venture capital firm based in Minneapolis, observed during the Apple event that a multitude of details were discussed including features, pricing, and timing.

“That’s all noise,” he explained to TechNewsWorld. “Thinking of Apple Intelligence as merely a list of features is a misleading trap.”

“This represents a new paradigm poised to alter the way approximately 1.8 billion Apple users engage with technology,” he asserted.

“Back in 2007,” he added, “what seemed like just another feature, the iPhone’s touchscreen, was actually the foundation of a significant shift, transforming the phone into a pocket-sized computer.”

“Apple Intelligence puts infinite simplicity and intelligence in your pocket,” he said. He argued that Apple will provide the most usable version of consumer AI. “That’s because there is a hardware, software services element that only Apple can do,” he noted.

At its online event, Apple announced its new Apple Watch Series 10. Its models are slimmer, with 30% larger displays, and their cases are made of aluminum and polished titanium. The watch is powered by a new S10 SiP, has a new sleep apnea feature, and has an 18-hour battery life. Models start at US$399 and will be available on Sept. 20.

“I think that the larger display is going to drive a lot of people to upgrade,” predicted Anshel Sag, a senior analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, a technology analyst and advisory firm based in Austin, Texas.

“You might even see some people move from the Ultra to the new Series 10 just because of the bigger screen,” he told TechNewsWorld. “Thinner and lighter design is nice, but I think ultimately people are really about having bigger screens on their wrist. It ends up being more useful. As long as the bigger screen doesn’t affect battery life, I think people prefer that larger display.”

“The new series also has a better viewing angle,” he added. “That’s important, too, because you’re not always looking at your wrist head-on.”

The wide-angle OLED display on the Apple Watch Series 10 improves visibility at wider angles and is up to 40 percent brighter than the Series 9 when viewed from the side.

Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies, a technology advisory firm in San Jose, Calif., praised the new sleep apnea feature. “Any person that has sleep apnea, especially significant sleep apnea, can have serious health problems,” he told TechNewsWorld. “The ability to test for sleep apnea during a normal sleep pattern is quite important.”

“That information can be taken to the doctor who will look at that test and that sleep pattern and start the process of determining how serious the sleep apnea is,” he added.

Apple also introduced enhancements to the Apple Watch Ultra 2, now featuring a titanium case and a sapphire crystal front. The starting price is $799 with availability set for September 20.

In addition, Apple updated its AirPods collection. The new iterations include enhanced audio capabilities in both the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2, along with new color choices for the over-ear AirPods Max, and improvements to the AirPods Pro. Pricing is $129 for AirPods 4, $179 with active noise cancellation, $549 for AirPods Max, and $249 for AirPods Pro 2. All options will be accessible on September 20.

The latest AirPods lineup includes AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max. Updates feature new designs for AirPods 4, additional color choices for the AirPods Max, and enhanced hearing health functionalities in the AirPods Pro 2.

“I was shocked that Apple spent so little time on the AirPods Max,” remarked Vena. “They haven’t upgraded those over-the-head headphones for a long time. I’ve been using mine for several years. The only change they made was switching from the Lightning plug to USB-C.”

Apple’s latest innovation with the AirPods Pro 2 thrusts them into the hearing health arena, enabling these devices to conduct hearing tests and double as hearing aids.

“The brief mention of the hearing test functionality might seem minor, but it’s a significant advancement,” said Bajarin.

“Many are aware they might have hearing loss but are unsure about its severity. This new feature allows users to test their hearing directly from their devices, which is crucial. Typically, one would need to visit a doctor or an audiologist for such tests. This feature makes the process much more accessible,” he explained.

“Moreover, the software transforms the AirPods Pro into clinically approved hearing aids,” he added. “An essential aspect to grasp—and a likely reason for their increased popularity—is their potential to eliminate the stigma associated with traditional hearing aids.”

“There are a lot of people who hesitate to use a hearing aid because it identifies them with a medical problem,” he explained. “Well, if you’re wearing the new AirPods Pro and you’re using them at the hearing aid level, nobody knows that. They’re just thinking that you’re listening to music, and it takes away that stigma.”

“I think that’s a game-changer,” he added. “I think it alone will cause many more people to check their hearing and utilize this kind of a solution, which is much cheaper than most of the hearing aids on the market and makes it a much more accessible health tool in the process.”

The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are based on the new A18 chip, while the A18 Pro powers the Pro and Max models.

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will be available in five colors: black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine.

“It’s crucial for developers to utilize the A18 chip in all iPhone 16 models,” Sag mentioned. “The elimination of a dual-level strategy helps streamline which features are supported by the silicon.”

“Featuring the strongest neural processing capabilities yet, the A18 Pro chip sets a new precedent for iPhones,” observed Bajarin. “This advancement is essential for managing the data required by generative AI, placing the iPhone 16 as the top AI-enhanced smartphone currently available.”

“This upgrade also enhances Siri’s capabilities, allowing for more than just data retrieval but also data analysis,” he added. “It can swiftly scan your photo library to identify all images of your dog or automatically organize them into albums.”

The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be offered in four finishes: black titanium, natural titanium, white titanium, and desert titanium.

Siri may be more intelligent, yet it is not revolutionary. “I do not see Siri as a transformative interface that will alter our engagement with the surrounding environment,” noted Thomas Husson, vice president and principal analyst at Forrester Research, a market research firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

“Nevertheless, it is evident that Siri is evolving into a more competent digital assistant that utilizes the data and personal contexts available on your device to offer novel multimodal experiences and perform tasks for you,” he explained to TechNewsWorld.

The iPhone 16 features several camera enhancements including a camera control button, a 48MP fusion camera, and the equivalent of four lenses. The iPhone 16 is priced at $799; the 16 Plus at $899; the 16 Pro at $999; and the 16 Pro Max at $1,199. These phones will be available starting September 20.

Apple has announced substantial trade-in values for the iPhone 12 and newer models when purchasing an iPhone 16. “They aim for a robust upgrade cycle that will transition more users to devices enhanced with Apple intelligence,” mentioned Sag.

“I think they want there to be a robust Apple Intelligence installed base so that they can convince developers to build to it,” he added. “They’re banking quite a bit of the company’s success on Apple Intelligence being supported by developers in a coherent and capable way.”

Editor’s Note: The images featured in this article are credited to Apple.

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