Apple Watch 16 and AirPods are on the way: But does Apple think sufficiently differently?

Apple always releases its newest iPhone lineup in the fall, just as the trees changing color and pumpkin spice lattes coming back to coffee shops.

Thus, it possesses. The new iPhone 16 versions were revealed by Apple on Monday at its "Glowtime" event. Along with the phones, new versions of the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max were also revealed, along with the Apple Watch 10 and Ultra. The tech giant also released information about Apple Intelligence and iOS 18.

There are years when the products announced feel little changed from the year before. Maybe some fresh colors or an upgraded camera? Naturally, at about the same cost. Would someone be drawn to a pair of purple AirPods Max? Indeed. But other from new colors, what else is available?

On September 9, 2024, in Cupertino, California, Apple CEO Tim Cook makes a speech prior to the start of an Apple event. To unveil the new iPhone 16, Airpods, and Apple Watch models, Apple threw an event.

This inquiry is not unique to Apple. The majority of personal tech companies frequently provide updates that are more minor adjustments than significant changes. It is understandable because customers can be a fickle group in general. Apple's stock saw some ups and downs on Monday; it dropped over 2% during the company event before rising 0.04% to close.

Is the corporation still thinking differently enough for one whose tagline in the late 1990s and early 2000s was "Think Different"? Or does the expected provide comfort to the consumer?

The principal analyst and CMO at CCS Insight, Ben Wood, stated that "there is a growing feeling that smartphone updates have become a bit boring." "Apple is not immune to this trend and is betting on software and AI to breathe new life into its most important product to reignite consumer interest and drive upgrade purchases."

Lineup of iPhone 16

The iPhone 16 from Apple has new color options and AI, or Apple Intelligence. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, as well as the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, were among the newest iPhone models that Apple unveiled on Monday. Preorders for the gadgets commence on Friday, with prices starting at $799.

"The iPhone 16 range is hugely important for Apple at a time when consumer demand for new smartphones is slowing," Wood stated.

A Camera Control button has been added to the side of the device in the most recent variants. The Action Button from the iPhone 15 Pro was also included by Apple to the new lineup. The screens on the Pro and Max phones are likewise marginally bigger.

Perhaps future innovations will be more concerned with what's under the hood of items than with how they seem on the outside.

"With the unveiling of the new iPhone, the focus is on services for the first time ever," tech expert and PP Foresight founder Paolo Pescatore stated. "This is significant, as it underlines the ongoing battle among consumer providers to differentiate with the race to offer AI."

Updates for the Apple Watch

Titanium will be a new material available for the Apple Watch.

The tech giant presented the Series 10 and Ultra 2 editions of the new Apple Watch. Both items are essentially similar to earlier variants save from their larger, thinner displays.

"The lack of updates to the Watch line beyond the Series 10 speaks to the fact that smartwatches have become incredibly hard to improve in an annual cadence," Wood stated.

The new timepieces will go on sale on September 20. Series 10 and Ultra 2 preorders are now open, with prices starting at $399 and $799, respectively.

The Apple Watch is now able to identify sleep apnea symptoms.

Sleep apnea alerts are one significant health feature that will be included in the next watchOS.

When someone stops breathing briefly while they are asleep, it is known as sleep apnea. The illness can harm a person's general health and cause serious disruptions to sleep and mental health. Now, the Apple Watch can monitor breathing patterns and assist in the identification of sleep apnea.

Intelligence from Apple

Apple is utilizing a technology it calls Apple Intelligence to introduce a number of sophisticated features.

Apple is about to enter the era of AI, or Apple Intelligence. Apple Intelligence was unveiled by the tech giant during its June Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). During the event on Monday, Apple provided further details on the feature's integration and how it will function with other apps and Siri, enabling users to find and organize photographs or compose emails.

"Apple is enhancing engagement by streamlining the user experience, which is what it does best. Apple Intelligence-powered new features will appeal to iPhone customers since they not only improve on how they already use their smartphones but also elevate experiences to a whole new level, according to Pescatore.

On September 16, iPhone users will be able to get the iOS 18 upgrade; however, it appears that Apple Intelligence will not be included in this version. When iOS 18.1 launches next month, users will be able to take advantage of more AI functions, according to a press release from Apple.

Since the WWDC presentation, concerns regarding Apple Intelligence and privacy protection have been voiced, but Monday's event didn't provide much more information.

"Apple will lean into its hardware, software and platform integration to launch a cohesive AI pivot, and we expect the advertising and marketing of these products to focus heavily on safe AI use cases within Apple’s ecosystem," Gadjo Sevilla, an analyst at Emarketer, said.

Updates for AirPods

Apple updates the AirPods with new health features.

New colors for the AirPods Max and AirPods Pro 2 models, which will have improved hearing protection, are among the updates to Apple's headphone lineup. There are also two variants of the AirPods 4—one with active noise cancellation and the other without.

Preorders for the AirPods 4 are currently open, with prices starting at $129 (for the variant without noise canceling). Additionally, the $549 Max model is now available for preorder. On September 20, all of the new headphones will be available.

The revelation of the hearing-based features, like as hearing tests, hearing profiles, and hearing protection for the iPhone and AirPod Pros, was one of the most intriguing ones made during the presentation. This autumn, AirPods might be sold as over-the-counter hearing aids.

"The first over-the-counter hearing aid software device, Hearing Aid Feature, intended to be used with compatible versions of the Apple AirPods Pro headphones," was authorized, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported on Thursday.

"Amplify sounds for people 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment," claims the announcement of the software-only medical application called Hearing Aid Feature, which may be tailored to the user's requirements.

According to FDA estimates, around 30 million persons in the US suffer from hearing loss. A new category of over-the-counter hearing devices for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss was created by the FDA in 2022.

Say this: Why did everyone quit wearing headphones in public places all of a sudden?

According to Wood, Apple's move to incorporate hearing aid functionality into the AirPods Pro is a further step in the company's direction of comprehensive health surveillance. "The idea that consumer headphones can offer hearing aid functionality may sound unrealistic but over-the-counter hearing aids have been growing in popularity over the last few years and the AirPods Pro would bring this technology to a more affordable price point."

The National Council on Aging states that over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids can cost anywhere from $99 to over $3,000. (*)