On 15th September 2020; we were all eagerly awaiting the annual Apple hardware event which was held virtually. Many of us were anticipating an announcement of new iPhone devices, but this wasn’t to be. However, we are expecting device news very soon. Instead, in their aptly named ‘Time Flies’ event, they announced a new Apple Watch and an the all new Apple iPad Air.
Apple Watch Series 6
The showstopper was the Apple Watch Series 6 with a similar design to the previous generation Apple Watches although with a few new colours, a red and a navy blue. There was much speculation and hope that the new Apple watch would come with a sensor to track blood oxygen saturation, and they didn’t disappoint. This feature can help the watch track information about breathing and heart rate, what an amazing fitness device it is shaping up to be! Paired with the new S6 chip it is said to be 20% faster than the Series 5’s chip, this new processor is fast enough to handle an always-on altimeter for tracking elevation and for the blood oxygen monitor.
The always on display is now 2.5 times brighter than they Series 5 and comes with some new watches faces too. Expect additional comfort with the ‘Solo Loop’, an expandable band that simply slips onto the wrist without a clasp. And finally, family Apple Watch just got easier. Adults can now set up a device for a family member with ‘Family Setup’, without them needing to have an iPhone.
Starting at £311 and available from the 18th October 2020.
Apple Watch SE
As with the iPhones, Apple have now launched a mid-priced Apple Watch – the Apple Watch SE, starting from £217. This includes the same great design as the Apple Watch 6 Series. In equal measures, it supports Family Setup and Fall Detection with the powerful S5 processor.
The all new iPad Air
Bosting an edge to edge display, the first one since the iPad Pro. Featuring a 10.9inch liquid retina display, with relatively small bezels around the edges. The device does, however, still have Touch ID which is located in the power button but doesn’t come with Face ID.
The device offers the Apple A14 Bionic processor, being far more powerful than the previous generation. This A14 chip is also expected to power the iPhone 12 and is the first Apple Chip to use 5nm manufacturing process, delivering 40% CPU performance boost, along with a 30% increase in graphics performance. We will also now be able to use more third-party accessories as it has a USB-C connector. You will still be able to use the magic keyboard as well as the second-generation Apple pencil. Starting from £467 and available from October in a variety of colours including green and sky blue.
An iPad for Great Performance
Coming onto the scene with a spec- bump as well, the new iPad device offers the same overall design and gets the Apple A12 Bionic chip for improved performance. The new entry-level iPad offers a 40% CPU boost over the last generation model. The A12 bionic brings Apple’s Neural Engine to the entry-level iPad for the first time, enabling more artificial intelligence features.
Supporting the Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil but on the first-generation Pencil.
Prices starting from £256.
Software Updates
Apple announced the availability of its largest and greatest software, coming to phones, tablets, watches and everything else starting today. iOS14, iPadOS14, WatchOS7 and TVOS7. We don’t however expect the MacOS Big Sur to be announced until the Mac model is announced later in the year.
During the event Apple also talked about Apple One, the Apple subscription service that allows you to bundle Apples services into one monthly payment whilst saving a little cash. Apple One includes, iCloud, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+ and Apple News+.
Fitness is a much talked about subject recently and Apple have launched Apple Fitness+, available for the iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. This service integrates with the Apple Watch workout App to offer guided workouts whilst showing information like heart rate, time etc. What’s more, it will automatically start the corresponding workout on our Apple Watch.
We don’t expect this service until the end of the year but can expect 3 months free of Fitness+, and its available in the Premier subscription of the new Apple One Bundle.
Expect more great things coming from Apple very soon…
