My highlights from latest Apple Event September 2024

Apple event © 2024 Apple Inc.

On Tuesday this week (Australian time) Apple held another of their special events, where they announced exciting new products such as iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, and new AirPods. Here’s some of my personal highlights.

iPhone 16

The iPhone 16 introduces several new features and improvements:

1. Camera Enhancements: The iPhone 16 boasts a new 48MP ultra-wide camera with enhanced low-light performance and macro photography capabilities. It can also capture 3D spatial photos and videos, designed for viewing on the Apple Vision Pro. A touch-sensitive Camera Control button allows users to adjust zoom levels and quickly access new AI-powered tools.

2. AI and Apple Intelligence: Powered by the A18 chip, iPhone 16 includes advanced AI features such as on-device photo and video search via natural language, and a Clean Up tool that removes background distractions from photos.

3. Wi-Fi 7 and Faster Charging: The iPhone 16 supports Wi-Fi 7 for faster download speeds and a more stable connection. Additionally, MagSafe wireless charging has been upgraded to 25W, faster than the wired 20W charging.

4. Enhanced Display and Durability: The iPhone 16 features more robust glass and display protection, with 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screen options. It also introduces the action button, previously exclusive to Pro models, which can be customised for different functions

These updates make the iPhone 16 more versatile for photography, AI integration, and overall performance.

For more detailed insights https://www.apple.com/au/iphone-16/

AirPods Pro 2

* The AirPods Pro 2 can now function as over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids after receiving FDA authorisation. With this update, AirPods Pro 2 can amplify sounds for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. Users will be able to customise this feature through their device settings to suit their hearing needs. This development is significant as it allows a widely used consumer product to offer clinical-grade hearing aid capabilities without the need for traditional, more expensive hearing aids.

In addition to functioning as hearing aids, AirPods Pro 2 will also include hearing protection to prevent damage from loud noises, and an at-home hearing test feature that provides a personalised hearing profile.

* following approval in Australia but already FDA approved in the US (also pending update to activate this function later this year)

For more detailed insights https://www.apple.com/au/airpods-pro/

iOS18

iOS 18 introduces a variety of new features and enhancements designed to make the iPhone more customisable, capable, and intelligent:

1. Customisation & UI Updates: The home screen allows for more freedom, letting users move icons anywhere and tint them with custom colours.

2. Messages: iOS 18 brings richer features to Messages, including RCS support for better messaging between iOS and Android devices, scheduled texts, and customisable text effects like bold, italic, and animated effects.

Schedule a message with Send Later - whether it’s too late at night or too important to forget, you can now schedule a message to send at a specified time.

You can also send messages via satellite when cellular or Wi-Fi is unavailable.

3. Siri: The assistant now has enhanced context awareness, understanding follow-up requests, and a new design with a glowing ring when activated. There's also integration with ChatGPT for more complex queries.

4. New Apps & Updates:

- A new Passwords app consolidates Keychain, passkeys, and more into one hub for secure password management.

- Mail introduces on-device categorisation, and later this year ‌iCloud‌ Mail can help you unsubscribe from senders in bulk, sending future emails from those senders to Trash.

- Safari gets a Highlights feature that summarises key info from websites, along with an upgraded Reader mode for easier reading.

5. Privacy: iOS 18 includes new privacy features like locking or hiding apps behind Face ID and more selective sharing of contact information with apps.

These are just a few of the many new features that make iOS 18 a substantial update across various areas like customisation, communication, and privacy.

For more detailed insights https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-18/

In addition to above, Apple announced:

Apple Watch Series 10

Apple’s newest smartwatch has a larger, thinner OLED display and improved health features, including the ability to detect sleep apnea (pending FDA approval). It’s powered by the new S10 chip for enhanced power efficiency and intelligence .

Upcoming features in new Apple operating systems

© Apple

Just when you thought you were getting used to the current operating systems on your iPhone, iPad, Mac and other Apple devices there are brand new systems just around the corner!

That’s right, versions 17 and macOS Sonoma are about to be superseded most likely sometime in September 2024 by iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia.

For some like myself this is very exciting as we get to see some amazing new features but for others it’s annoying as certain apps may look and operate a little differently. I guess one thing’s for sure and that’s technology is ALWAYS changing. There is no such thing as “set and forget” as there will be a time when you have to sign in to an account again, or be forced to do an update for an app to continue functioning etc.

Here are some new features coming that I like the sound of:

iPhone iOS 18

• Photos “biggest redesign ever” - I look forward to seeing more ways in which my photos are organised automatically and easier ways to manage them.

• Messages - new ways to change text, and schedule messages to send later.

• New Passwords app - “All your credentials in one place. From passwords to verifications and security alerts, find them all securely stored in the Passwords app.” Securely synced across devices and apps.

• Also many new features within Mail, Maps, Notes and Wallet.

iPadOS 18

All of the above from iOS along with:

• Calculator for iPad - yes, I know it’s ridiculous that the iPad has never had a native calculator like the iPhone, but that’s about to change.

• Remote control in screen sharing - handy for helping friends and family with their devices.

macOS Sequoia

Again, many of the same features listed above, along with:

• Use your iPhone from your Mac - “with iPhone Mirroring, you can view what’s on your iPhone and control it too, without having to reach for it.”

• Presenter preview - “See exactly what you’re going to share in video-calling apps — your whole screen or a single app — before displaying it for everyone.”

© Apple

Then there’s the all new Apple Intelligence! This is huge of course, but will only be available on certain devices, so if you’d like to find out more please contact us or take a look here:

https://www.apple.com/au/apple-intelligence/