Apple didn’t announce a new iPhone (yet) but their September 2020 event included lots of exciting announcements worth exploring:
- Apple Watch Series 6
- Apple Watch SE
- Fitness Plus
- Family Setup
- iPad Air
- iPad 8th Generation
- Apple One
- iOS Software Update
Apple Watch Series 6
The new Apple Watch Series 6 adds several new sensors that allow for blood oxygen measurement, constant elevation reporting with accuracy to the nearest foot, and better sleep tracking. The company is also exploring the possibility of COVID testing with the Apple Watch.
Other improvements include a new processor (S6), faster charging (0 to 100 in 1.5 hours), and brighter display (2.5x brighter), and two show-stopping new features: Fitness Plus and Family Setup.
Apple Watch SE
The Apple Watch SE is an affordable alternative to the flagship Apple Watch with most but not all of the same features. It’s meant to compete with the likes of Fitbit and other budget fitness smart watches whereas in years past the only affordable option was to purchase an outdated or used Apple Watch model.
The Apple Watch SE is the spiritual extension of the iPhone SE which shares the “SE” (Special Edition) namesake.
Apple Watch Fitness Plus
Fitness Plus is a new service from Apple that competes with the likes of Peloton. Highlighted by guided virtual workouts and improved fitness tracking features, you can access Fitness Plus for $9.99/month or $79.99/year (also included in Apple One).
Apple Fitness Plus requires an Apple Watch to track fitness metrics in real time but the output can be displayed on iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, making it a robust and affordable personalized workout experience.
In addition to smart programming that recommends classes based on your workout history, users have access to advanced filtering options to easily select workouts by trainer, duration, or music genre. Heard a song you love? Users can easily save songs they enjoy to their media library.
At launch Apple Fitness Plus workouts will include Cycling, Treadmill, Rowing, HIIT, Strength, Yoga, Dance, Core, and Mindful Cooldown.
Apple Watch Family Setup
Apple Watch Family Setup is a new feature that will allow parents to provide an Apple Watch to their kids that works in tandem with the parents’ iPhone. Kids can send and receive messages and calls from a predetermined list of contacts and parents can control and monitor the experience in a variety of helpful ways.
New iPad Air
The new iPad Air enjoys a complete design overhaul that includes a 10.9-inch screen with much thinner bezels, power button that includes Touch ID fingerprint unlock, magnetic docking support for the new Apple Pencil, Apple Magic Keyboard compatibility, USB-C ports, and 20W charging support. It’s positioned between the entry-level iPad 8th Gen and the iPad Pro and it’s sleek and sexy design make it an attractive upgrade.
The cameras on the iPad Air are handed down from the iPad Pro (which is NOT a bad thing): 12MP rear camera and 7MP FaceTime HD camera on the front.
The device is powered by the A14 Bionic Chip which Apple claims will give it a 40% performance boost over previous models.
iPad 8th Generation
The new entry level iPad is dubbed the iPad 8th Generation and its biggest upgrade is the A12 Bionic chip that powers it. It’s got the same low price ($329) with a 10.2 inch screen, 8MP rear camera, 1.2MP front camera, and enhanced support for Apple Pencil 1st Generation. It launches with Apple’s brand new iPad OS 14.
Apple One
Subscribers to the new Apple One bundle will enjoy a handful of Apple’s top service offerings at one low price. The services included in Apple One are:
- Apple Music
- Apple TV Plus
- Apple Arcade
- Apple News Plus
- iCloud Storage
There are 3 different Apple One plans from which you can choose:
- Apple One Individual ($14.95/month)
- Apple One Family ($19.95/month)
- Apple One Premier ($29.95/month)
Apple One Individual and Apple One Family are nearly identical, both having access to Apple Music, Apple TV Plus, Apple Arcade, and iCloud Storage. The only difference is that Apple One Family is $5 more each month and has 200GB storage instead of the 50GB of storage on the Individual plan.
Apple One Premiere adds access to Apple News Plus and Apple Fitness Plus, boosts iCloud Storage to 2TB, and the price also jumps to $29.95/month.
These bundles will save customers a few bucks each month compared to the cost of subscribing to the component services individually.
iOS 14 Software Update
Not only did Apple bring a next-day iOS 14 update to users after their Fall event- they announced simultaneous updates to iPad OS 14, Watch OS 7, and TV OS 14.
The iOS 14 update shines a light on home screen customization with redesigned widgets, App Library for easy app organization, and App Clips which are automated micro-experiences triggered by user activity.
Other iOS 14 updates include compact design for incoming calls, new messaging features in iMessage, Spatial audio for AirPods with dynamic head tracking, and curated Guides in Apple Maps that include Electric Vehicle routing.
Continue reading:
- Everything New Apple Just Announced (Septembe
- Apple Watch Pre-Order
- Apple Research Kit launches with 5 Apps
- Apple TV now only $69
TAGS: Apple One, Apple Watch, Apple Watch Series 6, Family Setup, Fitness Plus, iOS 14, iPad 8th Generation, iPad Air
