Apple unveiled features of its new product line Tuesday in a well-produced, fast-paced reveal on Tuesday, a different look for the annual announcement that usually features the tech giant's top brass revealing exciting new features in front of a live audience -- a tradition obviously curbed by this year's need for social distancing.
iPads and Apple Watches are both getting upgrades, although notably absent from the lineup was any word on the iPhone 12. Announcements about the next generation of the flagship phone are expected next month.
Apple kicked off its annual product showcase with a look at the new Apple Watch Series 6 and the less expensive Apple Watch SE.
The Series 6 maintains the basic design of the Series 4 and 5 while adding new features such as a blood oxygen sensor and better sleep tracking features.
The blood oxygen sensor shines infrared light onto the wrist and returns a measurement in 15 seconds.
The new models will also automatically connect with a new app called Fitness+ that includes video workouts and other health metrics.
But how will it look? Apple is also offering several new Watch interfaces and bands.
Apple Watch SE (Photo: Business Wire)
The company is also expanding the number of people who can use the Apple Watch by allowing multiple people to connect their Apple Watches to a single iPhone through Family Setup. That means, for example, that kids who don't have smartphones or family members who aren't on iOS, can now use the Apple Watch if someone in the family has an iPhone.
Both new Watch models can be ordered today and will be available for purchase Friday.
Apple's presentations on the new iPad and iPad Air models were less focused on flashy superficial changes than the new and improved hardware inside them.
"This year marks the 10th year since we shipped our very first iPad, and in that time it has become one of the most successful consumer electronics products ever," said CEO Tim Cook.
Cook emphasized the product's growth potential, adding that more than half of iPad customers are buying their first iPad.
Both the iPad 8th Generation and the new iPad Air feature new, more powerful chips.
The iPad Air has a 10.9-inch display, a touch ID button on the side, and a new chip that increases CPU power by 40 percent — all of it set within a 100 percent aluminum enclosure.
"This is by far the most advanced chip we've ever made," said Tim Millet, vice president of platform architecture at Apple.
The 8th Generation will start at $329 and be available this Friday, and the new Air will start at $599 and be available next month.
Apple also announced the long-anticipated Apple One, an all-in-one subscription plan including Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, iCloud, and the new Fitness+. The individual subscription will run for $14.95 per month, while the family plan is $19.95 per month.
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