This Monday, September 9, Apple (AAPL) hosted the “It’s Glowtime” special event which was streamed online and took place at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. EDT) at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park.
Apart from the unveiling of the new iPhone 16, the event revealed the next-generation Apple Watch models and the new AirPods 4, along with a light upgrade to the AirPods Max and updates to the AirPods Pro 2 that include a hearing protection and hearing aid feature.
Here’s an overview of several of the best products debuted by Apple this Monday.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Apple Watch models
Along with all the excitement brewing over the new iPhone 16, Apple also announced its new Apple Watch series, including the Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Apple has released a new Apple Watch every year since the original was unveiled in 2015, and for good reason. The Apple Watch accounted for over 34% of all smartwatch shipments in 2022, and 60% of the revenue for the entire market, globally, according to data from Counterpoint.
Apple Watch Series 10
The Apple Watch Series 10 is now the thinnest Apple Watch ever, at just 9.7mm thick. It also features a larger and brighter screen — 30% bigger and 40% brighter than the Series 9. The new model also charges faster, but battery life still only lasts 18 hours.
New, notable features include a sleep apnea detector, improved background noise suppression and water temperature and depth sensors. The starting cost is $399.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Apple Watch Ultra 2, called the "ultimate sports watch" by Apple, now comes in a “satin black” color and boasts several new features.
Along with the sleep apnea detector available on the Apple Watch Series 10, the Apple Watch Ultra now offers a Training Load feature that measures the intensity and duration of workouts, automatic stroke detection and lap count for pool swims, an advanced compass app and support for offline maps. The starting cost is $799.
Apple has tweaked the Smart Stack interface, added better communication and safety features and other exclusive features via the announcement of WatchOS 11 during WWDC 2024 this past June, which you can download for now.
Apple AirPods 4
The fourth generation of Apple AirPods was also showcased at the event, with two versions announced — the standard model and a model featuring noise cancellation. AirPods 4 costs $129, while the active noise cancellation model costs $179.
Both models will look identical but with a new design that combines the best of AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro, with a shorter stem and a better fit for all users. Notable features include a new A2 chip, personalized spatial audio and the ability to nod your head yes and shake your head no in response to Siri, making them completely hands-free.
Other features include USB-C for charging, up to 30 hours battery life and a charging case with a built-in speaker for improved Find My support.
Related Content
-
Why Does One Claim Jack Up My Insurance After Years of No Claims?Even loyal customers can be hit with an insurance premium hike after a claim, despite going many years without any claims. There's a reason for that.
-
5 FAQs About 529 College Savings PlansThanks to recent policy changes, families have more options for what to do with money sitting in tax-advantaged 529 accounts.
-
7 Best Places in the US for Wellness TourismCalifornia doesn't have a monopoly on wellness tourism. These U.S. retreats offer exercise, relaxation and good food in stunning scenery that might be closer to home.
-
Here's Why We All Win When Charitable Dollars Go to WomenGiving to charities for women and girls not only has a lasting impact on their lives — it also benefits society as a whole. Here’s how to start investing.
-
How Lower Interest Rates Affect Your FinancesThe Fed's rate cuts will provide relief for some borrowers, but savers will have to work harder to get decent returns.
-
Five Steps to a Mindfully Fearless CareerIf, like many women, you're struggling with imposter syndrome, try developing an athlete's winning mindset. It's as simple as facing one small fear every day.
-
Six Ways to Optimize Your Charitable Giving Before Year-EndAs 2024 winds down, right now is the time to look at how you plan to handle your charitable giving. The sooner you start, the more tax-efficient you can be.
-
Structured Settlement Annuity vs Lump-Sum Payout: Which Is Better?As the use of structured settlement annuities grows, it can be tough to decide whether to take the lump sum to invest or opt instead for guaranteed payments.
