Apple Watch Series 8
Time to upgrade?
APPLE HAS INTRODUCED Apple Watch Series 8 and a redesigned Apple Watch SE. In essentially the same design as its precursor, Series 8 builds on health and safety features such as the ECG app and fall detection by introducing Crash Detection and new temperature–sensing capabilities, which in turn power an enhanced menstrual cycle tracking feature with ovulation estimates.
Apple is promoting Apple Watch as a health device, and new temperature sensors add to its armory. There is one sensor on the back of the watch, nearest the skin, and another just under the display, reducing bias from the outside environment. These sensors sample the wearer’s wrist temperature during sleep every five seconds and measure changes as small as 0.1°C. In the Health app, users can see nightly shifts in baseline temperature, which can be caused by exercise, jet lag, or even illness.
This temperature–tracking capability aids enhanced menstrual cycle tracking, with improved period predictions and new retrospective ovulation estimates. Plus, users can receive notifications if their logged cycle history shows possible deviations such as irregular or prolonged periods or persistent spotting, which can be symptoms of underlying health conditions. All these features have the same privacy protections as all other health data.
Crash Detection uses a new, more powerful gyroscope and high–dynamic– range accelerometer in Apple Watch, plus the barometer, GPS, and microphone on iPhone as inputs to detect the unique patterns that can indicate a car crash has taken place. If it detects a crash, it shows an alert on Apple Watch, and if the user does not respond within 10 seconds, it dials the emergency services, using iPhone, if it is within range, in order to ensure the best possible connection.
Apple Watch has “all–day” 18–hour battery life, but a new Low Power Mode can extend this to up to 36 hours for Apple Watch Series 8 with iPhone present. This new mode temporarily disables or limits select sensors and features, including the Always–On Retina display, workout autostart, heart health notifications, and more.
Apple Watch Series 8, starting at $399, comes in aluminum and stainless steel cases in two sizes, 41mm and 45mm, in a choice of colors and finishes, and is compatible with all bands.
APPLE WATCH SE
Apple Watch SE delivers the core Apple Watch experience, including Activity tracking, high and low heart rate notifications, and Emergency SOS, as well as the new Crash Detection feature, all at a more affordable price of $249. It now includes the S8 SiP advanced dual– core processor, the same processor in Apple
Watch Series 8, making it 20% faster than the previous generation. The SE is available in 40mm and 44mm aluminum cases in a choice of three finishes, with a completely redesigned back case made of a nylon composite material, making it lighter than ever.
Both models are powered by watchOS 9, which introduces new and more customizable watch faces such as Lunar and Metropolitan, an enhanced Workout app, sleep stages, a first–of–its–kind AFib History feature, a redesigned Compass app, and an all–new Medications app.
With international roaming, coming later this Fall, users can stay connected to a cellular network while traveling abroad. Plans can be extended to Apple Watch from iPhone for little or no additional fee and will be available with more than 30 carriers worldwide.