CORE BLIMEY
Apple goes Far Out with latest offering of tech treats. We take a close-up look
AS I write from Apple HQ in California the temperature is 34°C – not quite UK heatwave levels, but an appropriate temperature for what has to be the hottest tech launch of the year.
Apple’s Far Out event here in Cupertino revealed to the gathered guests, coming together inperson for the first time in three years, four new iPhone models, three new Apple Watches and an updated set of AirPods Pro.
Here’s what Apple CEO Tim Cook and pals showed off at the special event.
IPHONE 14 AND 14 PLUS
iPhone 14 has an upgraded camera system over the 13, with a larger sensor with larger pixels, and a larger aperture on the main back camera and the front-facing true depth camera.
More light and more detail.
You get the same A15 Bionic chip as in the iPhone 13, but it’s still capable of powering new features like Action Mode for super-steady video capture, and an upgrade for cinematic mode, which can pull focus from one face to another mid-shot.
But the big news for iPhone 14 is that Apple has done away with the mini version, and replaced it with a big version, one with a 6.7in screen, in the past a size reserved only for the iPhone Pro models.
New for iPhone, too, is satellite connectivity – which enables you when lost off grid to make a connection to a satellite and send a message notifying a monitoring service.
This is only available in the US and Canada at launch.
iPhone 14 starts at £849, can be ordered now, and will be released on September 16. iPhone 14 Plus starts at £949, can be ordered now for October 7 delivery.
IPHONE 14 PRO AND 14 PRO MAX
The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max is where the real upgrades come.
There’s a new more powerful chip, and a new camera system which offers a 48MP sensor in the main wide camera for the first time on any iPhone.
The new A16 Bionic chip that powers the phone offers considerably more horsepower that has allowed Apple to upgrade what it calls its “photo pipeline” – the stages of software manipulation each image goes through when captured.
The new pipeline is called the Photonic Engine, which Apple says drastically improves low-light images.
The Pro models also feature the Dynamic Island – the area that houses the front cameras has morphed from a notch to a pillshaped cutout.
This area expands to various different shapes to house other info – like timer progress and sport scores, so that you can use other apps and still keep up to date with background tasks.
iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max start at £1,099, and can be ordered now for September 16 delivery.
APPLE WATCH ULTRA
Apple Watch Ultra is more-or-less what the name implies – an ultra-rugged, ultra-powerful, ultradurable version of the Apple Watch designed for adventure.
That Apple has designed three new straps – one for the mountains, one for the trail, and one for the water – should tell you all you need to know.
The Ultra also offers the biggest screen ever in an Apple Watch – the bigger size also allows for a bigger battery, which, when using the low-power mode, can last up to 60 hours… crucial on the trail.
Apple Watch Ultra will cost £849 and can be ordered now for September 23 release.
APPLE WATCH SERIES 8
The new Apple Watch adds a new sensor that can track body temperature – but it’s only used as another source of data to help women track their health.
The sensor allows the watch to offer women retrospective ovulation estimates, which can help them with family planning. In addition to the Series 8, Apple also introduced a new version of the SE model, which offers a trimmed down experience with top performance for a low price.
Apple Watch Series 8 will cost from £419, while the SE starts at £249. Both can be ordered today for September 16 delivery.
AIRPODS PRO
The second generation of AirPods Pro feature a new chip – the H2 – which powers a couple of advanced features.
The greater processing power allows for upgraded noise cancelling – in Transparency mode, which allows outside sound in, it will reduce the volume of high decibel noises like construction work, but still keep you connected to the outside world.
There’s also better spatial audio – you can actually scan yourself with your iPhone camera and the AirPods will tailor the spatial audio to the size and shape of your head and ears for a personalised experience.
AirPods Pro will cost £249 and can be ordered now for September 23 release.