Apple Announces Apple Watch 6, SE, iPad 8, iPad Air but no iPhone

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This is one of the fastest September events for Apple. It ended in one hour with the announcement of the Apple Watch Series 6, Watch SE, iPad Series 8, iPad Air, and sadly as rumored, no iPhone.

Interestingly, Apple made a lower-end watch, the Apple Watch SE, which I think helps to bridge the gap of those who wanted an Apple Watch but could not afford it. This lower price addition creates an opportunity to let every Apple users wear an Apple Watch.

Here are a menu to let you navigate faster through this blog post.

Apple Watch

Apple iPad

Apple Watch Series 6

Features of Apple Watch Series 6 (Information from the Press Release).

Blood Oxygen Sensor and App

Apple Watch Series 6 expands the health capabilities of previous Apple Watch models with a new feature that conveniently measures the oxygen saturation of the user’s blood, so they can better understand their overall fitness and wellness. Oxygen saturation, or SpO2, represents the percentage of oxygen being carried by red blood cells from the lungs to the rest of the body, and indicates how well this oxygenated blood is being delivered throughout the body. 

Design and Performance

Apple Watch Series 6 uses a new dual-core processor based on A13 Bionic in iPhone® 11, the upgraded S6 SiP runs up to 20 percent faster, allowing apps to also launch 20 percent faster, while maintaining the same all-day 18-hour battery life. Additionally, Apple Watch Series 6 features the U1 chip and Ultra Wideband antennas, which will enable short-range wireless location to support new experiences, such as next-generation digital car keys. Apple Watch Series 6 offers faster charging, completing a full charge in under 1.5 hours, and improved battery life for tracking certain workouts, such as indoor and outdoor runs.  

Always-On Altimeter

The always-on altimeter provides real-time elevation all day long by using a new, more power-efficient barometric altimeter, along with GPS and nearby Wi-Fi networks. This feature allows for the detection of small elevation changes above ground level, up and down to the measurement of 1 foot, and can be shown as a new watch face complication or workout metric.

Apple Watch Collection

For the first time, a new blue color joins the silver, space grey, and gold aluminum case options, along with a (PRODUCT)RED Apple Watch with exclusive matching bright red bands. Stainless steel models are now available in graphite — a rich grey-black hue with a striking high-shine finish — and an updated classic yellow gold color. Apple Watch Edition™ is available in natural and space black titanium. 

Three all-new band styles offer customers innovative options that provide a tailored and comfortable fit without traditional clasps or buckles. In an industry first, the ultralight Solo Loop introduces a continuous and stretchable band design that comes in two materials: soft silicone and braided yarn. A special UV treatment process used on the soft silicone of the Solo Loop creates a smooth, silky finish, while a precision-braiding machine interweaves the 16,000 polyester yarn filaments, made of 100 percent recycled material, with ultrathin silicone threads, giving unique stretchability and a distinct look to the Braided Solo Loop. To ensure the best fit, a new sizing system offers nine available lengths for the Solo Loop styles. The first-of-its-kind Leather Link wraps elegantly around the wrist, effortlessly attaching on the other side with flexible molded magnets.

Apple Watch Nike now comes with new colours for the Nike Sport Band and Nike Sport Loop, and a new Nike Compact watch face allows for multiple Nike Run Club complications. Apple Watch Hermès offers stainless steel cases in silver or space black paired with Single or Double Tour styles in an assortment of vibrant new colours. The fall collection also unveils the Hermès Attelage Single Tour and slimmer Attelage Double Tour bands, which feature a refined connection to the case that reflects the brand’s equestrian heritage, and a new Hermès Circulaire watch face that offers increased options for complications.

watchOS 7

With watchOS 7, customers can take personalisation to the next level with seven new watch face options, including Stripes, Chronograph Pro, GMT, and Artist, while curating, discovering, and sharing new watch face configurations with others. New health and fitness features, including low-range VO2 Max, sleep tracking, automatic handwashing detection, and new workout types, can help users better understand overall well-being. Conveniently accessible on the wrist, Maps includes cycling directions and Siri® offers language translation.

Family Setup and Optimised Features for the Entire Family Family Setup in watchOS 7 extends Apple Watch to the entire family by allowing kids and older family members of the household who do not have an iPhone to benefit from the connectivity, safety, and fitness features of Apple Watch. Kids can take advantage of communication and personalisation capabilities, access Emergency SOS at any time, enjoy an Activity rings experience that has been optimised just for them, and utilise a new mode called Schooltime, which can help them stay focused and attentive while learning at home or in the classroom. 

watchOS 7 also offers optimised features for older adults, starting with a simplified onboarding and configuration process, along with a refreshed X-Large face that shows the time and a rich complication at a glance. Older adults can also benefit from a new Health Checklist in the Health app on iPhone, which offers the ability to track whether health features like fall detection have been enabled in one centralised view.

During the announcement, Singapore was mentioned on a National Health Initiative using the Apple Watch

Here is the full Press Release

Press Release

Singapore and Apple Partner on National Health Initiative Using Apple Watch

LumiHealth app encourages healthy lifestyle changes through technology

CUPERTINO, Calif. — September 16, 2020 — The government of Singapore and Apple® today announced their partnership on the health initiative LumiHealth, a personalised program to encourage healthy activity and behaviours using Apple Watch®. The first-of-its-kind program was designed by Singapore’s Health Promotion Board in conjunction with Apple as part of the country’s Smart Nation initiative, a national effort to leverage technology to deliver benefits to its citizens and businesses. Created in collaboration with a team of physicians and public health experts, LumiHealth uses technology and behavioural insights to encourage Singaporeans to keep healthy and complete wellness challenges through their Apple Watch and iPhone®. The LumiHealth app, designed with user privacy and security at its core, is available in the App Store® for pre-order now, and the two-year program will be offered from late October 2020. 

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“Even as all of us around the world are dealing with the challenges of COVID-19, we must keep investing in our future. And there is no better investment than in our own personal health,” said Heng Swee Keat, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister. “This partnership between Singapore and Apple will enable Singaporeans to lead healthier lives, but equally important, it will contribute valuable insights to improving the health of people all over the world.”

“Singapore has one of the world’s leading healthcare systems, and we are thrilled to be partnering with them to incorporate Apple Watch and LumiHealth into their holistic approach to well-being,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer. “Apple Watch has already helped millions of our customers manage their activity levels to improve their health, and we look forward to applying our expertise here in the same privacy-friendly way that distinguishes all Apple products and services.”

LumiHealth harnesses the power of Apple Watch to encourage and empower Singaporeans and residents to adopt healthy habits through personalised reminders, programs, activity coaching, and incentives. Within the app, users travel through worlds with a friendly intergalactic explorer who guides them through tasks that are personalised based on their age, gender, and weight. They include weekly activity goals that can be met through not just walking, but also swimming, yoga, and other activities. LumiHealth also reminds users to go for health screenings and immunisations, and participate in wellness challenges that aim to improve sleep habits and mindfulness as well as encourage better food choices. By completing these goals and challenges, users help the intergalactic explorer get back home, all while being able to earn rewards worth up to S$380 over the two-year duration of the program. An Apple Watch is necessary to participate, as is downloading the LumiHealth app from the App Store.

LumiHealth was created with customer privacy and data security built into its design. The program is voluntary: Users must opt in and provide consent to share information with LumiHealth when they join, and may opt out at any time. The collection of any personal identifiable information will be limited to information that will enable the app to provide an experience that is personalised and relevant to the user’s needs. All user data will be encrypted to protect privacy. Data will be stored in a highly secure system that is fully compliant with Singapore’s data privacy and security laws. No data from LumiHealth will ever be sold or shared for marketing purposes. 

LumiHealth is the culmination of a two-year process that began with Singapore soliciting proposals from international healthcare and technology companies on ways to enrich the lives and health of its population.

Apple Watch is the number one watch in the world, allowing users to access and personalise hundreds of tools and apps from their wrist. Activity rings, fall detection, and electrocardiogram features have changed the way that people manage their health and well-being. And groundbreaking research studies, including the Apple Heart Study, have provided scientists and medical professionals with critical data that users have shared to help power healthcare breakthroughs for the future.

Apple revolutionised personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Apple’s four software platforms — iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud. Apple’s more than 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

Watch Series 6 Pricing and Availability

  • Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS) starts at S$599 and Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS + Cellular) starts at S$749.
  • Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS) is available to order today from apple.com/sg and in the Apple Store® app, with availability beginning Friday, September 18, in the US, Puerto Rico, and 27 other countries and regions.
  • Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS + Cellular) is available to order today from apple.com/sg and in the Apple Store app, with availability beginning Friday, September 18, in the US, Puerto Rico, and 21 other countries and regions. For carrier availability, visit apple.com/sg/watch/cellular.
  • Apple Watch Nike is available to order today from apple.com/sg and in the Apple Store app, with availability beginning Friday, September 18, in the US, Puerto Rico, and more than 27 other countries and regions. For more information, visit apple.com/sg/apple-watch-nike or nike.com/applewatch.
  • Apple Watch Hermès is available to order today from apple.com/sg and in the Apple Store app, with availability beginning Friday, September 18, in the US and more than 14 other countries and regions. For more information, visit apple.com/sg/apple-watch-hermes or hermes.com/applewatchhermes.
  • New Apple Watch bands are available to order today from apple.com/sg and in the Apple Store app, with availability beginning Friday, September 18. Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop in (PRODUCT)RED will be available in late October. Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop are compatible with Apple Watch Series 4 and later.
  • watchOS 7 will be available for Apple Watch Series 3 and later on September 17, and requires iPhone 6s or later running iOS 14. Not all features are available on all devices.
  • When customers buy directly from Apple, Apple Watch Studio gives them the exclusive opportunity to pick their preferred case and band combination to create a look that is uniquely their own.
  • Customers looking for convenient, contactless service are able to find many of the same shopping and support services from apple.com/sg. In-store pickup is also available. Customers are encouraged to check apple.com/sg/retail for more information on the health and safety measures in place, and the services available at their local store.
  • Customers can extend their limited warranty with AppleCare+ and get accidental damage coverage and 24/7 priority access to technical support.
  • Customers who buy Apple Watch directly from Apple can enjoy a free Online Personal Session with an Apple Specialist to help them explore and discover all the amazing things they can do with their new Apple Watch.
  • In line with Apple’s commitment to the environment, there are industry-leading amounts of recycled content in Apple Watch Series 6, with 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in the Taptic Engine, nearly 100 percent recycled tungsten throughout the product, and a 100 percent recycled case on aluminium models. Apple is also helping the environment by removing the AC adapter that could become electronic waste from Apple Watch Series 6 packaging, and helping its Apple Watch manufacturing partners transition to renewable energy. 
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Apple Watch SE

Here is a summary of the Apple Watch SE.

Watch SE Pricing and Availability

Pricing and Availability

  • Apple Watch SE (GPS) starts at S$419 and Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) starts at S$499.
  • Apple Watch SE (GPS) is available to order today from apple.com/sg and in the Apple Store® app, with availability beginning Friday, September 18, in the US, Puerto Rico, and 27 other countries and regions.
  • Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) is available to order today from apple.com/sg and in the Apple Store app, with availability beginning Friday, September 18, in the US, Puerto Rico, and 21 other countries and regions. For carrier availability, visit apple.com/sg/watch/cellular.
  • New Apple Watch bands are available to order today from apple.com/sg and in the Apple Store app, with availability beginning Friday, September 18. Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop in PRODUCT(RED) will be available in late October. Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop are compatible with Apple Watch Series 4 and later.
  • watchOS 7 will be available for Apple Watch Series 3 or later on September 17, and requires iPhone 6s or later running iOS 14. Not all features are available on all devices.
  • When customers buy directly from Apple, Apple Watch Studio gives them the exclusive opportunity to pick their preferred case and band combination to create a look that is uniquely their own.
  • Customers looking for convenient, contactless service are able to find many of the same shopping and support services from apple.com/sg. In-store pickup is also available. Customers are encouraged to check apple.com/sg/retail for more information on the health and safety measures in place, and the services available at their local store.
  • Customers can extend their limited warranty with AppleCare+ and get accidental damage coverage and 24/7 priority access to technical support.
  • Customers who buy Apple Watch directly from Apple can enjoy a free Online Personal Session with an Apple Specialist to help them explore and discover all the amazing things they can do with their Apple Watch.
  • In line with Apple’s commitment to the environment, the Apple Watch SE case is made from 100 percent recycled aluminum. In addition, Apple is removing the AC adapter that could become electronic waste from Apple Watch SE packaging, and helping its Apple Watch manufacturing partners transition to renewable energy. 

Apple iPad (8th Generation)

Apple updated the iPad with the better chipset and faster speed. The 8th Gen iPad is now running with A12 Bionic chip and iPadOS 14.

Here is a summary of the Apple iPad (8th Generation)

Pricing and Availability

  • The new iPad (8th generation) is available to order starting today on apple.com/sg and in the Apple Store app in more than 25 countries and regions, including the US. iPad will be available beginning Friday, September 18, with a starting price of S$499 for the Wi-Fi model and S$699 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model, and comes in silver, space grey, and gold finishes in 32GB and 128GB configurations.
  • iPadOS 14, the powerful operating system designed specifically for iPad, ships for free with the new eighth-generation iPad and new iPad Air and will be available as a free software update Thursday, September 17, for all iPad Pro models, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 4 and later. 
  • Apple Pencil (1st generation), available for purchase separately, is compatible with iPad (8th generation) for S$138.
  • Smart Keyboard™ for iPad is available for purchase separately forS$239 with layouts for over 30 languages, including simplified Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.
  • Smart Covers for iPad are available for S$75 in black, white, and three new seasonal colours including deep navy, cyprus green, and pink citrus.
  • Education pricing for individuals, including current and newly accepted college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff, and homeschool teachers of all grade levels, is available for S$469 for iPad (8th generation). The first-generation Apple Pencil is also available for S$125 and Smart Keyboard for S$225. For more information, visit https://www.apple.com/sg/education/.
  • Apple One is the easiest way to get all Apple subscription services at a great value, so customers can choose the one plan that is right for them or their whole family. Customers can sign up for Apple One starting this fall.
  • For a limited time, customers who purchase a new iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, Mac, or iPod touch can enjoy one year of Apple TV+ for free.5
  • Customers looking for convenient, contactless service are able to find many of the same shopping and support services from apple.com/sg. In-store pickup is also available. Customers are encouraged to check apple.com/sg/retail for more information on the health and safety measures in place, and the services available at their local store.
  • When customers buy online from Apple, they can make iPad their own with free engraving.
  • Customers can extend their limited warranty with AppleCare+ and get 24/7 priority access to technical support.
  • Every customer who buys iPad from Apple can enjoy a free Online Personal Session with an Apple Specialist to help them explore and discover all the amazing things they can do with their new iPad. 

iPadOS 14

BTW, the iPadOS has also been updated to iPadOS 14.

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iPadOS 14 is available beginning Thursday, September 17, for all supported iPad models including the new eighth-generation iPad. iPadOS 14 brings new features and designs that take advantage of the unique capabilities of iPad, its large Multi-Touch™ display, and versatile accessories. iPadOS 14 further integrates Apple Pencil into the iPad experience for better note-taking capabilities and new ways to work with handwritten notes. When taking notes on iPad, Smart Selection uses on-device machine learning to distinguish handwriting from drawings, so handwritten text can easily be selected, cut, and pasted into another document as typed text using the same familiar gestures. Shape recognition allows users to draw shapes that are made geometrically perfect and snap right into place when adding diagrams and illustrations in Notes. Data detectors work seamlessly with handwritten text, recognising phone numbers, dates, addresses, and links making it easy for users to perform actions like tapping a handwritten number to make a call.

iPadOS 14 also brings Scribble to iPad, allowing Apple Pencil users to handwrite directly in any text field, making actions like replying to a quick iMessage® or searching in Safari® fast and easy — all without ever needing to put Apple Pencil away. Scribble uses on-device machine learning to convert handwriting into typed text in real time, so writing is always kept private and secure.

iPadOS 14 makes the iPad experience even more distinctive and powerful in other ways, including: 

  • All-new compact designs for incoming FaceTime® and phone calls, Siri interactions, and Search to help users stay focused on the task at hand.
  • Universal Search to quickly find practically anything, from locating and launching apps, to accessing contacts, files, and information, to getting answers to common questions about people or places.
  • New sidebars for many apps including Photos and Files, and streamlined toolbars that consolidate controls into a single place, making them more useful than ever.
  • Beautifully redesigned widgets that present timely information at a glance right on the Home Screen.

Here is the summary of the iPadOS 14.

Apple iPad Air

Apple really bummed up the specs of the Apple iPad Air. It now has the latest A14 Bionic chip and uses USB-C. It comes in 5 colors which are really nice. It also has a fingerprint sensor on the power on/off button. A nice touch, especially now (COVID-19 Pandemic) when we cannot use the Face ID with our face mask on.

Some information about the A14 Bionic chip.

A summary of the A14 Bionic.

The iPad Air has a 12 MPX rear facing camera and a 7 MPX front-facing camera.

Here is a summary of the Apple iPad Air

Pricing and Availability

  • The new iPad Air will be available starting next month on apple.com/sg and in the Apple Store app in 30 countries and regions, including the US. Wi-Fi models of iPad Air will be available with a starting price of S$879 and Wi-Fi + Cellular models start at S$1,079. The new iPad Air, in 64GB and 256GB configurations, will be available in five beautiful finishes including silver, space grey, rose gold, green, and sky blue. 
  • iPadOS 14, the powerful operating system designed specifically for iPad, ships for free with the new eighth-generation iPad and new iPad Air, and will be available as a free software update tomorrow for all iPad Pro models, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 4 and later. 
  • Apple Pencil (2nd generation), available for purchase separately for S$189, is compatible with iPad Air.
  • Magic Keyboard and the Smart Keyboard Folio for iPad Air are available for purchase separately for S$439 and S$269, respectively, both with layouts for over 30 languages, including simplified Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.
  • Smart Folios are available for iPad Air for S$119 in black, white, and three new seasonal colours including deep navy, cyprus green, and pink citrus.
  • Education pricing for individuals, including current and newly accepted college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff, and homeschool teachers of all grade levels, is available for S$809 for the new iPad Air. The second-generation Apple Pencil is available for S$179, the Smart Keyboard Folio is available for S$239, and Magic Keyboard for S$409. For more information, visit https://www.apple.com/sg/education/.
  • Apple One is the easiest way to get all Apple subscription services at a great value, so customers can choose the one plan that is right for them or their whole family. Customers can sign up for Apple One starting this fall.
  • For a limited time, customers who purchase a new iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, Mac, or iPod touch can enjoy one year of Apple TV+ for free.5
  • Customers looking for convenient, contactless service are able to find many of the same shopping and support services from apple.com/sg. In-store pickup is also available. Customers are encouraged to check apple.com/sg/retail for more information on the health and safety measures in place, and the services available at their local store.
  • When customers buy online from Apple, they can make iPad and Apple Pencil (2nd generation) their own with free engraving.
  • Customers can extend their limited warranty with AppleCare+ and get 24/7 priority access to technical support.
  • Every customer who buys iPad from Apple can enjoy a free Online Personal Session with an Apple Specialist to help them explore and discover all of the amazing things they can do with their new iPad.

That is it. No mention of the next generation Apple iPhone. Based on some rumors, we might see or hear about the Apple iPhone 12 in October 2020.

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