Apple Gets Far Out with the Watch Series 8 and Watch Ultra
By Shawn Chung - Singapore
As expected, at their Fall 2022 Far Out event Apple has reinvigorated the Apple Watch with enhanced new features and added an Ultra edition!
Apple Watch Series 8 & Watch SE
Apple kicked the Far Out event by announcing a new Apple Watch SE alongside the Apple Watch Series 8, which added a couple of features to the Apple Watch recipe of holistic health monitoring and notifications.
One key new update is to the temperature sensors, with Apple using a twin sensor design for improved accuracy across ambient temperature conditions, enabling the Watch Series 8 to discern body temperature changed to 0.1 degrees Celsius, which enables the Watch Series 8 to create retrospective ovulation estimates, for improved Cycle Tracking period predictions.
With Crash Detection, Apple has created an advanced fusion of multiple sensors and software, including a new 3-axis gyroscope and accelerometer, and the feature only activates when you are in a car. If a severe vehicle accident occurs, the Watch Series 8 is able detect the precise moment of impact, measure G-forces up to 256G and differentiate a front impact from a side, rear impact, or rollover and automatically notify emergency services with location data, and your emergency contacts.
A new low power mode enables the Apple Watch Series 8 to extend battery life to 36 hours by disabling and limiting specific functions such as Always-On Retina display and heart health notifications.
While the Apple Watch Series 8 resembles the Series 7, Apple has enlarged the 45mm case slightly, while a smaller 41mm size is available. Four Aluminum case colors - starlight, midnight silver and (PRODUCT)RED are available alongside stainless steel cases in silver, graphite, and gold.
Apple Watch Nike and Apple Watch Hermès also debut new bands and watch faces, with Nike hgaining vibrant new Sport Band colors and a new Sport Loop with the “Just Do It” logo woven right into the band. Two new bands will also be introduced for Apple Watch Hermès: H Diagonal, which creates a sporty pattern of the Hermès H with hundreds of microperforations, and Gourmette Metal, which features a polished stainless steel chain and noir leather wrapping twice around the wrist. A whimsical new Hermès watch face called Lucky Horse beautifully complements the new bands and celebrates the equestrian roots of the house with an animated horse that sleeps when the wrist is down and comes alive when it is raised.
The new Apple Watch SE, like the Watch Series 8, is powered by Apple’s new S8 processor, and features activity tracking, Heart rate notifications, 50 meter water resistance, fall and crash detection.
Customers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, the UAE, the UK, the US, and more than 40 other countries and regions can order Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch SE today, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 16.
Apple Watch Series 8 starts at $399 (US) and Apple Watch SE starts at $249 (US).
Apple Watch Nike bands and Apple Watch Hermès bands will be available to order today from apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 16. three months of Apple Fitness+ are included for customers who purchase Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE, or Apple Watch Ultra, or new purchases of Apple Watch Series 4 or later.
Apple Watch Ultra - take it to the extremes
The much rumored ‘Pro’ Apple Watch is finally here! The Apple Watch Ultra is a large outdoor orientated smartwatch for users who want to take a walk in the park, or dive into the extreme, with a host of new features incorporated into a large 49mm titanium case.
Created for extreme adventures and sports, the Watch Ultra features a large Action button, rugged dial, multiple microphones and an additional speaker. Battery life is up to 36 hours, while the Ultra can be used in extreme temperatures, from -20 degrees celsius to 55 degrees celsius, high altitudes to 40 meters underwater. Apart from dual frequency GPS the Watch Ultra has an integrated depth gauge and has a Depth app for dive computer functionality, while an upcoming Oeanic+ App includes dive planning, decompression calculations, ascent rate and automatic dive log.
Customers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, the UAE, the UK, the US, and more than 40 other countries and regions can order Apple Watch Ultra today, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 23.
Apple Watch Ultra is $799 (US).