September 2024

iOS & Apple news

It's September and that means one sure thing: Apple's Keynote event with new products for the holiday season.

Apple has posted the entire Keynote Event and summary page overview.

The entire event is 1:38 hours. It's worth watching. Here is Apple's video summary of the event [ under 4 mins ]:

A list of all the announcements plus a little more detailed video summary by Macrumors [ 13 mins video ]:

new watches

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Gets Satin Black Finish, Titanium Milanese Loop, and Hermès Model , reports Macrumors.

Apple's webpage: Apple Watch Series 10 and the new Ultra2 in black.

The new Series 10 overview by Macrumors.

Compare the watch models side by side.

Looking at the Ultra2 black watches:

new AirPods

Apple unveiled new AirPods 4, with 2 versions and price-points.

Apple announced new AirPods Pro 2, with hearing aide features: Apple introduces groundbreaking health features to support conditions impacting billions of people, Apple announced. These are awaiting FDA approval soon, and the feature will be released via s/w update. Additionally, your watch will be able to detect possible sleep apnea.

Apple's Joz announced:

Apple also updated the existing AirPod Max model by offering a USB-C connection (no lightning any longer) and fresh new colors.

Apple's webpage on all things AirPod.

Compare AirPod models.

iPhone 16

Apple announced the new iPhone 16, which comes in the expected 2 sizes: iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.

Apple's webpage on iPhone 16.

Apple's comparison iPhone 16 vs Plus.

iPhone 16 Pro

As expected, Apple also announced the new iPhone Pro, which also comes in 2 sizes: the Pro and the Pro Max.

Apple's webpage on iPhone 16 Pro.

Apple's comparison of the Pro vs. Pro Max.

demos after Keynote

Here are some initial views of the new iPhones and/or some iOS 18 features on the new iPhones:

You can pre-order any iPhone 16 model on Friday Sept 13 starting at 5 am PDT. They will be available starting Sept 20.

iPhone 16 new features

Camera button:

Visual intelligence:

Summarize emails and prioritize notifications:

Better image search:

Siri improvements via AI:

A look at the Pro model:

Camera zoom test:

AI features look really good:

Photo cleanup:

A nice first-impressions overview from Marques Brownlee, from all the Apple Keynote announcements:

Apple Intelligence (AI)

Apple has announced: `Apple Intelligence will be available in beta on all iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, with Siri and device language set to U.S. English, as an iOS 18 update this fall. Some features and additional languages will be coming over the course of the next year.'

Here is Apple SVP Craig Federighi on Apple Intelligence coming soon [ 5 mins ] :

iOS 18

An extensive overview of iOS 18, by Macrumors.

iOS 18 will release Sept 16.

iOS and Apple news

Apple Podcasts are now on the web, got to Podcasts.Apple.com, as was announced last month. This works in Safari, Chrome, Edge, and Firefox on Macs, PCs, and other devices.

iOS apps

SolarWatch `helps you keep track of the sun's daily patterns. It's perfect for photographers seeking the best lighting or anyone who wants to align their life with nature's rhythm.'

Here is a free desktop image for your iPhone:

Apple's sophisticated computational photography creates impressive images. However there are times when you might want a more quaint and film-like image. Halide offers this, but with all the controls and sophistication of a manual camera. Engadget reports on iPhone camera app Halide has an 'anti-intelligent' mode to make shooting with RAW easier.

tips & tricks

Apple demonstrated 5 tips on using your iPhone together with your Mac. Including, sending items using AirDrop, scanning documents, copy/paste from one device to another, and a whole lot more;

Apple AirTags can be shared with others. For example, Olga now has AitGas on her dogs' collars. She shares the AirTags with the house-sitter when she is traveling. Here is how to do it:

gadgets & accessories

The Anker MagGo charger lineup, as mentioned in Marques Brownlee's video above. Anker offers fast, wireless charging accessories Also sold by Amazon.

Dyson has just released new headphones that are intended to compete with Apple's AirPod Max. Marques Brownlee gives an overview and review. (Note: this was recorded 2 weeks before the Apple Keynote and the new AirPod Max announcements):

next iPUG meeting

Our next iPUG meetings will be:

Tuesday, October 8, at 8-9 pm AZ time (a one-time exception to our usual 7 pm starting time). Tuesday November 12, 7 pm AZ time. And Tuesday, December 3, at 7 pm AZ time.