Published , by Ozzie Mejia
Published , by Ozzie Mejia
Wednesday's Apple special event kicked off with the latest information on Apple Watch. After showing off a video package with testimonials about what the product has done for people, Apple unveiled the latest line in the wristwear line. It's the Apple Watch Series 8.
The Apple Watch Series 8 will introduce a slew of new features. The most eye-opening one is the temperature sensor, which can have a variety of real-world applications. Beyond monitoring for sudden body changes, fevers, and even possible COVID symptoms, the temperature sensor can also track ovulation. Apple is working to bring other features online to help women, including a cycle tracking feature that will make users aware of any deviations from their normal cycle. This is where it must also be noted, especially given the current political climate, that Apple continues to work towards privacy and keeps any sensitive information tied to a device, not to the cloud or the company.
There are a few other features in the Series 8 that will focus on a user's health and safety. A new crash detection feature will use the Apple Watch's motion detectors to determine whether the user has been involved in a vehicle collision. Beyond pinpointing the moment of impact, the Apple Watch can also automatically contact emergency services, if needed. The new car crash detection furthers Apple's push into this realm of safety features, which the company has pushed for years with the introduction of concepts like Fall Detection.
Anyone looking for something more affordable can check out the Apple Watch SE. Its latest model was introduced on Wednesday, as well, and is said to run 20 percent faster than the previous SE models. On top of that, it will support WatchOS 9 and include the crash detection feature introduced with the base Series 8 line. It does not feature the new temperature sensor, nor does it have the Blood Oxygen or ECG apps. It does have cycle tracking, but does not offer retrospective ovulation estimates.
The Apple Watch Series 8 will be available in midnight, starlight, silver, and Product Red colors and will release on Friday, September 16. The GPS model will release for $399 USD, while the GPS + Cellular version will sell for $499 USD. Those looking for a lower-priced option can pick up the newest Apple Watch SE. The SE GPS will sell for $249 USD, while the GPS + Cellular version will retail for $299 USD. You can learn more on the Apple website.