Apple Unveils New Watch an iPad; iPhone Left Out

Apple unveiled updates to its products, though a new, 5G version iPhone wasn't presented. The company showcased iPad performance upgrades, refreshed Watch models, fitness and subscription services in an annual event usually headlined by its smartphones.

A redesigned iPad Air features Apple’s A14 bionic chip, capable of processing up to 11 trillion operations per second and providing increases in CPU and GPU speeds of 40 percent and 30 percent respectively compared with the previous iPad Air. The device features a 10.9-inch display, 7MP front and 12MP rear cameras, and a Touch ID sensor in the power button.

Apple also unveiled an eighth-generation iPad featuring a 10.2-inch display, and A12 bionic chip with a neural engine delivering a 40 per cent increase in CPU performance and the ability to process up to 5 trillion operations per second. The updated iPad Air will hit the stores in October. Wi-Fi-only model will cost $599, while Wi-Fi plus cellular will be $729. The latest iPad goes on sale in more than 25 countries on 18 September priced $329 and $459 respectively.

The new Watch Series 6 features a sensor capable of measuring a user’s blood oxygen levels. The tool will allow users to participate in three new health studies focused on managing asthma and heart failure, and evaluating how blood oxygen and heart rate metrics can be used as early warning indicators for respiratory illnesses. Apple also introduced a Watch SE model with a lower price point and Family Set-up capabilities allowing users to tether more than one device to their iPhone. Watch Series 6 starts at $399 for Wi-Fi only and $499 with added mobile connectivity, and Watch SE for $279 or $329 respectively. Both go on sale on 18 September, with the Wi-Fi-only versions available in 29 markets and mobile in 23.

A new Fitness+ service will offer access to a range of workout videos and enablie users to display their Apple Watch metrics onscreen. It will be available later this year, priced $9.99 per month or $79.99 for an annual subscription. It will initially be available in Australia, Canada, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and US. The fitness function can also be accessed on the Apple One Premier services bundle, which includes its music, TV, arcade, cloud and news services for $29.95 per month. It will first come to Australia, Canada, the UK and US. A pared version excluding news is planned for more than 100 countries, priced $14.95 per month, with a family option $19.95.