Apple Announces Apple Watch Series 8, SE, and Ultra (theverge.com) 32
Today, Apple announced a handful of new products at their iPhone launch event in Cupertino. Along with four new iPhones, Apple unveiled the brand-new Series 8 Apple Watch and refreshed SE. It also unveiled a completely new, rugged Apple Watch Ultra. The Verge reports: The Apple Watch Ultra is the star of the show because it isn't something we've seen before. It's got a big honking 49mm rectangular display, which... truly is in a class of its own. Not only is it the biggest Apple Watch screen, but it's also the brightest at 2,000 nits. As for how that wrist slab feels, it was actually lighter on my wrist than I'd expected, probably because its case is made of titanium. But make no mistake -- it is a BIG watch. Another thing that's immediately apparent is the design tweaks Apple's made for the extreme fitness crowd. There's the new orange action button, a button guard, and a redesigned crown. The rim around the display is also raised to protect the sapphire crystal display -- which is something we saw on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro as well. Plus, that display is truly flat.
Next up is the Apple Watch Series 8. At a glance, there's really not too much to differentiate it from the Series 7, though I can definitely tell the screen appears bigger. Inside, there's a new temperature sensor, though it's not something I was able to really check out here in Cupertino. The sensor is meant to help retrospectively detect ovulation. It's also got an updated chip -- the S8 -- which keeps things snappy when you're swiping through menus. The Series 8 also has a new gyroscope and accelerometer to help call emergency services if it detects you've been in a car crash.
The new SE is also a fairly incremental update. It, too, gets an upgrade to the S8 chip, whereas the original SE was a bit of a Frankenstein watch. It had the processor of the Series 5 mixed in with some sensors used in the Series 6 minus the EKG sensor. The new SE has the same motion sensors as the Series 8 for crash detection and is 20 percent faster than before. The screen is also 30 percent larger than the Series 3, and the sensor array color matches the front. It's mostly still missing the always-on display and the new temperature sensor. All three models are available for preorder today. The Series 8 and SE will ship on September 16, with the Ultra shipping on the 23rd.
Next up is the Apple Watch Series 8. At a glance, there's really not too much to differentiate it from the Series 7, though I can definitely tell the screen appears bigger. Inside, there's a new temperature sensor, though it's not something I was able to really check out here in Cupertino. The sensor is meant to help retrospectively detect ovulation. It's also got an updated chip -- the S8 -- which keeps things snappy when you're swiping through menus. The Series 8 also has a new gyroscope and accelerometer to help call emergency services if it detects you've been in a car crash.
The new SE is also a fairly incremental update. It, too, gets an upgrade to the S8 chip, whereas the original SE was a bit of a Frankenstein watch. It had the processor of the Series 5 mixed in with some sensors used in the Series 6 minus the EKG sensor. The new SE has the same motion sensors as the Series 8 for crash detection and is 20 percent faster than before. The screen is also 30 percent larger than the Series 3, and the sensor array color matches the front. It's mostly still missing the always-on display and the new temperature sensor. All three models are available for preorder today. The Series 8 and SE will ship on September 16, with the Ultra shipping on the 23rd.
Re: Apple watch is overkill, not green (Score:2)
Cool toys, but... (Score:5, Insightful)
I just can't seem to care.
Maybe it is tech overload, or maybe these things have reached the point of "good enough" and the new-and-improved versions just don't have any real wow power anymore.
I am not just saying this as an anti-apple thing... I had the same response to the google phone/watches announced recently.
They just aren't special to me anymore. I buy a new one when my old one wears out, not because I want any of the new features.
Re: (Score:2)
or maybe these things have reached the point of "good enough" and the new-and-improved versions just don't have any real wow power anymore.
I think Apple tacitly admitted this several years ago when they spent 2/3 of their new iPhone launch event talking about memoji.
All of these companies are doing their utmost to prevent people from realizing that most of these devices reached a point a decade ago where they can do pretty much anything the vast majority of people want them to do. They're basically commodities that have so far avoided being priced like commodities.
Re: Cool toys, but... (Score:2)
This time seems different (Score:2)
the new-and-improved versions just don't have any real wow power anymore.
I've felt the same over the last few years, but a handheld device able to communicate well with a satellite network is a WOW for me. That will save a lot of lives.
Pretty far from the same thing (Score:1)
We have had those for quite some time.
Ok, yes technically the emergency contact devices we have today are handheld, but you know what I mean - they have been way bulkier than a phone, and they were not really full features smartphones. That is new.
So is the streamlined process of getting details about in what way you are in trouble. That was really well thought out.
Re: (Score:2)
It's also a dive computer (Score:4, Insightful)
As a diver I'm keen to see how it works as a dive computer. Looks like the depth sensor may not be very accurate, but it'll be fun to check out. At least now my diving will get logged as a workout. If the API is public maybe I could write my own dive software to run on it just for fun. The fact that it logs GPS coordinates of entry and exit is also really cool. I can't tell you the number of times I'd wished I had GPS coordinates of a wreck after I'd dived it. I'm stoked!
Looks awesome (Score:1)
As a diver I'm keen to see how it works as a dive computer.
I don't dive much anymore, but this has me really wanting to pick up some diving again and see how it works....
I wonder if to distinguish this from swimming the dive app only triggers below a few meters?
If the API is public maybe I could write my own dive software to run on it just for fun.
It seemed from the presentation like it had some private integrations with some dive hardware, but I don't think any API's yet... though surely you'd at least b
Other way (Score:1)
It's really more that I'd just like to go diving again and this is a nice excuse...
But, it will probably be a while before I get this watch, and I'm not fully sure I will - it seems pretty large.
Re: It's also a dive computer (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2)
I’m a technical diver, and I would use it with my two Shearwater dive computers for dives under 40m. If I’m happy with it I might do some recreational diving with it alone. I would be shocked if it doesn’t support nitrox. It won’t be much use other than as a fitness tracker since I use EANx 32 for most dives. The GPS would still be good, and it’ll be interesting to see how the compass compares to the Shearwaters.
Meh (Score:2)
Meh. I like my iphone, but.. all I really want in a watch is a 50's Constellation. Or a 50's Grand Seiko, the lo-beat one. Or maybe a US Time GI watch.
Those just tell the time. These are just an extension of the cybershackle.
My wrist has been bare since Covid started. My watches lie dormant, their springs unwound, the one Casio still beeps dutifully every hour. But I don't wear them anymore. I doubt I ever will.
Last time I wound up the King Seiko it was gaining 5 minutes a day.. pathetic. needs serv
Re: (Score:2)
Why call it the "SE"? (Score:2)
Finally! (Score:2)
I always wanted to do an electrocardiogram 100 feet under water.
Rotten Applesauce (Score:3)
So sick of these advertisements for rotten fruit. Has /. been bought out by Apple? Proprietary bullshit is not what open source is about.