Main topic: Apple Watch set to receive a major redesign in 2022.
Key points:
1. The upcoming Apple Watch, called "Watch X," will be the 10th edition of the device.
2. Apple plans to introduce the most significant redesign of the Apple Watch since its launch in 2015.
3. Previous annual updates to the Apple Watch have been minor, with only small changes or additions.
The Apple Watch Series 9 and second-generation Apple Watch Ultra will have upgraded sensors, components, and a focus on speed, efficiency, and accuracy, including a new version of the heart rate sensor and an all-new "U2" ultra wideband chip for improved location tracking.
Apple will announce its next generation of mobile products, including the iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra, at its upcoming Wonderlust event, with the Ultra expected to have significant design improvements and both watches potentially featuring upgraded sensors and processors.
Apple will unveil the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 at its September 12 event, featuring a new optical heart rate sensor, improved sensors and components, and a focus on performance and speed.
Apple has announced the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra with a brighter display, faster chip, new gestures, and enhanced features for water activities, starting at $799.
The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 have double the storage capacity of previous models, providing more space for apps and media.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a new screen that is the brightest of any Apple Watch, with a maximum brightness of 3,000 nits, along with new features such as Double Tap for control and the Modular Ultra watch face.
The Apple Watch Series 9 features a new S9 chip that enables faster performance, on-device Siri processing, and a new gesture called Double Tap, enhancing the user experience of the smartwatch.
The "Double Tap" feature, a new way of interacting with the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, will not be available at launch but will be added via a software update next month.
The Huawei Watch 4/Watch 4 Pro offers non-invasive blood glucose monitoring, while the Apple Watch Ultra is a top-end watch with a durable titanium exterior and extended battery life; the rumored Google Pixel Watch 2 may feature an enhanced version of the Body Response stress detection system; the Amazfit Cheetah incorporates generative AI coaching, and the Fitbit Ace 4 is designed as a fitness tracker watch for children; finally, the Citizen Smart Touchscreen Gen-2 is an AI-assisted watch powered by IBM's Watson AI engine.
The Apple Watch Series 9 models have the same battery capacities as the Series 8 models, while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a slightly larger battery but the same battery life as the original Ultra.
Google's upcoming Pixel Watch 2 is expected to have improved battery life and performance but may have a similar design to its predecessor, with the addition of new metal bands to differentiate it from the original Pixel Watch.
Main topic: Review of the Apple Watch Series 9
Key points:
1. Introduction of new methods of interaction: Double Tap and Raise to Speak (to Siri)
2. On-device Siri processing for convenient voice control
3. Enhanced fitness tracking capabilities and carbon neutral product
(Note: Battery life, new UWB chip, and screen brightness are also mentioned in the content, but they are not included as key points since they are not as significant as the ones listed above.)
The Apple Watch Ultra is on sale for $700, offering a more affordable alternative to the new Apple Watch Ultra 2, while Apple's FineWoven MagSafe Wallet and HomePod 2 are also seeing discounts at $56 and $285 respectively.
Apple Stores worldwide have unveiled new product displays for the launch of Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, featuring a recreated scene from the Series 9 introduction video and colorful bursts of color on a black surface to showcase the new watches.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a 564 mAh battery, slightly larger than its predecessor, while both the Ultra 2 and Series 9 have similar internal designs to their previous models, according to a teardown by iFixit.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9 teardowns by iFixit reveal no significant hardware changes, confirming that the new Double Tap feature is just a software update, but also highlighting the difficulty of disassembling the models due to tiny screws and strong glue.
The Pixel Watch 2 is expected to have advanced health features, a safety check feature, faster internals, and new watch bands, making it a significant upgrade over its predecessor.
Apple is rumored to be bringing microLED display technology to the Apple Watch Ultra, with the display expected to launch in either 2025 or 2026, and plans to eventually incorporate the technology into other products such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs to reduce reliance on Samsung.
Early adopters of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 can now access the new double tap gesture with the public beta of watchOS 10.1, which allows users to interact with their watch without touching the display, making it more convenient for tasks when the other hand is occupied.
Google has announced the Pixel Watch 2 with a more circular design, improved sensors, and a 24-hour battery life in always-on display mode.
The second watchOS 10.1 update for Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 devices introduces a new feature called Double Tap, which allows users to interact with their watch using one hand by double tapping their finger and thumb together.
The Google Pixel Watch offers stylish design, extensive health tracking features, and NFC payments, making it a better option than the Pixel Watch 2 which comes with upgrades but at a higher price.
The Apple Watch Series 9 offers upgraded internals and new features like Double Tap gesture controls and onboard Siri queries, making it a promising device for iOS users and a worthy upgrade from previous models.
The Google Pixel Watch 2 offers improved battery life and a range of updates and features that make it a better smartwatch than its predecessor, although it still has some quirks and concerns.
The Pixel Watch 2 offers incremental improvements over its predecessor, with a focus on health tracking and integration with the Fitbit platform, but lacks compelling features to justify an upgrade from the original model, making it one of the best smartwatches available but not a significant leap forward.
The Pixel Watch 2 is a solid upgrade over its predecessor, with improvements in performance, battery life, and health tracking, making it one of the best smartwatches of the year, although it still has some downsides like its small size, thick bezels, and delicate form factor.
The Google Pixel Watch 2 has been announced with improved specs and features, but the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 remains the overall winner in terms of design, display, fitness tracking, and software.
The Pixel Watch 2 offers easier access to ADB and fastboot through a charging puck with USB data, along with upgrades such as a Snapdragon W5 processor, longer battery life, lighter weight, and potential for device customization through continuous updates for Wear OS 4.
The Google Pixel Watch 2 has been released with improvements in processor and software functionality, including a new tile for Google Assistant that allows for quick-access shortcuts on the smartwatch without the need to type or talk.
The new watchOS 10.1 update for Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 introduces a double tap gesture that allows users to perform common actions without touching the display, offering a convenient and efficient way to navigate the device.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that there are currently no signs of the development of an "Apple Watch Ultra 3" and believes that the likelihood of a new Apple Watch Ultra being released in 2024 is decreasing, with a potential launch in 2025 or 2026 instead.
The release of an Apple Watch Ultra 3 in 2024 is uncertain, with a decrease in likelihood as the end of 2023 approaches, and the absence of a new model may be attributed to the need for additional time to develop health features and address production issues, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 have introduced the Double Tap feature, which allows users to perform various actions such as controlling audio playback, answering calls, responding to notifications, and more with a simple double tap on the watch screen.
