Apple unveils Apple Watch Series 9 with double tap feature and on-device Siri processing
Calling all Apple Watch aficionados! The tech giant has unveiled its newest Apple Series 9 that boasts a faster performance, allows you to ask for information about your health with help from Siri, and lets you control features by simply tapping your fingers.
The latest version was officially unveiled on Sept. 12 (Sept. 13, Philippine time) during Apple's Wonderlust event, in which the main highlight was the new iPhone 15 series.
Series 9 takes the Apple watch to a whole new level as it has been given a big boost in performance and capabilities. Touted as having the product's "most powerful chip yet," Series 9 has 60 percent more transistors and is 30 percent faster than its previous model.
Because of its powerful silicone, Series 9 can maintain an 18-hour battery life. Additionally, as Apple Watch is often the easiest and quickest way to use Siri, the company has further improved this feature by making Siri requests be processed faster and more securely.
This means that the most common requests would no longer require connection to the iCloud, making it easier for you to do tasks even without Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
Secure on-device processing also the use of a brand new feature: the ability to access your health data with Siri.
This includes asking infomation regarding your physical condition, such as how much sleep you got last night, your average walking heart rate, or how your mood ring looks today.
You can also log health data, like your weight or mesntrual period, or that you've taken your medications, with just your voice.
When it comes to its display, Series 9 features a big edge-to-edge always-on Retina display that makes it even easier for you to read outdoors because it now goes up to 2,000 nits or double the brightness of the previous model. This also makes the watch more convenient to use in very dark situations like a movie theater or when you wake up early in the morning.
Another significant feature of the model is its double tap gesture. From the name itself, the feature enables you to control the watch by simply tapping your index finger and thumb together twice.
You can use this to answer or end a call, stop a timer, play and pause music, snooze an alarm, or scroll through the widgets. The double tap feature was made to help you control your Apple Watch even when your hands are preoccuppied.
The new gesture was made possible through a machine learning algorithm that helps the device detect the unique signature of tiny movements and changes in blood flow when your hand and fingers perform a double tap.
Series 9 will be available in a gorgeous new pink aluminum case, as well as starlight silver, midnight and product red, with stainless steel cases in gold, silver and graphite.
Apple has also introduced its Apple Watch Ultra 2, which is said to be perfect for anyone who wants the biggest display and longest battery life, along with a stunning design.
Like the Series 9, the Ultra 2 has been given the double tap feature that you can use anytime your hands are full.
The Ultra 2 also pushes the brightness to a massive 3000 depths, which is touted as the "brightest display Apple has ever created." This makes Ultra 2 more readable in the harshest sunlight.
The watch also boasts a sturdy design that can help it withstand all kinds of extreme environments, from alpine peaks to deep water to the open road. The Ultra 2 has a battery life of up to 36 hours, but can last up to 72 hours in low power mode.
Both watches have the distinction of being Apple's first carbon neutral product, and the company is also using 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery for the first time.
The Series 9 and the Ultra 2 can be preordered today for $399 (P22,597) and $799 (P45,251) respectively and will ship on Sept. 22.
