At the Wonderlust event on Tuesday, Apple introduced the new Apple Watch Series 9, which will feature improved performance, Siri processing on the device, and a Double Tap gesture. The Series 9 can be preordered from $399 (£399, AU$649) and is scheduled to hit stores September 22.
The alterations should make interaction with the watch more instantaneous and faster, continuing the trend that Apple introduced in June with its WatchOS 10 update. The new processor is often overlooked by other new Apple Watch features, such as the Series 6’s blood oxygen sensor, the series 7’S bigger screen, and the temperature sensors in theSeries 8. However, Double Tap and on-device Siri processing are among the most significant changes in this version of the iPhone 9.
The Apple Watch Series 9 has a new S9 chip at 04:25.
A new gesture called Double Tap allows you to control the watch without touching its screen by tapping your index finger and thumb twice, allowing you (and not the user) to answer a call using only your watch hand. This innovative feature is similar to the double pinch gesture offered in the Apple Watch’s accessibility mode, which is included with the smartwatch as an add-on.
The gesture is made possible by the faster Neural Engine in Apple Watch Series 9, which uses a new machine learning algorithm to process data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart sensor.
In October, the company will release a software update that includes the availability of the gesture.
During my time with the Series 9, I used Double Tap to navigate through widgets, answer phone calls, set timers and even toggle the flashlight. While this gesture was usually accurate, it required repeated attempts to use it to get the watch to respond. Haptic feedback and a small icon at the top of the screen are useful for dismissing alarms or answering calls when your hands are full.
Double Tap is now available on the Apple Watch Series 9, a new feature.
The Apple Watch Series 9’s ability to process data on the device means that Siri should operate faster since it doesn’t need to send requests to the cloud. Additionally, asking health-related questions like how much sleep you slept last night will be possible for Siri, which is significant given the popularity of the Apple watch as a health and fitness tracker. Processing data securely over the phone is safer than sending health information to Amazon Web storage.
With the integration of new features from Apple, you can now watch media on your device from your wrist with HomePod. The Series 9 edition will come with Precision Finding, which promises to make it easier to pinpoint an iPhone 15 using a new ultra wideband chip than earlier models.
The Series 9 aluminum edition will be available in colors such as pink, starlight (white), silver, midnight (black), and Product Red, which is a color used to support the Global Fund’s fight against AIDS and COVID-19. The stainless steel version will also be released in shades of gold, silver or graphite.
The Series 9 is Apple’s first carbon neutral product, and the company is also highlighting the importance of sustainability in the design of the Apple Watch. Additionally, the battery is being made from 100% recycled cobalt for the first time.
Apple’s efforts to improve the user experience of the watch are evident in the introduction of Siri and Double Tap, which have made it clear that the company is actively seeking out new ways to enhance the experience.
In terms of hardware and software updates, the Apple Watch has emphasized usability as one of its key areas of focus in 2023. Apple’s announcement of new Software on Demand (WatchOS) 10 software in June highlighted this trend by adding widgets to the watch that provide contextual information without having to switch between apps or watch faces.
Apple has launched new models in the past three years to attract new audiences, such as those who are on a tight budget and enjoy running. In 2022, it introduced the Apple Watch Ultra, showcasing its high-end watch with more features than its competitors. Additionally, in 2020, we saw the company unveiling its first cheaper smartwatch, which is now known as the iPhone SE. A new version of that device was also released in 2021.
Market research firm Counterpoint reports that Apple is the top player in the global smartwatch market, accounting for 22% of shipments in Q2 2023. However, the company has not made any significant changes in recent years, except for the introduction of an integrated temperature sensor and a larger screen in 2022. Apple may also revamp its watch in 2020 to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the device’s launch, according to Bloomberg as part of ongoing efforts.
In the interim, Apple’s smartwatch will experience a boost in functionality, smoothness, and ease of use with the Series 9.