The Apple Event got under way at the Steve Jobs Theater at the company’s Apple Park campus in Cupertino, US, with the launch of Apple Watch Series 4 line of smartwatches.
In the first major design overhaul since it came into the market more than three years ago, the Apple Watch now has its screen going nearly edge to edge.
The new watch is an update to last year’s version, the Apple Watch Series 3, and its display is now 30 per cent larger with rounded edges.
The Apple Watch also undergone a hardware overhaul, and Series 4 comes with a new built-in ECG (electrocardiogram) scanner now.
With the new hardware, Apple Watch Series 4 can detect a fall and automatically make a call to emergency services if the user is immobile for a minute after the fall.
The watch will screen heart rhythm for irregularities.
Apple Watch Series 4 will be the first ECG product offered over the counter to consumers. You just seen to open an app and put your finger on the digital crown to use the ECG feature.
Announcing the launch, Apple chief operating officer Jeff Williams said the company had received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US to allow the product to be used as a medical device.
India is not among the markets for the product as of now.
“We’re thrilled Apple Watch has become an essential part of people’s lives,” said Williams, adding: “The completely redesigned Apple Watch Series 4 continues to be an indispensable communication and fitness companion, and now with the addition of groundbreaking features, like fall detection and the first-ever ECG app offered directly to consumers, it also becomes an intelligent guardian for your health.”
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Apple Watch Series 4 price
The starting price of Apple Watch Series 4 will be be $399 (GPS version). The cellular version will be available at $499. There has been a price cut for Series 3, which will now be available for $279.
Orders can be placed from September 14, and shipping will begin September 21.
Apple Watch Series 4 look
Watch Series 4 is now thinner, and its display 30 per cent larger. The product will come in gold, silver and space gray models, with three aluminium finishes and three stainless steel versions. Older bands are compatible with the new models.
Apple Watch Series 4 battery life
Apple Watch claims its battery lasts “all day”, effectively meaning an 18-hour battery life just like its previous version — Apple Watch Series 3.
Apple Watch Series 4 specifications at a glance
- Edge-to-edge display: The screen is now 30% larger
- New watch face with up to eight customisable special features
- Digital crown with haptic feedback
- Speaker is 50% louder
- Back made from ceramic and crystal
- New S4 chip
- Faster, 64-bit processor
- New accelerometer and gyroscope (to let the watch detect falls)
- Heart rate tracking, including low heart rate notification and atrial fibrillation detection
- Built-in sensors to take ECG
- Swimproof and built-in GPS
- 18 hours of battery life, like Apple Watch Series 3
- Will run WatchOS 5, Apple’s new smartwatch operating system