THE IPHONE 16, NEW AIRPODS, AND OTHER HIGHLIGHTS FROM APPLE’S PRODUCT SHOWCASE
CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — Apple has firmly shifted its focus toward *artificial intelligence* with the unveiling of the much-anticipated iPhone 16 and a variety of new features accompanying the upcoming update to its operating system. Though the new phone lineup was the centerpiece of Monday’s event, the tech giant also introduced updates to its smartwatch and AirPods.
APPLE INTELLIGENCE
Apple’s core AI offerings are branded as Apple Intelligence, initially revealed at the company’s developers conference in June. Key features include the ability to search for images in your library through description, custom emoji creation, email summarization, and notification prioritization. Additionally, Apple Intelligence will enhance its virtual assistant Siri to better understand requests and recognize on-screen actions, aiming to improve usability.
What distinguishes Apple from competitors like Samsung and Google is its commitment to privacy. The company processes most AI functions on-device rather than at remote data centers. When connections to data centers are necessary, Apple ensures these operations are strictly controlled to prevent remote storage of personal data.
Most AI capabilities will be available as part of a *free software update* to iOS 18, which will power the iPhone 16, scheduled for release between October and December. U.S. English will be the initial language available, with updates to support additional languages expected next year.
IPHONE 16 AND THE CAMERA BUTTON
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will feature slightly larger displays and utilize variants of the powerful A18 chip, providing the necessary computing power for enhanced AI functionalities.
CEO Tim Cook stated during the event that the iPhone 16 was designed for Apple Intelligence from the ground up. A significant physical update to the iPhone 16 lineup is the addition of a dedicated camera-control button, allowing users to effortlessly take pictures, preview shots, or initiate video recording. This button also supports Visual Intelligence, enabling the device to automatically search for information about the subjects in photos.
The iPhone 16 lineup will begin shipping on September 20. Pricing starts at $799 for the standard model, $899 for the Plus, $999 for the Pro, and $1,199 for the Pro Max.
APPLE WATCH UPGRADES
The Apple Watch Series 10 will feature a larger, brighter wide-angle OLED display for improved visibility at various angles. Much of the presentation emphasized the watch’s capability to detect signs of *sleep apnea*.
For the first time, the device will be available in a titanium finish, reflecting a common trend in the watch industry toward offering stronger, lighter, and higher-quality alternatives to traditional materials. The Series 10 will start at $399 and will also be available on September 20.
AIRPODS LEAN TOWARD A LISTENING DEVICE
The new AirPods 4 series will come equipped with an upgraded chip for enhanced audio quality and improved active noise cancellation. A notable feature allows users who frequently misplace their earbuds to make them emit a sound through the Find My app.
In a medically focused enhancement to the AirPods Pro 2, Apple will upgrade these devices to function as over-the-counter hearing aids. This will be made possible through a free software update, which will also introduce hearing protection features and the option to conduct a clinical-grade hearing test.
The AirPods 4 will retail for $129, while the model with active noise cancellation will be priced at $179. Both will start shipping on September 20.
