Apple’s Wonderlust event is just a day away, and it is expected that the company will also introduce updates of its other devices apart from the highly anticipated next-generation iPhone line-up. Among these, as suggested by rumours, include the Watch Series 9 and second-generation Watch Ultra, as well as new AirPods.
According to reliable tech insider Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the allegedly upcoming Apple Watch Series 9 and 2nd gen Ultra will arrive with a new chipset – finally replacing the existing one that’s been featured on the company’s wearables since the Series 6 in 2020. They will also feature various internal component upgrades including a new version of Apple’s optical heart rate sensor, as well as the same U2 ultra-wide-band chip that’s also rumoured to be equipped on the iPhone 15 series. The latter component is said to provide significant improvements for the built-in Find My capabilities on both devices.
Besides that, Gurman claims that the next gen wearables will still be offered in 41mm and 45mm sizes, while the 2nd gen Ultra retains its signature 49mm size. It is also believed that Apple is testing a shift to 3D-printed device cases starting with the stainless steel models of the Series 9, and will shift away from using leather and steel link-based watch bands. Meanwhile, the Ultra variant is expected to feature new materials and colours, with a new black option due to make an appearance during the upcoming launch.
Then we have the next-gen AirPods, which both the Bloomberg reporter and other unofficial sources have claimed to just be slightly updated versions of the existing model. It is said that there will be no other major changes in hardware apart from a shift to USB-C. Like the upcoming iPhones, newer AirPods will permanently ditch the company’s proprietary Lightning system for the more commonly used connector to comply with EU regulations. Gurman adds that Apple will eventually bring USB-C charging to its low-end AirPods as well as a next-gen update to its AirPods Max headset as early as next year.
On the software side of things, it is suggested the company will introduce several new features to its AirPods products via a firmware update that’s slated to be introduced during the launch. These include improved automatic device switching, the ability to mute and unmute directly from the AirPods themselves, and a new Conversation Awareness feature that automatically silences media when people begin speaking to the wearer. There’s also a new body-temperature sensing function and a new hearing test system, but Gurman says Apple will only bring those enhancements at a much later date.
Apple’s Wonderlust event is scheduled to take place on 12 September 2023 at 10am Pacific Time, which will be streamed live via its official website. For those in Malaysia, the launch will commence at 1am local time this Wednesday on 13 September.
(Source: Bloomberg)
