Tag Archives: Apple Watch

The Apple Watch Series 9 & Apple Watch Ultra 2 Unleashed with 100% Carbon Neutrality

September 13, 2023 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

Apple is pushing the boundaries with their new lineup of Apple Watches with the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The latest additions bring along with them several new features including a new processor – the S9 SiP, enhanced Siri capabilities, Precision Finding for iPhone with UWB and a brand new double tap gesture.

Apple Watch S9 hero 230912 — Source: Apple

At the heart of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 lies the custom Apple silicon in the S9 SiP, representing Apple’s most advanced watch chip to date. This chip not only boosts overall performance but introduces novel features like the double tap gesture and on-device Siri with secure health data access. The Series 9 also incorporates a 4-core Neural Engine, capable of processing machine learning tasks twice as fast as its predecessor while maintaining an 18-hour battery life.

Apple Watch S9 carbon neutral lineup 230912 — Source: Apple

Navigating the Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 has become even more intuitive with the introduction of the double tap gesture. By tapping the index finger and thumb of their watch hand together twice, users can perform a range of actions with ease. This includes stopping timers, controlling music playback, answering phone calls, and even capturing photos using the Camera Remote. The gesture, enabled by the faster Neural Engine, will be available in a forthcoming software update.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 double tap gesture 230912 — Source: Apple

Apple has pushed the display capabilities further, increasing the maximum brightness of the Series 9 to 2000nits, double that of its predecessor. The Ultra 2, on the other hand, has a higher 3000 nits brightness. This should mean that the two watch models should be legible even in bright sunlight, and the display can dim to just one nit in low-light environments.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 introduces the Modular Ultra watch face that takes full advantage of the larger display. It provides real-time data, including seconds, altitude, or depth, and offers an unprecedented level of customization for outdoor activities, sports, and water adventures.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Modular Ultra watch face 230912

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Modular Ultra Watch Face Night Mode 230912

Siri can now process requests directly on the device, eliminating the need for internet connectivity for certain tasks. This not only results in faster and more reliable responses but also maintains privacy. Siri can also access and log health data from the Health app, offering users more control over their health and fitness inquiries.

Both the Series 9 and Ultra 2 come with a second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip that enables Precision Finding for the iPhone 15 family which comes with the same chip. Your Apple Watch can literally guide you to your iPhone 15 with its visual, haptic and audio guidance.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 hero 230912 — Source: Apple

The Ultra 2 continues to be the more rugged Apple Watch. Complete with an app ecosystem to support it, the Ultra 2 will be able to handle high altitudes and deep waters.

100% Carbon Neutral – If you choose correctly

Of course, as Apple progresses towards its 2030 environmental goal, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 now come with carbon-neutral options for straps. In fact, with these two models, the right pairing of the Watch and strap will mean that your Apple Watch is 100% Carbon Neutral.

This is thanks to a 78% reduction in emissions when it comes to transport and production as well as a sleeker, more compact box that allows for more Apple Watches to be transported. Apple has also empowered its partners to work towards being carbon neutral. As such, certain bands, like the new sports band are made completely of Carbon neutral and eco-friendly materials.

Apple Watch SE

Also along for the ride is the new Apple Watch SE which continues to offer core Apple Watch features at an affordable price. This year, the Apple Watch SE is being updated with support for low heart rate notifications, Fall Detection, Emergency SOS, Crash Detection, and watchOS 10.

Pricing and Availability

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch SE are available on the official website and Apple Store app. The Series 9 starts at USD$399 or MYR1,899, and the SE begins at USD$249 or RM1,199.

The Apple Watch will be priced at USD$799 RM3,799. It is available in a sleek 49mm size and becomes carbon neutral when paired with the new Trail Loop or Alpine Loop bands. These bands are available in various colours, offering both style and sustainability.

Business, News

Apple Showcases Its In-House Apps on New ‘Apps by Apple’ Page

September 5, 2023 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

Apple has introduced an all-new “Apps by Apple” webpage, residing on its official website. This dedicated space serves as a platform to celebrate and showcase Apple’s proprietary apps, available across the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV ecosystems.

In true Apple fashion, the company showcases its commitment to delivering a seamless user experience through these apps, accompanied by tantalizing glimpses of forthcoming features in iOS 17 and beyond.

So, what exactly does this ‘Apps by Apple’ page bring to the table?

A Guide to Apple’s App Universe

This newly minted digital domain, found at apple.com/apps, conveniently categorizes Apple’s apps into six distinct clusters:

Communication: Tagged as “Apps to keep you connected,” this category includes essentials like Phone, Messages, FaceTime, Mail, and Contacts. Apple’s aim here is clear – to facilitate effortless connections.
Creativity: “Tools for pros and passionate creatives” is the mantra here. This enclave caters to the artist in you, boasting apps like Photos, Camera, GarageBand, iMovie, and Final Cut Pro for iPad.
Productivity: In the “All you need to make your work of art” realm, Apple’s offerings include Notes, Reminders, Calendar, Freeform, and Pages. The focus? Enhancing your productivity and creativity.
Exploration: Embark on journeys of discovery with apps like Safari, Maps, Weather, Find My, and Wallet. These apps are designed to simplify your explorations of both the digital and physical worlds.
Entertainment and Home: “Brilliant ways to watch, read, listen, and relax” – this segment features Apple TV, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Music Classical, and Podcasts, promising entertainment and relaxation at your fingertips.
Health and Fitness: Prioritizing “Wellness for your mind and body,” Apple offers apps such as Apple Health, Fitness, Workout, Sleep, and Cycle Tracking. Your well-being takes centre stage here.

Aside from these categories, the ‘Apps by Apple’ page provides insights into the features that underpin Apple’s ecosystem. These include Siri, iCloud, CarPlay, and Continuity, designed to seamlessly integrate various aspects of your digital life. Family Sharing, another highlighted feature, promotes harmonious device sharing among families.

A Response to Regulatory Changes

It’s worth noting that the unveiling of this page comes at a time when the European Union (EU) is considering regulations that may require Apple to allow third-party app stores and sideloading on iPhones within its member states. Sideloading entails installing apps from sources other than Apple’s App Store. Apple’s long-standing argument for restricting sideloading revolves around security concerns, as it enables stricter control over potential threats like malware.

With these regulatory shifts looming, Apple’s ‘Apps by Apple’ initiative can be seen as a strategic move to bolster its in-house app portfolio. By emphasizing the quality, seamlessness, and privacy features of its apps, Apple aims to ensure that users continue to choose its ecosystem, even in the face of alternative options.

Apple reassures users that “Every app by Apple comes with powerful privacy features to help protect your data and give you control over your information.” This commitment aligns with Apple’s broader stance on privacy and data protection.

While these changes may initially impact EU users, the global tech landscape may witness ripple effects as the industry navigates evolving regulations.

In conclusion, Apple’s ‘Apps by Apple’ webpage serves as a testament to the company’s dedication to delivering a user-friendly and secure app experience. As the tech world continues to evolve, Apple remains unwavering in its pursuit of innovation and excellence.

iOS, Mobile, News

iOS 16.4 is Here and It Is Nearly All About Emojis

March 28, 2023 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

It is that time again, that time to update your iPhone. No, not buy a new iPhone, just update its operating system (OS). The iOS 16.4 is here!

Apple’s release notes should be a good enough indication of what you technically can expect from your iPhone once you update it. In this update, you get some bug fixes as expected, but you also get plenty of new emojis you can use for iMessage. Of course, it is not just about those.

New Emojis

ios 16 4 emoji characters — Source Apple

That is the first thing they listed in their release notes for the new version of iOS. To be fair, they did release 21 new emojis for you to use. You get a new shaking head, pink heart, blue heart, grey heart, and a few new animals like a donkey or a moose now. There are also a few new objects you get like flute, maracas, a comb, and even a pea pod, for some reason. You get a few new hand gesture emojis too, like a ‘talk to the hand’ in left and right variations.

Push Notifications for Webs

Your websites now can send your iPhone a push notification if you add the webpage to your home screen. While it is something that just makes sense, the feature has never been a thing before for Apple’s iPhones. You can now opt in for notifications from your favourite websites. You can also easily opt out from notifications via the notification tab in Settings. Your notification can be received on the iPhone itself, viewed from the lock screen, or you can even get your web app to notify you on your Apple Watch. Since it is a new feature, not all websites might work with push notification.

The web push notification is also supported by Focus. You can choose which notifications appear at whatever appropriate time you set.

To be fair, the feature has been teased and mentioned when iOS 16 was launched. The feature was not included with the original iOS 16.0 release though. It is now, so you cannot say that Apple does not deliver on their promised features.

More for Podcasts

iOS 16.4 has not just added a tonne of new emojis to the iPhone. It offers big update to Apple’s Podcasts app. Users can now see the channels that they are subscribed to on the top of their library. If users follow a show that is part of a channel, that channel will also appear in their library so that they can also explore other shows from the same channel.

They have also updated the ‘Up Next’ feature. Apple Podcasts helps queue new episodes from shows that users follow or channels that users subscribe to. The feature is not only for shows users follow though, it will also play other podcast shows or episodes they do not follow. Once the show is fully played, Apple Podcasts will remove it from your ‘Up Next’ list.

You have more overview of the podcasts that you have or have not played too. It is not a huge change in interface, but your followed, played, and unplayed podcasts now surface better. You can see more of your subscriptions and probably have a better overview to what you are paying for.

All of these functions mentioned will also go to CarPlay. Of course, you still have to access Apple Podcasts on CarPlay to access the new ‘Up Next and Browse’ interface. The Browse tab allows users discover even more shows they might like in the comfort of their car.

AppleCare Overview

You can also now see your AppleCare coverage right on your iPhone. You can go to Settings and find out what sort of warranty coverage that is available to you iPhone and even how long you have left before your iPhone goes out of coverage.

Emergency SOS via Satellite Expanded

Emergency SOS via Satellite iPhone YT — Source: Apple

Emergency SOS is not necessarily a brand-new function to iPhone. It is not available everywhere in the world though. In the case that you live outside of the coverage area like North America, you are out of luck. The new iOS 16.4 expands its availability to six more countries though.

If you own an iPhone 14 with iOS 16.4 installed and you live in Austria, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and Portugal, you now can use Emergency SOS. It connects to Globalstar satellites where available and allows users to send text messages to emergency dispatch even without a cellular signal. It is a subscription-based service though, oddly enough. Users get to use the function for free for two years after activating their iPhone 14. For existing iPhone 14 users in newly supported countries, their two-year deal starts as soon as they update to iOS 16.4.

They have also expanded the emergency calling feature. Users will automatically connect to 112 in their emergency in case there is no cellular signal. Of course, since it is a satellite technology, you want to ensure that you have a clear line of sight of the sky at least to function it.

PlayStation 5 DualSense Edge Controller Support

The subheading should be an explanation on its own. Sony’s DualSense Edge is Sony’s answer to the high-end aftermarket controllers in the market. Since it is new, it is not supported on the iOS, until now at least.

Even More Security Patches

Every new update should come with security updates. On The new iOS 16.4 there are over 30 security and bug fixes. Apple found possible exploits to accessibility feature that could allow third-party apps access to user information and patched that. They have also fixed potential exploits that affects Apple Neural Engine, Calendar, Camera, CarPlay, Bluetooth, Find My iPhone, iCloud, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari browser. There was also a kernel exploit that allows codes to be executed on your iPhone without your knowledge.

Time to Install iOS 16.4

iOS 16.4 is now available for your latest iPhones. You might not care about the PlayStation DualSense Edge, or the new emojis. You do not want to ignore the security concerns that your iOS device can raise though. Most updates bring not only new features to your smartphone, they also bring new security patches that can help protect you in the long run. The iOS 16.4’s full release notes are as below.

This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:

21 new emoji including animals, hand gestures, and objects are now available in emoji keyboard
Notifications for web apps added to the Home Screen
Voice Isolation for cellular calls prioritizes your voice and blocks out ambient noise around you
Duplicates album in Photos expands support to detect duplicate photos and videos in an iCloud Shared Photo Library
VoiceOver support for maps in the Weather app
Accessibility setting to automatically dim video when flashes of light or strobe effects are detected
Fixes an issue where Ask to Buy requests from children may fail to appear on the parent’s device
Addresses issues where Matter-compatible thermostats could become unresponsive when paired to Apple Home
Crash Detection optimizations on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models”

Accessories, Health, iOS, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

The Oceanic+ App is Live! Meet Your New Dive Computer, the Apple Watch Ultra.

November 29, 2022 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

Apple launched their most expensive wearable item back in September alongside their Apple iPhone 14 devices. They launched the new Apple Watch Ultra, which was made with space age technology and is built to endure the most extreme conditions you can subject your body to. One of them is to go down to depths you will only go as a scuba diver.

According to Apple, the Watch Ultra can go in depths up to 40 meters. While there are dive watches and computers that can go deeper than that, you want to remember that the Apple Watch Ultra is no bigger than the regular watch and is also built as a watch and fitness tracker you can take anywhere with you. In that sense, the Apple Watch Ultra is a feat on its own.

While it was able to go down to 40 meters under water, and into the ocean for that matter, you could only get basic information from it like a regular watch. It did not have the right tools to record your depth, or how much air you have left, or how long you’ve dived. Until now, that is, with the Oceanic+ app.

Apple Watch Ultra Oceanic Plus Complications — Source: Apple

The app was also announced when they launched the Apple Watch Ultra, so it should not come as a surprise. The app is not an in-house developed one (developed by Huish Outdoors in collaboration with Apple), that could also be why it launched later than the Watch Ultra itself. It is still 2022 though, so it is not like we had to wait years for it.

The Oceanic+ app basically turns your Apple Watch Ultra into a rather comprehensive dive computer. They say that the app allows the Watch Ultra to act as an advanced dive computer and robust dive planner. Of course, you can review all information post-dive as well.

Apple Watch Ultra Oceanic Plus Scuba Slow Down — Source: Apple

The dive computer on the Apple Watch Ultra may not be similar to other dive computers you might have come across. They say that they have built the interface to be as intuitive as possible to be used on the Apple Watch platform. The interface is designed to allow users to quickly get information from the watch and dive stress free without making mental calculations during their dive. That also means that they need to cram and simplify as much information as they can into the tiny display that is the Apple Watch Ultra. It even gives users some form of directive to ensure their safety during the dive with “Stop”, “Go Up”, and even “Go Down”.

They have managed to integrate things like surface time, depth, and gas capacity into an interface that would be familiar to any Apple Watch user. On top of that, the dive planner gives you extra information like tides, water temperatures, weather updates, currents, and updated information uploaded by other users. It even tracks your GPS location, so you know where you are in your dives. You can even tell if you have a notification from the Apple Watch Ultra in the water with the Watch vibrating. They say you can even feel the vibration through a 7mm thick wetsuit. Haptic feedback, according to the developers, is a better way for your watch to communicate with you under water.

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The Oceanic+ app is now available for the Apple Watch Ultra via the App Store. Of course, there is a companion app for your iPhone as well where you can view all sorts of information from your Apple Watch post-dive. The Apple Watch Ultra will set you back from MYR 3,799 onward, which is a lot of money for an Apple Watch. Then again, a dive computer will set you back just as much or more.

Accessories, Health, iOS, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

Apple Launches the Watch Series 8 and Watch SE – The Better Best-Seller

September 8, 2022 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

Unfortunately for Android Wear fans, the Apple Watch is the best-selling smartwatch to date. There is a good reason for that though. Apple’s Watch just works, and it does that very well. Every iteration of the Apple Watch is even better than ever before. That case is also true for the latest Apple Watch Series 8 and the new Apple Watch SE.

watchOS 9

Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple

The latest Apple Watch 8, Watch SE, and even Watch Ultra come with Apple’s latest watchOS 9. There are no fundamental change in terms of its fundamental interface and looks. The added features for watchOS 9 includes international roaming that allows the Watch to be constantly connected to a network even when you are travelling abroad. Users with AFib conditions can also turn-on the AFib History feature if it is available in their region. The digital Compass App has also been redesigned to show even more information than before. There is a new Workout app too in watchOS 9 that allows in-session views with segments, splits, elevation, and even more precise workout data. Sleep tracking on the new operating system (OS) is also even better than before with more accurate and more comprehensive sleep data on tap. There is even a new Medications interface on the Apple Watch that helps users manage and track their medication schedules via the Health app.

Crash Detection

Apple has pioneered safety technology on the smartwatch with fall detection in their previous Apple Watch. Now, the Apple Watch is even better than before with Crash Detection. The gyroscope and accelerometer on the latest Apple Watch is even more powerful than before. Apple also had to develop entirely new algorithms to allow the Apple Watch to understand car crashes better and to detect when users are in one. They had to simulate various car crashes in test labs to ensure that the Apple Watch can detect when users are involved in a head-on collision, rear-end impact, side-impact, and even rollovers just based on the gyroscopic, acceleration, barometric, GPS, and sound data. After the fact, Apple Watch will check in with its users, like when it detects a fall. If the user does not respond within the next 10 seconds, emergency alert will be sent out to relevant services and even your emergency contacts. Of course, it works best with iPhones.

Even Longer Battery Life

Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple

One of the bigger complaints about the older Apple Watches is its dismal battery life. For the new Apple Watch Series 8, Apple has said that the device can last up to 18 hours, technically an entire day. Apple has also included a new Low Power Mode that is supposed to extend the device’s battery life to up to 36 hours (Watch Series 8) by limiting selected sensors and power-hungry features like always-on display.

More Health Centric Sensors

Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple

You still get all the sensors that are previously found on the Apple Watch Series 7. There is a brand-new sensor that is mainly used to monitor women’s health though. It is a dual sensor that detects body temperature. The two sensors measure two different temperatures at two different points of the watch, one at the back of the watch and the other right under the display. This way, Apple Watch can capture its users body temperature whilst reducing bias from outside environment.

The new added feature also improves sleep health detection by the Apple Watch. The Apple Series Watch 8 samples wrist temperature every five seconds and is so sensitive it measures changes as small as 0.1^oC. The Health App allows the users to monitor their sleep health and changes due to exercising, jet lag, or even sickness.

Apple Watch SE

Source: Apple
Source: Apple
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Source: Apple

The Apple Watch SE, while is the most accessible Apple watch, is no less powerful than the new Apple Watch Series 8. It still packs the latest S8 SiP processor found in the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra. You also get International Roaming alongside Crash Detection features that the Series 8 and the Ultra gets. The only visual difference is that the SE gets a back case made with nylon composite material alongside the aluminium case making it the lightest Apple Watch available currently. The Apple Watch SE also only comes in 40mm and 44mm variants.

Price and Availability

The Apple Watch SE will be available in select regions from the 16^th of September 2022 onward. You can choose between midnight, starlight, and sliver colour options. The new Apple Watch SE will set you back US$ 249 (MYR 1,199*) onward. For more information on the Apple Watch SE, you can visit their website.

The Apple Watch Series 8 will be available in select regions also from the 16^th of September 2022 onward. You can choose between aluminium (Starlight, Midnight, Silver, PRODUCT RED) and stainless steel (Silver, Graphite, Gold) cases and various band, including the NIKE and Hermès edition bands for the Apple Watch Series 8. Prices start from US$ 399 (MYR 1,899*). If you want to know more about the Apple Watch Series 8, you can visit their website.

*Official Malaysian Pricing

Accessories, Health, iOS, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

The Apple Watch Ultra – The Ultimate Smartwatch by Apple

September 8, 2022 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

What do you do when you want to get an Apple Watch but you want to take it to all sorts of adventures? Before this, you would have to buy and Apple Watch and get some sort of silicon protection for it. You can take it snorkeling too, but that is about it. We would have to recommend you something like a Garmin or a Suunto in that case. But you want an Apple Watch. Fret not, you can get an Apple Watch for all sorts of extreme activity now.

Extreme Build for Extreme Conditions

Source: Apple
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Source: Apple

Welcome to the Apple Watch Ultra, the latest most advanced and most rugged Apple Watch you can get your hands on today. It is tough, made from aerospace-grade titanium. Unlike stainless steel, titanium is lighter, more durable, and more resistant to corrosion. Unlike the 3D glass that you might find on the regular Apple Watch, the Ultra’s display is a flat screen surrounded by the titanium case and covered by Sapphire glass for extra protection and durability in extreme situations.

Bright Needs to be Brighter

The Retina display is rather beautiful to look at too with a peak brightness of 2000 nits just in case you need to look at it under bright sunlight. To ensure that you know where to press, the action button is a bright International Orange. It is even customizable for different functions.

Built for Runners

The Apple Watch Ultra is built for the most extreme athletes and sports. Powered by WatchOS 9, the Apple Watch Ultra packs dual-frequency GPS with new algorithms to deliver the most accurate GPS system you can find on any Apple Watch. The technology allows for a more precise and accurate routing, distance, and even speed data for both training and competition purposes. It even offers you running metrics to measure stride length, ground contact time, vertical oscillation, and even running power. Of course, it has the battery life to match long-course triathlon events.

Built for Adventurers

If you are into exploring the extremities of the world, the Apple Watch Ultra can keep up with you as well. The Apple Watch Ultra is designed to operate in temperatures as low as 20^oC and up to 55^oC and built to MIL-STD-810H standards. The Compass App is more comprehensive than ever on the Apple Watch Ultra. You can even view elevation, incline, and even coordinate data as you go along for your long trek. You can even use the Apple Watch Ultra to backtrack just in case you feel like you are not getting anywhere, an 86-decibel siren designed for emergencies can be activated in case users get lost or injured. There is even something called Compass Waypoints; you can drop a point interest in the app to mark a location to create a waypoint. You can also extend its battery life up to 60 hours in Low Power mode in case you need the Apple Watch Ultra to last through your trip.

Built for Divers

The Apple Watch Ultra is not just meant to go high up the mountains too. It can go into depths up to 40m with WR100 and EN 13319 certification. Apple says you can take it to go kitesurfing and wakeboarding. If you are into scuba diving, the Oceanic+ app turns your Apple Watch Ultra into a powerful dive computer. Available later this year, the app runs Bühlmann decompression algorithm. The app also offers personalised user profiles, reports on dive conditions, and a dive logbook that you can share with your friends and family. All these data can also be viewed and synced to your iPhone.

Still an Apple Watch

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Of course, it is still an Apple Watch, you can take calls with it. For that function, the Apple Watch Ultra packs three microphones for improved sound quality and noise cancelling in calls. The Apple Watch Ultra also uses new advanced wind-reduction algorithms to ensure that you can take calls even in the most extreme situations.

There is also the regular heart rate monitor, ECG, Blood Oxygen detection, activity rings, mindfulness and other navigation features that are available on a regular Apple Watch. There are new sensors on the Apple Watch Ultra that is beneficial for women’s health monitoring though. The Apple Watch Ultra includes two new temperature sensors designed to separate noise from outside environment and monitors internal body temperature. Like the iPhone 14, the new Apple Watch Ultra also packs sensors that adds up to Crash Detection function.

Price and Availability

The Apple Watch Ultra will be available in select regions from the 23^rd of September 2022 for US$ 799 (MYR 3,799*) onward. There are no mentions yet on its availability date in Malaysia. You can see the Apple Watch Ultra is featured on the Apple Watch microsite for Malaysia though, indicating that it will eventually be available here. There are no available colour options for the main unit of the Apple Watch, but you can choose from different bands that might suit your chosen activities. For more information on the Apple Watch Ultra, you can visit their website.

*Official Malaysian Pricing

Health, Lifestyle, News

Apple Ups the Ante with New Apple Watch & Fitness+ Expansion

September 15, 2021 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

The Apple Watch has become one of the most popular fitness wearables since its launch. This year, we’re seeing Apple bring some of the most requested features to the smartwatch as well as expanding its fitness offerings with Fitness+.

Apple watch series7 contour face 09142021

Apple watch series7 watchos keyboard 09142021

The Apple Watch Series 7 drops all the vanities for functional upgrades this year. Unlike the version circulating in rumors, the Series 7 continues to have its familiar design with one big difference. It now sports even slimmer bezels and a larger display. Coming at a minute 1.7mm, the bezels on the Apple Watch Series 7 are the slimmest to date – 40% slimmer than the Series 6. The always-on display is also 70% brighter than the series 6 making it easier to see without waking the screen.

To take advantage of the larger display space, Apple is also enabling a full QWERTY keyboard on the Apple Watch. To ease typing the keyboard will take advantage of QuickPath which will allow input by swiping with a single finger. There are also two additional larger font sizes.

In addition, the Apple Watch Series 7 is also coming with new enhancements that are not only more environmentally kind but also more durable. Cupertino is claiming that this is their most durable watch yet. The front of the watch is now made of thicker crystal with, what they say is, a stronger more robust geometry and is 50% thicker than the series 6. It’s more crack-resistant as well. It’s also IP6X dust resistant and maintains its WR50 water resistance rating.

The Apple Watch Series 7 marks a milestone in watch OS as it brings new software features. This time, watch OS 8 brings features that enhanced features that take advantage of the new, hardier build. Apple has enhanced its watch OS algorithms to make tracking cycling more reliable. Using the GPS, heart rate, accelerometer and gyroscope the Apple watch is now able to detect when you start, stop and even have a tumble while cycling. It is also able to detect pedal assist on e-bikes.

Apple Fitness+ Gets More Interactive and Expanded Availability

Together with the new Apple Watch Series 7, Apple is also expanding the availability of their Apple Watch-centered fitness service: Fitness+. Apple Fitness+ will be making its way to 15 new countries including Austria, Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, and Mexico among others.

In addition to the expanded availability, Apple Fitness+ will be introducing even more activities to get you moving. Joining the arsenal of fitness activities is guided meditation and pilates. Users can now get guided meditation sessions to help with mindfulness and stress as well as work on their core and body conditioning with trained experts on Fitness+.

You don’t have to do kick off your fitness journey alone either. Apple Fitness+ is bringing group workouts. You’ll be able to work out with your friends and family thanks to SharePlay. Simply text or FaceTime to set up the session and work out together remotely. You will be able to see your friends’ milestones to celebrate together in group workouts. It will also contribute to your own progress as you work to close that ring!

Pricing & Availability

The Apple Watch Series 7 will be available in 42mm and 45mm versions later this fall. It will be available in five new aluminum case colors: midnight, starlight, green, and a new blue and (PRODUCT)RED. It will also be available in standard stainless steel as well. Prices start at USD$399 (MYR1,659.13).

Apple Fitness+will be available later this year priced at USD$9.99 (MYR41.54) per month or $79.99 (MYR332.63) per year. It’s also included as part of the Apple One Premier Plan which is available for USD$29.95 (MYR124.54). The Apple One Premier subscription also includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, and 2TB of iCloud storage.

Health, iOS, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

[WWDC 2021] Apple Empowers Personalised Health With Improvements to Health App

June 9, 2021 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

Healthcare is getting more personal and as a result, medical professionals require more data than ever to effectively treat diseases. That said, individuals are also becoming more health conscious and have been tracking and collecting data such as sleep times, heart rate, blood oxygenation and more through wearables like the Apple watch. Apple is taking the next step in enhancing their Health app to allow even better insights and secure data sharing.

With the latest update to the Apple Health app on iOS, the company is making proactive strides to putting more actionable data into the hands of its users. The new update to health allows users to gain more insights with trend analysis. The new feature allows users to track and visualise data trends for 20 types of data. This includes cardio fitness, sleep and even resting heart rate. These trends allow Health app users to track and visualise health and lifestyle metrics that are important to them. The Trends feature will also proactively highlight changes in the data that may be significant to users. The changes will be highlighted and surfaced in a way that is easily understood.

Apple is also bringing a new feature called Walking Steadiness. The feature comes in the wake of an increasing number of cases where serious conditions and loss of independence resulting from a fall. A staggering 37 million cases were reported in April 2021 by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The new feature collects mobility data as users use their iPhones. The algorithms assess balance, stability and coordination using the motion sensors of the iPhone. Based on this data, it will return a classification OK, Low or Very Low. The app will then notify users if their steadiness drops below their preset levels and recommend curated, clinically validated visual exercises to increase strength and balance. Joining the steadiness feature is the respiratory rate measurement on the Apple Watch which will allow users to monitor their breathing even when asleep.

Apple’s greatest contribution to personalised health comes with its implementation of Health Sharing. The new feature allows users to share their data with others. While screen capping has always been an option on other platforms, Apple is allowing users to curate and allow visual access to the data to others. This means that users are able to keep an eye on their ageing parents or even share relevant data with their healthcare provider for better care and management of their conditions. It will also allow users to have better, more meaningful conversations with their doctors and allow more effective management. Apple is also including the ability to store vaccination records and tests in the app.

That said, Apple Health isn’t leaving privacy in the lurches. Apple is allowing granular control of the data collected in the Health app to the user. In fact, the company guarantees that the data collected remains private and secure. The data stored is encrypted securely even during sharing and is locked behind a passcode, Face ID or Touch ID on the phone itself. The company guarantees that it doesn’t have any access to the data even when the data is shared.

Accessories, Computers, iOS, Mobile, News

Apple Releases iOS 14.6, iPadOS 14.6, macOS Big Sur 11.4, watchOS 7.5, and tvOS 14.6

May 25, 2021 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

Just about a month after Apple releases the biggest update to iOS in recent history, Apple releases yet another update to the platform alongside their other products like the iPad, mac OS, watch OS, and even tvOS. To be fair, tvOS 14.6 is a minor update that is supposed to improve the general stability and performance of the interface for Apple TV devices. That is at least according to their release notes for the tvOS 14.6. For everything else, the updates are more than just bug fixes despite what the numbers suggest.

iOS 14.6 & iPadOS

iOS 14.6 is not as big as 14.5 in terms of updates. It is also partly a bug fix that fixes issues found on iOS 14.5 such as issues with unlocking your iPhone via your Apple Watch. Some users were reporting that reminders show up as blank lines now even when they have keyed in their information. The new update on both iOS and iPadOS should also improve Bluetooth connections with Bluetooth enabled hardware. Users should also see improvements in device performance with the update.

There are some added features too on iOS 14.6 and iPadOS 14.6. While fixing some early issues with AirTag, the UI now allows users to use their email address for tracking purposes instead of phone numbers. There are added support in Apple Podcast too allowing users on iOS and iPadOS to opt for subscriptions to shows and get extra exclusive contents. There is an added Apple Card support too in the sense that you can now share your Apple Card with up to five members of your family via Apple Card Family. The new function also allows you to keep track of expenses and manage limits. Users can also now unlock their iPhone or iPad for the first time after a restart via their voice.

iOS 14.6 is now available for Apple iPhone 6s and newer. iPadOS 14.6 is also now available for iPad Air 2 and later, 5^th Generation Apple iPad and later, iPad Mini 4 and newer, and the 7^th generation iPod Touch.

watchOS 7.5

Apple’s WatchOS 7.5 received a minor update when Apple released iOS 14.5 too. That minor update that updated WatchOS devices from Apple Watch Series 3 and later to WatchOS 7.4.1 was mostly a security update for the Watch. WatchOS 7.5, in contrast to the iOS and iPadOS updates is more of a feature update.

The Apple WatchOS 7.5 now allows access to subscribed content in the Podcast app for one. You can even manage and track your Apple Card expenses from your Apple Watch. Malaysia is getting some added love in the new WatchOS 7.5 too. Apple Watch Series 4 and later will get ECG app support now in Malaysia. Users of Apple Watch in Malaysia will also now get support for irregular heart rhythm notifications.

The Apple WatchOS 7.5 is now available for Apple Watch Series 3 and later.

macOS Big Sur 11.4

The new macOS Big Sur 11.4 update is also one of Apple’s largest since 11.3 just about a month ago. The update for macOS is more bug fixing than anything else. The new update fixes keyword exclusions when exporting photos from the Photos app. It also fixes certain website viewing issues with Mac devices. It also fixes certain stability issues with PDF documents on macOS 11.3.

On top of the bug fixes, macOS Big Sur 11.4 brings paid subscriptions to Apple Podcast app. You can now pay subscriptions for Podcasts within the ecosystem and get exclusive contents or early access to additional contents from creators. Apple Podcast also introduces channels to group shows from podcast creators.

macOS Big Sur 11.4 is now available on devices running on mac OS Big Sur 11.

iOS, Mobile, News

iOS 14.5 is Out Now! What’s New?

April 27, 2021 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

The latest iOS is out now and it is the biggest iOS update since iOS 14 launched. If you do not know yet, iOS is the thing that allows you to work with your iPhone. The iOS 14.5, as they call it, comes with a whole slew of improvements that could improve your quality of life with your Apple devices.

Unlock You iPhone, Now You Do Not Need Your Face

Unlocking your devices with your face is great. You only need to look at your device when you turn it on, and you are ready to go within 2 seconds of your display turning on. For the Apple iPhone X and newer, Face ID is a blessing because none of those devices come with a fingerprint sensor. Face ID, in the world of modern Apple iPhones, is the only way for you to unlock your Apple iPhone. Obviously that is a problem when you are wearing a mask in this time of pandemic.

Not anymore though. With iOS 14.5 paired to an Apple Watch with WatchOS 7.4, your iPhone can now be unlocked without you even looking into your iPhone. That also means you do not need to take off your mask in the public to unlock your device. Then again, you could just enter your passcode to unlock your iPhone. Using the Apple Watch to unlock is much faster and more elegant way to do it though. You can even require your Apple Watch to be on your wrist for your iPhone to instantly unlock, if you like.

Siri’s New Voices

Siri has a signature voice. That default voice is recognized and loved by many, especially Apple iPhone users. But what if you are one of those that gets annoyed whenever Siri talks to you in its default voice. iOS 14.5 introduces new voices for Siri.

Users now can choose between up to four voices when they first set up their iOS 14.5 device in English. That way, you can choose the Siri that annoys you the least, or the one you like best. That way also your Siri is more “you”.

Siri also now supports Group FaceTime. That means you can ask Siri to initiate FaceTime with a few people at one go, or initiate a FaceTime call with a certain group you have in Messages. When you are using your AirPods or compatible Beats headphones Siri will announce incoming messages to you via your headphones. Siri also supports calling emergency contacts now in conditions where you cannot make calls or in emergency situations.

More Private

There are also more controls over your privacy with iOS 14.5. App Tracking Transparency requires apps to obtain user’s permissions over different tracking requirements for the apps before any tracking is done. It also asks for user’s permission before sharing data across to data brokers or advertisers. You can change the tracking behavior of each app too in Settings.

More Emoji

Source: Apple
Source: Apple

What is an iPhone without its funky emoji? Apple’s commitment to diversification and inclusiveness adds new emoji to iOS 14.5. iOS 14.5 now introduces new couple kissing emoji and couple with heart emoji with different skin tones. There are several new emoji as well including a woman with beard emoji.

Improve Apple Maps with Your Friends and Other Users

Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple

Apple Maps can be made better with user inputs now too. Users can now report incidents on the road quickly and safely. Users can just tell Siri that there is an accident up ahead or even reporting a pothole coming up. Apple Maps could even show if the incident has been cleared up. Of course, if you are a passenger, you can quickly report an incident by hitting the “Report an Issue” button in the app. You can also share your ETA when walking or cycling to let others know their arrival time. Users with Apple CarPlay can also access that function via Siri. Unfortunately, the “Report an Issue” function is now only available for Apple Maps users in US and China only.

And Plenty More

Source: Apple
Source: Apple

Apple Podcast on iOS 14.5 gets a redesign. The redesign allows for more intuitive navigation and even quicker access to your favourite podcasts on the app. You can now save and download episodes just in case you want to listen to your favourite podcasts when you travel. The downloaded podcast will be available in your Library for quicker access.

AirTag is also now supported on iOS 14.5. AirTags was just launched a week ago and it is one of the most convenient ways to keep track of your things, or your child if you want to. AirTags will help you find things like your keys, so it saves you a lot of time when you misplace it, or when it drops somewhere.

Apple News also gets a redesign. The News+ tab is redesigned for users to find, download, and manage magazine or newspaper issues. They have also redesigned Search for more relevant search experiences.

On iOS 14.5, users can also stream audio and video to AirPlay 2 enabled hardware with Apple Fitness+. You can now cast your fitness routine and guides to supported TVs instead of viewing them from the small display that is your iPhone. You can get loud and clear instructions via a wireless speaker rather than struggling with the speakers from the iPhone.

iOS 14.5 also include Dual SIM support for 5G connectivity. The new interface also improves data consumption to allow for a better and more efficient use of your monthly data quota. That is not all though, Smart Data Mode improves battery life and is supposed to allow for more stable data experience.

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AppleCare Overview

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Time to Install iOS 16.4

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Even Longer Battery Life

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iOS 14.6 & iPadOS

watchOS 7.5

macOS Big Sur 11.4

Unlock You iPhone, Now You Do Not Need Your Face

Siri’s New Voices

More Private

More Emoji

Improve Apple Maps with Your Friends and Other Users

And Plenty More

Tech Your Way