GoKawiil
Tech News
Apple's newly reported Series 12 reportedly introduces two significant hardware changes compared to the Series 11, enabling a range of software features exclusive to the newer model. These upgrades reportedly touch on sensors and design elements that unlock new AI-driven capabilities not available on the previous generation.
Apple's new AirPods 5 are now available for pre-order at $129 and $149, but Best Buy is offering trade-in credit that can bring the price down to as low as $64. Meanwhile, the flagship AirPods Pro 3 remain on sale for $199, and other discounts include $330 off a Studio Display XDR, a Ceramic Apple Watch Series 12 markdown, and AirTags returning to $20 each.
Apple's new Ultra 4 keeps the same design as Ultra 3 but adds a new S11 chip, doubles RAM to 4GB, and introduces a redesigned Health Sensing System with upgraded heart rate and HRV tracking. New features include high-frequency background heart rate monitoring, a heart rate watch face complication, more frequent HRV readings, a new Recovery HRV metric, and more accurate real-time step tracking.
Apple published a detailed study comparing the heart rate sensing of its new Health Sensing System in Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 against rivals like Garmin, Google Pixel Watch, Huawei, Samsung, WHOOP, and Oura Ring. The test involved over 1,400 participants across five sites in the US and Malaysia, using a Polar H10 chest strap as the accuracy benchmark during activities like running, cycling, HIIT, and daily tasks.
Apple used its latest launch event, led by new CEO John Ternus, to unveil the iPhone Duo, its first foldable phone, alongside updated iPhone 18 Pro models with a variable aperture camera and new Apple Watches featuring an expanded sensor array. The Watches also gain an always-on microphone capable of summarizing conversations, a feature The Verge's team discussed at length on this week's Vergecast alongside a segment on running local AI models on Mac.
Apple has started taking preorders for its new AirPods 5 earbuds ahead of a September 18th launch, the same day as the Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4, and iPhone 18 Pro lineup. The lineup includes a $129 standard model that now includes active noise cancellation, a feature previously reserved for pricier variants, and a $149 upgraded version with wireless charging, longer battery life, and stem-based touch controls for volume.
Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 at its Sept. 9 event, both running WatchOS 27 with features that work independently of a paired iPhone. Unlike this year's iPhones, which saw price increases, both watches kept their previous starting prices—$400 for the Series 12 and $800 for the Ultra 4—with preorders open now and shipping Sept. 18.
In a special episode of Happy Hour, Benjamin Mayo and Chance Miller share hands-on impressions of Apple's newly unveiled iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12 and AirPods 5, including reporting from Apple Park. The episode also examines how John Ternus handled his first product event as Apple's CEO.
Apple's Audio Intelligence suite on the Watch Series 12 introduces Live Rewind, which captures the last 15 seconds of nearby audio via a double-press of the Digital Crown, transcribes it on a paired iPhone, and discards the raw audio. A companion feature, Siri Recap, generates AI-written summaries of conversations heard throughout the day. Apple says an audible chime and on-screen animation alert people nearby, but does not obtain explicit consent from every speaker captured.
WIRED's Uncanny Valley podcast examines a viral resignation from an Anthropic researcher who argued AI could plausibly cause human extinction within ten years. The episode also covers Apple's newly unveiled $2,000 foldable iPhone Duo, privacy concerns around 'always listening' Apple Watch features, and a WIRED investigation into flawed Census Bureau data cited by the Trump administration.
Apple released a condensed 95-second highlight video summarizing its 'Surprise and Shine' event, which ran nearly 80 minutes and introduced the foldable iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, and AirPods 5 with Active Noise Cancellation. Alongside the short recap, Apple posted individual segment videos for each product announcement on its YouTube channel.
Apple introduced AppleCare One Family, a new device protection plan launching September 14 that covers unlimited Apple devices for up to six people under one household for a flat $50 monthly fee. The plan includes AppleCare Plus perks such as unlimited accidental damage repairs, 24/7 expert support, and up to two theft or loss claims annually for iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. It covers nearly all Apple hardware, including Macs, AirPods, HomePod, Apple TV, and Vision Pro.