GoKawiil
Tech News
Apple has released watchOS 27.0.1, a software update targeted only at Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 devices. According to Apple's release notes, the update addresses a bug causing some watches to restart unexpectedly. The issue had been reported by multiple users on Reddit and other forums, who described their new watches restarting several times a day.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple has postponed work on a wearable AI pendant that would have included a camera and microphone to feed visual and audio data to Siri. The device was designed to be worn as a necklace or clipped to clothing, serving as an always-on companion to the iPhone. Apple is instead prioritizing AI features on Apple Watch, with AirPods featuring cameras and smart glasses reportedly planned for 2027.
Apple's new Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 use a Health Sensing System that samples heart rate every five seconds instead of every five minutes, requiring the optical sensor's green light to flash almost continuously. To avoid that light being visible in dark settings, Theater Mode automatically slows heart rate readings back to five-minute intervals, but a new setting lets users override this and keep continuous measurements.
Apple's official refurbished store is now selling the entry-level 2026 Studio Display with a Tilt-adjustable stand for $1,359, down $240 from its $1,599 list price, though supplies appear limited. The deal arrives alongside other launch-week discounts, including AirPods Pro 3 at $50 off timed to iPhone 18 Pro delivery day, early markdowns on the new Apple Watch Ultra 4 and M6 Mac mini, and a $50 discount on the upcoming 2026 Mac Studio ahead of its release.
Apple has built native live step tracking directly into the watch face on the new Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, joining live heart rate as a standard complication option from the Fitness app. Previously, step data was only viewable inside the Fitness or Health apps, even though third-party apps like Pedometer++ had offered on-face step counts for years.
Apple's newly released Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 do not appear on the supported hardware list for the handwashing detection and timer feature, even though the feature remains active in watchOS 27 and Apple Health on older models like Series 11 and Ultra 3. It's unclear whether this is an intentional hardware limitation or simply an oversight in Apple's documentation.
WIRED's testing of the Apple Watch Ultra 4 found it shares nearly all core health and safety features with the new Series 12, thanks to the same Health Sensing System and S11 chip powering both devices. The Ultra 4 retains its multiday battery, Action button, and satellite messaging as its main distinctions, but pricing stays at $799 with no new case finishes this generation.
Apple's newest lineup—iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, and AirPods 5—hit store shelves and retailers worldwide today. CEO John Ternus marked the occasion by opening Apple's Fifth Avenue flagship in New York alongside retail chief Deirdre O'Brien and marketing head Greg Joswiak. Online orders for the new iPhones face multi-week delays, though in-store pickup is available in many locations.
Alongside launching the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5, Apple has rolled out its complete range of first-party accessories. This includes multiple Silicone and TechWoven case options with MagSafe support in various colors for both new iPhone models, priced at $49 and $59 respectively.
Apple's Watch Ultra 4 introduces a revamped sensor system with five-second heart rate readings, an improved pedometer, and a new Readiness feature that combines recent activity and sleep data. Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 counters with an expanded Vitals suite in its Health app, offering daily blood pressure estimates, a Heart Health Score, antioxidant readings, and trail-running hydration guidance. Both devices share core safety tools like Emergency SOS, fall detection, and alert sirens, though only Apple's watch adds crash detection.
Apple's latest Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 keep familiar shapes but introduce a new underlying Health Sensing System aimed at improving health tracking accuracy. The Series 12 gets a roughly 2% smaller display area, a slightly wider case, Ceramic Shield 2 glass on aluminum models, and four new aluminum finishes including Dark Bronze and Light Gold. Ultra 4 retains its titanium build in Natural and Black finishes.
Amazon has launched early pre-order discounts across the newly announced Apple lineup, including AirPods 5 with ANC dropping to $125 and AirPods Pro 3 at $199. Multiple Apple Watch Series 12 configurations and the black Apple Watch Ultra 4 with a Translucent band are also seeing modest price cuts ahead of this week's deliveries. Separately, B&H is offering between $320 and $450 off select M5 and M5 Pro MacBook Pro configurations, while Amazon has $150 off the M5 MacBook Air and various Anker charging accessories on sale.