Millions of people around the world tuned into watch Apple unveil its latest offering, the iPhone 16.
The iPhone is arguably the world’s most popular phone and every year around September, the world anticipates the grand reveal.
“iPhone 16 raises the bar for what iPhone can do,” proclaimed Tim Cook, the chief executive of Apple Inc said of their latest market offering.
As predicted, the entire iPhone 16 series gets a new Camera Control button which will allow users to perform a range of actions within the camera app with just a single click.
With this button, you won't have to tap your display or press one of the volume buttons to take a snap or a recording.
Additionally, the Action Button that debuted on the iPhone 15 Pro models has been added to the base models of the iPhone 16, powered by the new Apple 18 chip.
This button, which replaces the previously Mute Switch, is customizable and can be set to have different functions at different times of the day.
You can also set it up to activate the flashlight or a Voice Memos recording, or even trigger the Shortcuts feature and, starting in iOS 18, you can also use it to adjust a Control Center setting.
The most anticipated Apple Intelligence marks a new era for both the iPhone and Siri.
“The next generation of iPhone has been designed for Apple Intelligence, from the ground up,” said Cook.
This AI-powered functionality will allow Siri to better understand you in a more personal context, and engage in more natural conversation instead of only responding to simple commands like “call mom”.
“With Siri’s personal context, understanding and action capabilities, you’ll be able to simply say, ‘Send Erica the photos from Saturday’s barbecue,’ and Siri will dig up the photos and send them right off," said Apple SVP of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi.
With its advanced understanding of your Apple products and features, Siri will also be able to offer tech support and functionality will be improved.
Unlike new iPhones though, Apple Intelligence will be a slower rollout, the first set of features will be available in beta mode in October, with more features rolling out in the coming months.
The other gadgets in the Apple ecosystem that were announced on Monday include the Apple Watch 10, with a much bigger and brighter screen, a sleekier thinner body, and some new exciting colours.
The improved functionality of the watch makes it able to detect sleep apnea, a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts while one is in slumber.
And for the first time ever, its speakers can be used to play your favourite music and podcasts out loud.
The Apple Airpods 4 (fourth generation) and Airpods 4 Active Noise Cancellation were also launched, with a slight redesign that promises a more comfortable wear, plus improved audio including the biggest feature,spatial audio which was only available on the best selling and more premium AirPods Pro.
The Airpods Pro 2 and Airpod Max will not be getting a new model, however, Pro 2 will be updated with new health features including a hearing test which could help diagnose potential issues, and, from later this year, a hearing aid model, while the Max will be getting new colours, plus some extra health capabilities.
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus start at $799 and $899 respectively, with 128GB base storage, while the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will start at $999 and $1,199, and will be available on September 20.
Local pricing in South Africa has yet to be announced.
IOL