Today, Apple announced several upgrades to the company's most popular devices. From the thinnest Apple Watch ever to a new generation of AirPods, here is a quick rundown of what was revealed:

Apple Watch Series 10: Bigger, Better, and More Capable

• Apple Watch Series 10 offers the largest display on an Apple Watch ever while also being the thinnest Apple Watch ever.
• The always-on display now updates once every second rather than once a minute.
• Users can now play media such as music and podcasts directly through the speaker on the watch itself.
• WatchOS 11 adds Training Load to user's fitness metrics so that athletes can monitor when to push themselves and when to recover. For those who enjoy water activities, the watch is now water resistant up to 50 meters and includes tide and depth apps.
• Watch OS 11 will also offer the translation app and sleep apnea detection.

Apple Watch Ultra 2: Features for Adventurers

• The updated Apple Watch Ultra 2 now comes in a new satin black titanium finish paired with a dark zirconia back crystal and a corrosion-resistant titanium Milanese loop strap designed for scuba divers.
• WatchOS 11 will support offline maps, allowing users to navigate without needing an iPhone nearby.

AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2: Comfort Meets Hearing Health

• Apple's AirPods 4 feature the same open-ear design but with an updated shape that aims to be the most comfortable AirPods ever.
• Sound is improved with higher highs and lower lows.
• Siri users can respond to the smart assistant by nodding their heads yes or shaking their head no.
• Cases for both the AirPods 4 and AirPods 2 use a USB-C connector but are also compatible with wireless chargers.
• For those seeking an open design but with more advanced features without upgrading to the Pro model, Apple is now offering a version of AirPods with active noise cancellation and transparency mode.
• Updates to the AirPods Pro 2 center around hearing health technology and feature a clinically validated hearing test that can be used as an over-the-counter hearing aid that personalizes sound to each individual's ears as well as protect from unsafe levels of noise.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro: Bigger Displays, Enhanced Performance

• The new iPhone 16 offers an wide range of brightness from a low of 1 nit to a high of 2000 nits and offers a display with a glass ceramic shield that is 50% tougher than its predecessors.
• Both the iPhone and iPhone 16 Pro feature a 48-megapixel fusion camera and a camera control sensor so that users can capture each moment quicker and easier than ever.
• The customizable action button on both iPhone and iPhone 16 Pro can be programmed to a number of purposes such as turning on the flashlight, opening the camera, and even automatically change actions for morning and night.
• The iPhone 16 Pro boasts the largest display yet and contains the powerful new A18 Pro chip that delivers a 30% boost in performance.
• iOS 18 expands upon the Emergency SOS feature to now allow users to send messages via satellite and share live video with 911 operators.

Apple’s enhancements to its Emergency SOS solution push the boundaries of personal safety and security. Emergency features on smartphones and smart watches are expanding a category once led by medical alert buttons. Parks Associates researchfinds that 20% of households use an app or device that was developed in the event of an emergency or security threat.

Among them, the first-choice solution is a smartphone app, followed by a smart watch. Parks Associates research also finds that the majority of those intending to purchase a wearable device would pay more for a model that detected if they fell and needed help, sending an SOS alert to a personal contact or emergency services.

The integration of advanced sensors in smartphones and wearable devices is driving growth of real-time emergency assistance services and expanding on demand for peace-of-mind solutions commonly found through security systems, cameras, and video doorbells in the home.

Apple Intelligence: Ushering in a New Era of AI

Apple’s is no stranger to AI, but in keeping with its historical product development culture, has taken a slower path to generative AI as early trials and bugs are worked out by others.  In October, the company will release Apple Intelligence, which offers personalized language generation, real-time image and emoji creation, visual search, and more. Siri has also been updated to offer a more natural, conversational experience, complete with visual intelligence capabilities and the ability to speak to the assistant via voice or text.

Apple Intelligence features will operate on a private cloud. Apple promises that user data is never shared with the company and is only used for the users' requests. Apple’s campaign to be the consumers’ trusted technology partner may ultimately be what sets it apart in the AI race.