It’s nearly the fall, which means many of us are thinking about the usual things: going back to school, squeezing in some last minute warm weather activities, and – of course – Apple’s (AAPL) upcoming September release event.
Ok, so maybe not all of us have got the latter at the forefront of our mind, but for tech enthusiasts and people looking for exciting product releases, Apple’s annual product launch is an exciting time of the year.
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Each September, Apple hosts a one day extravaganza for reporters, tech wonks, and Apple fans to behold. Typically, these events are held in person (though Covid forced some launches virtual) – but it doesn’t take long for word to spread throughout the globe that there’s a new iPhone, Apple Watch, or iPad coming.
New products usually hit the shelves just in time for the holiday buying season, and people clamor to get their hands on the latest and greatest model of whatever it is they’ve been hoping for.
Sometimes, though, Apple surprises us with something nobody expected or knew they needed. Take, for instance, wireless AirPods. Up until around 2017, nobody really thought they needed wireless ear buds. It seemed like a good way to lose your personalized audio space to a careless load of laundry. Now, however, AirPods are everywhere, and you’d be hard pressed to find a young professional who doesn’t have a pair for their commutes each day.
Apple’s highly anticipated new Watch
While Apple enjoys the element of surprise and delight, oftentimes new products are leaked or uncovered by curious analysts ahead of time.
Apple’s series 10 Watch, or the Apple Watch X, is expected to be released this September with a host of new upgrades, just in time for its 10th anniversary.
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Analysts and Apple watchers are expecting that the Series 10 will feature a much larger, two-inch screen display with thinner bezels and more capabilities, like a blood pressure monitor that’s long awaited (some of Apple Watch’s competitors already have one).
But not everybody wants bigger or more expensive. Some people simply want more durability, increased battery life, or more capabilities.
New Apple Watch may look very different
According to some Apple insiders, the tech giant may be looking to release a cheaper and potentially more durable model of its Watch in the very near future.
The update will come to the Apple Watch SE, a more affordable (albeit less capable) watch model that will likely be released in September. Insiders say Apple is toying with the idea of making the newest SE model out of plastic materials instead of aluminum, which will allow for a wider variety of colors and potentially market better to children.
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“The company is also working on a new version of its lower-cost Apple Watch SE model, which it last updated in 2022,” Apple insider Mark Gurman writes. “One idea that the company has tested is swapping out the aluminum shell in favor of rigid plastic. Perhaps it’s looking to get the cost down to something that could better rival Samsung’s cheapest watch, the $199 Galaxy Watch FE.”
The SE currently retails for $249 and comes in three case finishes: Starlight, Midnight, and Silver. It’s likely that if Apple does decide to move forward with a new plastic casing, it’ll come in brighter, more eye catching colors that would appeal to a younger demographic. Though it’s unlikely Apple will directly market the product to children.
FitBit, one of the originators of the wearable fitness device, came out with a wearable children’s watch in May. The FitBit Ace LTE retails for $230 and specifically markets younger wearers, with fun and pragmatic features like:
Durable, plastic materialsPhysical activity recognition, including play timeInteractive 3D games on screen that encourages more movementGPS tracking for parentsCustomizable characters called EejiesClosable “Noodle” loop to encourage daily activity goalsCompatible with Fitbit Ace App, which allows parents or guardians to call, send and receive text and voice messagesWater resistant up to 50 meters
It’s still unclear as to whether Apple will add more features to a new SE watch or bring the price down to tempt new customers.
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