iPhone 14 and 14 Pro launch live Q+A — all the insight from on the ground

 

(Image credit: Future)

Right, it’s nearly time – we’re here, in the auditorium, with Lance Ulanoff and me, Gareth Beavis, bringing you all the information as it happens.

If you’ve been with us since the early hours, the build up is now over and it’s time to see what Apple’s going to show off.

We’re pretty certain it’s going to be the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Plus (not the Max, it seems) and the iPhone 14 Pro.

On top of that, let’s get ready for multiple Apple Watches, a new set of AirPods and multiple other devices… stick with us for all the news as it happens, and answering all your questions from Twitter if you ping us over on @techradar… go do it!

(Image credit: TechRadar)

OK, so we’re ten minutes from the launch, I’ve been outside in the sweltering heat for too long and am starting to crisp… but this is one of the big, tentpole moments of the year – being in the Steve Jobs Theater to see new iPhones being launched.

And this is more special as it’s been three years since the last one of these – man, I’m going to enjoy it.

Or weep at the speed of having to type. Lance is just next to me taking pictures and having a lovely time… I hope he starts doing something useful in a moment.

(Image credit: Future)

Ok, he’s already given me some good info – Lance has been checking out the crowd and has ‘spotted nobody interesting yet’. Not sure who he’s loking for to be honest, but he’s looking hard.

He did just run into Phil Schiller, so that’s nice.

The lights just dimmed, and we were told to prepare for the event to start. We’re both near a restroom, but there’s zero chance of us doing that. Game time. Here come Tim!

We’ve just been told: “hope you enjoy the film…” does that mean this is going to be a pre-record?

(Image credit: Future)

Looks that way – Tim is now on the video, telling us that we’re going to be seeing new iPhones, AirPods and Apple Watch, and how the headphones connect the two.

This is showing that three devices are becoming more of a simple situation where you need to do things like setting destination on their Watch and pick it up on the go.

I’ve never seen Apple so clear about what a launch is going to be about – and ‘this is something that only Apple can do.’

OK, so we’re starting with the Apple Watch. Is this going to be the shortest launch of all time? Or is it just there will be so many things coming.

Ah, the old video talking about how Apple Watch saved a life or two.

These are some nice stories. A plane crash, a bear attack, being stuck in a trash compactor, a Watch that spotted a heart issue… inventing something that managed to save a single life has to be a good thing to have made, right?

(Image credit: Future)

Right, we’re going to hear about ‘what’s next’ now.

It’s the Apple Watch Series 8 to start – what’s going to be different though?

We’ve heard about the extra robustness on the front, making it swim and dustproof… but I don’t know if that’s actually anything new.

(Image credit: Apple)

Right, the temperature sensor is in there, and it’s to help women’s health. It’s good to see a proper reason to put this in.

This new sensor will able to help further with menstrual cycle tracking, and the extra features will go deeper into things like ovulation – and there’s a lot of push on how this data is secure and private. That’s pretty clear.

(Image credit: Apple)

There are two sensors, one on the back and one on the front, with the wrist able to retroactively spot ovulation – and it’ll check every 5 seconds while you sleep, and it’ll show changes to things down to 0.1 degrees of temperature.

It’s good to see this being done on the wrist – new and automatic ovulation estimates and notifications of possible cycle deviations, like prolonged periods or spotting that could be a separate health symptom.

Again, more talking about privacy here – meaning that Apple can’t decrypt the data and can’t read it. Only with explicit permission can it be shared… all of this is clearly designed to make sure women worried in the US since Roe vs Wade are able track things securely.

Now, we’re onto car crashes…

(Image credit: Apple)

OK, you’re going to be getting Crash Detection, which can alert close contacts and emergency services.

There are two new sensors in the Watch 8, with a g-force accelerometer, with over 200G of impact able to be spotted. And it can spot them four times faster, so the notifications can come quicker.

Apple has been studying many different kinds of crash testing, from head-on to rolling, and used machine learning to add in the sensor to GPS and microphone listening and work out when you’re crashing – and only processes data on the Watch when you’re driving and only in a crash situation.

(Image credit: Apple)

This launch is whipping by now… there’s a lot coming I feel.

Oh, still got an 18-hour battery life. But this time we’re finally getting Low Power Mode, which will boost things up to 36 hours, while still allowing fitness tracking and fall detection, but dropping always on display and auto-workouts.

This will come to older models as well (we both missed how long back it’ll go).

There are four colors, midnight ,starlight, silver and red. Plus silve, gold and graphite for the stainless steel models too.

(Image credit: Apple)

New Nike+ versions again, with ‘Just Do It’ woven into the band, and there’s new (and very expensive) Hermes bands coming too.

That’s not a huge update to this – but it’s starting at $399 for GPS only, and $499 for the cellular model. You can order it today and then get it from September 16.

(Image credit: Apple)

I wonder how many people go for the Nike+ and Hermes bands… actually, enough of that chat. We’re onto the Watch SE.

It’s coming in silver, midnight and starlight in aluminum – with the back case made of ‘nylon’ composite that match the color of the case.

That’s a quick overview.

(Image credit: Apple)

There’s nothing here that’s really news – 30% larger than the Watch 3 seems to be the same as the previous model, but it is coming with the new chip inside the Watch 8, making it 20% faster than previous.

The watch will cost $249 for GPS and $299 for cellular – and again, you can order from today and get it on September 16.

And here comes the Watch Pro…

This is a Watch ‘years in the making’ and designed for higher endurance. Here comes a video…

It’s a lot of mist and close up images of the new Watch. There’s the new button on the side, there’s the bulge on the right-hand side…

It’s being shown in hot and cold temps, in the desert. Apple Watch Ultra!

(Image credit: Apple)

Didn’t see that name coming., 

It’s made from titanium, and that extends around the sapphire display, which protrudes from the top.

It’s got the biggest and brighest display – with the ‘action’ button on the side in orange.

The digital crown is larger and has larger grooves to be easier to use – there’s a second speaker for higher volume for voice calls in windy conditions.

And every Watch Ultra has a cellular connection, and it can last for 36 hours or 60 hours if you use a new battery optimization setting coming later this fall.