The Daily Observer London Desk: Reporter- John Furner
The newly unveiled updated Apple Watch Series 9 will be Apple’s first-ever carbon neutral gadget that requires a simple tap of two fingers to work.
The device, which will become available on September 22, was also made using renewable materials and clean energy, leading to a 75 percent decrease in the amount of carbon waste emitted.
And for the first time, users will be able to control the watch simply by tapping together the index finger and thumb on their watch hand.
The Series 9 will start at $399 while the Apple Watch SE will run you $249. The Ultra 2 model will set you back $799.
The Series 9 was designed with the tech giant’s most powerful chip – the S9-Chp – that is twice as fast as the one introduced in 2022
Apple Watch Series 9 is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes in starlight, midnight, silver and a new pink aluminum case, as well as stainless steel in gold, silver and graphite cases
Second to the newly unveiled iPhone 15, the new Apple watches were the stars of Tuesday’s big reveal in Cupertino, California.
The double-tap touchless feature made the biggest splash.
The user need only tap their two fingers together to answer or end a call, set a timer, play music, or snooze an alarm. The small action also allows the user to take a photo with the camera remote on the watch.
The gesture feature relies on the company’s machine learning algorithm called Neural Engine which uses an accelerometer to measure the vibration between the fingers and a heart sensor to detect unique wrist movements and changes in blood flow where the two fingers tap together.
Apple Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams said: ‘We’re introducing our best Apple Watch lineup, with incredible new capabilities and technological advancements, including a new double tap gesture, brighter display, on-device Siri, as well as our first-ever carbon neutral products.
‘Whether users are upgrading from earlier models or buying their first, there’s never been a more compelling time to experience Apple Watch.’
Apple kicked off its annual September product event with emotional stories of people whose lives were saved by its Apple Watch – and then revealed the new Apple Watch Series 9
Simply touching two fingers together is enough to answer calls, snooze an alarm, play or stop music, and top timers
Apple also touted its environmentalism wins that propelled it closer to its goal to make all of its products carbon-neutral by 2030.
The watch was made using 100 percent clean electricity while a third was made using recycled or renewable materials, which Apple boasts resulted in a 75 percent decrease in the amount of carbon emissions produced in manufacturing and shipping.
A company statement said: ‘Emissions were reduced from the three biggest sources of greenhouse gases — materials, electricity, and transportation.
‘The small amount of emissions remaining are offset with high-quality carbon credits from nature-based projects.
‘Apple Watch packaging has been redesigned to be 100 percent fiber-based, and a new logo on the packaging indicates models that are carbon neutral.’
While the company touted its strides toward meeting its eco-conscious goal, the Tuesday reveal follows years of bad press regarding Apple’s reliance on inhumane working practices in cobalt mines in Africa.
Cobalt is used in a wide array of mobile phones and electric vehicles – almost every tech gadget that uses a lithium-powered battery.
The annual reveal has been a company staple since the original iPhone was unveiled in 2007. The unveiling of the new iPhone 15, which features an updated camera, a brighter retina display, new colors, and a range of other additions, was the headlining event.
