Tag: apple watch ultra

Apple Watch Ultra With microLED Display Cancelled, Employees Laid Off: Ming-Chi Kuo

Apple has long been rumoured to be working on microLED displays for its flagship Watch Ultra smartwatch. Last month, reports said that the Cupertino, California-based company had delayed the Apple Watch Ultra with microLED display beyond 2026 over supply chain issues. Now, the iPhone maker is said to have cancelled the project altogether. According to a reliable analyst, Apple has abandoned the project as it struggled to make the product economically viable and has also laid off several people from the development team.

The information comes from TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who claimed in a post on X late Friday that Apple had scrapped the microLED Apple Watch Ultra project. Apple was struggling to see how the high-end displays would bring value to the watch as production costs on the project kept climbing, Kuo said. “… Apple thinks that Micro LED can’t add significant value to this product, and the production costs are too high to make it economically viable,” the analyst claimed.

Kuo also said that Apple had laid off “many people” from the microLED development team. Apple has not confirmed the development and it is unclear how many employees have been laid off. “There’s currently no visibility on any Micro LED-related projects,” Kuo added.

The reported cancellation of the microLED Apple Watch Ultra project, if true, would represent yet another blow to the company’s ambitions after Apple scrapped its decade-long electric car project earlier this week. “It’s undoubtedly a major setback for Apple, which hopes to own the next generation of display technology to make its products more competitive,” Kuo said.

According to Kuo, Austrian manufacturer asm-OSRAM was Apple’s exclusive LED chip supplier for microLEDs. Now, with the project cancelled, Apple does not intend to manufacture microLED-equipped devices in the foreseeable future, Kuo added.

An official update from Osram also hints at the cancellation of the microLED Apple Watch project. The company said in a press release (as spotted by GSMArena) that it was reassessing its microLED strategy after a “cornerstone project underpinning its microLED strategy got unexpectedly cancelled.”

Last month, a Korean publication reported that the Apple Watch with a microLED display had been delayed beyond 2026, with a 2027 release also far from certain. The report said that Apple had not been able to finalise the component supply chain required to make microLED displays for the Watch Ultra.

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Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2 With S9 SiP, Double Tap Gesture Launched in India : Details

Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 were launched at the company’s ‘Wonderlust’ event on Tuesday (September 12). The new Apple Watch Series 9 arrives as the tenth iteration in the series of smartwatches launched by the Cupertino giant. The new models look quite similar to the Apple Watch Series 8. However, it does boast new hardware features that are touted to deliver improved performance. Apple’s new wearables include the Apple S9 SiP (system in package). The Apple Watch Series 9 is offered in 41mm and 45mm sizes, while the Apple Watch Ultra is launched in 49mm size. They include support for the WatchOS 10 software version as well. 

Apple Watch Series 9 price, availability

The Apple Watch Series 9 price starts at Rs. 41,900 in India. It has an initial price tag of $399 (roughly Rs. 33,000) in the US. The wearable comes in five shades — Midnight, Starlight, Silver, (Product) Red, and a new Pink.

The second-generation Apple Watch Ultra 2 is priced at Rs. 89,900 in India. In the US, it’ll cost you $799 (roughly Rs. 64,000). 

Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are currently up for pre-orders. They will go on sale starting Friday, September 22. 

To recall, the Apple Watch Series 8 GPS was launched with a price tag of $399 (roughly Rs. 31,800) in the US and Rs. 45,900 in India. The Apple Watch Ultra was unveiled last year for Rs. 89,900. It is priced at $799 (roughly Rs, 63,600) in the US.

Apple Watch Series 9 specifications, features

The Apple Watch Series 9 comes in 41mm and 45mm case options. Like the previous Watch Series 7 and Watch Series 8 models, they have the always-on Retina display with up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness. It is claimed to deliver up to 18 hours of battery life on a single charge. 

The smartwatch is powered by a new Apple S9 SiP (system in package) with a second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip. Apple claims that the new chip is 60 percent faster than the Apple Watch Series 8. The new wearable allows users to access their health data through Siri. It comes with a “Double Tap” gesture that lets users answer or end a call, stop a timer, snoozer alarm, control music, access camera and more just by tapping their thumb and index finger fingers together. Fuelled by Digital Crown and Taptic Engine, the Double Tap feature will also allow users to open the Smart Stack from the watch face and scroll through widgets in the stack. Further, the wearable also has the ability to ping the user’s iPhone. It can be integrated with HomePod as well.

The Apple Watch Series 9 runs watchOS 10 and the new operating system comes with redesigned apps, a fresh Smart Stack, new watch faces, new cycling and hiking features, and tools to support mental health. Further, the smartwatch comprises a four-core Neural Engine that can process machine learning tasks faster than previous Watch Series 8 models. It is also said to make dictation up to 25 percent more accurate than the Apple Watch Series 8.

The new model is claimed to be Apple’s first carbon-neutral product. 

Apple Watch Ultra 2 specifications, features

The second-generation Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a 49mm case with an improved Retina display that now offers up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness. Like the Apple Watch Series 9, the latest Apple Watch Ultra 2 also runs on the S9 SiP. The flagship smartwatch also comes with advanced features like on-device Siri processing and improved location tracking. 

The Apple Watch Ultra is said to deliver up to 36 hours of battery life during normal use.

Apple unveiled its first mixed reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro, at its annual developer conference, along with new Mac models and upcoming software updates. We discuss all the most important announcements made by the company at WWDC 2023 on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
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Apple Watch Series 9, Watch Ultra (2nd Gen) to Sport New Heart Rate Sensor, U2 Chip: Mark Gurman

Apple Watch Series 9 and the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra are expected to go official on September 12 during the ‘Wonderlust’ event. The new Watch Series 9 is believed to bring a number of improvements over Apple Watch Series 8. Now, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims that the upcoming smartwatches will use a new version of Apple’s optical heart rate sensor. The Apple Watch Series 9 is said to come in 42mm and 45mm sizes, while the Apple Watch Ultra could be offered in a 49mm size.

In his latest weekly Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman says that Apple’s Watch Series 9 and the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra will be equipped with a new optical heart rate sensor. This would be a significant upgrade from the third-gen heart rate sensor on the Watch Series 8 and last year’s Watch Ultra. Further, the smartwatches will reportedly get various sensors and other internal component upgrades.

Gurman states that the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra will look similar to its predecessors. The former will reportedly debut in 42mm and 45mm sizes. The Apple Watch Ultra, on the other hand, could be available in a 49mm size and is expected to be made with more recycled materials and have a black colour option.

Like the iPhone 15 series, the new wearables will reportedly pack the U2 ultrawide-band chip for improved Find My capabilities. Additionally, Gurman says the new models will get their first new chip since 2020’s Series 6.

As part of an environmental push, materials for the stainless steel models of Apple Watch Series 9 will be reportedly made with a new manufacturing process based on 3D printing. The second-generation Ultra could be shifted to this process next year. Moreover, the Cupertino-based company is reportedly shifting away from some of its leather watch bands and it might update or discontinue its stainless steel link bracelets from the 2015 watch.

Apple will host its ‘Wonderlust’ launch event on Tuesday, September 12. The event will start at 10:30pm IST at Apple Park in California and will be livestreamed through the company’s YouTube channel and the Apple.com website. The iPhone 15 series and second-generation AirPods Pro model are also expected to be unveiled alongside the new Apple Watch Ultra (2nd Gen) and Apple Watch Series 9 models.

Apple launched the iPad Pro (2022) and the iPad (2022) alongside the new Apple TV this week. We discuss the company’s latest products, along with our review of the iPhone 14 Pro on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
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Apple Watch Ultra (2nd Gen), Apple Watch Series 9 Could Be Available in New Colour Options, Tipster Claims

Apple Watch Ultra (2nd Gen) and Apple Watch Series 9, the company’s rumoured smartwatch upgrades for 2023 could make their debut in new colour options, according to a new leak. The next generation of smartwatches from the Cupertino company were previously tipped feature a new processor. The successors to the Apple Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch Series 8 could debut in a one new colourway for the Titanium chassis, and two new options for the aluminium body and stainless steel body.

According to a post on X by tipster ShrimpApplePro (@VNchocoTaco), the Apple Watch Series 9 could be launched in five colour variants this year for the aluminium body — Midnight, Starlight, (Product) Red, Silver and Pink. Meanwhile, the stainless steel option could be available in Gold, Graphite, and Silver colourways. There are no major updates on design, as compared to the Apple Watch Series 8, according to the leaker.

The post also corroborates an earlier report that claimed the Apple Watch Series 9 would be powered by a new chip. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently claimed that the successor to the Apple Watch Series 8 would be powered by a new S9 processor, the first major upgrade since the company’s S6 chip.

On the other hand, the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra model is also said to bear a close resemblance to its predecessor. The leaker claims there will be an additional Black colour variant for the titanium chassis, apart from the standard Titanium colour option.

The tipster has also hinted at the launch of a new iPad at the company’s next launch event, which could be iPad mini (7th Gen). However, details on the purported tablet are currently unknown. The iPhone maker has not announced a timeline for the launch of the purported Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra (2nd Gen) or the upcoming iPhone 15 series of smartphones, but an announcement could be made by the company in the coming weeks.

Apple unveiled its first mixed reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro, at its annual developer conference, along with new Mac models and upcoming software updates. We discuss all the most important announcements made by the company at WWDC 2023 on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
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Pebble Cosmos Engage Smartwatch With 1.95-Inch Display, Bluetooth Calling Launched in India: Details

Pebble has launched its latest smartwatch, the Pebble Cosmos Engage, in India. The smartwatch looks suspiciously similar to the Apple Watch Ultra. Pebble’s latest smartwatch has a similar design, metal casing, and the striking orange straps like the Apple Watch Ultra. The Cosmos Engage features a 1.95-inch IPS always-on rectangular display with 320×385 pixel resolution. Pebble also claims the watch is IP67 rated for water and dust resistance. Just like the Apple Watch Ultra, the Pebble Cosmos Engage sports a large crown on the right side and a function button on the left side of the casing.

Pebble Cosmos Engage price, availability

The Pebble Cosmos Engage is a budget smartwatch and has been priced at Rs. 7,499. However, the Pebble website says that the smartwatch is available at a discounted price of Rs. 3,999. The watch is available to buy on the Pebble website. Interestingly, the Indian tech company is also offering a one-year replacement guarantee on the watch.

The Pebble Cosmos Engage is also available in four different colours — Salamander Orange, Starlight, Midnight Black, and Celestial Blue.

Pebble Cosmos Engage specifications

The under-the-hood specifications for the Pebble Cosmos Engage are unclear, but the watch is compatible with both Android and iOS. It sports a 1.95-inch IPS always-on rectangular display with 320×385 pixel resolution and 600 nits of peak brightness. Bearing uncanny resemblance to Apple Watch Ultra, the Cosmos Engage claims to have an all-metal shock-proof casing made from Zinc alloy. Watch features include AI voice assistance, Bluetooth calling, wireless charging, sleep tracking, and an all-in-one health suite.

Pebble claims the watch to include sensors that measure blood oxygen levels, blood pressure, and heart rate. The Cosmos Engage also includes multiple sports modes for activity tracking and silicone straps. Connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.0.

The watch is also rated IP67 dust and water resistant and claims to have a battery life of four to five days and the Cosmos Engage charges wirelessly.

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Apple Watch Series 8 Tipped to Feature Same CPU as Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch Series 6

Apple Watch Series 8 was recently launched alongside the Apple Watch SE (2nd Generation) and the Apple Watch Ultra. All the wearables are powered by the dual-core S8 system in a package (SiP). Now, as per identifier codes, the S8 chip in the latest smartwatch by Apple is said to feature the same CPU as the S6 and S7 chips. However, there may have been some changes to include more features such as Emergency SOS and crash detection features. Apple’s recently launched smartwatch models will be available for purchase starting September 16.

As per the identifier codes shared on Twitter, the CPU of Apple’s S8 SiP, which powers the Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE (2nd Generation), and the Apple Watch Ultra, carries T8301 identifier. This is the same as the CPU in the S6 and S7 chips that debuted in the Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch Series 7 models.

However, it is likely that Apple may have tinkered with the S8 SiP to support new features such as Emergency SOS and crash-detection as well as sensors including an accelerometer and a gyroscope. In fact, the Apple Watch Ultra model comes equipped with a depth gauge and water temperature sensor.

In the case of the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Plus, both of the company’s new handsets are powered by the same Apple Bionic A15 SoC that also powered last year’s models. However, Apple boasts improved performance in the newest models as compared to last year’s offering. The SoCs in iPhone 14 models have a 5-core GPU as compared to 4-core GPU in last year’s offering.

The Apple Watch Series 8 are the ninth iteration in the company’s smartwatch lineup and will be available in GPS and cellular models. Apple also launched the second generation of the Apple Watch SE as a successor to the affordable model that launched in 2020. The company also launched the Apple Watch Ultra that is claimed to offer up to 36 hours on a single charge, features an aerospace-grade titanium body, offer dual-frequency support for GPS algorithms, and comes with a new Action button that can be programmed to perform various functions, according to the company.



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