Apple unveils iPhone 16 family, iOS 18, Watch X (Ten) and more!
On Sept. 9, Apple unveiled the iPhone 16 family, iOS 18, Watch X, and much more at its Keynote Event (live online). All the new hardware became available at all Apple Retail Stores on Sept. 20. Pre-orders of hardware were available immediately, with first shipping arrivals also targeted for Sept. 20.
Be aware that Apple has simultaneously given uses the option of ONLY doing Security Updates and Bug Fixes via a 17.7 upgrade option (same for iPad and Mac) if you do NOT want the full iOS 18 upgrade just yet. Your choice. Choose wisely.
You can watch the full Apple Keynote of Sept. 9 on Apple’s site here:
https://www.apple.com/apple-events/
The iPhone 16 family
The iPhone 16, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Mac models all feature a new Camera Mode button (touch sensitive and haptic feedback for instant access to the camera and camera mode selections). The colors for the 16 family are more vibrant than the 15 models.
Apple Watch X (Ten)
No real form factor change, but a bigger screen (49 mm and 42 mm), a thinner chassis, better System In Package (SIP) processor, plus other smaller detail design tweaks. And a new shinny polished aluminum black model option!
iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence
Although Apple Intelligence will not arrive until mid-October with a .1 or .2 update, Apple released its next major OS in 18 — which brings even more creative abilities for screen customization, an improved (and glowing!) Siri, and more.
Watch OS 11
Aside from faster performance, Watch OS 11 brings a few new watch faces, better sync abilities, and taps into Apple Intelligence (remember, you have to upgrade your iPhone to iOS 18 FIRST before you can upgrade your Watch to OS 11).
Apple TV OS
New screensavers, better HomeKit sync and performance, FaceTime abilities (if you TV has a camera, or you use Continuity Camera mode with your iPhone), interface improvements, etc.
iPad OS 18
Like the iPhone, your iPad (if it’s not too old) can take advantage of OS 18 Apple Intelligence after you upgrade, and this update includes security enhancements and bug fixes (like iPhone iOS 18). The big “hurrah!” is FINALLY the iPad has it’s own Apple Calculator app! And, with Apple Pencil, you can now do LIVE hand-written math formulas in real time (in Notes, and a few other places)!
macOS Sequoia
The next major upgrade for the Mac brings more little design and interface tweaks than we can mention in a summary, but again, this upgrade positions your Mac to take advantage of the full Apple Intelligence features for Mac.
Read more here, on the AppleInsider site:
https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/09/16/apple-releases-ios-18-but-without-apple-intelligence
More important, here are the Apple site pages for the new features in all the OS upgrades:
iOS 18:
https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-18/
Watch X (Ten):
https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-series-10/
Watch OS 11:
https://www.apple.com/watchos/watchos-11/
iPadOS 18:
https://www.apple.com/ipados/ipados-18/
macOS Sequoia:
https://www.apple.com/macos/macos-sequoia/
Remember, keeping up-to-date on the latest OS versions is highly recommended, at the very least for the Security enhancements and bug fixes. Equally important: ALWAYS make sure you have a recent backup (to iCloud, locally, or better, both) for EACH of your Apple devices before you do an OS upgrade!