Because not everyone has the time to watch the two hour Apple Keynote September 2017 in full – we’ve got the highlights. We’ve listed the game changers below for you…

What you need to know about the Apple Watch 3:

Apple Watch Series 3 Waterproof Swimproof
Apple Watch Series 3: Built-in cellular, Swimproofing & Improved Siri

1. Built-In Cellular

With built-in cellular, users can now make calls and send texts with just their watch! This feature will use an eSIM card that shares the same number as your phone. According to Apple all calls, iMessages, and music streaming will integrate seamlessly.

2. Standalone Siri

The new and improved Siri works without your iPhone and, thanks to the Series 3’s new W2 chip, will be much faster. On current Apple Watch models, Siri is able to give simple text responses but on Apple Watch Series 3, Siri will be able to reply and hold conversations with users. Apps will be able to take advantage of this

 “Apple Watch is the number one watch in the world.”

Tim Cook – Apple CEO

3. Improved Battery Life

A major concern with adding cellular to the device is how this will affect battery life but thanks to the S3 chip, Apple says users can expect up to 18 hours with the new model. The battery life, combined with the better processing, supports the future generation of mobile apps and enables developers to do more in the background.

4. Dimensions

Despite the additional components and features added to the Series 3, Apple announced the watch will only be 0.25mm thicker than its predecessor.

What you need to know about the iPhone 8 & 8 plus:

iPhone 8 and 8 Plus photos #AppleEvent
iPhone 8 and 8 plus: All-new glass look, True Tone display and Wireless Charging (Photos: Cnet)

1. All-new glass look

According to Apple, the glass is the most durable ever used in an iPhone and is precision-engineered to resist both water and dust. The device’s all-new glass back will also let users wirelessly charge their devices on any Qi charging surfaces.

2. True Tone Display

The iPhone’s Retina HD screen includes True Tone technology which will automatically adjust the screen’s white balance to match the light around you for better viewing experiences and increased colour accuracy. The new display means mobile apps will look brighter, more vibrant and more immersive for users.

3. Portrait Lighting (iPhone 8 plus)

While the feature is still in beta, Apple’s Portrait Lighting will use Artificial Intelligence to separate your subject and analyse the picture’s lighting in real-time. Because the camera on the iPhone 8 plus captures a wide range of data when taking a photo, users will have a lot more control over lighting settings during editing.

Introducing the new iPhone X:

iPhone X #AppleEvent
The iPhone X: Edge-to-edge display, facial recognition technology and intuitive gesture controls (Photos: Cnet)

Despite Apple CEO Tim Cook speaking about doubling down on concealment measures, major recent leaks had revealed references to the iPhone X, a new high-end model marking 10 years since the original iPhone debuted. The rumours were settled on Tuesday where Cook introduced the new phone, referred to as both the iPhone X and the iPhone 10 throughout the keynote.

1. Edge-to-edge Display

Jony Ive, Apple’s design chief, has publicly said he wants an iPhone that looks like a single sheet of glass, with a screen that covers the whole of the front of the phone. The iPhone X’s edge-to-edge display is a 5.8 inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2,436 x 1,125 pixels. The new screen gives more room to apps, bringing them to life and making them more immersive for users.

2. Intuitive Gestures

In addition to the standard iPhone gestures, iPhone X’s unique gestures (combined with facial recognition) help users quickly unlock their devices, close and switch applications as well as drag and drop selected on-screen content. These gestures will enhance the mobile experience by increasing ease-of-use and giving users a seamless interaction with their device.

3. Facial Recognition

During the keynote Apple revealed Face ID, its facial recognition feature which projects over 30,000 invisible dots onto users’ faces to build up a unique facial map. The iPhone’s infrared then reads the dots and captures an infrared image which it sends to the secure A11 Bionic chip to confirm a match.

Face ID will integrate with Apple Pay for quick payment authorisation but it can also improve the mobile user experience by allowing users to reveal notifications and messages with a glance. Using this technology, the device will be able to keep the screen lit when it detects a user is still reading. Users will also be able to adjust the device volume without touching any buttons.

4. Animoji

Users can take advantage of the iPhone’s facial recognition capabilities to create their own animated emojis and face filters. Animoji will track users’ face movements and record their voice to create a looping emoji they can share with friends. Apple have said they will be working to integrate this technology with third party apps such as Snapchat.

AirPower Wireless Charging

During the keynote, Apple also introduced it’s AirPower wireless charging mat which will power your Apple Watch, iPhone and AirPods simultaneously. Apple announced they are working with the wireless charging standard Qi and that AirPower will be available in early 2018.

Watch the Apple Keynote September 2017 Highlights:

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