By Miguel García, 9th grade.
On Tuesday 12th, Apple revealed some of the newest technology they plan to launch soon in their event called “Wonderlust.” This new technology includes the new iPhone 15 series, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
First, they introduced us to the next Apple Watch generation, the Apple Watch Series 9, which has amazing new features that they claim you’ll use every single day. Some of these features include advanced workout metrics, sleep stages, car crash detection, an all-day battery life, the ability to ask and log things about your health data with the help of Siri, and the ability to find your phone easier than just making it ring. Although all of these new features are incredible, the most noticeable and hyping feature of this new Apple Watch generation is the ability to use just one hand to control your Apple Watch, or “Double Tap” as they like to call it, “Double Tap” just requires you to tap your thumb and your index finger together twice. “Double Tap” controls the primary button in the app you are using, you can use it to stop a time, answer and end calls, pause music, or snooze an alarm.
They also introduced us to the next Apple Watch Ultra, which features everything the users love and care about but also introduces the abilities offered in the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple’s brightest display ever, and advanced capabilities while under the water.
The big thing came next when Apple finally introduced us to the new iPhone generation. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus feature a dynamic island, some colorful matte designs, and improved camera technology that recognizes people and pets and takes automatic portraits of them. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature all these amazing things listed before, a new durable and lightweight titanium design, the longest optical zoom ever, and the new action button.
The new action button is only available for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max and replaces the single-action button used to toggle between ring and silent mode. This button features a quick way to access silent mode, and ring mode, turn on your flashlight, open up the camera app, and the magnifier app, use shortcuts, and more. This new button works along with the dynamic island of the phone to easily let you know what you are activating or deactivating.
Although these all-new features are incredible, there is something more that is making people talk about. This is the fact that this year will be the first year ever for iPhones not to use their iconic lightning cable. Last year, the European Union made a new rule, requiring all phones sold after autumn 2024 to use the USB-C connector for their charging ports. USB-C is proven to last longer than lightning cables, this will significantly reduce the need of having to replace cables frequently, which will help reduce the environmental impact of electronic waste. USB-C cables are made from a smaller quantity of materials than lightning cables, meaning that they will be easier to recycle and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. The manufacturing of new cables requires the extraction and processing of raw materials, such as copper and plastic. Apple switching to USB-C will help reduce the environmental impact of the extraction and processing of materials.
According to a survey conducted by SellCell, 44% of Android users may be interested in switching to an iPhone 15 just because the iPhone 15 is compatible with USB-C charging.
Apple’s latest product announcements, including the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and the iPhone 15 series, showcase significant innovations. The switch to USB-C for iPhone charging, driven by environmental concerns and regulatory changes, is particularly important for electronic waste, reducing the waste that ends up in landfills and reducing the impact of extraction and processing of materials. The switch to USB-C will not only help the environment but will also help Apple get more users this year.
Sources:
https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-iphone-15-and-15-plus-review-a-big-leap-from-older-iphones/
https://coopwb.in/info/why-is-apple-switching-to-usb-c/#the-environmental-impact
https://coopwb.in/info/why-is-apple-switching-to-usb-c/#the-environmental-impact
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