Apple Watch Series 4 Helps Users Manage Health & Stay Connected
Apple has introduced the new Apple Watch Series 4 which it says has been redesigned and re-engineered to help users stay connected, be more active and manage their health in powerful new ways.
While retaining the original design, the fourth-generation Apple Watch has been refined, combining new hardware and software enhancements.
The display is over 30 percent larger and integrates into the thinner, smaller case, while the new interface provides more information with richer detail.
Apple Watch Series 4 comes in two sizes, 40mm and 44mm. The speaker is 50 percent louder, optimised for phone calls, Siri and Walkie-Talkie, and the microphone has been relocated, to reduce echo for better sound quality.
The device includes the next-generation S4 chip with a custom 64-bit dual-core processor, delivering twice the speed while maintaining the same all-day battery life.
New watch faces take full advantage of the Series 4 display, from the customisable Infograph face, to the Breathe face, where the animation is timed around a deep breath. Additionally, a suite of motion faces, including Vapor, Liquid Metal, Fire and Water react uniquely with the curved edges of the case.
Apple Watch Series 4 with watchOS 5 brings activity and communications features, along with health capabilities, including a new accelerometer and gyroscope, which are able to detect hard falls, and an electrical heart rate sensor that can take an electrocardiogram (ECG) using the new ECG app which has been granted a De Novo classification by the FDA.
With the app, users touch the Digital Crown and after 30 seconds, receive a heart rhythm classification. It can classify if the heart is beating in a normal pattern or whether there are signs of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), a heart condition that could lead to major health complications. All recordings, their associated classifications and any noted symptoms are stored in the Health app in a PDF that can be shared with physicians
With watchOS 5, Apple Watch intermittently analyses heart rhythms in the background and sends a notification if an irregular heart rhythm suggestive of AFib is detected.3 It can also alert the user if the heart rate exceeds or falls below a specified threshold.
Fall detection utilises a next-generation accelerometer and gyroscope, which measures up to 32 g-forces, along with custom algorithms to identify when hard falls occur. By analysing wrist trajectory and impact acceleration, Apple Watch sends the user an alert after a fall, which can be dismissed or used to initiate a call to emergency services. If Apple Watch senses immobility for 60 seconds after the notification, it will automatically call emergency services and send a message along with location to emergency contacts.
The back of Apple Watch Series 4 is composed of black ceramic and sapphire crystal, allowing radio waves to easily pass through the front and back for better cellular service. The Digital Crown now includes haptic feedback, offering a more mechanical and responsive feel through the sensation of incremental clicks.
Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer says Apple Watch has become an essential part of people’s lives.
“The completely redesigned Apple Watch Series 4 continues to be an indispensable communication and fitness companion, and now with the addition of groundbreaking features, like fall detection and the first-ever ECG app offered directly to consumers, it also becomes an intelligent guardian for your health.”
Beginning Friday 14 September, Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS) will be available to order in 26 countries and territories, and Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS + Cellular) will be available to order in 16 countries and territories. Both models will be available in stores beginning Friday, September 21.
Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS) starts at £399 (R7,782) and Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS + Cellular) starts at £499 (R 9,732) , both featuring the updated design and new health capabilities. Series 3 will be available at the new starting price of £279 (R5,441).
Along with the three aluminium finishes anodised in silver, gold and space grey, Apple Watch Series 4 now comes in gold stainless steel with matching Milanese band, joining the silver and space black stainless steel models. A new collection of bands debut for fall and all bands continue to work with any generation of Apple Watch.
Apple Watch Nike+ collection features redesigned Nike watch faces that match the new band colors, including a Pure Platinum/Black Sport Band and a Summit White Sport Loop with reflective yarn. Apple Watch Hermès introduces an assortment of color-blocked bands and watch faces that shift from one color to the other with the passage of the minute hand.
