Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 Launch With Powerful AI Features
Apple has introduced the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 at its Surprise and Shine event in Cupertino. Although the new smartwatches bring few major hardware changes, they include several notable software and health upgrades.
Most importantly, Apple is expanding into AI-powered wearables with new “Audio Intelligence” capabilities. These features can help users revisit recent conversations and recall important details from their day.
Audio Intelligence adds conversation tools
The new watches introduce “Live Rewind,” which allows users to revisit up to 15 seconds of a recent conversation. By double-pressing the Digital Crown, users can view the previous 15 seconds as a text snippet.
Additionally, users can ask Siri questions about the transcript. They can also save the information in the new Siri app for later reference.
Meanwhile, “Siri Recap” aims to help users remember important moments from everyday conversations. The feature uses ambient listening to create high-level notes from discussions, including meetings or parent-teacher conferences.
After a conversation, Apple Intelligence can generate a title and key points in the Siri app when Siri Recap is active. Therefore, users can review important information without manually taking notes.
The watches also gain a new “Sound Recognition” feature. It can identify sounds such as sirens, alarms, doorbells, and babies crying, helping users who are hard of hearing.
Importantly, Apple says its Audio Intelligence features do not create or store audio recordings.
Health tracking becomes more frequent
Both smartwatches include an updated health-sensing system designed to improve several measurements. For example, a larger electrode surface area provides better skin contact during ECG readings.
In addition, redesigned photodiodes use a ring arrangement to capture light more efficiently. More power-efficient green LEDs also support heart-rate measurements throughout the day, including while users are moving.
The upgraded system provides higher-frequency continuous heart-rate data. As a result, the watches now take background heart-rate readings every five seconds throughout the day.
That represents a 60-fold increase in frequency compared with the previous system. Moreover, the watches continue collecting these readings while users are on the move.
Apple is also introducing a readiness score similar to features found in smart rings. Each morning, the score analyzes recent activity, vital signs, and sleep data.
Consequently, users receive a single score showing how prepared their body is for the day.
Health Age and pricing
Another addition, called “Health Age,” compares selected health measurements with a user’s actual age. The calculation uses watch data such as VO2 max and sleep information, among other metrics.
Therefore, the feature gives users another way to understand patterns in their health data over time.
Finally, Apple has positioned the two watches at different price points. The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399, while the Apple Watch Ultra 4 costs $499.
