What's new in audio and AI
Apple is pushing fresh Audio Intelligence tools to its premium watches. Siri Recap uses ambient listening to create high-level takeaways from a wearer's conversations over the day, while Live Recap can display on-screen text of the last 15 seconds of an ongoing exchange. The watch also listens for key ambient cues like a crying baby, ringing doorbells and sirens. Each feature is opt in.
Apple said these tools do not save recordings. The company said raw audio is inaccessible to Apple and other apps and is wiped immediately after processing. The audio features will be available to try in English later this year. A more capable Siri that can answer questions using a user's texts, mail, calendars and photos lands as a watchOS 27 beta on Sept. 14.
Watches get tougher, track more, and last longer
Apple is turning the health dial up. Both new models include the company's Health Sensing System, and Apple said the latest tech offers the "most accurate heart rate tracking in a wearable." Like Whoop and Fitbit, the watches will provide a daily readiness score to gauge recovery and rest. Background heart rate readings now hit every five seconds during the day, and heart rate variability can be checked as frequently as every five minutes.
The $399 Apple Watch Series 12 comes in aluminum finishes of space gray, black, gold and dark bronze, with Ceramic Shield 2 cover glass that Apple said is 60% tougher. Natural and gold titanium versions are coming, and a ceramic-cased option is returning from Apple in white and dark blue. Priced at $799, the Apple Watch Ultra now offers as much as 50 hours of battery life, adds faster charging, and introduces new band options.
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Preorders for both watch models start on Wednesday and store sales begin Sept. 18.
AirPods 5: stronger noise canceling in an open fit
Apple's new AirPods 5 keep the open-ear shape but crank up quieting power. The $129 model brings a 50% boost in noise reduction, which Apple says is the best noise cancellation for any open-ear design today. Sound is tuned for more detail across different ear shapes, the buds are built to be tougher, and they allow hands-free use of Siri, AI-powered interactions, and live translation.
Battery life on the $129 version runs up to four hours per charge or 20 hours with the case. An upgraded $149 pair adds on-earbud volume control, stretches listening to as many as five hours per charge, and includes a case that supports wireless charging. Preorders for both start Sept. 12, with retail availability on Sept. 18.
Why this matters for your money
Apple is shoring up its watch against a new wave of AI wearables, pointing to rivals like Amazon's Bee wristband and Plaud's note-taking devices. The pitch is simple: smarter on-wrist audio, sturdier builds, longer battery life and denser health data. The timeline is clear too, with a watchOS 27 beta on Sept. 14 and devices hitting shelves Sept. 18. If you track Apple, those are near-term catalysts to watch as the company leans into AI features across everyday hardware.
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