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topicnews · September 27, 2024

That’s what the unknown new button is for

That’s what the unknown new button is for

With the iPhone 16, Apple has introduced its latest smartphone model, which is intended to catapult the company into the AI ​​era. However, users in Europe first have to do without important functions.

Apple is relying on better cameras and artificial intelligence for its new iPhones. However, users in the European Union will not initially experience many of the new AI functions. The group justifies this with legal uncertainties due to the new digital law DMA. With new software for the AirPods earphones, Apple could at the same time shake up the hearing aid market, including in Germany.

Overall, the iPhone 16 and the higher-quality iPhone 16 Pro largely retain the design of the previous models. However, the two cameras of the standard model are again arranged in a line next to each other, as was the case with the iPhone X. With the new camera system, the phones can now also record three-dimensional videos for Apple’s Vision Pro computer glasses.

New languages ​​for “Apple Intelligence” on the iPhone 16 – German not mentioned

Inside there are new chips and more RAM. This is a prerequisite for the new functions with artificial intelligence to run smoothly on the devices. Of the earlier models, only the iPhone 15 Pro is powerful enough for “Apple Intelligence”. The starting price of the standard model of the iPhone 16 remains unchanged at 949 euros.

These new AI features should make it possible to provide short summaries in the preview of emails and text messages, create individual emoji symbols from text input and fish out information on demand. The photo library search should be significantly improved by analyzing the image content. However, it is unclear when this advanced Apple AI will come to Germany.

So far, “Apple Intelligence” only works in English. At the event, Apple announced several more languages ​​for next year, including French, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese. German was not explicitly mentioned.

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iPhone 16 includes new button

A new button is the most noticeable change to iPhone design in years. It is used to control the camera and can do more than just trigger the camera. Apple wants to encourage users to use AI to learn more about their surroundings.

The button on the iPhone 16 works similarly to that of photo cameras: when you press it, an image is taken, and a light press activates a slider on the screen. This allows you to control the zoom or color effects, for example, without having to tap on the screen as before. You can also quickly switch between photo and video mode using the button.

The camera button is also access to AI functions. For example, you can use it to photograph a concert poster or an animal to find out more about it.

Does sales boost come from interest in AI?

The EU digital markets law, the Digital Markets Act (DMA), sets rules for large platforms. Above all, Apple fears that the DMA requirements to open it up to other manufacturers and service providers could endanger user data and is initially demanding assurances that the advanced functions can be offered exclusively.

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The iPhone is Apple’s most important product. In the first nine months of the current financial year it is more than half of the group’s sales. The iPhone also forms the basis for the lucrative business with subscription services, apps and accessories such as the AirPods earphones.

Some market observers expect interest in the new AI features to increase demand for the iPhone 16. Since the new features will be introduced gradually over several software updates, it is unclear whether they will play a role in this iPhone generation .

AirPods Pro should also be able to be used with hearing aids

Industry expert Carolina Milanesi from the analysis firm Creative Strategies is convinced that Apple wants to encourage as many users as possible to upgrade to new devices that are suitable for “Apple Intelligence” – AI should also play a role in iOS 18.

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Apple holds second place in the smartphone market behind Samsung in terms of unit sales. However, in the Chinese market, domestic manufacturers such as Huawei are increasingly competing with the iPhone group. Samsung and Google, developers of the competing Android operating system and the Pixel smartphones, are also increasingly relying on artificial intelligence.

The AirPods Pro, previously known for their noise cancellation, will in future also be able to be used as a hearing aid and be suitable for hearing tests. After approval by the regulatory authorities, this function should be available in Germany, among others, by the end of the year. If the function proves successful, Apple could shake up the hearing aid market, where devices often cost several thousand euros. Apple sells the AirPods Pro for 279 euros. At the same time, the basic model of AirPods is also equipped with noise cancellation.

Apple Watch is getting bigger and thinner

Ten years after it was first announced, Apple’s computer watch is receiving a comprehensive update. The Apple Watch is becoming significantly thinner and has larger displays. A more powerful new chip aims to enable the Apple Watch Series 10 to automatically display selected information as soon as it is needed. A new feature is the detection of sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing can briefly stop.

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So that the watch can be worn for longer, 30 minutes of charging time should charge the battery to 80 percent – eight minutes on the charger should be enough for eight hours of sleep tracking. So far, many users charge the watch overnight. The new Apple Watch will also be able to detect water temperature and depth.

The Apple Watch was first introduced in September 2014 and hit the market in spring 2015. Since then, Apple has been the leader in the smartwatch market – even if Chinese manufacturers in particular have recently been able to catch up. In recent years, Apple has slightly enlarged the Watch displays. The starting price remains at 449 euros.

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Preview image: © Andrej Sokolow/dpa

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