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Tag: accelerometer

  • Apple Watch Series 10 features an identical heart sensor as the Apple Watch Series 9

    Apple Watch Series 10 features an identical heart sensor as the Apple Watch Series 9

    Getting down to the components of the Apple Watch Series 10, while there were rumors that the new version of the smartwatch would feature a new heart and ECG sensor, Apple may be going with the components from the Apple Watch Series 9.

    Per the technical specifications for the Apple Watch Series 10, it is equipped with a third-generation optical heart sensor, which is the same sensor that was used in the prior-generation Series 9.

    Apple made no mention of the heart rate sensor during Monday’s media event, and there’s no information about upgraded hardware on the Apple Watch Series 10 product page.

    The previous rumor stated that the alleged upgraded heart sensor would “unlock new features and provide more accurate results.” A rumor published by 9to5Mac stated that the new sensor would enable sleep apnea detection, but as Apple explained yesterday, sleep apnea detection actually uses the accelerometer. Sleep apnea detection did not require an upgrade to the heart sensor, and it is in fact also being added to the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, both of which have the same third-generation heart sensor as the Series 10.

    Although Apple was said to be working on blood pressure monitoring for the Series 10, the feature does not appear to have been ready in time for the device’s launch. Apple highlighted no other new health features other than the ability to detect sleep apnea.

    Among the highlighted points were the thinner bezel and the lighter weight as opposed to prior Apple Watch models. the Series 10 has a new water temperature sensor, depth sensor, Oceanic+ app for snorkeling, and Tides app, which brings functionality closer to the ‌Apple Watch Ultra 2‌.

    The Apple Watch Series 10 models are available for pre-order and will begin arriving to customers on Friday, September 20.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors, 9to5Mac, and Apple

  • Apple announces AirTags, offers units for $29 each or $99 for a four-pack

    Apple announces AirTags, offers units for $29 each or $99 for a four-pack

    After years of leaks, rumors, speculation, and waiting, it’s been announced. Apple’s long-awaited AirTag tracker system has been announced at the company’s “Spring Loaded” media event, the company integrating the accessories with the “Find My” app while pricing them at $29 apiece, or $99 for a four-pack of the units.

    The new circular trackers can be affixed to different devices and located using the updated Find My app included as part of iOS 14. The updated app is broken out into four tabs for “People,” “Devices,” “Items,” and “Me.”

    Objects can be placed into “lost” mode where when another iPhone user comes in proximity it sends the device location back to the owner, similar to Tile’s community feature. When in lost mode, anyone who finds them can tap them via NFC to learn more about the lost item.

    Upon ordering, users can customize their AirTags with personalized emojis that are representative of what they’re tracking.

    AirTags feature Apple’s U1 chip, which incorporate an internal accelerometer, sport IP67 water and dust resistance, and have a built-in speaker for easier discovery. The back is laser-etched polished stainless steel while the top is plastic and can be personalized.

    Users can replace the device’s battery on their own, and each battery is rated to last over a year with regular use.

    Apple has stated that the AirTags setup mimics the AirTags experience, and users can set the AirTag near their iPhone, which leads to a card appearing on screen to help you onboard the device and add to the Find My app.

    The company has also introduced a line of accessories, such as its own Polyurethane Loop, Leather Loop, and Leather Key Ring.

    In April, Apple officially brought its third-party Find My network online after announcing it at the 2020 Worldwide Developer Conference. Supported third-party Find My devices including the new Belkin SoundForm earbuds, VanMoof’s e-bikes, and the Chipolo ONE Spot tracker.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider

  • Apple announces Apple Watch SE, units now available for order online

    Amidst Tuesday’s new product launches at Apple’s “Time Flies” media event, Apple also announced the Apple Watch SE, a successor to the Apple Watch Series 3. The device, which starts at $279 for the basic model, and $329 for the cellular model, is available on Friday, but can be ordered today.

    Like the Apple Watch Series 6, the Apple Watch SE sports a built-in accelerometer, gyroscope, always-on altimeter, sleep tracking, fall detection, and hand-washing detection. Cellular models can be used to make emergency calls, even internationally, with the Emergency SOS feature. There’s no always-on display, which was a highlight of the Series 5, ECG functionality, which arrived with the Series 4, or the blood oxygen monitor that’s coming to the Series 6.

    The unit uses an S5 System in Package (SiP) as well as the dual-core processor found in the Apple Watch Series 5. Apple has stated that this architecture offers up to two times the improved performance as the Apple Watch Series 3.

    The Apple Watch SE shares a similar appearance to the Apple Watch Series 4, which Apple discontinued last year. The device arrives with 40mm and 44mm displays, and Apple has stated that the SE’s Retina display is 30 percent larger than that of the Series 3.

    The Watch SE will also support Apple’s new Family Setup, which allows parents to set up and manage Apple Watches for their kids, including features like message monitoring and location alerts. And you’ll be able to share watchfaces with others, using Apple’s new Face Sharing feature. watchOS 7 comes with seven new watchface options. 

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Verge

  • Rumor: Apple to include “Rose” or “R1” sensor co-processor in iPhone 11 models

    With the Apple iPhone media event happening today, the current rumor is that the 2019 model iPhone will include at least one mode with a “Rose” or “R1” sensor co-processor.

    While Apple has used motion co-processors in the iPhone since the iPhone 5S in 2018, the first two (known as “M7” and “M8” were separate chips. The “M9” through “M12” chips were integrated into the A-series processor, and processed data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, barometer, and even enable the microphone to listen for “Hey, Siri.” At this point in time, it’s now considered custom circuitry to process sensor info in a very high-performance and low-power way, so it can be done even while the phone is in sleep mode.

    The iPhone 11 is said to include a new “Rose” or “R1” sensor coprocessor, which has been noted via code references from an internal build of iOS 13. The new processor supposedly performs a similar function to the M-series co-processors, only it processes data from many more types of sensors in order to get a more accurate picture of the phone’s position and orientation.

    Stay tuned for full coverage of Apple’s media and please let us know what you make of this in the comments.

    Via Macworld and MacRumors

  • Sensor-based privacy features en route to iOS 12.2

    The updated version of Safari will push websites to ask permission to the aforementioned sensors. As such, these will be focused on a per-app basis, rather than a per-website basis.

    It looks like iOS 12.2 will include a series of privacy features that will also restrict access to the iOS device’s accelerometer and gyroscope sensors.

    So instead of every website that uses this data asking permission, you might see a popup saying “Safari requests access.” This is similar to how it already restricts camera and microphone access.

    There is some concern from advertisers that this will break AR/VR adds on websites, which utilize the device’s motion and orientation in space. This won’t completely block the ads, but it will require the user’s permission prior to displaying them.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Mac Observer and DigiDay