Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has added new key features to its latest line of accessories, including live translation capabilities to the AirPods Pro 3 and satellite connectivity for the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
“We are improving the magic of AirPods with live translation powered by Apple Intelligence,” said Kate Bergeron, vice president of hardware engineering at Apple, during the company’s Tuesday fall launch event. “If you are in a market abroad, you can use a simple gesture to enable the auto-translate feature.”
The AirPods will automatically dim the voice of the speaker while the user hears a real-time translation. The user can also use their iPhone to translate their words for a listener. However, Apple recommends both parties use AirPods Pro 3 for the best translation experience.
Apple has improved the noise cancellation capabilities of the AirPods Pro 3 and improved its resistance to dust and liquids. They are also designed to fit better and have an increased battery life. They now provide eight hours of battery life per full charge compared to eight hours in the prior model. Hearing aid users now get 10 hours per charge, which is up from six hours.
AirPods Pro 3 are available today for pre-order and generally available on September 19. They start at $249.
New Apple Watch models
The new Apple Watch 11 Series features a thinner but still strong design, and its face is two times more scratch resistant than the Series 10, the Cupertino-based company said. It is also upgraded to feature a 5G modem and is more energy efficient, with a single charge providing up to 24 hours of battery life.
“Its indispensable nature makes Apple Watch the most popular watch in the world,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook.
It also added new health features such as high blood pressure detection, which is expected to receive clearance soon from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The new phone also curates a sleep score based on data from more than 5M sleep nights. OS26 uses the new Liquid Glass technology.
The new Apple Watch Ultra 3 features a thinner border and brighter screen to provide the largest display ever for an Apple Watch. It also has satellite connectivity for the first time ever due to a stronger antenna signal provided by GlobalStar (GSAT). This allows for service even when in very remote locations. Its extended battery life lasts up to 42 hours on a full charge.
These are available for pre-order today and will be available on September 19.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 starts at $799, the Series 11 starts at $399, and the Apple Watch SE 3, a new entry-level watch, starts at $249.