A new Apple Watch is coming, but it may not be what we expected

The latest Apple documents fuel rumors about a new Apple Watch scheduled for September, but do not answer the question of whether there is an Apple Watch Series 5 or an old Apple Watch with a new version. This week, we feature all the plausible rumors surrounding Apple's next smartwatch, the latest details on Apple's new services (Apple TV Plus and Apple Arcade) and the official debut of the Apple card.

Apple Watch Series 5 or 4.5?

After a spate of rumors regarding Apple Watch this week, we have finally received concrete evidence from two different sources that Apple could launch one (or two) Apple Watch at its launch event in September.

The first evidence: Apple has registered four new Apple Watch models running WatchOS 6 with the Eurasian Economic Commission (ERC), according to MacRumors. This is a necessary precursor for marketing a product in this region. Apple has listed many other products in its rankings, including the new iPhones under iOS 13 (which we also expect in September) and the new MacBooks. We are also expecting a new 16 inch MacBook Pro at an upcoming fall event. But all products registered with the EEC do not have to be new. Apple has also registered the newly released iPod Touch 2019 during this round, and the watches in question might just be new versions of an existing model.

The other important index of Apple Watch this week came directly from the source: the code watchOS. The Brazilian site iHelpBR has discovered references to a Apple Watch Edition titanium and ceramic in the latest code of watchOS 6. This could be the four models referenced in the EEC filing: the two sizes of the ceramic model and the two sizes of the titanium model.

It would not be the first time that Apple is launching a ceramic version of the Apple Watch: the Series 2 and Series 3 watches were both offered in a ceramic option that sold at nearly 1 500 dollars. This would however be a first for the titanium edition. But that still does not tell us whether the new case material would be on a brand new watch, or whether it would be an upgrade from the existing range of the 4 Series.

The only reference to a 5 series this week is that of longtime Apple analyst Ming Chi Quo. According to its latest report cited in MacRumors, Japan Displays will provide the OLED Screens Needed for an Apple Series 5 Watch waited for the second half of 2019. He also predicted that Apple would launch a ceramic model of the watch.

Aside from the new materials, we know very little about the new features that could be offered at the Apple Watch 2019. Last year, the 4 Series received new cardiac health features validated by the FDA with the integrated ECG and an irregular heartbeat notification that can detect the signs of atrial fibrillation. This year, there has been talk of blood glucose and blood pressure monitoring, but both would likely require FDA clearance. At this point, Apple would have already submitted the results of its study for review, as was the case with the Apple Heart study of 2018.

Sleep monitoring could still be on the table for this year as it may not require this type of authorization. Competitors such as Fitbit and Samsung have been using sleep tracking for years in their mobile devices. But it has been missing – at least in native mode – on Apple Watch, and Apple has already shown interest in space. L & # 39; Company acquired Beddit, a sleep sensor, back in 2017.

To launch such a feature on the market, Apple should first improve the battery life of the Apple Watch, which still needs to be recharged overnight. Apple may be able to give it a power boost by using a more efficient processor, a larger battery or a less energy-hungry screen. Recent rumors suggest that Apple will eventually switch from OLED technology to microLED technology in the Apple Watch. This would allow a thinner, brighter and more energy efficient screen and solve the battery problem, but this should not happen until at least 2020.

As far away is a camera on the watch. Apple recently filed a patent retailer Apple Watch with a camera on the group for FaceID or FaceTime, but a patent does not guarantee a product and even if it materializes, it would not be so soon.

This leaves two possibilities for the Apple Watch 2019: an edition 4 with a new shiny armor (titanium and ceramic) and a series 5 with incremental hardware upgrades, a faster processor, an improved battery and possibly to be a new feature of sleep tracking.

Pricing and release date for Apple TV Plus and Apple Arcade

What is definitively launched this autumn is Apple TV Plus and Apple Arcade. This week, we learned the price and the supposed release dates of the two new Apple services, as well as an overview of the actual content of each platform.

Apple has not yet announced an official release date for its video streaming service, but we know that it will definitely arrive in the fall. The company has released a new trailer for The Morning Show this week, its new series starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carrell.

According to a Bloomberg report, Apple TV Plus, the video streaming service, will arrive in November 2019 and will cost $ 10 after a free trial period, like Apple Music. Apple has already spent more than a billion dollars on original content and should continue to spend as much.

Apple's new game service, Apple Arcade, should also be launched at about the same time. It will cost you about $ 5 a month with a 9 month free trial period according to 9to5Mac. The site also released a preview of some of the new upcoming games on the platform.

We are awaiting more information from Apple on the launch date and price of these two services during the launching ceremony in September.

Apple Card now available to all

The Apple Card made its official debut this week. Apple had previously sent invitations to a limited number of users to start using the card, but it is now available to anyone to register (assuming you live in the US and you be approved). Users who apply will have to wait a few days to get the titanium map in e-mail, but can immediately use the digital version of the Apple card in the Wallet app.

Benefits include 3% Cash Back Daily on Apple Purchases with Uber and Uber Eats that the company has just announced this week. Apple announced that it would continue to extend the 3% cash daily rewards to more merchants in the future.