Apple Event 2024: Unveiling iPhone 16, Apple Intelligence, and Other Exciting 'Glowtime' Announcements

Apple’s iPhone 16 Reveal to Include Major AI Showcase and Potential Updates on AirPods and Apple Watch

Update 9/8: As usual, additional rumors surface in the days leading up to the event. Among the more interesting things of recent vintage (all Apple Watch related): Apple Watch Series 10 blood pressure monitoring isn’t coming to the Watch Ultra 2, limited Apple Intelligence features for the Watch, though it may be baked into a future fitness coach will characteristic of style. Both models are reportedly getting the Sleep Sleep feature, though it likely won’t be available at launch.

Sometimes a headline is enough. Apple will reveal the iPhone 16 at its “It’s Gluttime” event on September 9. That much we can tell you for sure. But Apple doesn’t invite us to fly across the country for a single product — not to mention book a hotel room for the 49ers’ opening day. Football aside, the timing of the annual event is important, as it’s one last big chance to announce a bunch of hardware before the holidays.

The live stream begins Monday at 10 a.m. PT. Invitations were dropped last week with the tagline “Glow Time” and the color scheme for the match. Apple likes to sprinkle small hints into these graphics, and it’s most noticeable on the nose.

Apple Intelligence and Siri

Back at WWDC in June, Apple finally revealed its vision for generative AI. This offering is an extreme approach from Apple, right down to the name – Apple Intelligence – which happily hijacks familiar AI origins. The “small model” method is typical of the company in that it is trained on limited data to improve the user experience.

This is a clear difference between it and much larger “black box” models such as Open AI’s and Google’s Gemini. The utility of this approach remains to be seen, as we await the wider release of Apple Intelligence. This will almost certainly be a work in progress, as – at least – all creative AI is at the end of the day.

The answer to how this connects to “Glow Time” can be found in Siri. In June, Apple announced the much-needed glow-up for the O.G. Clever assistant. With creative AI models and improved app integration, the company revealed an updated interface. Gone is the familiar colored Siri circle, replaced by a glowing border that surrounds the display when Siri is listening/processing.

Of every iPhone launched so far, two models will be able to run Apple Intelligence: the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. According to the company, this is due to limitations with older chips.Given that the non-Pro iPhone 15 models are effectively running the iPhone 14 Pro’s chipset, Apple could plausibly argue that only one of its chips so far has Apple Intelligence in mind. It was made. You can decide for yourself whether you think the iPhone 15 leak is purely a hardware issue.

With all that in mind, next week’s event is the perfect opportunity to announce that Apple Intelligence will be available on the new iPhone line.

iPhone 16, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max

Apple iphone 16 — **Image Credits:** Stanislav Kogiku / SOPA Images / LightRocket / Getty Images

We’re moving towards the promise of true edge-to-edge displays millimeter-by-millimeter. According to a recent leak, the iPhone 16 Pro Max could get an even bigger display, courtesy of smaller bezels, down from 1.5mm to 1.4mm. So, what are the fractions of a millimeter between friends? When you’re talking about a total size of less than 2mm, a lot is revealed.

This will reportedly take the Pro Max’s screen size from 6.69 to 6.86 inches, without increasing the overall footprint of the device by an inordinate amount. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is already a big phone. The iPhone 16 Pro, meanwhile, is said to be jumping from 6.12 to 6.27 inches.

Camera improvements are a no-brainer for annual updates. The most interesting of the bunch is a molded glass lens that’s thin and light, while dramatically increasing optical zoom capabilities. Optical zoom capabilities are worth noting, as they don’t suffer from the same image degradation issues as their digital counterparts.

Leaked dummy models from earlier in the year give us some idea of each model’s design. Most notable on the 16 and 16 Plus is the shift from a diagonal to vertical camera setup. The models, designed to get a jumpstart on accessories for third parties, have added a new “capture” button to the line. The new feature is designed to provide quick access to various camera capabilities.

The most welcome change, however, may be the larger batteries. Screen and camera improvements are all well and good, but battery life remains a struggle. This particular report could use more authority, so take it with a grain of salt more than usual. Meanwhile, additional reports point to Apple making battery replacements more accessible to consumers. Given that the company has begun offering home repair options as more states and territories pass right-of-repair laws, it certainly tracks.

Apple Watch Series 10/Ultra 3

As hard as it is to believe, the Apple Watch will be 10 years old this year. They grow up so quickly. Apple made a big splash with the iPhone X, so it follows that it has something similar planned for the Apple Watch Series 10 (Series X?). Earlier rumors pointing to a major redesign have cooled in recent months, making way for a familiar design with larger displays, bumping up to 45mm and 49mm models. The new watch should also be slimmer than its predecessor – something especially important when discussing watches.

Like the iPhone 16, the Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 3 should get a new processor — the S10, one imagines. This could mean that additional AI functionality isn’t far off. A glucose monitor is one of the most interesting rumored additions. Sleep detection is also rumored for the device, but as noted by Bloomberg, Apple’s legal troubles with Massimo could kill that feature.

A long-awaited update to the budget Apple Watch SE with a plastic body could also be out next week.

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AirPods 4

Stay with me on this one. Apple is reportedly announcing two versions of the AirPods 4 next week. The cheaper model will replace the still-available AirPods 2, and the more premium version will replace the AirPods 3. Still with me? The more premium model is set to blur the line between it and the AirPods Pro, by adding Active Noise Cancellation and Find My features. All models should also eventually ditch Lightning for USB-C, as the company moves its products to comply with EU mandates.

So, how will Apple maintain a clear line between mid-range and pro pods? We’ll have to wait for his answer, as we’re not expecting the new AirPods Pro next week. However, we can finally get the AirPods Max 2 over four years after the original.

New Macs

This is probably a big one. Recent reporting suggests that Apple will hold off on announcing the M4 Mac until November. Supply chain issues have been dictating the Mac release calendar since the pandemic. A larger, USB-A-less version of the Mac Mini is said to arrive alongside a new iMac and MacBook Pro before the end of the year.

Glow with the flow

Image Credits: Apple

Here’s what we can say for sure: Apple’s Glow Time event is scheduled for Monday, September 9 at 10 a.m. PT. As always, we’ll be there, bringing it to you live.

iPhone 16 Series

Models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max
Display: iPhone 16 Pro Max rumored to have a 6.86-inch display; iPhone 16 Pro to increase to 6.27 inches
Design: Thinner bezels, vertical camera setup for iPhone 16 and 16 Plus
Camera: Improved optical zoom with a new molded glass lens
Battery: Larger batteries expected; battery replacement might become more accessible

Apple Intelligence and Siri

New AI: Introduction of Apple Intelligence with a focus on edge AI and limited data models
Siri Update: New glowing border interface for improved user interaction

Apple Watch

Apple Watch Series 10: Larger displays (45mm and 49mm), potential S10 processor, and new features like glucose monitoring (pending legal issues)
Apple Watch Ultra 3: Similar updates with the possibility of sleep detection
Apple Watch SE: Possible update with a plastic body

AirPods

AirPods 4: Two versions – a cheaper model replacing AirPods 2 and a premium model replacing AirPods 3, with features like Active Noise Cancellation and USB-C charging
AirPods Max 2: Expected after a long hiatus of over four years