No new iPhone, but Apple has plenty more for you

So the rumours were true. Apple’s annual showcase that took place in at its Californian HQ, was notably short of a new iPhone announcement. Internet whispers had suggested that a new handset would be missing from the line-up and, well, they were right.

But what it lacked in new smartphones, it made up for in a number of new must-have gadgets and features.

The star of the show was arguably Apple Watch Series 6 and the SE, which is set at a lower price point. As well new bands - including the Solo variety that doesn’t have a clasp or the new leather number - Series 6 is determined to keep us healthy.

From reading blood oxygen through your wrist and a more accurate reading of your body whilst exercising, Series 6 has zoned in on the fitness market.

Watch your weight

Through the Apple Watch Series 6 and its glut of old and new (more on these later) devices, Apple’s brand new Fitness+ aims to be your virtual personal trainer. Although no date has been announced for the Middle Eastern launch as yet.

Apple’s signed up a collection of real world PTs to guide you through workouts. Doesn’t matter if it’s a spin class, run, yoga or a run, you can watch your coach on a device and they’ll guide you to supreme fitness. Or that’s the plan - you’ll still need to put in the effort.

This is big news for Apple and bad news for the likes of Peloton. Its similar service of gudingin people through spin and treadmill sessions is now in direct competition with the might of Apple, so it will be interesting to see how this pans out.

iPad it out

To round off the show, Apple introduced us to the 8th generation iPad. The most powerful, fastest iPad ever, but you know this already. There’s also a new iPad Air.

Better graphics? Check. Better cameras? Check. Better battery life? Check, check, check. It’s business as usual in the new iPad department.

What isn’t too traditional, but is more than welcome, is that this new generation of iPads are made with recycled materials. 100% aluminium and tin are used or various parts of them, plus the boxes are made with recycled wood fibre. It’s all part of Apple’s effort to be carbon neutral by 2030.

And that was pretty much it. Still, the question still remains - will Apple really go through 2020 without launching a new iPhone? Watch this space.

Apple Watch Series 6 and Watch SE (from AED 1,599 and AED 1,149) launch Friday, September 18th. iPad 8th Generation and iPad Air (from AED 1,349 and AED 2,499) are out September 18th and October 2020 respectively.