Topline
Apple didn’t unveil a new iPhone at its “Time Flies” event on Tuesday, but it did announce a new Apple Watch and a new iPad. Here are the four biggest announcements from the virtual event:
Apple Watch Series 6 will come with the ability to monitor blood oxygen levels.
Key Facts
The Apple Watch Series 6 ($399) will monitor blood oxygen levels, and the company will partner with researchers to see if its sensor can pick up on early signs of the coronavirus.
The updated iPad Air ($599) ditches the home button for a new Touch ID sensor integrated into the top power button, plus it’ll have a USB-C port instead of Apple’s proprietary Lightning port, along with what Apple says is “most powerful chip ever made, the A14 Bionic.”
Apple is betting big on fitness by launching Apple Fitness+, a subscription service with weekly workout videos starting at $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year. Though the videos can sync with iPhones, iPads and Apple TV, it’s built for the Apple Watch users.
Apple announced its long-awaited Apple One subscription service bundling Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade and iCloud storage for $14.95 per month. Those services and Apple News+ and Apple Fitness+ will be $29.95 per month.
Chief Critics
Apple’s subscription announcements put the company on a collision course with Spotify and Peloton at a time when it already faces complaints about its alleged anti-competitive practices. A Spotify spokesperson told CNBC Apple is “using its dominant position and unfair practices to disadvantage competitors and deprive consumers by favoring its own services” with Apple One. Peloton CEO John Foley said Apple Fitness+ is “quite a legitimization of fitness content.” While Peloton is known for its expensive treadmills and bikes, it also has a standalone app with virtual fitness classes.
Key Background
Though Apple usually announces the latest iPhone around this time of year, disruptions in the company’s supply chain from the pandemic have delayed the iPhone 12, which won’t be launched until at least October, according to Bloomberg.
