Reflecting on eight years of Apple Watch evolution brings a mix of nostalgia and anticipation. Having witnessed its journey from announcement to now, the feeling of time passing is undeniable. Apple's mastery in the smartwatch category has led to incremental updates, and this year's releases, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9, continue this trend. While not revolutionary, there are subtle yet compelling features.
The underlying powerhouse of this year's watches lies hidden - the S9 SIP, Apple's latest system-in-package chipset. The significance here is that Apple hadn't updated its watch chips since the Series 6 in 2020. The S9 SIP emerges as the most powerful Apple Watch chip to date, boasting a 60% increase in transistors and a 30% faster GPU. While Apple remains coy about exact speed improvements, the watches noticeably feel faster in daily use, with quicker app launches and smoother animations.
The enhanced S9 SiP enables on-device execution of common Siri requests, a notable leap forward. This ensures speedier responses, as Siri no longer relies on cloud processing, which could be hindered by connectivity issues. Everyday tasks like starting a workout or checking an ECG are now notably faster. Furthermore, this on-device processing lays the groundwork for Siri to access health data directly, promising greater convenience and privacy, though this feature is slated for later release.
Introducing a new 4-core Neural Engine, the S9 SiP promises up to 25% more accurate dictation. While this might not be immediately apparent for routine tasks, Apple's focus on dictation accuracy aims to enhance user interactions, especially in noisy environments.
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Denne historien er fra December 2023-utgaven av HWM Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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THE CONNOISSEUR'S PHONE
If you're a photo-taking purist or someone who holds wired audio in high regard, the Xperia 1 VI speaks your language.
ENTRY LEVEL AUDIOPHILE
Right out of the box, the HD 505 presents a familiar yet refined design that borrows cues from its siblings. The earcups sport a robust metal mesh grille reminiscent of the HD 560S, while the plush synthetic leather headband echoes the comfort found in the HD 599.
THE BEST COMBO YET?
As an existing owner of the original Sonos Arc paired with a Sub 3 and two One SL surround speakers, I was curious: How much better is the new Arc Ultra and Sub 4 combo? And is it worth upgrading from the older Arc?
Mac Buyer's Guide: Which Apple Mac Should You Buy?
With the release of the new Mac Pro in 2023, Apple completed the transition of its Macs from Intel processors to its custom-designed M-series silicon.
THE DEEPFAKE DETECTOR
If you're looking for a relatively affordable 2025 flagship powered by Snapdragon, the Honor Magic7 Pro is an easy choice. Its unique deepfake detection and improved AI features make it stand out, though a few quirks may not suit everyone.
CIVILIZATION VII IS SHAPING UP TO BE A STANDOUT ENTRY IN THE SERIES
Unlike some of the more convoluted systems in earlier Civ titles, Civilization VII offers a series of clear, well-organised tutorials that guide new players through the early game.
Exciting Bite-Sized Encounters Tech On HWZ TikTok!
SKIP THE FAKE MARKETING PARADED BY INFLUENCERS AND MAMBO-JUMBO FROM BRANDS
THE COMEBACK KING
The Find X8 Pro embodies the core of the Find X experience with features inspired by Apple's iPhones yet retaining its unique OPPO identity. Long-time fans will recognise the physical Alert Slider with its three modes (ring, vibrate, and silent).
GOING BEYOND ULTRA
This year's Galaxy S25 Ultra has massive shoes to fill, and from what we've seen, it does a pretty stellar job of balancing privilege with the responsibility that comes with its premium price tag.
BUDGETFRIENDLY SPATIAL AUDIO
Creative's Zen Hybrid SXFI headphones bring an affordable yet feature-packed option to the market, blending solid performance with innovative technology.
