Note: This post has been updated to clarify the health-monitoring capabilities of the Apple Watch 4 and ECG app. This device is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Apple announced a slew of new upgrades in the super snazzy new Steve Jobs Theatre including a 'new' Apple Watch (1/3 bigger, more health elements) and several new iPhones (iPhone Xs/XMax/Xr) but who are the winners and who are the losers? Will update this with more as/when they become apparent but for now...
WINNERS
1) Health professionals/industry
- Apple Watch Series 4 is FDA and Heart Association approved, there's a lot more data available as Apple can now classify if the heart is beating in a normal pattern or whether there are signs of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). Also anyone with larger wrists as the Apple Watch is now 33% bigger.
2) Sports coaches, sports players
- The new iPhone allows people to get a ton of statistics thanks to on-device mapping and feedback. From Golf to Basketball this will be well used. Clever stuff.
3) Gaming friends
- New AR tech means friends can play in realtime and get all the thrills thanks to the new Bionic 12 chip.
4) The environment
- Apple is now totally using only renewable energy and has three new long-term environmental goals.
5) Colour junkies/fashion folks
- The iPhone Xr have five snazzy covers but that means the cover folks may lose out...
LOSERS
1) Life Alert, elderly support services, physical fall devices, mobile heart monitor companies
- Apple Watch Series 4 just made these look like children's toys thanks to the FDA and Heart Association backing. Essentially, the Apple Watch is now a must-have for any fitness nut and anyone who worries about having a heart attack.
2) Fitbit, fitness trackers/apps
- Against the Apple Watch Series 4, all other wearables/apps look lame or ridiculously simplistic.
3) Non-Apple Fixing Centers
- Thanks to waterproof phones with more durable screens, there will be less fixing to be done. Which is nice because you just spanked $1000 on a phone and who wants to stand in line at the Genius Bar?
4) Google Pictures, Dropbox, storage sellers
- iPhones can now come with up to 512gb of storage - that means you might not need a separate storage service (if you did use one). Handy because cloud storage mainly sucks.
5) Snapchat / Messaging Apps that use lenses/camera as the main entry point
- Thanks to the new processors and built-in software updates, there are now fewer reasons to use other apps to connect with friends.
6) Measuring tape apps
- Apple now has a built-in one. You knew it wouldn't last forever. ;)
7) Professional photographers and editing services
- Thanks to software updates, the smartphone just replaced a lot of DSLRs and post-shoot services. You still need to take a good composition but, whatever you shoot should look good enough to on the cover of Time Magazine apparently.
8) Poor people, Sugar Daddies and Mums and Dads
- All products cost what you think they would. Larger units will start from $1099.
9) Sonos and other speakers that aren't Alexa or Google Home
- Apple HomePods have increased new functionality now.
UPDATE: Post has been updated to clarify life-saving capabilities of Apple Watch Series 4.
