Apple focuses on cameras and AI for new iPhones By dpa-AFX

CUPERTINO (dpa-AFX) – Apple is relying on better cameras and artificial intelligence (AI) in its new iPhones. However, users in Europe will not experience many of the new AI functions for the time being: The company is holding them back, citing legal uncertainties caused by the new EU digital law DMA. With new software for the AirPods earphones, Apple could simultaneously shake up the hearing aid market.

All iPhone users will benefit from a new button that is more commonly seen on cameras: a shutter button for the camera. The new control element is intended to make it easier to take photos and videos – and at the same time offer users a faster way to learn more about their surroundings with the help of artificial intelligence.

The button on the iPhone 16 works in a similar way to a camera: when you press it all the way down, you get an image, and a light press activates a slider. This means you can control the zoom, for example, without having to tap the screen as before. You can also use the button to quickly switch between photo and video mode.

Direct path to AI knowledge

The camera button is also a shortcut to AI functions. For example, you can use it to take a photo of a concert poster or an animal to find out more about it.

Overall, the iPhone 16 and the more expensive and better equipped iPhone 16 Pro largely retain the design of the most recent predecessor models. But the two cameras of the standard model are again arranged in a line one above the other, as they were on the iPhone X. With the camera system, the phones can now also record three-dimensional videos for Apple’s Vision Pro computer glasses.

Inside there are new chips and more RAM. This is a prerequisite for the new functions with artificial intelligence to run smoothly on the devices. Of the earlier models, only the iPhone 15 Pro is powerful enough for “Apple Intelligence”. The starting price of the standard model of the iPhone 16 remains unchanged at 949 euros.

New languages ​​for “Apple Intelligence” – no German

These AI functions are intended to summarize missed emails and text messages, create individual emoji symbols, and retrieve information on demand, among other things. It is not yet clear when the advanced Apple AI could come to Germany.

Until now, “Apple Intelligence” only worked in English. At the event, however, Apple announced four additional languages ​​for next year: French, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese.

Some market observers had predicted a surge in demand for the new models due to interest in the new AI features.

The iPhone is by far Apple’s most important product. In the first nine months of the current year, it generated a good half of the company’s revenue. The iPhone is also the basis for the lucrative business with subscription services and apps as well as accessories such as the AirPods earphones.

In terms of units sold, Apple is number two in the smartphone market behind Samsung (F:) – but recently domestic manufacturers such as Huawei have become more competitive to the iPhone group in the important Chinese market.

AirPods Pro can also be hearing aids

The AirPods Pro, which have so far stood out for their noise cancellation, will soon also be able to be used as a hearing aid. After approval by regulatory authorities, the function will be introduced in Germany, among other countries, by the end of the year.

If the function works, Apple could shake up the hearing aid market, where devices often cost several thousand euros. The iPhone company sells the AirPods Pro for 279 euros.

Apple Watch gets bigger and thinner

Ten years after the first announcement, Apple is giving its computer watch a facelift. The Apple Watch is noticeably thinner and has larger displays.

A more powerful new chip will enable the Apple Watch Series 10 to automatically display selected information when you need it. A new feature for the Apple Watch is the detection of sleep apnea – a condition in which breathing can stop for a short time.

To ensure that you can wear the watch for longer, 30 minutes of charging should fill the battery to 80 percent. So far, many users charge the watch overnight. The new Apple Watch will also be able to detect water temperature and depth.

The Apple Watch was introduced in September 2014 and went on sale in spring 2015. Since then, Apple has led the smartwatch market – although recently Chinese manufacturers in particular have caught up a bit

Apple last enlarged the Watch’s display a few years ago. The starting price remains at 449 euros.

The stock market reacted cautiously to the changes. Apple shares (NASDAQ:) lost a good one percent in late trading.