Riding into September like (Credit: Lance Ulanoff)
It’s getting hot in here
I made the mistake of checking the weather for Cupertino, California, on September 7 where, along with a bunch of hotly-anticipated Apple products, there’ll be triple-digit temperatures.
I’m not sure Apple’s ever launched an iPhone during a heatwave. But knowing it it will be 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside while I’m inside the expansive and cool Steve Jobs Theater is a comfort. That, by the way, wasn’t a given.
After more than two years of virtual events, Apple finally brought developers and journalists back to Apple Park last June for WWDC. However, the entire keynote was outside under a very strong sun. At least it was 79 and not 100.
This will be the first in-person Apple product launch since 2019 and the iPhone 11 and Apple made the decision to hold it inside. I am grateful.
As for what we’ll see: Lots of iPhone 14 models (as many as four), maybe a new Apple Watch (Series 8), possibly new AirPods, and maybe something more.
I think it’ll be a lot of products because Apple understands this is not just a typical iPhone product launch. It’s, as mentioned, the first in-person one in a while, as well as the first post-pandemic launch. It feels like turning a corner and I bet Apple wants to celebrate with a big product splash.
And if it really wants to make a statement, Apple will also tease the Apple Glasses we all believe they’re working on.
Whatever happens, I’m packing with summer clothes and flying out tomorrow. I can’t wait to share all the Apple news (and some hands-ons!).
A weit event
As I write this, I’m just catching my breath from a busy five days in Berlin, Germany, where I attended IFA. It was the first in-person IFA in three years and while it was somewhat smaller and less crowded than in previous years, it was still surprisingly vibrant and busy.
The convention spread across acres of giant buildings and, while I saw a lot of it, I cannot say I saw it all.
A few products, though, really jumped out at me. One was a blood-pressure-measuring smartwatch. It works just like the blood pressure cuff your doctor uses. It was quite something.
I saw a lot of appliances, most of them smart, and many of them actually design pieces. I saw a ton of e-scooters and, yes, rode one on a track (see above). I had a great chat with a Samsung exec about folding devices and could not help but notice a key IFA theme: Sustainability.
There were a lot of portable solar generators and many stories about how appliances could help you save energy and maybe the planet. One new Samsung washing machine technology (developed with Patagonia) touted the ability to remove 54% of microplastics during a wash cycle. I like that.
No go
I watched like many others as NASA tried and failed twice to get Artemis 1 off the ground. The giant SLS rocket appears to have had multiple failures that I, for one, am glad they discovered on the ground.
Now, it looks like we won’t get a launch until next month. That’s fine. I’m happy to see NASA delay this important first step back to the moon to ensure that it eventually goes off without a hitch.
I have seen some talk on social media about how NASA should have used the now experienced SpaceX Falcon heavy rocket instead of SLS. Maybe, but NASA doesn’t want to rely on SpaceX for everything, or maybe SLS is, despite the delays, the best rocket for the job. Also, folks, not everything is a game of oneupmanship. NASA has to get this right or it could be a very long time before we make it to the moon. Let’s be patient.
On the other hand, I do feel for a friend of mine who went to the initial launch, cut another trip short to attend the second attempt, and is now, I guess, wondering if he should try for round three which will probably be next month.
I’d offer more, but I’m extremely jet-lagged and now packing for Apple.
Keep an eye on TechRadar and my Twitter feed for all the updates.
Stay safe
See you soon