In addition to the iPhone 14, Apple may also use the event to unveil the Apple Watch Series 8, which will reportedly be similar to last year’s model, but with more health features such as a fever sensor, as well as improved durability. The tech giant has invited the press to its Apple Park headquarters in California for the event, though it will also offer live streaming on Apple.com and other streaming services. As is typical, Apple didn’t say much in its invitation for its upcoming iPhone event. The invite shows an Apple logo seemingly set against a night sky, hinting at possible camera improvements or last year’s rumored emergency call via satellite. The image looks like something we might see from the James Webb Space Telescope, whose stunning pictures have already begun to change the way we see the world since they were first released earlier this summer. In its announcement, Apple included the teaser words “Far out.” Read more: How to watch iPhone 14, Apple Watch Series 8 launches New features for both the iPhone 14 and Apple Watch 8 may help Apple stand out from Samsung and other device makers during what is expected to be increased competition this year. People have cut back on tech purchases, leading to unexpectedly weak sales reports from chipmaker Intel, as well as sudden shortfalls in ad business for Google parent Alphabet and Facebook parent Meta. And they are not alone. Our collective confidence in the economy has plummeted, thanks to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic combined with persistent inflation and an impending recession. A survey from the University of Michigan found that consumer sentiment is at its lowest point in at least 70 years. This means Apple will have to fight even harder to win over new iPhone owners. Samsung, for its part, made Apple’s job a little easier by announcing the flagship Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 at the standard prices of $1,800 and $1,000, respectively, earlier this month. It also raised the prices of the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro by $30 each. Apple so far isn’t worried. For the past two years, Apple has seen its biggest revenue and profits each holiday shopping season, largely due to the popularity of the 2021 iPhone 13 and 2020 iPhone 12. Apple CEO Tim Cook has previously mentioned advanced cameras , long battery life and good software as reasons people continue to choose iPhone. But he also said that 5G, the super-fast wireless technology that Apple started using two years ago, is likely to push even more people to upgrade. “5G was an accelerator,” he told investors on a conference call last month. He added that while the technology is spreading in some places, such as China, the EU and the US, other parts of the world have not started using it as much. And so as 5G expands, he said, “I think there’s reason to be optimistic.” While the iPhone will be a key product to see at Apple’s event this year, and likely the one most people are focusing their attention on, the company is expected to have other devices to show off as well. These include new Macs with upgraded chips and new iPads.
