In Pictures: Apple integrates the watch even closer to iPhone with safety add-ons

Satellite connection during emergencies might have been the big detail to emerge from the Apple event that brought out the latest iPhone. But in the highly interlinked world of Apple, the Watch is starting to matter quite a bit.

They sure can come in handy in tricky situations, i.e., in a car crash, for instance.

Using two new motion sensors and a sensor-fusion algorithm, the latest iteration of the Apple Watch can do a crash detection. And will check in with the user and dial emergency services if the wearer is unresponsive after a 10-second countdown. Emergency responders will receive the user’s device location, which is also shared with emergency contacts.

This has been the theme from the Apple event – co-opt the devices to take care of health and emergencies. That’s quite a step up from apps tracking daily activity or the food intake.

The satellite connection with the iPhone 14 follows the same track of advanced safety features for the owner. If caught in an emergency situation, the model can link up with a satellite outside of Wi-Fi and cellular networks and call in the help. Nifty, indeed.

This year, Apple has also seen fit to raise the display on the Watch. The Apple Watch Ultra introduces a 49mm titanium case and flat sapphire front crystal, which makes this the biggest-brightest wrist display yet from the maker.

Apple claims the best battery life for the Ultra, of up to 36 hours during normal use. A new low-power setting can extend battery life to reach up to 60 hours.

The Wayfinder watch face designed specifically for the Ultra includes a compass built into the dial, with space for up to eight complications.

The Apple Watch Ultra is priced at Dh3,199, and in the UAE, pre-orders have started , with availability in stores from September 23.

Of course, this isn’t the only choice – the Apple Watch Series 8 comes to Dh1,599 and Apple Watch SE at Dh999.