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Apple’s Glowtime Event: Key Announcements & How To Watch
Apple’s upcoming keynote is expected to reveal the iPhone 16, iOS 18, Apple Watch X, and new AirPods, with a focus on AI.
Apple’s latest and highly anticipated iPhone event is just around the corner, with the Cupertino company expected to unveil the iPhone 16 and reveal updates on iOS 18. The event, scheduled for September 9th, was announced using an Apple logo adorned with overlapping colors and the tagline “It’s Glowtime”.
The design echoes the invitation for June’s Worldwide Developers Conference, where Apple introduced its new AI suite, Apple Intelligence. It’s likely that the upcoming event will continue this conversation in addition to revealing new hardware.
How To Watch Apple’s Glowtime Event
Apple’s keynote is scheduled for Monday, September 9th, at 10:00 AM PT (8:00 PM Beirut, 9:00 PM Dubai).
The event will be livestreamed on Apple’s website and YouTube. In addition, you’ll also be able to watch via the Apple TV app.
Anticipated Features: AI-Powered iPhones & Enhanced Cameras
During June’s WWDC keynote, Apple introduced Apple Intelligence, a collection of AI-driven features including a smarter Siri, AI-powered writing tools, and ChatGPT integration. The iPhone 16 is expected to be the first to launch with these features fully integrated, following their introduction on the iPhone 15 Pro models.
In tandem with these AI advancements, the public rollout of iOS 18 is expected. This new operating system will offer customizable home and lock screens, an upgraded Control Center, and RCS messaging support, making communication with Android users more seamless.
Apple is also likely to showcase improvements in iPhone hardware, particularly in the camera department. Rumors suggest that the iPhone 16 lineup may feature larger image sensors and a new physical camera button, positioned alongside the Action button from last year’s iPhone 15 Pro models. This button could also introduce swipe gestures for zooming in and out.
Also Read: Yango Group Unveils Yasmina AI-Enhanced Smart Speakers For UAE
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that the iPhone 16 Pro will include a 5x optical zoom lens, eliminating the need to upgrade to the Pro Max for this feature. Another analyst, Jeff Pu, speculates that the ultrawide cameras on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max could jump from 12 megapixels to an impressive 48 megapixels.
The base iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models might feature vertically stacked cameras, a design change that could enhance their ability to shoot spatial videos. These videos appear in 2D on a regular iPhone but are designed to deliver a 3D effect when viewed on Apple’s Vision Pro headset.
Apple Watch X: The Next Generation
Apple is also expected to unveil the 10th generation of its Watch series, likely named the Apple Watch X, continuing the tradition set by the iPhone X. This new model should feature a slimmer design and larger screen sizes, along with advanced health monitoring capabilities like blood-pressure tracking and sleep apnea detection. Additionally, the Apple Watch X may introduce a new magnetic band attachment system.
New AirPods: Enhanced Design & Features
As reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple might also debut two new AirPods models during the event. These redesigned headphones are expected to feature shorter stems, USB-C charging support, and possibly Active Noise Cancellation, traditionally reserved for the AirPods Pro.
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UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
Also Read: IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth
The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.