Apple's iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro and Apple Watch Series 12 arrived at the September event, and Steven Scott, Shaun Preece and returning guest Michael Babcock came away distinctly unmoved. Here is what the new lineup actually offers blind and low vision users, and where all that money goes.The headline is the iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable. It opens like a passport to a 7.6 inch inner screen, with a 5.4 inch display on the outside, a variable torque hinge and speakers that adapt to how you hold it. There is no Face ID, though Touch ID and Apple Watch unlock are there, and the camera sits behind the screen. Pricing starts at $1,999 US and $2,999 Canadian for 256GB, rising to $3,199 US for two terabytes. The team agree it could be genuinely transformative for people with low vision thanks to magnification and side by side apps, while VoiceOver users may find the extra screen real estate hard to justify. One change worth knowing about: the dock and app tabs move to the right side of the screen vertically, which will take some relearning.The Apple Watch gains what Apple calls audio intelligence. A Siri recap feature pulls back a transcript of the last 15 seconds of conversation, useful when a server rattles off the specials, and a double press of the digital crown starts longer note taking that can be tied to a schedule so it never listens at the wrong moment. Michael compares it to his experience with wearable recorders and the Plaud Note, and explains why Apple's private cloud compute makes him more comfortable than the alternatives.Elsewhere, AirPods 5 bring a claimed 50 percent improvement in active noise cancellation without going into the ear canal, with a version offering volume control on the stem at $149 US. Apple Watch Series 12 focuses on a redesigned heart sensor, longevity metrics and a Quest Diagnostics tie-in for blood work, prompting a frank exchange about whether more health data helps or simply creates anxiety. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 US and climbs steeply from there.Then there is the list of no-shows: no new Apple TV, no HomePod, no smart glasses, and no standard iPhone 18 until March. With Siri AI still not fully out, the hosts ask whether this is the year to sit tight.Chapters0:00 – First reactions to a boring Apple event2:24 – The opening skit and Tim Cook's retirement4:24 – iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max and the price increases12:09 – AirPods 5, noise cancellation and stem volume14:01 – Audio intelligence and the watch that listens24:00 – Apple Watch Series 12, heart data and longevity31:26 – iPhone Duo: Apple's foldable arrives47:54 – The missing Apple TV, HomePod and Siri AI53:53 – Expected and dull: the final verdictRelevant LinksApple Events: https://www.apple.com/apple-events/Earshot Podcasts by Michael Babcock: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earshot-podcasts/id6770760602 ----Follow on:YouTube: https://www.doubletaponair.com/youtubeX (formerly Twitter): https://www.doubletaponair.com/xInstagram: https://www.doubletaponair.com/instagramTikTok: https://www.doubletaponair.com/tiktokThreads: https://www.doubletaponair.com/threadsFacebook: https://www.doubletaponair.com/facebookLinkedIn: https://www.doubletaponair.com/linkedinSubscribe to the Podcast:Apple: https://www.doubletaponair.com/appleSpotify: https://www.doubletaponair.com/spotifyRSS: https://www.doubletaponair.com/podcastiHeadRadio: https://www.doubletaponair.com/iheartAbout Double TapHosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited."Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related