Apple is set to unveil its newest iPhones and Watch at its Far Out event on Wednesday — and we are expecting a number of major launches.
Here are five of the biggest announcements we anticipate.
No more mini
It is expected that the new iPhones will come in only two sizes — 6.1 inches for the 14 and 14 Pro, and 6.7 inches for the 14 Max and 14 Pro Max.
That means goodbye for to mini version — and this really is not a surprise. Apple does not break down iPhone sales by device, but Consumer Research Intelligence Partners reported that in the first quarter of 2022, only 3 per cent of US iPhone sales were for the mini.
The pill-and-hole look
After pioneering the notch craze with the iPhone X in 2017, users are in for a new interface with the widely expected pill-and-hole combo up front.
Part of the reason for the notch's existence is to house Apple's complicated Face ID technology. As such, it will be interesting to find out how they have been able to cram that behind an even tighter space.
This would mean a whole new view for iPhone users. And inasmuch as the notch stirred much debate, it would not be surprising if the pill-and-hole makes some waves, too.
Bigger, more rugged Watch
While Watch Series 8 will continue to offer 41-millimetre and 45mm versions, the biggest — literally — anticipated addition is what is being called Watch Pro, which is intended for rugged use.
The Pro model is expected to be about 7 per cent bigger, meaning it would be about 48mm in size, Bloomberg technology reporter Mark Gurman said. This would mark the first major redesign of the Apple Watch since 2018's Series 4.
Apple is seeking to solidify its position in the smartwatch industry. It is comfortably ahead and holds more than a third of global market share as of the second quarter of 2022, according to Counterpoint Research.
There are also rumblings about the addition of body temperature and car crash detection, the latter of which is a follow-up to the fall detection introduced in Series 4.
Better cameras for 8K video
The iPhone 13 Pro models scored high in the photography and videography segment. Apple is poised to build on that, this time by introducing its biggest update to its camera on the 14 Pro models — a 48MP sensor that is more than 20 per cent bigger to support 8K video.
This is indeed a big deal, since iPhones have never gone beyond 12MP. Apple apparently does not believe in the strength-in-numbers philosophy — and they let the results speak for themselves.
An improved camera and video system will help Apple to entice more creators. After all, the company had already pitched the iPhone 13 as a Hollywood-grade movie maker.
Lower iPhone prices?
Logic — and history — dictates that each iPhone cycle comes with a higher price tag. It has been reported that the new devices are to be priced $100 higher than the iPhone 13 models.
However, this may not be the case this time around, as there is a possibility that the iPhone 14's pricing could be lower.
It all started when a leak posted online last week suggested the iPhone 14 could go in “a completely different direction than expected” and be priced lower. The person behind the leak, yeux1122, is little known, but Forbes pointed out that he or she has a track record of mostly being right.
Then, more fuel was added to the fire when market research firm TrendForce lowered its iPhone price range by $50. It said Apple might take a "more cautious approach" in pricing, under pressure from soaring inflation and exchange rates, to drive and protect sales, with the bonus of making the smartphones more pocket-friendly.
Apple might also double the iPhones' base storage to 256GB, meaning users get more while paying less, TrendForce said.
All will be revealed tomorrow — and we sure hope this last report turns out to be true.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30, December 1-2
International Vets
Christina Noble Children’s Foundation fixtures
Thursday, November 30:
10.20am, Pitch 3, v 100 World Legends Project
1.20pm, Pitch 4, v Malta Marauders
Friday, December 1:
9am, Pitch 4, v SBA Pirates
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Syria squad
Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Alma, Mahmoud Al Youssef, Ahmad Madania.
Defenders: Ahmad Al Salih, Moayad Ajan, Jehad Al Baour, Omar Midani, Amro Jenyat, Hussein Jwayed, Nadim Sabagh, Abdul Malek Anezan.
Midfielders: Mahmoud Al Mawas, Mohammed Osman, Osama Omari, Tamer Haj Mohamad, Ahmad Ashkar, Youssef Kalfa, Zaher Midani, Khaled Al Mobayed, Fahd Youssef.
Forwards: Omar Khribin, Omar Al Somah, Mardik Mardikian.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
More from Aya Iskandarani
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
If you go:
Getting there:
Flying to Guyana requires first reaching New York with either Emirates or Etihad, then connecting with JetBlue or Caribbean Air at JFK airport. Prices start from around Dh7,000.
Getting around:
Wildlife Worldwide offers a range of Guyana itineraries, such as its small group tour, the 15-day ‘Ultimate Guyana Nature Experience’ which features Georgetown, the Iwokrama Rainforest (one of the world’s four remaining pristine tropical rainforests left in the world), the Amerindian village of Surama and the Rupununi Savannah, known for its giant anteaters and river otters; wildlifeworldwide.com
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
