[Update: 07 Oct 2018 @ 07:00 GMT]
The one part of this story I missed is on the Series 4 of the Apple Watch Nike+. Everything else is the same as the standard Series 4 models (LTE and GPS models, same sizes, internal specifications, price, etc.), but there are a few differences:
- Exclusive Nike+ watch faces that come in both analog and digital variants with customizable colours
- Colours are limited to silver and space gray
- Two perforated Sport Bands and two new Sport Loops made with a reflective fabric. The reflective bands cannot be purchased separately.
As of Friday 5 October, they are already available for purchase in the following Middle East markets: Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.
On another note of with regards to supporting the cellular models in the Middle East, people would need carriers that support eSIM. As they are slowly being adopted due to the iPhone XS, expect more markets to pop-up that support them.
[Update: 20 Sep 2018 @ 14:00 GMT]
In an interesting development that could broaden the rollout of the Apple Watch Cellular models in the Middle East, Vodafone Qatar and Ooredoo Qatar have announced that they’re rolling out support for eSIM.
The UAE has been the only country that supported the eSIM for some time, but it’s been limited to the Apple Watch Series 3 Cellular model. This makes 2 countries in the entire Middle East and North Africa region to support the eSIM standard – UAE and Qatar.
Though the announcement from both mobile networks was definitely influenced by the new iPhone XS launching soon (Vodafone Qatar’s announcement was likely by their global network presence already supporting it), we can definitely see the new Apple Watch Series 4 Cellular models being supported down the road.
Now the one question is… when will they bring the Apple Watch Series 3/4 Cellular models?
You may be focused on the new iPhone models that were recently unveiled, but you’ve probably missed out on the other items as well – the new Apple Watch Series 4 and release dates for iOS 12, watchOS 5, and macOS Mojave.
By the time you read this, most people are already updating to the new iOS 12; for those with the supported Apple Watch models, you should be updating to watchOS 5. You still have to wait for macOS Mojave.
Apple Watch Series 4 was the star of the event
What really got me amped up is the new Apple Watch Series 4. It comes in both the GPS and Cellular LTE models (only select markets), and there are significant changes to this new line-up.
Both come in 40mm and 44mm sizes, and you can easily use your current Apple Watch bands with the new models without any issues. They’re also slightly less thicker as well, yet maintain the same battery life as the Series 3. A new SiP chipset includes dual-core functionality that allows faster processing of apps on the Apple Watch, especially those with more visual fidelity to be rendered.
The biggest reveal with the Series 4 is that it includes the ability to do an ECG from your wrist. Apple announced that it’s already FDA-certified, which makes this the first over-the-counter ECG reader that you can purchase. The catch? The functionality will be available first in the US. You can expect the world to use it on the same day, cause there are likely legal hurdles to jump as regulations vary from country-to-country.
It’s coming out on 21 September 2018, and the only country in the Middle East that’s receiving it first is the UAE (they’re the only country with a mobile carrier that supports the eSIM for the Apple Watch LTE cellular models).
OS updates coming to you soon
iOS and Apple Watch devices have been pinging Apple’s network of distribution farms for the latest OS updates since 17 September 2018. If Apple has learnt anything from iOS 11’s release, it’s not to put too many features so that it introduces new bugs and security issues. So far, the process has been smooth and no bugs have popped up on my iPhone 8 and iPad Pro.
If you’ve got an Apple Watch, you’ll need to update to iOS 12 on your iPhone before you can update to watchOS 5.
As for the Mac family, macOS Mojave is coming out on 24 September of supported Macs. Here’s hoping it doesn’t get the same iOS 11 release fiasco (I held back on updating to High Sierra until a Final Cut Pro X update forced me to do it).
