Apple Watch adds AI audio features to compete with new wearables

Apple has unveiled a significant shift in its smartwatch strategy by embedding artificial intelligence tools designed to capture and summarize ambient audio. At its recent product event, the company announced that the new Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models will include features like Siri Recap and Live Recap. These tools allow the device to listen to conversations and important environmental sounds, such as sirens or a baby crying, to provide users with high-level notes and real-time transcriptions.

The move positions Apple’s hardware against a growing category of dedicated AI wearables, such as Amazon’s Bee wristband and Plaud’s note-taking devices. While these competitors focus primarily on recording and summarizing speech, Apple is attempting to integrate these capabilities directly into its ecosystem. This expansion aims to make the smartwatch a more comprehensive assistant for daily life, moving beyond simple notifications and fitness tracking to become an active listener and note-taker.

Privacy promises and technical trade-offs

A central concern for any always-listening device is data privacy, and Apple has addressed this by stating that no audio recordings are created or stored. According to the company, raw audio data is inaccessible to Apple and other applications and is immediately deleted after the AI processes it for summaries. However, this approach requires constant local processing, which may impact battery life and device performance during extended periods of active listening.

The trade-off is that users must explicitly opt into each audio feature, and the initial rollout is limited to English-speaking users. The improved Siri, which can answer questions based on personal data like emails and calendars, is available as a beta version on watchOS 27. For many consumers, the convenience of automatic note-taking may come at the cost of reduced battery efficiency or the need to manage complex privacy settings.

Enhanced health tracking and durability

Beyond AI features, the new watches place a stronger emphasis on health monitoring with a new Health Sensing System. Apple claims this technology offers the most accurate heart rate tracking available in wearable devices, with background readings taken every five seconds and heart rate variability sampled every five minutes. The devices also introduce a daily readiness score, similar to those found in competitors like Whoop and Fitbit, to inform users about recovery and rest quality.

Durability has also been improved, with the Series 12 featuring Ceramic Shield 2 glass that is 60% tougher than previous versions. The Ultra 4 model offers up to 50 hours of battery life and faster charging. While these hardware upgrades are substantial, the primary competitive advantage lies in the integration of AI and health data, creating a more holistic view of the user’s daily activities and well-being.

New audio options and market availability

Apple also introduced the AirPods 5, which feature significantly improved noise cancellation for their open-ear design. The standard model offers 50% more powerful noise reduction, while an upgraded version includes on-earbud volume adjustment and wireless charging. These earbuds support hands-free Siri interactions and live translation, further integrating AI into the audio experience.

Preorders for the new watches and earbuds begin in September, with in-store availability following shortly after. The Series 12 starts at US$399, while the Ultra 4 is priced at US$799. As reported by GN auto tech/wearables, these releases mark a pivotal moment for Apple as it competes in the emerging market of AI-powered personal devices, balancing innovation with user privacy concerns.