The 2022 product and software launch party this month at Apple featured a powerful set of new functionalities — particularly in safety and audio/visual enhancements.

The satellite connectivity offered with the new iPhone 14 could be a life-saver for those in need of help in remote areas. The Apple Watch crash feature offers a significant enhancement in that competitive space and new health options include temperature sensing for women and an enhanced workout app.

There’s a lot to talk about. Here’s some of the key highlights:

Apple Watch 8

The big news here is the addition of crash detection, which will alert your emergency contacts in the event of a car crash. Another new feature is the addition of a temperature sensor to help women estimate ovulation windows. Other enhancements include:

• Swim-proof

• Crack-resistant

• ECG, blood oxygen readouts

• Fall detection with emergency SOS

• All-day battery life

Apple Watch Ultra

This new, rugged version of the Apple Watch is built for extreme sports. You can dive deeper, get colder (or hotter!) and it is built to take much more outdoor abuse in general than previous versions.

• Titanium engineering delivers a tougher, more robust watch.

• The edge surrounds the crystal to protect it from impact.

• Big, bright display.

• Bigger buttons allow use with gloves

• A single charge delivers 36 hours of battery life.

• In night mode, the readout turns red for dark visibility

AirPods

Customizable “spatial audio” is heralded as offering much more realistic “being there” listening, allowing users to create a personalized audio experience. Also of note:

• A new, shorter stem with an extra-small tip

• Active noise cancellation

• Transparency mode to reduce environmental noise. Reacts instantly when loud noise happens

• Touch control. Swipe up or down for volume control

• Longer battery life — Up to 6 hours

• Charging case provides 30 hours listening time

iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus

The iPhone and the iPhone Plus include the first two years of satellite emergency SOS service for free. Other new and improved features this year include:

• Super Retina display

• All-day battery life

• A camera system upgraded to include a 12 mp main camera

• Ultra-wide camera

• Improved low light photos

• Advanced stabilization mode for video

• 5G connectivity

• As in this year’s Apple Watch, new car crash detection notifies emergency services and your emergency contacts if you are in a crash.

The Plus offers the fastest chip in any smart phone, Also new in the Plus is the “Dynamic Island” — a customizable space at the top of the phone for dynamic display of alerts and notifications.