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Apple is adding features to its watches that use live audio processing to rephrase what was said or summarize conversations, while emphasizing that raw audio recordings are not saved. But these functions raise practical and legal questions about obtaining others’ consent, the potential use of the resulting transcripts, and the effect of normalizing devices that listen continuously on people’s behavior.
Apple introduced the Apple Watch Series 12 on September 9, 2026, with the Health Sensing System and S11 chip to increase the frequency of heart-rate and heart-rate-variability measurements and add a daily readiness indicator. The watch also includes Audio Intelligence and Siri AI features, with preorders starting at $399 and in-store availability beginning September 18.