To celebrate Black History Month, Apple has introduced new Unity Lights watch face and Black Unity Braided Solo Loop for Apple Watch, alongside special content highlights on various services like Apple Music 1, Apple Fitness+, Podcasts, Maps, Books, TV, and more.
Black History Month is celebrated annually from February 1st to March 1st in the United States. Also known as African American History Month, it celebrates achievements and voices from Black History.
Apple celebrates Black History Month
Apple has been celebrating the month every year and releasing special content and updates to mark the occasion. This year, Apple has introduced the following new updates and content for customers using its products and services.
Apple Watch – Unity Lights watch face and Black Unity Braided Solo Loop
Apple Watch users on watchOS 8.3 and later, and iOS 15.2 and later, can now use a new Unity Lights watch face. This does not require any software update, and users should get a new notification regarding the availability of the watch face.
The new Black Unity watch band and matching Unity Lights watch face are inspired by Afrofuturism, a philosophy that explores the experience of the African Diaspora through a narrative of science, technology, and self‑empowerment. The design honors generations of Black people who have been seen and unseen, highlighting the need for a more equitable world.
As per Apple, the watch face uses 2D ray tracing for the first time on a watch face, with each pixel accurately simulating the light and shadow that falls on it based on the movement of the watch’s hands. The watch face also supports full screen and circular dial variants, with up to four optional complications.
Apple has also launched new Black Unity Braided Solo Loop which is made of 16,000 recycled yarn and silicone threads. The Solo Loop features red and green accents inspired by Afrofuturism. The Solo Loop is available now for purchase from Apple online store.
Apple Watch users can also participate in a special Unity Challenge by closing their move ring seven times a week to earn a limited time reward.
Apple Music
Apple Music will feature a new campaign around a theme called Music is Healing which will be accompanied by special episodes of “The Message” on Apple Music 1. These episodes will have conversations between Ebro Darden, Apple Music’s head of Hip-Hop and R&B editorial, and various guests, and revolve around issues around Black health, wellness, achievements, and contributions.
Apple will also highlight music that focuses on themes of Movement, Black Love, Celebration, and Peace, as well as music videos that focus on the main campaign theme.
Fitness+
Fitness+ will feature new workouts throughout the month that use music and playlists by Black artists. There will also be a new episode of Time to Walk by Ayọ Tometi, one of the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement, while two new meditations will also be released that focus on themes of gratitude and awareness.
Podcasts
The Podcasts app will feature various shows from Black creators that focus on Black history, health, well-being, and culture.
App Store
App Store will run special editorials that will showcase apps that enable Black health and wellness, including a focus on financial, physical, and mental well-being. Apps owned by Black creators will also receive special focus in these App Store editorials.
Books, Maps, TV, and News
Other Apple services like Books, News, and TV will also put special focus on content and collections by Black authors and creators. Maps will allow users to discover and learn about Black-owned businesses through special curated Guides.
Apple’s Shot on iPhone campaign “Our Stories” will also feature portraits and a video that celebrate various achievers. Lastly, Apple has also released new wallpapers for Mac, iPad, and iPhone that are inspired by Afrofuturism.
