Apple has set a release date for its fall software release. The versions are related to the devices announced at the September product event held today (September 14).

Apple did not extensively address the release dates for iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15 during its hour-and-a-half presentation. Instead, news of the September 20 release date was conveyed in the various press releases and spec sheets that Apple issued in support of its iPhone 13, Apple Watch Series 7, iPad 9, and iPad mini 6 announcements.

This means that iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS updates will all arrive this Monday; in the case of iPad and iPhone software, it precedes the ship date of the new tablets and phones. Apple Watch 7 will not arrive until later in the fall. Although it will, the watchOS 8 update has many benefits for current Apple Watch owners.

This series of software releases does not include macOS 12 Monterey, which was previewed at the June developer conference, the same one being released this Monday. Apple is rumored to be working on a new MacBook Pro model and also has a fall launch event coming up. It is highly likely that a macOS update will appear at this time.

Apple's software updates not only power newly released hardware, but in some cases also support existing devices dating back several years. For example, the iOS 15 update works on iPhones dating back to the iPhone 6s, which debuted six years ago.

We have taken a closer look at each software update and here is a summary of what each one brings.

iOS 15: Apple's iPhone software brings significant updates to many existing apps, including Maps, Safari, and FaceTime. (FaceTime interface and audio improvements are part of Monday's iOS 15 release, but the major SharePlay feature - which lets you watch video with others through FaceTime - doesn't arrive until later.) We can also expect new artificial intelligence features such as Visual Look Up, which can recognize objects, people, and places in photos, and Live Text, which can capture text with the iPhone's camera.

Click here for iOS 15 Public Beta impressions.

It includes iPad-specific enhancements such as smarter multitasking, the Quick Notes feature for more easily jotting down ideas, and homescreen widgets.

There is also a hands-on review of iPadOS 15.

watchOS 8: WatchOS 8 adds a new mindfulness app, enhanced Apple Watch sleep tracking, and the ability to measure your breathing rate. watchOS 8 allows you to track new exercises, and product During the event presentation Apple talked up new features for cycling tracking, including fall detection for when you and your bike fall over.

These are five underrated watchOS 8 features that excite us.

tvOS 15: There is no doubt that tvOS 15 is the least anticipated of these four software updates. However, the updated software for Apple TV includes spatial audio support for AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, a new Shared with You section for recommended content from friends and family and HomePod mini integration.