Apple event this year had an unusually dark undertone as it leaned into emergency features for a dangerous world

When Apple held its annual launch event for the iPhone 13 in 2021, it began with a joyful video featuring jazz dancers celebrating the natural beauty of California.

There was a darker tone to the launch of Apple's new phone. Users who wrote letters to Apple CEO Tim Cook and were saved by their Apple Watch were highlighted in a video after zooming in on Apple's headquarters.

My dad was going to Vermont. I was sleeping in the backseat. We crashed into the top of the trees. We were far away from civilization when the plane broke into pieces. Hannah said that her Apple Watch started ringing suddenly.

The characters in the video told stories of falling into a frozen stream, getting trapped inside a trash compactor, and witnessing a cardiac episode in a restaurant.

The main theme of Apple's launch this year was saving lives in emergency situations, and many of the most notable new features the company announced were oriented towards safety.

It is possible to send a message for help even if there is no cell service in the area. The Find My app allows users to share their location.

An example of how the feature works was shown by Apple, where a hiker with a broken leg called for a helicopter. Apple mentioned winding back roads as a place where people might not be able to use the phone.

In wilderness settings, this feature could be helpful. Being able to contact emergency services or tell your family where you are in the event of a disaster can be a lifesaver.

Apple's $799 or more watch, the Ultra, has an 86-decibel siren that can be heard 600 feet away, and a compass feature that allows the user to retrace their steps without the internet.

As with the satellite feature, Apple advertised it as a useful tool for people in the wilderness, but it could also be useful in mundane settings. You could use the retracing feature to find your way back to your car after a disaster in your community interrupted cell service, or you could sound the alarm to deter an attacker.

If a car crash occurs, the Apple Watches can now call for help.

"We hope you never need it, but that you will feel a little bit safer every time you get in the car," an Apple presentation said, before showing images of a driver getting hit by an air bag in slow motion after a crash.

The purpose of Apple's launch events is to build demand for their products. The company wants to make the iPhone even more essential for its users so that they won't switch to another device.

Will these features make an impact on adoption and sales? It turns out that Apple has thought about it before.

Apple representatives wrote about potential business opportunities stemming from climate change and cited a previous version of the "SOS" feature as an example of Apple's work to build features for emergencies.

As severe weather events become more frequent, consumers may come to value the immediate availability of reliable mobile computing devices for use in situations where transportation, power and other services may be temporarily interrupted.

The 9/11 disaster and other extreme weather events are happening more often, according to Apple.

As people begin to experience severe weather events with greater regularity, Apple expects an increasing need for confidence and preparation in the area of personal safety and the well-being of loved ones.

There are other consumer electronics companies that are working on safety features for their devices. Apple has a robust lineup of health features, including fall detection for seniors and heart monitoring, which underscore its safety pitch.

At the launch event, one person said that the Apple product was there when they needed it the most. It's important that you have confidence in your safety.

When things go wrong, Apple's devices are the ones you want to use.