Test your brains with the Herald’s morning quiz. Be sure to check back on nzherald.co.nz for the afternoon quiz. To challenge yourself with more quizzes, CLICK HERE.

The Apple Watch headline of 2022 is the new Ultra, not the Series 8. 

There are new colours, watch faces and bands, but the Series 8 really only brings two, exclusive new features to the table – temperature sensors that provide deeper insights into women's health and crash detection. 

Like the iPhone 14, a new accelerometer and gyroscope allows the new Apple Watch Series 8 to detect a car accident – with the help of the sound of screeching metal.  

READ MORE: Man quits job to create successful Aussie-themed video game

The numbers are mind boggling. The accelerometer can record up to 256G and takes 3,000 readings per second.

If you have both, a notification will pop up on your wrist (Apple assumes it's closer to you if a smash sends your phone flying) and if it doesn't get a response, it will automatically call emergency services and repeatedly play a recording of your location. 

It's a very cool feature that I (hopefully) won't be testing any time soon.

Apple has also upgraded and added a second temperature sensor to Watch Series 8.

One is placed just below the display, the other is closer to the wrist for more accurate body temperature readings. 

READ MORE: Optus criticised for not taking cyber security 'seriously enough'

Using these, Apple's health app is able to analyse changes in a woman's basal temperature and retrospectively estimate they are ovulating and an ideal time to fall pregnant.

The sensors will take readings every five seconds but you'll have to wear the watch for at least five days to establish your body's baseline temperature before any analysis. 

Critically, both of these new features are unaffected by Apple Watch's new low power mode. 

The toggle – which appears on all watches compatible with Watch OS9 – automatically switches off some features and limits others. 

For example, the always on display turns off, as will background heart rate and oxygen measurements which are needed to pick up irregular rhythms.

It will also slow down Siri, the refresh rates of apps running in the background, animations and scrolling aren't as smooth and complication updates are also affected.

With low power mode on, it's said you can squeeze up to 30 hours out of the Series 8. 

The new software also improves the options you have in the sleep, medication and workout apps. 

Apple has just added a new history option for those diagnosed with atrial fibrillation for users to track how factors like exercise, sleep and even your weight affects readings. 

My favourite update comes with Apple Fitness+. 

Apple recently removed the need to own an Apple Watch just to subscribe, and has now unlocked the ability for your workout metrics to be displayed on your TV using AirPlay.

This is a big win for anyone who doesn't want to drag their Apple TV around with them just to complete a workout. 

The only other change I noticed while using the Series 8 was to notifications. 

Notifications used to take up the entire screen – even when you were doing something on the watch itself.

Now, if you're using an updated Apple Watch, a notification will appear as a banner at the top of the screen.

It's designed to be less obstructive, but given the size of the screen, anything readable is going to take up a decent amount of real estate.

Like Series 7, the Series 8 comes in two sizes – 41mm and 45mm. 

I selected the 45mm aluminium case in the colour 'midnight' which felt nice and light on my wrist, and liked knowing it was made of 100 per cent recycled aluminium. 

That design starts at $679 but can cost up to $839 for the cellular option. 

Having previously worn a stainless steel Series 6 and a forest green Series 7, I'm definitely a bigger fan of the more understated black look.

It paired nicely on my wrist with the new metropolitan watch face (in a mean red tint) and a dark leather band.

It felt sophisticated enough to wear with a suit on camera and casual enough to dress down.

Like the iPhone 14, Apple Watch Series 8 is a story of refinement. 

Disappointingly, it features the same one (and a bit) day battery life as the Series 7. 

When the admittedly much bulkier (and far more expensive) $1,299 Watch Ultra is touting two and a bit days of activity and sleep tracking, I can't help but wish a similar upgrade was included in the Series 8. 

Battery life has always been underwhelming on Apple Watches when compared to designs from Withings and others that can last weeks.

After eight iterations, SE models and more, I really wish Apple was closer to offering a better battery balance – even if it does more in the background than the competition.

Additions like cycle tracking will be critical to many women's lives, but outside of the rare instance in which an Apple Watch is the only thing that will dial 000 during an emergency, the technological and design upgrades on Apple's Watch Series 8 are modest compared to previous years.

Our cartoonist Guy Body shares his view on current events.

A man was found with a chest wound after an alleged drive-by shooting on the Gold Coast early this morning.

Police said three men were walking along Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise, when a gun was fired at them from a passing car around 4.30am.

Superintendent Scott Knowles said a single gunshot was fired. It is believed a non-lethal bird shot round was used.

READ MORE: Putin illegally annexes Ukrainian regions

"It doesn't appear to have been a normal shotgun round," Knowles said.

"It certainly caused significant injuries but… it's not as critical as what it could have been."

A 20-year-old Brisbane man suffered a non-life-threatening chest wound and was taken to hospital.

No one else was injured.

Investigators are trying to determine if that victim was known to the shooter however Knowles said there is no clear motive yet.

"It doesn't appear that the victim or friends knew anyone that was causing problems," Knowles said.

"There doesn't appear to be any rhyme or reason why this incident occurred."

A crime scene was declared on Ferny Avenue.

After the shooting, Knowles said the suspected car "did a U-turn and fled up Ferny Avenue toward Southport, then drove out onto the M1 motorway and headed north".

Police found the car, believed to be linked to the alleged drive-by shooting, engulfed in flames a short time later.

Knowles said the car had been stolen from Murrumba Downs on September 29.

He appealed for anyone with dashcam footage of the car with the number plate 160EQ9 and "evolve" written on the side to come forward.

He added there may have been more than one person in the car.

"I would hazard a guess there was more than one whoever it is that discharged the firearm came out the passenger side," he said.

Investigations are continuing.

Tropical islands, mingling with sexy singles from around the globe and battling it out for $100,000 may sound dreamy, but what is it really like for those on screen? Heartbreak Island’s Milly Forbes explains the triumphs and troughs…

Four people have died in a horror start to the long weekend on New South Wales roads.

One was a 10-year-old boy, killed in a crash in the states Hunter region this morning, after a car reportedly left a roadway and hit a tree.

Paramedics rushed to the crash at Flaggs Road in Merriwa and took the driver to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

READ MORE: Hurricane Ian lashes South Carolina

A second passenger was taken to the same hospital in a stable condition.

Meanwhile three pedestrians died within 45 minutes of each other after being hit by cars in Claremont Meadows, Penrith and Murrumbateman.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Trent King said it was a devastating start to the long weekend.

"Long weekends are a time for families and friends to spend together, not be told that their loved one has been killed in an incident on our roads," King said.

"I implore both road users and pedestrians to stay alert, pay attention and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

"The predicted weather for the weekend requires additional caution to be taken, so please drive with care, for the sake of all road users".

The horror Friday night began when emergency services were called to Sunflower Drive, Claremont Meadows, after a man was hit by a Daihatsu sedan around 6.15pm.

READ MORE: Thousands of refugees seeking permanent visas still living in uncertainty

The 80-year-old was treated at the scene by witnesses and paramedics but died.

The driver, a 24-year-old man, was taken to Nepean Hospital for mandatory testing.

Emergency services also attended Barton Highway, Murrumbateman, around 6.30pm after a woman was hit by a Mitsubishi Triton ute.

The 83-year-old was treated at the scene by witnesses but died at the scene.

The driver, a 25-year-old man, was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

READ MORE: Freezing weather, mud and more suffering: The Ukraine war in winter

Then around 7pm, emergency services were called to Castlereagh Road, Penrith, after a man was hit by a Mazda BT-50 ute.

The 32-year-old was also treated at the scene by witnesses, paramedics and police but died.

The 43-year-old male driver was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Crime scenes were established at all three scenes and police are investigating the circumstances of the incidents.

Reports on the three accidents will be prepared for the Coroner.

Anastasia Walsh never expected to be looking death in the eye at age 23.Yet, three months after giving birth to her giggly daughter Esmae, the Martinborough mum was diagnosed with incurable breast cancer. “We have been in and…

An 18-year-old man has been arrested after three people were injured – one critically – in a disorder incident in Invercargill yesterday.Police say they made the arrest today after an incident at a property on Steel Rd, Lorneville,…

Chaotic new video has emerged of a group of masked thieves casually smashing the glass cabinets of a jewellery story at the Westfield Albany mall in Auckland before fleeing as other shoppers follow after them.Westfield Albany confirmed…

A highway will remain closed overnight after multiple slips, a lucrative horse race meet’s been cancelled and police are warning motorists to drive to the conditions as the top half of the North Island cops a wet start to the school…