Apple renamed the brand, and now it's called Apple Watch Series 2
Apple presented the latest device in its smartwatch product lineup, the Apple Watch Series 2. The new wrist device will include a variety of new features and come available in several different presentations. Apple Watch Series 2 will cost $369 and be available for pre-order on September 9.
Tim Cook first revealed the new Apple Watch to begin the product-focused part of Apple’s official event in the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco this morning. The Apple Watch Series 2 was one of two devices unveiled today, the second one being no other than the iPhone 7.
Apple’s announcement also featured a change in branding, as the original Apple Watch is now the Series 1. The tech giant will make the Series 2 and the iPhone 7 available worldwide for the same dates, starting on Friday, September 16 in nearly thirty locations around the world.
Apple Watch Series 2 is waterproof
The new smart watch presents significant enhancements in its display, as the Series 2 is now two times brighter than its predecessor. It provides users with better resolution and visibility in intense sunlight environments.
The Apple Watch 2 is a little thicker than the first one but now features water resistance up to 50 meters deep. The engineers sealed it tightly, leaving the speakers as the only possible water entrance. To solve this, Apple created a new sound system that ejects the water inside once the watch is out of the water.
Series 2 has a new chip to better run WatchOS 3
Under the hood of the new Apple Watch has the latest System in Package (SIP) chip by the tech giant, the S2. The new processor makes it 50% faster than the first Apple Watch, and it also doubles its graphic processing power.
The latest software update for WatchOS will feature an enhanced interface with a smart new Dock that will display relevant data of the user’s latest activities.
WatchOS 3 will introduce the relaxation app Breathe and will optimize the Activity app for cross-device sharing and group interactions. The Apple Watch Series 2 will also support a WatchOS version of the hit mobile game Pokémon GO.
Apple Watch Series 2 comes with built-in GPS, a new feature found widely across other similar devices. The addition of GPS to the smartwatch shows Apple’s drive to commit further to the fitness movement, showing real-time updates during walks, runs, and hikes.
Apple and Nike partnered up to make an exclusive design
One of the most attractive qualities of the Apple Watch lineup are the customization options offered by Apple. The Series 2 capitalizes on this by offering the standard Gold, Rose Gold, Silver and Space Gray aluminum casings, but the company added the Silver and Space Black stainless steel models.
In addition, Apple introduced a sports edition of the Apple Watch Series 2 in collaboration with Nike called the Apple Watch Nike+. This version includes exclusive Nike apps and functions, as well as a black design optimized for active lifestyles.
The company also revealed a designer’s edition dubbed the Apple Watch Hermes and a set of bands by the iconic brand. Finally, the exclusive Apple Watch Edition comes built in a white ceramic body, a unique scratchproof material four times harder than stainless steel.
Price and release date
The Nike+, aluminum, and stainless steel Apple Watch Series 2 will retail for $369. From there the prices only go up, with the Hermes edition at $1,149 and the ceramic Edition sporting a shocking price tag of $1,249.
Standard models will be available for pre-order this September 9, with later availability on September 16. The Apple Watch Series 1 received a price cut and now its price starts at $269.
Source: Apple