Apple Unveils Next-Gen Watch: Waterproof ‘Series 2’ Has New GPU, Display, GPS
“Apple Watch has changed what people expect from a watch,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook on stage in San Francisco today.
The “Series 2,” as Apple calls it, is swim-proof (water resistant up to 50 meters). The next-gen device features a new GPU and a significantly brighter display, according to Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer. It will also be available in white ceramic, which Williams says at four times the strength of stainless steel is “the ultimate blend of beauty and strength.”
Perhaps most important, the Series 2 has its own GPS.
“We think the Apple Watch is the ultimate device for a healthy lifestyle,” Williams said, before demonstrating new fitness tracking software.
Apple also announced a Nike-designed Apple Watch for athletes. Trevor Edwards of Nike calls the device “your perfect running partner.” He explained that the built-in Nike+ software motivates and tracks fitness activity, emphasizing the motivational aspect—something that has not yet been executed successfully by other wearables.
Apple Watch Nike+ takes advantage of the unique capabilities of Apple Watch Series 2 and the Nike+ Run Club app to be the perfect running partner on your wrist. The app experience is seamlessly built into Apple Watch Nike+ and easily accessed right from the watch face, so users can get going with a quick tap. The Nike+ Run Club app offers daily motivation through smart run reminders, challenges from friends and even alerts informing when the weather is right to get outside. Training data, including pace, distance and heart rate are available at a glance, and through shared run summaries, the app promotes friendly competition, even allowing users to send fist bumps to each other right from the wrist.
The Series 2 will start at $369. The Series 1 will now start at $269. It will go on sale September 16.
