Apple Announces Apple Watch Series 2 With GPS, Water-Resistance and Faster Performance (theverge.com)

In addition to two shiny new iPhones, Apple has announced its second generation Apple Watch today, calling it the Apple Watch Series 2. The appearance is nearly identical to the original Apple Watch, with the exception of the new (optional) ceramic build material. The biggest changes can be found under the hood. The Verge reports: "The built-in GPS allows the device to perform mapping on its own, no phone required. The company also upgraded the processor in the device, now called the S2, and the display. The Series 2 has a dual-core processor Apple says is 50 percent faster than its predecessor, with double the graphics performance thanks to a new GPU. The display is now 50 percent brighter as well. The company also renewed its longstanding partnership with Nike with a special Nike+ version of the Apple Watch. It resembles a fusion of an Apple product with Nike's discontinued FuelBand fitness tracker, and it's designed for runners and workout junkies. The aluminum sport version of the Apple Watch Series 2 will start at $369, as will the Nike+ edition. The original Apple Watch is being rebranded as Series 1 and will start at $269, though it will come with the upgraded S2 dual-core processor. Preorders start on September 9th, while the watchOS 3 update will go live on September 13th."

Comments

Still waiting

[93 Escort Wagon]

I tend to like Apple products, but the Watch - all smart watches, really - just isn't where it needs to be for me to want one. They're too big, too clunky, way too expensive and way too limited. Plus having just one-day battery life (or worse... they haven't really said what "Series 2" owners can expect, which is a bad sign) for something you only look at sporadically is ridiculous.

This isn't an Apple problem, though - it's because the underlying technology is just not there yet.

I think I'll be sticking to a fitness tracker for the next few years - I currently have a Garmin Vivosmart, but I might get the new FitBit Charge 2. I get 90% of the utility (notifications, alarms, reminders, texts), week-long battery life, and pay less than half what a smart watch costs. Additionally, having a gentle vibration on my wrist to wake me up in the AM is superior to something blaring on my night stand - and is something current smart watches basically can't do, since they'll be charging and not on my wrist.