The iPhone 7 wasn’t the only big news from Apple last week. The company first debuted the second generation of its smart watch, the Apple Watch Series 2.
According to Apple, it has become the No. 2 watch brand in the world. While the first gen may have intended to appeal to both the luxury and the tech markets, Series 2 and its new features clearly has the athlete in mind.
The Apple Watch Series 2 is swim-proof, will feature the more robust watchOS3, a second-generation SiP with 50 percent more processing power, a new display that is twice as bright as the previous model (at 1,000 nits for ease of use in sunny conditions), and untethered built-in GPS functionality.
This last detail means runners will be able to use the Apple Watch without being tethered to their iPhones.
The Series 2 is available in a new ceramic finish and a variety of new band styles.
Apple is taking this sport focus a bit further by teaming with Nike for an Apple Watch Nike+, designed specifically for runners. It will feature exclusive Siri commands, special Nike watch faces and integration with the Nike+ Run Club app.
The Nike+ Apple Watch will be available in October.
The Apple Watch Series 2 and Apple Watch Nike+ will start at $369. The original Apple Watch (now called Series 1) will now have same new dual-core processor and will start at $269. The ceramic Apple Watch Series 2 starts at $1,249. These will be available Sept. 16.
— Additional reporting by Lisa Johnston
