Apple is forging a new identity for its smartwatch line, an increasingly niche brand personality that focuses mainly on health and fitness.
“We’re thrilled with the response to Apple Watch and how it’s changed people’s lives. We are committed to fitness and health and think our customers will love the new capabilities of Apple Watch Series 2,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.
In the past 18 months since it was introduced in the market, the Apple Watch has increasingly veered toward health fitness.
The newly unveiled Apple Watch Series 2 comes even more packed with fitness and health capabilities including a water resistance 50 meter rating for swimming, and built-in GPS so users can now run without an iPhone.
Apple also developed all-new algorithms for swimmers after hundreds of hours of research for two new workout options, pool and open water. The watch can count laps, track average lap pace and auto-detect stroke type to accurately measure active calorie burn.
With built-in GPS, Apple Watch Series 2 records precise distance, pace and speed for outdoor workouts such as walking, running or cycling, without needing to take an iPhone.
Users can also begin an outdoor workout immediately as Apple Watch Series 2 uses Wi-Fi, GPS and locally stored satellite data to quickly identify their location. On completion of an outdoor workout, view a route map that shows variations in speed in the Activity app on iPhone.
Whether running, going for a swim or walking between meetings, the Activity app on Apple Watch Series 2 counts all daily activity towards the Stand, Move and Exercise rings.
Combined with the performance enhancements of watchOS 3 announced in June, the Apple Watch Series 2 makes it even easier to access third-party apps, receive and respond to notifications and conveniently use Apple Pay.