Apple Watch Series 2 Announced: GPS, Waterproof and More

The first-generation Apple Watch was “splash proof”, but this device is swim-proof, said Apple COO Jeff Williams when announcing the Apple Watch Series 2.

As detailed by Williams during the keynote, to make the Watch swim-proof, Apple needed to effectively close every port, including the speaker. As a result, they have redesigned the speaker so the Watch Series 2 includes a mechanism that pushes out water.

“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. “With a powerful new dual-core processor, water resistance 50 meters and built-in GPS, Apple Watch Series 2 is packed with features to help our customers live a healthy life.”

The Watch has a new chip inside the S2, a dual-core processor that is up to 50% faster, and a new GPU which delivers twice the graphics performance.

The Apple Watch Series 2 incorporates a second-generation display, which is twice as bright as the previous generation and the brightest display Apple has ever shipped at 1,000 nits.

The Apple Watch Series 2 has built-in GPS that connects to satellites instantly. Apple also has a special edition for runners, thanks to a partnership with Nike: Apple Watch Nike+. It includes a unique, perforated watch band.

Apple Watch is available in two different case sizes, 38 mm and 42 mm. Apple Watch Series 1 will be available in gold, rose gold, silver or space gray aluminum cases paired with a Sport Band and starts at just USD$269; Apple Watch Series 2 will be available in gold, rose gold, silver or space gray aluminum, or silver or space black stainless steel starting at USD$369. The new ceramic Apple Watch Edition starts at USD$1249. Ceramic is more than four times harder than stainless steel, making Apple Watch Edition extremely scratch-resistant. The Apple Watch Nike+ starts at USD$369 and Apple Watch Hermès starts at USD$1149.

Pre-orders for the Apple Watch Series 2 start September 9, with availability beginning Friday, September 16, in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, the UK and the US. WatchOS 3 will be released on September 13th.

Apple Watch Series 2’s pricing starts at $489 (CAD), and the updated Series 1 at $359 (CAD).

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