Apple Watch Series 2 unveiled with water resistance, GPS and improved performance

Water resistance and an onboard GPS ensures the Apple Watch can go everywhere users want to go

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

18 months after the release of their original Apple Watch, Apple has announced the Series 2 which brings overall improvements in performance and display technology plus some serious water resistance and activity tracking for swimmers.

While it looks almost identical to its predecessor, the Series 2 devices have all-new processors under the hood including a dual-core processor, faster GPU and two features that many consumers have been clamouring for, water resistance and an onboard GPS for running.

Thanks to the 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 begin an outdoor workout immediately as Apple Watch Series 2 uses Wi-Fi, GPS and locally stored satellite data to quickly identify their location.

Variants

Variety has always been one of the differentiating aspects of the Apple Watch and the Series 2 follows this with a variety of Watch finishes and variants plus some colourful new bands. Asude frim the Series 1 Apple Watch (which Apple has given an new dual-core CPU to), the Series 2 Watch and Nike Plus Watch each have a variety fo colours and looks. Fashionistas need not worry, they still have the Hermes Apple Watch and the new Edition is now made of Ceramic instead of 18K gold or rose gold.

Order date for these new wearables is September 9 with shipping and in store date for Canada being September 16. Pricing is as follows:

 Apple Watch Series 1 will be available in gold, rose gold, silver or space grey aluminum cases paired with a Sport Band and starts at just $359 (CAD); Apple Watch Series 2 will be available in gold, rose gold, silver or space grey aluminum, or silver or space black stainless steel cases paired with a wide variety of bands starting at $489 (CAD); and the new ceramic Apple Watch Edition starts at $1649 (CAD) from Apple.ca, Apple Stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers and carriers. For local availability, visit locate.apple.com. Apple Watch Nike+ starts at $489 (CAD) and Apple Watch Hermès starts at $1579 (CAD).