The Apple Watch 2 didn’t arrive alongside the new iPhone SE and the new iPad Pro – but the Cupertino tech goliath did reveal a few new Watch designs… 26 new ones in fact.
The new Apple Watches, essentially the same watches as before but with new straps, went on sale immediately after the keynote event at Infinite Loop.
The new line-up is dominated by the Woven Nylon strap range – colorful straps made from four layers of fabric. The Apple Watch Sport range has also been boosted by the arrival of new color options and the are a bunch of new leather straps too, alongside a new Space Black Milanese Loop option.
Apple CEO Tim Cook told the audience at the event that a third of Apple Watch wearers change up their bands on a regular basis – so it makes sense for the tech giant to launch a bunch of new alternatives (they can also be purchased separately for existing Apple Watch users). There is, however, a raft of third party Apple Watch straps available already though, including some nylon options – so Apple will be hoping to tap into its renowned brand loyalty.
For people wanting a brand spanking new Apple Watch design, the event was somewhat of a disappointment although there is some consolation in the fact that Apple has cut the price of its cheapest smartwatch to $299 – a saving of $50.
WatchOS 2.2 also went live after the event, bringing new features for Apple Watch wearers. The latest software lets users pair multiple watches to one iPhone, making it easier to switch between watches if you own more than one model.
Maps on the Watch have also been revamped with shortcut buttons providing directions to saved locations and a new 'My Location' icon brings up a map view where you can Force Touch to see ‘Search’, ‘Contacts’, ‘Transit’ or ‘Nearby’; showing places near to you.
Extra language support has been added to the Watch and there’s also an increased frequency of background heart rate measurements when you're standing or sitting still.
These are nice short term bonuses for Apple Watch fans although eyes will be focused on Cupertino for an autumn event where a next-gen smartwatch is likely to be revealed. The web rumour mill suggests a HD camera will be added to the bezel, allowing Watch users to FaceTime with their contacts.
It’s also purported that emails, texts, and app updates will be hitting the next Apple Watch without the need of a paired iPhone.
