What runners need to know about the new Apple Watch update
Apple has just announced the hotly anticipated Apple Watch update, dubbed Apple Watch Series 1 and 2, at its annual keynote address in San Francisco.
The most exciting update to the Apple Watch – for us runners, anyway – is the built-in GPS that comes with Series 2 (Series 1 unfortunately doesn’t have this feature). That’s right, you can now leave your iPhone behind at home while you run and track your data – distance, pace and speed – directly from the watch itself and sync the information to apps like Strava.
Though the size and the shape of the watch appear to be unchanged, we can gladly say goodbye to screen lags and issues: the new dual-core processor and graphics processor will improve performance speed and screen visibility in direct sunlight.
Series 2 can also now boast a multisport label now that it is water resistant (up to 50 metres). Be sure to choose the right band before you head to the pool, though.
Prospective buyers can choose from aluminium, silver or black stainless steel or white ceramic (purported to be four times harder than stainless steel) models.
Also announced at the keynote were two special versions: an Hermès model and the Apple Watch Nike+ model, designed with the runner in mind and pre-loaded with Nike’s running app. What’s enticing about this version is the user interface – the large-digit display makes it easy to check in mid-run. Starting your run is easy too – tell Siri to “start a run” and you’re off.
Both Series 1 and Series 2 will be available on September 16 in either 38mm or 42mm sizes. Series 1 starts at A$399 and Series 2 (including the Nike+ edition, which is available in October) starts at A$529. The ceramic version will start at A$1799, and the Hermes version – available at a later date – also starts at A$1799.