Apple launches new Watch series at ₹32,900, updates first watch

Apple on Thursday introduced a new family of next generation watches -- Watch Series 2 -- at a starting price of ₹32,900 and also upgraded the first Apple Watch it had launched nearly over a year back.

Featuring water resistance up to 50 metres, GPS, two-times-brighter display, dual-core processor and running on watchOS 3, the new device will come with Apple Pay and other third party applications like Pokemon Go. The watch will let users know when a Pokemon is nearby and will also allow use Pokestops using the watch.

"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 metres and built-in GPS, Apple Watch Series 2 is packed with features to help our customers live a healthy life."

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Along with other Watch OS updates such as the Breathe app, Apple Watch Series 2 is not hydrophobic. According to the company, the new watch has developed all-new algorithms after hundreds of hours of research for two new workout options, pool and open water for swimmers. Apple Watch Series 2 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 can also record 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. "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," Williams explained.

Under the hood, Apple has upgraded the processor of the watch with a custom designed System in Package (SiP). With a dual-core processor, the S2 chip makes the new device up to 50 percent faster. In addition, a new GPU has been added, which delivers up to two-times-greater graphics performance. Apple Watch Series 2 also features a dramatically brighter display — at 1,000 nits, it's more than two times brighter— making this the brightest display Apple has ever shipped.

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The watchOS 3 also improves performance that makes it even simpler to launch favourite apps instantly, either from the watch face or with the new Dock, which displays the latest information already updated in the background. "New fitness and health capabilities include the breakthrough Breathe app, designed to encourage users to take a moment in their day to do deep breathing exercises for relaxation and stress reduction. The Activity app now includes the ability to share, compare and compete, keeping friends and family motivated. There is also a customised experience for wheelchair users to close their Activity rings, in addition to dedicated workouts," an Apple spokesperson said.

The Cupertino-headquartered giant has also updated the older watch. Apple Watch Series 1, which will be available in lightweight aluminium, combines the new powerful dual-core processor and GPU of the new watch. The processor change will make the old watch up to 50 percent faster and will be available at a price of ₹23,900.

What's more is that the company has also launched a special edition for runners with Nike. The Nike+ runner edition, which starts at ₹32,900, will allow users to take advantage of the unique capabilities of Apple Watch Series 2 and the Nike+ Run Club app.

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"The app experience is seamlessly built into Apple Watch Nike+ and easily accessed right from the watch face, so users can get going with a quick tap. The Nike+ Run Club app offers daily motivation through smart run reminders, challenges from friends and even alerts informing when the weather is right to get outside," Williams said adding that "training data, including pace, distance and heart rate are available at a glance, and through shared run summaries, the app promotes friendly competition, even allowing users to send fist bumps to each other right from the wrist."

The watch will be available in two sizes 38 mm and 42 mm. Another special edition of the watch -- ceramic Apple Watch -- will be available for ₹110,900 from select Apple Authorised Resellers and carriers.