Apple Watch 2 Won’t Have Cellular Capabilities, But It Will Have GPS
Toggle Dark Mode
Apple is penned on releasing the Apple Watch 2 this fall, and it should feature GPS and improved health tracking. The Apple Watch 2 is slated to feature the addition of a GPS chip, allowing it to more accurately determine a wearer’s location. This, of course, will give improve most of the Apple Watch’s health and fitness features. More precise run tracking allows for more reliable data to be submitted to a health app.
The newest Watch was originally supposed to feature cellular connectivity, meaning that Watch owners would be less dependent on their iPhones for content downloading and consistent location tracking, according to Bloomberg. The tech company had reportedly been talking with network providers about releasing a data-connected version of the Watch. But officials at Apple seemed worried that the cellular models would not be ready for a fall release. Even on an aggressive schedule, Bloomberg reported, the earliest a cellular-connected Watch could ship would be in December. But the feature is apparently being pushed back for a future generation of the Watch, according to sources familiar with the project.
Alongside a GPS chip, Apple said that it will add new health-inspired features to WatchOS this fall — including new watch faces and an app that tracks breathing. But Apple’s new Watch is dropping in a period when rival companies — like Samsung — are preparing to release their own smartwatches. The Samsung Gear 3 is expected to be revealed in the next few weeks, and an improved version of Android for smartwatches should rollout sometime this fall, CNET reported.
The Apple Watch 2 is expected to be announced — and released — around the same time as the iPhone 7 launch. Although there aren’t any firm dates beyond “fall,” rumors circulating around the internet have pegged September 7 as a likely date for Apple’s iPhone event.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]
