Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
This is what I've been truly waiting for! Just look at the first iPhone or first iPad, they are terrible by todays standards especially in terms of form factor and performance.

Look at the second iPhone, that's terrible by today, too! :)
What I think: Gps chip and Gps-only mode for sufficient battery life is what the watch needs to become long lasting for many people.
 



Apple is planning a second-generation Apple Watch with new features including a front-facing FaceTime video camera, expanded Wi-Fi capabilities and possibly additional models based on new materials, according to 9to5Mac. The report claims the so-called "Apple Watch 2" is likely to be introduced in 2016 following the release of WatchOS 2 and native Apple Watch apps in the fall.

Apple-WatchOS-2.jpg

The new FaceTime camera will reportedly be built into the Apple Watch's top bezel and enable users to make and receive FaceTime calls on their wrists. Apple previously announced at WWDC that WatchOS 2 will have a new FaceTime Audio feature for Wi-Fi-based calling, and the new software also enables Apple Watch users to answer or reject FaceTime video calls through a paired iPhone.

A new Wi-Fi chip inside the Apple Watch 2 will expand the wrist-worn device's iPhone-free Wi-Fi capabilities for basic tasks, possibly including text messaging, emailing and up-to-date weather data. The new wireless chipset will also enable Find my Watch for tracking a lost, stolen or misplaced Apple Watch using Wi-Fi router triangulation technology as opposed to GPS.

Despite gaining several new features, the Apple Watch 2 will likely have similar battery life as the original model. The report claims that Apple has conducted market research and determined that, despite early concerns, most customers are satisfied with their Apple Watch's battery life, allowing Apple engineers to focus their efforts on other areas besides battery improvements.

Apple is also said to be exploring different Apple Watch variations beyond the Sport, Watch and Edition models currently available, in an effort to attract customers at price points between $1,000 and $10,000. The report claims it is possible, but not certain, that Apple may release new Apple Watch models based on metals such as titanium, tungsten, palladium or platinum.

Article Link: Apple Watch 2 Said to Feature FaceTime Camera, Expanded Wi-Fi Capabilities and New Models
Just so you get it right platinum couldn't possibly come in between $1,000 and $10,000.
 
  • Like
Reactions: zachcsnyder



Apple is planning a second-generation Apple Watch with new features including a front-facing FaceTime video camera, expanded Wi-Fi capabilities and possibly additional models based on new materials, according to 9to5Mac. The report claims the so-called "Apple Watch 2" is likely to be introduced in 2016 following the release of WatchOS 2 and native Apple Watch apps in the fall.

Apple-WatchOS-2.jpg

The new FaceTime camera will reportedly be built into the Apple Watch's top bezel and enable users to make and receive FaceTime calls on their wrists. Apple previously announced at WWDC that WatchOS 2 will have a new FaceTime Audio feature for Wi-Fi-based calling, and the new software also enables Apple Watch users to answer or reject FaceTime video calls through a paired iPhone.

A new Wi-Fi chip inside the Apple Watch 2 will expand the wrist-worn device's iPhone-free Wi-Fi capabilities for basic tasks, possibly including text messaging, emailing and up-to-date weather data. The new wireless chipset will also enable Find my Watch for tracking a lost, stolen or misplaced Apple Watch using Wi-Fi router triangulation technology as opposed to GPS.

Despite gaining several new features, the Apple Watch 2 will likely have similar battery life as the original model. The report claims that Apple has conducted market research and determined that, despite early concerns, most customers are satisfied with their Apple Watch's battery life, allowing Apple engineers to focus their efforts on other areas besides battery improvements.

Apple is also said to be exploring different Apple Watch variations beyond the Sport, Watch and Edition models currently available, in an effort to attract customers at price points between $1,000 and $10,000. The report claims it is possible, but not certain, that Apple may release new Apple Watch models based on metals such as titanium, tungsten, palladium or platinum.

Article Link: Apple Watch 2 Said to Feature FaceTime Camera, Expanded Wi-Fi Capabilities and New Models

Tungsten would be the perfect choice. It doesn't scratch, has a unique color and has heft so it feels substantial. The only issue is that it shows every kind of fingerprint which they could address in the design.
 
Some things to remember:
  • I doubt they'll end support for the first generation of Watch any time soon. Your watch will still have value and features.
  • Yearly refreshing isn't that surprising. iPhone 6 (out of contract) starts at ~$650 and and Macbook Pro starts at ~$1,300, yet there's better tech and/or new models coming out yearly.
  • As long as your first gen watch isn't **** by then, you could sell it and pay for most of an upgrade.
And yes, the price is a lot for a watch, but whatever. This is just about the concern of future models. Hell, maybe there's pricing changes or some program to upgrade. Who knows. iPhone 1st gen was expensive after all.
 
I'd be happy if they just officially made it waterproof so I can swim with it. Of course, I'm sure I'm in the minority in terms of what people are looking for in the watch.

The official IP rating allows the watch to be submerged up to 3 feet for 30 minutes. While Apple doesn't recommend it, I started doing laps in the pool with it on and so far so good. Even the sports band is holding up like a champ.

What's cool is, it even tracked my heartbeat very accurately (it needs to be very tight around your wrist).

I don't know about the long term implications but I'll have Apple Care Plus if it craps out.
 
There's definitely a sizeBle market for watches in the 1k-10k range, think Omega and Breitling. Plenty of people, myself and most family included would spend 3 or so grand on a watch with relative ease, but never 10. A titanium watch with sapphire display would be a perfect hybrid of the existing steel and aluminum models. It would be great to see a fully waterproof watch. When I saw the MagSafe charging method I thought, "Great! It'll be fully waterproof since there's no ports" Until we learned that there's the diagnostic port which is probably a main contributor to its' lack of waterproof-ness. My watch went black yesterday with what looks like a shorted-out pixel despite never getting wet in any way other than sweat and some sink splashes.
 
I didn't mean it in terms of how convenient or uncomfortable it would be. I meant it in terms of what Apple has done in the past. Pretty much all of their products have cameras, so it's only natural that the Apple Watch be given one. Maybe not for FaceTime for some people, but for other uses that they might come up with.

I don't understand the direction Apple is taking. They are focusing on the fitness aspect of the Apple watch and instead of rumors being

"Apple has plans to add a stand alone GPS module to it's Apple watch to compete with the likes of Garmin"


it turns into

"Apple follows <add a camera> formula for gen 2 Apple watch"


I can see it now:

Gen 3: Apple adds LTE radio to Apple watch instead of bio sensors
Gen 4: Apple watch now available in 46mm and special dbag 48mm edition.
Gen 5: Apple watch C. unapologetic-ally plastic.
 
If the 2nd gen increases onboard storage, allows for video playback on the watch itself, and improves its standalone capabilities, I may very well be a convert.
 
Honestly don't think I will ever buy another Apple Watch, in my opinion they are overpriced. I chose to buy an Apple Watch to add to my collection rather than upgrading my iPad to a newer model. My watch is really handy don't get me wrong , but it's not a device so much but an accessory which I find myself not wearing and using even less!
 
Lack of Face Time was seriously the only reason I didn't buy one this year, and will not buy one until it is included in the newer model. Why spend $500+ ($1000 for the model I want) for something that had features purposely held back? I know Apple is a company and know how and want to make a profit... But consumers need to learn to vote with their dollars and not purchase things with features purposely held off, only to be included in the next model to increase sales because consumers want the "new shiny iThingy"
 
I don't understand the direction Apple is taking. They are focusing on the fitness aspect of the Apple watch and instead of rumors being

"Apple has plans to add a stand alone GPS module to it's Apple watch to compete with the likes of Garmin"


it turns into

"Apple follows <add a camera> formula for gen 2 Apple watch"


I can see it now:

Gen 3: Apple adds LTE radio to Apple watch instead of bio sensors
Gen 4: Apple watch now available in 46mm and special dbag 48mm edition.
Gen 5: Apple watch C. unapologetic-ally plastic.
You have a good point. I think Apple does what they do because it's worked for them in the past. If a feature works and people use it, why not incorporate it into another product? The iPad is a perfect example of this with the FaceTime camera, Retina display, Touch ID, etc.
 
Neat... They don't even need to widen the bezal to do it :)

Why can't they do this on the Mac ,, then the viewable screen area will be larger at a psychical form factor.... aka 13' will give u 15' viewable area if the bezel is hardly there.

Eliminate a few screen sizes right there ....
 
I can't say I'm too surprised it's going to be a yearly refresh. Initially I thought the watch may follow the Cycle the computers are on.

However, I'm surprised they would release details this quick after the launch of the first one. For sure fulfill all the orders before you start leaking details of the second gen. Just my opinion. In the end though, it is just a rumor.....
 
I have the Sport model. I would hope for a few things for next or future generations: circle design, better battery life (although I really don't have too many complaints on that one - in fact, my iPhone suffers more and drains quite a bit faster and is my bigger concern), get rid of the "digital crown" dial (I never use it), GPS for run/walk tracking, and better health tracking software.

That last one is weird. I can save my workout data but can't view this data through the Workout or Health apps on Watch or iPhone? I feel I'm missing something.

I love the digital crown and use it quite a bit. My data is transferring to the Health App on my iPhone.
 
I think this is a mistake. What about those people who spent $10K on the first generation Apple Watch? They get obsolete just like that? Apple Watch 2 should come out in 2018. People are still finding about its existence. At the end, it's just a watch, not a smartphone which we need to be buying every now and then.

People who can afford the Edition model won't mind this one bit. Probably have multiple traditional watches that cost 3-4 times as much or more.
 
Hmmmm - my Omega Automatic I got from my dad is 50 years old - and still working (with an overhal here and there). Good to go for another 50 years and strangely doesn't feel out of date like the Apple watch will be - every year.
Granted, it only shows time and date, but isn't that the purpose of a watch? Maybe Apple should rename it into "personal infometer" or something instead of "watch"...

Bravo! The world has changed. Some folks can probably still drive their 57 Chevy. For years, less and less people have been purchasing and wearing watches. I hadn't worn one for over 20 years until I got the Apple Watch because it's a "Smartwatch". Get it? Times, needs and functionality change. The Apple Watch does so much more and it serves more purposes than getting the time or date.

To those who keep bringing up the "Edition" watch and persons who spent $10,000 or more: 10 grand is chump change to persons who could purchase anything at this price without a second thought. I am sure that none of them will miss a car, mortgage or yacht payment because they bought an "Edition".
 
  • Like
Reactions: dilbert99
Yeah, my first reaction as well. A watch is even less of a yearly upgrade device as compared to an iPad. People can't be happy about this.
Apple Can upgrade the watch as often as they like, I don't care, its not as if my watch is going to stop working, I can choose when and if I want to have a watch with newer features.

Phones come out every year and I don't upgrade mine every year.
 
I knew I was stupid to think the apple watch would be on a 2+ year product cycle. I haven't even had mine for 2 weeks and its already obsolete? Thank you, capitalism.
 
It needs to be able to run stand-alone untethered from phone with cellular data and voice capability like Gear S or no buy.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.