The Apple Watch Series 2, introduced by Apple, marked a significant leap forward for the popular smartwatch, particularly for fitness enthusiasts. Its headline features – being swimproof and incorporating built-in GPS – transformed it from a general-purpose smartwatch into a much more capable fitness companion.
Swimproof Design: Making a Splash with Your Workouts
One of the most anticipated and impactful features of the Apple Watch Series 2 was its enhanced water resistance. Unlike its predecessor, which was merely splash-resistant, the Series 2 was engineered to be swimproof with a water resistance rating of 50 meters under ISO standard 22810:2010.
What “Swimproof” Means for You:
- Pool and Open Water Swimming: You can confidently wear your Apple Watch Series 2 for activities like swimming laps in a pool or taking a dip in the ocean.
- Tracking Swim Workouts: Apple developed sophisticated algorithms to accurately track swimming metrics. The Workout app offers dedicated options for “Pool Swim” and “Open Water Swim,” recording data such as calories burned, distance, pace, and even stroke type.
- Innovative Water Ejection: A clever engineering solution allows the speaker to use its own vibrations to eject water after a swim, ensuring sound quality isn’t compromised.
This newfound water resistance opened up a whole new world of fitness tracking, allowing users to seamlessly integrate their aquatic workouts into their overall activity goals.
Built-in GPS: Freedom from Your iPhone
For runners, cyclists, and outdoor adventurers, the inclusion of built-in GPS in the Apple Watch Series 2 was a game-changer. Previously, users had to carry their iPhone to accurately track their outdoor activities with GPS data. The Series 2 eliminated this dependency.
Benefits of Integrated GPS:
- Untethered Workouts: You can now leave your iPhone at home and still accurately track your runs, walks, and bike rides, getting precise data on distance, pace, and route.
- Accurate Data: The built-in GPS, combined with GLONASS, provides reliable and accurate location tracking, mapping your route and showing where you sped up or slowed down.
- Workout Motivation: The ability to track outdoor workouts without a phone makes it more convenient and motivating for many to stay active. The data collected contributes to closing your Activity Rings, encouraging daily movement.
- Enhanced Outdoor Experience: For hikers and those exploring new areas, the GPS can provide a sense of security and direction, especially when integrated with mapping apps.
While the battery life with GPS enabled sees a reduction (around 5 hours for continuous GPS use), it’s more than sufficient for most typical workouts and even short marathons.
Beyond the Headlines: Other Improvements
The Apple Watch Series 2 wasn’t just about swimming and GPS. It also brought other notable enhancements that improved the overall user experience:
- Faster Performance: Equipped with a new dual-core S2 processor, the Series 2 offered significantly snappier performance compared to the original Apple Watch. Apps loaded faster, and navigation felt smoother and more fluid.
- Brighter Display: The second-generation OLED Retina display was twice as bright as its predecessor (up to 1000 nits), making it much easier to view in direct sunlight and various lighting conditions.
- WatchOS 3: The Series 2 launched with watchOS 3, which introduced a range of software improvements, including a new Dock for quick app access, improved messaging, and enhanced fitness tracking capabilities.
Conclusion: A More Complete Fitness Companion
The Apple Watch Series 2 truly elevated the Apple Watch as a fitness device. By integrating swimproofing and built-in GPS, Apple addressed key limitations of the original model, providing users with greater freedom and more accurate tracking for a wider range of activities. While subsequent Apple Watch models have introduced further advancements, the Series 2 laid crucial groundwork, solidifying the Apple Watch’s position as a serious contender in the world of smartwatches and fitness trackers.
