"Apple Watch Series 2 Review: A Clearer Vision of the Future"
My colleague over at AppAdvice, Brent Dirks, wrote an excellent and detailed Apple Watch Series 2 review. He talks about how much watchOS 3 has improved the overall Apple Watch experience. He goes over the new features of the Apple Watch Series 2 and how much faster and brighter it is. Battery life is better, too. He talks about the focus on fitness, particularly on swimming this time around. He checks out the app Night Sky 4, which was presented at the Apple event earlier this month, and allows you to identify what’s in the sky with a raise of your wrist. He mentions his disappointment in the lack of an always-on display, but he also discovered a new feature: without moving your wrist, you can turn the digital crown to make the time appear.
The Series 2 is on the left; first generation Apple Watch on the right.
His conclusion:
I’ve been using the Apple Watch Series 2 since late last week and have come away impressed.
If you’ve been on the fence about buying the watch, now is the time to reconsider. Series 2 presents a nice overall package for fitness enthusiasts looking for a wearable device. And even if you’re not a big swimmer or runner, the upgraded Series 1 devices – thanks to the dual-core processor and new software – are definitely worth a look, especially with the lower price tag.
The hardware improvements, along with the much-improved watchOS 3, show that Apple understood the issues with the first version of the device and took the time to vastly improve the overall experience. Apple improved what worked and demoted what hasn’t clicked with users. That might not have taken “courage,” but it definitely shows that Apple has the good business sense to pivot when needed.
Even though a host of technology critics have called the Apple Watch a “flop,” the truth is that Apple – just like everyone else – is learning how a smartwatch fits into our daily lives. It took years for the iPod and iPhone to define those respective categories. The Apple Watch is on the right path with its second iteration. Time, and improving technology, will show how the device can become even better.
