The upcoming Apple Watch 2 has techies and Apple-lovers on the edge of their seats. Mac World UK reports on the rumors it has heard about the release date of the Apple Watch 2, as well as some new features it might incorporate.
Mac World reported that Apple will hold its next event in March 2016, where it will (hopefully) unveil the second generation Apple watch. Also expected to be revealed are the rumored iPhone 6c and the iPad Air 3. However, a report by 9to5Mac implies that the Apple Watch, while it may come out at the aforementioned event, won't be shipped until April - which will be a year after the first Apple Watch went on sale.
Another analyst claimed that we won't be seeing the Apple Watch 2 until later - not until May, June or even later this year (2016).
Rumors have circulated about the new watch having some added features, one of them being the FaceTime camera, reportedly to be integrated into the top bezel of the Apple Watch. The alleged camera will let users make and receive calls using their wrists.
However, going by a report by 9To5Mac it is entirely possible that the Apple Watch with the FaceTime camera may only be one of the trials in the prototyping process, and that we might not be seeing that feature this time. In fact, AppleInsider has written an entire article on the limitations to supporting FaceTime.
Reports released as recently as January 2016 claim that the new generation Apple watch may feature the front facing FaceTime camera but not any other new features. In fact, there is word that it might not be a complete redesign, and more of an 'S' update, something like the iPhone refresh cycle.
Word has also been spread about the whole suite of health sensors being a part of the Apple Watch 2. Apple's recent acquirement of medical professionals gives this rumor weight. In December 2015 and then January 2016, Apple's job listings included bio-medical engineers with a background in, among other things, fitness sensors. While it is true that the listings do not explicitly mention the Apple Watch 2, it seems to be widely assumed that the jobs are related to a listing for a fitness software engineering manager, which got underway in November and is for the Apple Watch.
The upcoming Apple watch, however, is very likely not a medically approved device, since Apple CEO Tim Cook does not want to withstand the delays that putting the device through Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would cause.
The battery life of the Apple Watch 2 might also be longer. The first Apple Watch's battery lasts all day but still requires to be charged at night, like the iPhone. If the rumour picked up by gforgames is true, Apple is producing thinner OLED displays after working with LG and Samsung. This will allow it to accommodate a larger battery, although it's not certain how long the battery will last.
It is also being said that the Apple Watch 2 will depend less on the iPhone than its predecessor.
