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Apple watch series 2 functions. Apple Watch series 2 review

Apple has a reputation for introducing new product categories that tell consumers what they want. The iPhone showed users and other manufacturers what incredible potential the smartphone market has, and the iPad helped tablets transform from a curiosity in the form of an inferior laptop or an oversized smartphone into a useful, sought-after form factor.

After this, it was quite natural that Apple was expected to make new discoveries, this time in what was considered a promising smartwatch market. Companies like Pebble began producing sought-after watches; by the beginning of 2014, it seemed that they were on the verge of mass popularity, they were preparing for release and everyone was waiting for a model from Apple.

The wait was long, confirmation of the release appeared only in the summer of 2014. Even then it was only a hint - Apple announced the watch, but sales began only in the spring of 2015. When that day came, Apple immediately captured most of the market with attractive models made of different materials, sizes and styles.

Despite positive sides, from the moment they appeared, the question was asked about what would happen next. The time difference between the announcement and release suggested that the developers were in a hurry. It seemed that we could see a completely different watch when Apple had time to think it through, look at the reaction of customers, and experiment with design and assembly.

More than a year has passed and this September the next fruits of the developers’ efforts appeared in the form of watches Apple Watch Series 2. This is far from a watch completely created from scratch - if it were an iPhone, the letter S would be added to the previous number in its name. However, there are hardware updates, new software features and new iPhones in pair with the watch. So is this the long-awaited new Apple Watch or a belated effort that makes little difference? Let's find out about this below.

Contents of delivery:

  1. Apple Watch Series 2
  2. pair of Sport Bands (S/M and M/L)
  3. magnetic wireless charger
  4. AC adapter
  5. user guide
  6. safety and guarantee note

Apple Watch Series 2 design

In the months leading up to the launch of the second-generation Apple Watch, rumors speculated about what it would look like. Will Apple bring new hardware components like cameras to wearables? What about changing the design to a curved display or adding new button and wheel controls?

After all these assumptions, we get the Apple Watch Series 2, which looks almost no different from the first generation. If you don't turn them over and check the writing around the optical heart rate sensor, it won't be easy to tell them apart.

This may upset Apple fans who would like to see a more risky and innovative product, but it also shows the company's confidence that it is on the right track. Sometimes it takes a few tries to find the right look (as was the case with the watch Galaxy Gear), but if it worked the first time, why change anything?

All this does not mean that the new watch has become a copy of the first generation, but the update clearly falls into the category of conservative. While there are a number of surprises to be found inside, everything looks familiar from the outside.

The most obvious indicator that this is a new watch is that it is only available in Series 2 models. There is a variant of the Apple Watch Nike+ with a perforated band and a multi-color style. In the upper price category there is the Apple Watch Edition, which has turned from gold to ceramic. Eat Apple model Watch Hermes with designer straps and buckles. For all of these models, the basic appearance remains largely unchanged.

The changes are almost invisible. The screen dimensions remained the same, but the thickness of the body itself increased from 10.5 mm to 11.4 mm. Accordingly, the weight of the Watch 38 mm has increased from 25 g to 28.2 g, and that of the 42 mm model from 30 g to 34.2 g. This applies to watches with aluminum cases and differs for steel and ceramics. The 38mm ceramic watch is the thickest at 11.8mm.

The Apple Watch doesn't feel heavy or clunky despite its growing size. The curves of the case help the 38mm model look thin and graceful. For wearable devices, the thinner the better, but if you can make the device thicker without ruining the experience, that's also a good thing.

There is also a functional upgrade in the form of enhanced moisture protection. Now not only sweat and rain are not scary, but also immersion in water to a depth of 50 m. Of course, many amendments are made to this statement - immersion time, current speed, etc. However, this is still a big step forward in terms of watch durability.

Screen

Users expect even more from a watch screen than from a smartphone screen. It should be easy to read in all lighting conditions, comfortable to operate at arm's length, and convey all the information without draining the battery in a few hours.

The first generation OLED panel of the Apple Watch was already quite attractive, being cleverly integrated into the black body, offering bright colors and contrast for which OLED technology is famous.

In the second generation watches, as well as with the design and display, Apple did not make any drastic steps. The resolution remains 272 x 340 pixels for the 38 mm model and 312 x 390 for the 42 mm model. The cheapest aluminum options use reinforced (Ion-X) glass to protect the screen, while the rest have synthetic sapphire crystals.

The screen has become noticeably brighter - twice as much, up to 1000 nits. This is a big update and helps make the screen easier to see in sunlight. What's missing is finer brightness settings. Currently, watchOS only offers three brightness level switches; there isn't much of a difference between the middle and high ones. This makes it difficult to use the new brightness heights, but there were no problems with screen visibility.

Interface and functionality of Apple Watch Series 2

New Apple Watch released on new version watchOS operating system. If you are already familiar with a couple of generations of the platform, then you will have to get used to a number of innovations, both in terms of appearance, and functionality.

Previously, you had to use Glance mode to see what was happening in your favorite applications or to switch between them. In watchOS 3, Glance is replaced by the Dock, accessible by pressing the side button of the watch. This opens a list of apps that are always displayed in the Dock and those that have recently been opened. This list can be edited to your liking.

There are also changes to the control center, such as the ability to use the Series 2 Watch speaker to manually pour out any water that gets there. The screens are not very responsive, in particular, swiping from left to right to scroll through available wallpapers does not work very smoothly.

Much attention is paid to health and fitness. In addition to improvements to the Activity and Exercise sections, new controls have been added, and achievements can be shared with friends. There's a new app called Breathe that motivates you to take breaks throughout the day. With reminders to get up and stretch, we see Apple's desire to keep its users in shape, but many will probably immediately turn off these notifications, which quickly begin to get on their nerves.

Overall to latest version watchOS quickly gets used to, and even if you get lost in the system (which is extremely unlikely on such a small device with only two buttons), it’s not difficult to find your way back to familiar places.

And yet there remains a lot of room for improvement. One of the most frustrating things about using apps on the Watch is constantly having to refer to your iPhone to complete certain tasks—accessing location data, setting photo album settings, etc.—that should be available on the Watch itself. This is partly due to Apple's security and permissions model, which doesn't make this constant rushing between watch and smartphone any easier.

To make matters worse, there are times when there is a communication gap between Watch and iPhone when you have completed all the necessary actions on your smartphone, but the Watch has not received the message and continues to wait for data to arrive. With limited app feedback on Watch and few interaction options, it can be a frustrating experience.

Another inconsistency in the otherwise cohesive watchOS system is the lack of standard text input options. In the Messages app, you can dictate into the microphone to translate speech into text, or manually type letter by letter. The last option is needed if you want to keep the contents of the correspondence secret from others or not interfere with their business. But when interacting with Siri or searching for directions in Maps, only voice is available; you cannot enter text manually. For Siri this is normal, but in other applications there is no text input frustrating.

Processor and memory

Apple in the Apple Watch Series 2 has retained the familiar design, but uses a new processor inside. This is a system on the Apple S2 chip, where CPU performance has increased by 50%, and graphics performance has doubled.

As a result, navigating the system and applications is fast, although there are a few problem areas. From time to time 3D graphics freezes, and applications with big amount graphs like Maps show low speed work. This is partly due to the need to constantly receive data from external sources, but in any case, keep in mind that working with the system will not always be smooth.

Of all the updates Apple chip The S2 looks to be the most important for the future of the Watch platform, as evidenced by the release of the Watch Series 1 alongside the Series 2. The Series 1 is largely reminiscent of the models from a year ago: the same low-brightness screen, no GPS, less water resistance. But here S2 is used instead of S1 chip, bringing increased productivity. This shows that Apple is serious about the most demanding Watch apps, trying to provide maximum comfortable work with them.

Connection

Like the first one Apple generation Watch, new models do not support cellular communication, communicating with the world via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. There is also an NFC communication standard for payment system Apple Pay.

At short and medium distances, nothing new has appeared in communications, but at long distances, there is only one-way communication - GPS. This is a big plus for fitness enthusiasts and other fans of tracking their location on a map without having to carry an iPhone.

Apple uses GPS not only to analyze location, but can also measure step length, for example. Unfortunately, there's no way to quickly turn GPS on and off to save battery (other than disabling location entirely), but it makes a difference for the duration battery life small.

Camera

Not too long ago, rumors claimed that Apple would follow Samsung's path with its first watch and try to include a camera in its watches. This didn't happen, but the Apple Watch is still useful at times for iPhone photography, acting like a smartphone camera viewfinder.

You can watch the picture in real time, control the zoom, set focus points, just like on the iPhone itself. The video preview looks clear and runs smoothly. The only negative is limited benefits.

Multimedia

You won't watch much YouTube videos on the watch, but it still supports multimedia capabilities. Audio controls let you work with files on your iPhone, or you can sync playlists to your Apple Watch. Can use a couple bluetooth headphones and enjoy offline audio listening. Unfortunately, this cannot be done through the watch's speaker.

Just as photos can be taken remotely using the Watch camera app, images can also be viewed on the watch screen. As with other applications, you need to take out your iPhone to do this. It would seem that you can zoom in on the watch screen, but Apple has limited the zoom capabilities.

Call quality

It's not the main use case for the watch, but the Apple Watch Series 2 has a microphone and speaker, so why not make calls? As with the first generation of watches, this can be done over a cellular network using a smartphone, or you can call another Apple user via FaceTime Audio. The sound quality depends on the environment, the speaker itself is quite loud and does not cause problems.

Autonomy

For the first time, Apple promised up to 18 hours of battery life on its watch. Now used more strong processor, brighter screen, GPS, but the same 18 hours are promised.

Apple does not give numbers, but the analysis showed that the 38 mm model of the first generation had a battery of 0.78 Wh, the second - 1.03 Wh, which is 32% more. This advantage goes towards increased power consumption by the processor and screen.

In tests real application The hours were enough for the whole day, but if you need to work late, then in the middle of the day it is better to use wireless magnetic recharging, although this is more of a safety net than a real need. 6-7 hours of normal use per maximum brightness reduce the charge below 50%, which does not confirm the promised 18 hours of operation.

In the worst case, at the end of the day you will have to turn on the energy saving mode Watch Power Reserve, disable access to applications and advanced functions, leaving only the time display. These are extreme measures that are unlikely to be resorted to often.

Among wearable devices from other manufacturers, there are also no models that could work without recharging for several days.

Conclusion

The Apple Watch Series 2 numbering could be Apple Watch 1.5, since there are no major changes. The interface has become more advanced, but these are software improvements in watchOS 3.0, not hardware ones, so the first generation of Apple Watch has these same innovations.

If we evaluate the hardware of the new Apple Watch, then it is worth noting the new S2 processor, more bright screen, GPS and waterproof housing. The S2 processor was the most useful innovation, although it could have been even more powerful. GPS and water resistance are also a plus, especially for fitness. If you're looking for a very capable fitness tracker starting at $370, the Apple Watch Series 2 might be the device you need.

If you use an iPhone most of the time or you have a first-generation watch, there’s probably no point in buying a new one. An alternative is the Apple Watch Series 1 - almost the same from a hardware point of view as the first generation watch, but with an S2 processor. The screen here is about half as bright, but the price is $100 less.

Ultimately, you need to choose based on what functionality the user needs. The desire to have the most modern and most powerful device can be strong (especially for Apple products), but for many the capabilities of the Series 1 will be enough.

If you're looking for improved water resistance and GPS, the new watch is an attractive buy.

Pros of Apple Watch Series 2

  1. Productivity growth
  2. Comfortable even with increased sizes
  3. GPS and water protection will be useful for active users
  4. The screen is brighter, although the brightness setting needs to be improved

Cons of Apple Watch Series 2

  1. The growth of the battery did not increase the battery life
  2. Software interaction with iPhone is far from ideal
  3. Text input relies on voice control
  4. Minor
Read it.

Smart watches have long become a part of life for some people. Some are just getting acquainted with this category, and today we will get acquainted with the Apple Watch.

I’ll tell you what Apple Watch is for, how you can use it, and whether it’s worth buying it at all. The article will be very long, useful and interesting.

What is Apple Watch?

Apple Watch is a watch from Apple that also serves as a smartwatch. The watch works exclusively with iPhone.


Without a phone, the meaning of a watch is basically lost, since all information is transmitted through a smartphone. Actually, we will now talk about the possibilities in more detail.

But first, I would like to say that there are currently two versions of the watch: Apple Watch Series 1 and Apple Watch Series 2. They differ in their filling and water resistance.

There is a watch size for every hand, as there is a smaller version of 38 mm and a larger version of 42 mm. But it’s best to try it on and see on your hand.

Everything else is absolutely the same. If you see watches from both series together, it will be extremely difficult to distinguish them. But I think this will be corrected in the next generations.

Apple Watch Features and Capabilities

As soon as someone hears about Apple watch Watch, then the first question that arises is: “Why are they needed at all?”

In truth, the question is quite correct and, to be honest, you can easily live without them. But they make your life a little easier.

Now let's go through the points that I consider the most important in this watch.

Watch

First of all, this is a very ordinary watch. You can check the time at any time without taking out your favorite iPhone from your pocket.


And in fact, Apple made sure that you do this in complete comfort. For example, when you turn your hand towards you, the screen lights up.

There are also quite a few cool watch faces that you can customize. There are both digital types and the most ordinary arrows.

You can choose what information you want to display, and many options have additional settings. So there will be something to do in your free time.

Style and status

It's no secret that any technology from Apple is very expensive, first of all. If you see a person with any gadget from this company, you understand that this person is okay with money.


IN Lately the situation has changed a little. After all, there are a lot of used devices and there are old models that don’t cost that much.

In principle, everything is similar with watches. They look very stylish and, above all, they will talk about the status of the owner, because the price is quite steep.

The cheapest can be found for $350, while the most expensive are around $10,000. As you can see, not everyone can afford top models.

However, by buying yourself the cheapest model, you can buy straps that completely change the look of your watch. Their prices are also very different.

Sport and health

As you probably already guessed, smart watches always have functions sports bracelet. Apple Watch is not far behind the rest and it also has many different sensors.


There are two apps on your iPhone that will be useful to you: Activity and Health. In them you will find all the data that is taken from the watch.

If you need to measure your pulse, then this is not a problem. The heart rate sensor shows very accurate verified data and that's cool.

There is even a special sport version and it usually has special straps. By the way, it is the most affordable in the price category.

Music

In principle, this opportunity could be attributed to the previous point, but I wanted to talk separately about music on Apple Watch.


The phone has built-in memory for programs, but you can use 2 GB for music. You just need to select the source and the music will play from your phone or watch.

Controlling the player is very convenient. After all, you don't have to take out your iPhone to browse the playlist and find the right song.

So now listening to your favorite music will not only be of high quality, but also comfortable. Just a convenient implementation.

Phone features

Considering what's required permanent connection iPhone, then it is typical and we can do many of the basic functions of the device.


For example, if someone calls you, then we can easily answer the call and talk by the hour. There's enough high quality microphone and speaker.

If you receive a message, you will immediately receive a notification on your watch. You can answer by quick message or dictate using Siri.

Using the same Siri, you can dial the desired number. Just say the right command and everything will be done very instantly.

Third Party Applications

Do not forget that any smart watch has the ability to install third party applications. Apple Watch is among them.


There are perhaps two categories: games and regular applications. The first category includes separately created games for iPhone and add-ons for iPhone games.

It is also worth noting the full-fledged versions of programs for watches. For example, there is a full version of Shazam, with which you can search for music.

There are a lot of examples that can be given. I can only say that developers are actively creating applications and every day the number is becoming larger and larger.

Is it worth buying the Apple Watch Series 1/Series 2?

If you are asking yourself this question about buying an Apple Watch, then in principle you can answer it quite simply and you can decide.


The first thing I would like to point out is that it is simply a nice addition to your iPhone. The above features will make your life easier.

Having bought yourself such a watch, you should immediately understand that you will have to charge it every day and it will last for about 1-2 days.

If I bought them for myself, they would play the following role:

  • stylish accessory;
  • convenient music control;
  • receiving notifications;
  • opportunity to communicate.

Everything else is just a nice bonus that I will use quite rarely. Therefore, if you have the money and desire, then it’s definitely worth buying.

You definitely won’t regret the purchase, because any gadget from Apple is very beautiful. Today, Apple Watch can be called one of the leaders in this category.

Results

That’s basically all I wanted to tell you about the Apple Watch and now you know why you should buy it and what it’s even for.

If you have any questions on this topic, ask in the comments. I will answer everything I can and try to help as much as possible.


At a press conference in San Francisco, in addition to the iPhone and wireless AirPods headphones, Apple company introduced a new model of “smart” watches that have not been updated for almost two years. The main thing about the Apple Watch Series 2 is water resistance up to 50 meters, a 50% increase in performance, a twice bright screen and built-in GPS, which reduces the gadget’s “iPhone dependence”. Vesti.Hi-tech figured out what’s good about the new product and what’s bad about it.

Read also:

Why buy

Apple Watch has undergone an evolutionary upgrade. The 2nd series of smartwatches is visually indistinguishable from the first, and all significant changes made inside. Firstly, the “handheld” gadget has acquired a waterproof case, which allows it to be immersed to 50 meters, not only in fresh water, but also in sea water. ISO 22810:2010 protection means the new watch can be worn while swimming, surfing or just taking a shower.

A new speaker design that pushes out water is responsible for resistance to moisture. However, deep diving with the Series 2 is not recommended.

"This means it can be used in shallow water, such as swimming in a pool or the sea. However, you should not use Apple Watch Series 2 while scuba diving, water skiing, or other activities that involve exposure to high-speed water or diving to significant depths," Apple warned.

Read also:

Two new modes - "swimming" and "open water swimming" - were developed with the participation of professional athletes. The watch can calculate your pace, track laps completed and calories burned, improving your swimming performance. Let us remind you that the first model (now called Series 1) only has protection against splashes and drops of water.

Apple Watch Series 2 has a new, twice as bright screen (1000 cd/m2), which improves image visibility and text readability in direct sunlight, and dual core processor S2 increases computing power by 50%. In addition, the i-watch has a new, twice as powerful graphics chip.

The new product also includes an integrated GPS module, which allows the i-device to more accurately record information about the route traveled and not take your iPhone with you while jogging. In addition to GPS, new model Determines location based on Wi-Fi and satellite data stored locally. After your workout, you can view how far you've run or biked (in the Activity app on your smartphone).

In addition, Apple has developed specifically for hiking enthusiasts. new program ViewRanger, which provides GPS-based directions to a destination and alerts you if the user goes off route.

Why not buy

Almost all the innovations in the Apple Watch Series 2 are related to fitness functions. Water resistance up to 50 m makes the i-watch ideal for swimming, and the built-in GPS module is ideal for regular runs without an iPhone. So for people who don’t play sports or don’t lead an active lifestyle, but use Apple Watch in some other way (alerts, calls, sleep monitoring), it hardly makes sense to switch to a new model.

The cult brand “Apple” does not forget to update not only smartphones and iPads. The accessories of the world-famous company do not go unnoticed. The hero of the review is the Apple Watch Series 2 smartwatch, which the creator “upgraded” to full program. Built-in GPS, water resistance, several hydro modes for swimming, amazing display brightness - these are not all the “know-how” that have received approving reviews from experts.

Apple programmers armed themselves with the most advanced technologies, used all the innovations in the world of gadgets, and offered users the Apple S2 SoC. In addition, the Apple company has developed the latest operating system, watchOS 3, which lucky owners of the Apple Watch Series 2 will be able to appreciate all the benefits from the first seconds of working with the device. How will these changes affect customer reviews and overall product quality?

In this review, we will give a detailed description of the latest version of smartwatches, objectively evaluate the additional capabilities of second-generation devices, and try to answer the main questions that concern the reader: “Is it worth changing the accessories of the first series for the new product presented this year?” And “Is the Apple Watch Series 2 really as good as the creators claim?”. Let's figure it out together.

Hours from the last Apple series Available with a diagonal of 38 mm or 42 mm. In addition to the display size, the buyer will have to choose the case material. To create Apple watches (the same as before), they use aluminum or stainless steel. The case of the Series 2 model is almost 1 mm thicker than previous variations, but this change did not affect the reviews of happy owners in any way: the thickening does not in any way affect the sensations while wearing, and the difference can only be noticed when detailed comparison gadgets of two series.

But before we start detailed review device, let's get acquainted with complete collection « Smart Watch" After all, the premium brand not only added another masterpiece to the collection. The developers have finally replaced the first generation of watches with devices Watch series Series 1, leaving only the body unchanged. The Series 1 now lacks GPS, but does feature the latest Apple S2 processor, just like the Apple Watch Series 2 (but this change has received only good reviews).

Now there are two parallel lines of smartwatches on the market (Series 1 and Series 2), which have received flattering reviews from many users. The “debut” generation, still running on the S1 processor, in Apple Store no longer presented. Little secret: Many distributors will definitely not lose this position in the near future, so if you wish, you can easily find the very first generation of Apple Watch in an unofficial store.

Comparative characteristics of devices

Apple Watch Series 2 Apple Watch Series 1 Apple Watch (2015)
Screen rectangular, flat, AMOLED, 1.5″, 272×340 (290 ppi) / 1.65″, 312×390 (304 ppi) rectangular, flat, AMOLED, 1.5″, 272×340 (290 ppi) / 1.65″, 312×390 (304 ppi)
Protection from water (5 atm) from splashes No
Strap removable, leather / silicone / metal / nylon removable, leather / silicone / metal / nylon
SoC (CPU) Apple S2, 2 cores Apple S1P, 2 cores Apple S1, 1 core @520 MHz
Connection Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Camera No No No
Microphone, speaker There is There is There is
Compatibility devices running iOS 8.3 and later devices running iOS 8.3 and later
operating system watchOS 3.0 watchOS 3.0 watchOS 1.0 (upgrade to watchOS 3.0 available)
Battery capacity (mAh) not reported not reported not reported
Dimensions* (mm) 38.6×33.3×11.4 / 42.5×36.4×11.4 38.6×33.3×10.5 / 42.5×36.4×10.5
Weight (g) 25 / 30 (Sport version)* 25 / 28 25 / 30 (Sport version)*
Average price (for Sport version, 38 mm) T-14207066 T-14207064 T-11031691
Apple Watch Series 2 (Sport, 38mm) Retail Deals L-14207066-5
Apple Watch Series 2 (Sport, 42mm) Retail Deals L-14207067-5

*according to manufacturer's information

In addition to the flagship Apple Watch Series 2 and Series 1, the company offered fans the Apple Watch Hermes and Apple Watch Nike+ collections, and also seriously expanded its range of straps. The lineup The accessories are really impressive! Bracelets differ in style, material, thickness, and color scheme. In short, Apple offered straps for all occasions: for home, office, fitness.

Another feature that has received pleasant reviews: you can buy original bracelets not only complete with the device, but also separately. The designers left the strap mounts unchanged on all Apple watch models, so you can endlessly combine accessories! Now you can experiment with style by changing the dial design and strap design.

The company made some adjustments to the model names (Perhaps in this way Apple sought to simplify the ordering conditions). The Apple Watch Sport model has become the Apple Watch, and when purchasing, you now need to indicate which case you want (steel or aluminum). Judging by the reviews, making a choice and placing an order has become easier. In the elite Apple lines Watch Edition You will no longer find gold watches, but it now features elegant ceramic models at a reasonable price.

The Apple brand intrigued the whole world with the creation of single-chip systems S2 and S1P. The frequency of the CPU cores is still kept secret. The only information received from Apple representatives: CPU+GPU performance using dual-core single-chip systems will be multiplied by two. This statement will most likely only be verified (or refuted) in practice, that is, after the presentation of the new version of watchOS. It is not yet known whether the S2 and S1P will be compatible with all smartwatch models, but the Apple Watch Series 2 will certainly support the new platform.

Equipment

The Apple Watch Series 2 packaging is an elegant white case made of thick cardboard. The product is located in a recess, which guarantees safety during transportation.

Basic equipment:

The model is available with a nylon or silicone strap (optional). This does not affect the cost, but there is one caveat: the nylon bracelet is available in a single size, and if you have large wrists this may cause some inconvenience. In any case, some negative reviews were associated precisely with this.

Important point: Almost all Apple accessories Watch first generations are 100% compatible with Apple Watch Series 2 and Series 1. An excellent alternative to the “native” one charger– wireless charging, which is connected to a 5 V 1 A power supply using a USB cable. Instead of a complete unit, any charger from a smartphone is perfect. This feature has received millions of positive reviews.

Design

An elegant rectangular “dial” with streamlined edges and corners, a miniature logo with inner side body - Apple design Watch Series 2 is perfect! Devices with a screen diagonal of 38 mm or 42 mm are available for sale.

WITH right side body - two buttons: oblong and round, rotating like a wheel. This rotating button functions as the Digital Crown. There is a sensor on the back wall heart rate and bracelet holders.

When making a review description of the new product, it is simply impossible not to compare the model with previous versions and not pay attention to customer reviews. After all, this is the only way to objectively evaluate all the pros (and cons) of the device.

In the aluminum version of the Apple Watch Sport, the sensor was mounted on a plastic panel, and ceramics were used exclusively for products with steel body. The creators paid attention to dissatisfied customer reviews and corrected this significant drawback. Now in all models of the Apple Watch Series 2 line, regardless of the price segment, this panel is ceramic.

Another innovation is two speakers instead of one.

We already mentioned that the latest model is a little thicker. This in no way affects the sensations and does not cause the owner the slightest discomfort. According to experts, this increase can be explained by two factors.

    Developers were required to install more capacious battery, so that the enhanced SoC performance and screen brightness do not affect battery life.

    The most significant innovations in the Apple Watch Series 2 line: built-in GPS and increased water resistance to 5 ATM! How the creators managed to enhance the technical characteristics so much, leaving the design unchanged and increasing the thickness by just a millimeter, remains a mystery!

Why was it so important for Apple to keep the original design? The authors cared not only about aesthetics. If you significantly change the length or width, then exclusive bracelets will no longer be compatible with the entire model range. But branded straps can cost an order of magnitude more than the watch itself, which is why the fastening of the straps has remained unchanged in the new generation!

Moreover, the Apple company continues to increase the range of branded belts, expanding the color range and developing partnership programs. So, Apple has already collaborate with Hermes and Nike. The Apple Watch Nike+ series' perforated silicone bands feature Nike's signature colors have received rave reviews. The polymer bracelet with large holes ensures maximum comfort even during intense sports activities.

The only negative: for now they are sold exclusively in tandem with watches.

Advantages of the gadget

Apple Watch Series 2 is available with a 38 mm screen diagonal with a resolution of 272x340 and a 42 mm diagonal with a resolution of 312x390. We conducted an independent examination of the model with a 42 mm display using the latest equipment.

Brief expert characteristics and reviews:

    The front surface of the display is made of strong, wear-resistant glass, rounded at the edge.

    A special oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating is applied to the mirror plate. Thanks to this, the glass is much less prone to scratching, and fingerprints are much easier to remove.

    Carrying out a comparative comparison with Google Nexus 7 2013, we note that the anti-glare properties of the panel are significantly better (as well as the oleophobic layer).

The photo clearly demonstrates the quality of the anti-reflective coating. The screen appears white when turned off.

    The screen of the Apple Watch Series 2 is darker than that of its opponent (Google Nexus 7). Apple's photo brightness is 111, Nexus's is 115.

    Due to the fact that there is no air between the layers of the display, there is no ghosting of reflection.

    The maximum brightness value we recorded when displaying a white field on the entire monitor is approximately 660 cd/m², and the minimum is 15 cd/m².

    Automatic adjustment brightness functions flawlessly. This option works from a special light sensor. You can easily adjust the sensor settings by choosing one of three possible levels. How it works? When the amount of light decreases, the screen automatically becomes brighter, but the brightness decreases only in very strong contrasts (for example, you came from the bright sun into a room with artificial lighting). If soft lighting gives way to complete darkness, the watch first goes into standby mode, and only after activating the gadget does the display brightness decrease.

Thanks to this function, combined with excellent anti-glare characteristics, it is convenient to use the watch both during the day (in intense lighting) and at night (in twilight or complete darkness). User reviews confirm that even after vision has adapted to new lighting conditions, the light from the screen will not seem overly bright and “harm” the eyes. Each brightness level is marked with 60Hz modulation, but since its range is small, flicker remains unnoticeable.

The vertical and horizontal axes on the graph clearly demonstrate the brightness-time relationship.

Screen

IN Apple screen Watch Series 2 has a built-in AMOLED matrix - an active LED matrix (works on organic LEDs). Red (R), green (G) and blue (B) sub-pixels create stunning full-color images.

The primary colors in the spectra are well separated from each other and have the shape of elongated, narrow peaks, which is typical for OLED.

Coverage is not too wide, carefully adjusted to sRGB thresholds. This occurs due to cross-mixing of the component.

    Apple Watch Series 2 images are impressively rich but still look completely natural. Reviews from happy owners of the new product confirm this.

    Discrepancy with the spectrum ΔE (absolute black body) – 2-3 units. Black remains black no matter what angle you look at it from. In this case, the blacks are so deep that the contrast settings are simply inappropriate.

    Colorful temperature white and gray fields - approximately 7000 K. The uniformity of the white field at right angles is excellent.

    Compared to LCD screens, the Apple Watch Series 2 display is a serious winner. When looking at an LCD monitor at an angle, the brightness of the image drops significantly. You can admire your Apple watch from any angle – the clarity of the image, as well as the brightness, practically do not change. And only at a very sharp angle blue shades appear in white. Image quality remains high regardless of viewing angle. This statement is confirmed by numerous reviews.

WatchOS 3 and new features

A landmark event: the legendary brand launched the cutting-edge operating system for watchOS. The updated version of the OS is 100% compatible with all smartwatch models, including Apple watch series 2. It should be noted that there are no radical improvements in the third generation of Apple operating systems.

The most significant changes:

    Dock(the name remains unchanged in the Russian interface).

    Modular watch faces.

The Dock greatly simplifies working with the device. If previously, in order to launch any application, you had to go to the main menu, now a light click on the oblong button on the right is enough.

The fact is that due to the miniature size of the icons, which are almost impossible to get into on the first try, working with the application caused some inconvenience to users. Apple programmers paid attention to the negative reviews associated with any manipulations with the main menu, and offered a chic alternative - the Dock.

Now the most popular applications are launched, as they say, “with one click.” By clicking on the Dock, you will see thumbnails of the most important applications. Most frequently used applications are natively docked in the Dock. Everything recently is also recorded in memory open applications, which the user can easily pin to the Dock if desired, and unneeded icons can simply be removed from the list.

Thanks to this practical solution, customer reviews about the functionality of the gadget have become much better. Now you only need to click on tiny icons when you need to open a rarely used application.

We would like to note that initially this key was practically not used. The function it performed turned out to be completely useless in everyday life. The brilliant creators didn’t just figure out how to use this control more efficiently. The developers assigned the Dock button to two very useful options! A long press on the key opens the emergency call and shutdown menu.

Innovation in the details

Another useful innovation, available only to owners of Apple Watch Series 2, is a small icon with the image of a droplet. This icon is designed to lock the screen when it comes into contact with water. You will find the “water” icon in the menu quick settings. The menu is called up by lightly touching the screen (moving from bottom to top). This improvement received the most positive reviews. After all, now you can safely wear your favorite watch on the beach and not take it off in the pool. The main thing is not to forget to click on the special icon!

The chic dials that appeared in the Apple Watch Series 2 line also did not go unnoticed. The dynamic dials featuring iconic cartoon characters and beautiful jellyfish received the most positive reviews. The latest Apple Watch line sees Mickey Mouse finally team up with his lady love. This will definitely delight all Minnie Mouse fans!

The ability to constantly change the design of the dial with one touch (to change the picture you just need to swipe across the screen from left to right) will interest not only true fashionistas. It's very convenient! Naughty anime is unlikely to be appropriate in the office or at business negotiations. A calm screensaver is an excellent solution for home, but for a morning run or a fitness club, a dial that records your activity is more suitable.

All proposed new items are modular, so each user can easily program the dial to suit themselves, designating where and what information will be displayed on it.

In the Apple Watch Series 2 collection, the creators not only offered users many interesting new features in the design of watch faces, adding colors and dynamics to the assortment, but also made it much easier to change from one screensaver to another.

Fitness potential, or limitless possibilities for sports.

The most rave reviews for the Apple Watch Series 2 line are related to its amazing sports capabilities. Now the branded device combines an unlimited number of additional functions. Suppose that someday wrist watch They will help you restore your breathing, measure your pulse, and be able to count the exact number of meters you have traveled, something even the bravest science fiction writers could not do!

Possibilities

Latest Fitness Features:

    Application with breathing exercises.

    Application that measures heart rate.

    New training modes.

Now let's take a closer look at high technology, which caused such admiring reviews from lovers of expensive watches that lead healthy image life.

“Relax and concentrate on breathing!” Icon "round flower" appears on the display at this application, helps you take a deep breath (the icon slowly increases in size over the course of a minute). When performing the exercise, a unique sensation arises: the watch makes quiet, soft sounds, reminiscent of either a creaking or the ringing of metal.

Of course, such simple utilities in App Store more than enough, but such fine details with Taptic Engine emphasize the status of the brand and its uniqueness, and also earn good reviews from even the most demanding consumers.

People who closely monitor their health will certainly really like the pulse meter. If you wish, you can even monitor your heart rate fluctuations and get detailed statistics per day. The “Health” application on the iPhone will help the user with this (it is in this application that all information from the pulse meter is exported and stored).

New training modes– this is a real victory for the creators of the Apple Watch Series 2, especially in combination with other developments in the series. Thanks to latest models“smart watches” have finally become waterproof; they can be used not only as a status accessory.

The water-resistant watch is ideal for swimming. Now the model even provides various modes for swimming (in open water or in a pool). For example, when you swim in the pool, the device is collected detailed information about the number of strokes, swimming distance and your activity. In the “open water swimming” mode, in addition to all of the above, GPS is turned on.

Application and synchronization

In order to view all the data recorded during a workout, you need to go to the “Activity” application (on the iPhone).

Important nuance: at the very beginning of the swim, all buttons and the display are automatically blocked. You can unlock the watch by pressing two buttons at the same time, as well as using the Digital Crown.

Now let's talk about the benefits of the advent of GPS. In theory, you select an outdoor workout mode (such as running or walking), the watch reads the information and exports the data to iPhone app. In practice, everything turned out to be a little more complicated.

Firstly, if the watch does not fit tightly to the wrist, then during intense movement it stops reading the pulse. Secondly, GPS without proper settings shows absolutely incorrect data.

This problem is easily fixed "calibration". True, you will have to spend some time on this: go to the Apple website, find instructions explaining how to properly calibrate GPS and reprogram your “manual” navigator. The finely tuned GPS on Apple Watch Series 2 accurately displays even complex routes.

Battery life

According to the company, battery life Apple works Watch Series 2 18 hours. However, this indicator is extremely conditional. Numerous user reviews indicate that the device works on average for about two days (the same as first-generation devices).

Battery life is affected by many factors:

    Number and duration of telephone conversations;

    Frequency of notifications;

    GPS operating time;

    Using a microphone and speaker;

    Screen brightness;

    Enabling training modes and other applications.

Surprisingly, even the weather affects battery life! For example, in clear sunny weather, with a long stay outside, the clock discharges much faster than indoors. After all, in intense lighting, the screen brightness automatically increases.

In general, if you use the Apple Watch Series 2 in moderate intensity mode, you can charge the gadget overnight.

Conclusion

This year Apple offered its fans a very worthy product. The Apple Watch Series 2 is one of the best deals out there sports devices On the market. Judging by the reviews, “smart watches” are not inferior in functionality even to models designed specifically for fitness (like Garmin watches).

Innovative device Apple does an excellent job of counting steps (meters, kilometers), measuring heart rate, and competently compiling tracks for glider exercises. The waterproof device will become your personal trainer in the pool and record your results. True, the information provided is not as detailed as in highly specialized devices, but Apple does not cease to improve its devices, so it is a matter of time.

When we look at the Apple Watch Series 2, we have to pay attention to some shortcomings. Reviews about software and GPS are not always flattering. The navigator begins to work efficiently only after calibration, but it only supports Apple maps, which can hardly be called the most reliable. However, after setting up the GPS builds a track without any problems.

We are confident that in the near future, the App Store will be enriched with a variety of supporting applications that will make working with Apple Watch Series 2 even more enjoyable. After all, user reviews largely depend on the technical characteristics and hardware of the gadget, which is why Apple is interested in ensuring that their devices support best apps.

While working on the creation of the second generation of smartwatches, the creators paid a lot of attention to improving the software. It would seem that mere little things: new dials, new unlocking methods, new functions on “old” buttons cannot significantly change user reviews. However, watchOS 3 technologies have made the Apple Watch Series 2 significantly better.

    After the appearance Dock buttons working with applications has become as comfortable as possible, while the developers managed to preserve the authentic design of the device. The creators managed to cleverly use the oblong button, using it for really important things.

    Another brilliant idea is the use of a wheel Digital Crown to unlock the screen (in previous versions the Digital Crown was rarely used as a wheel).

Apple review Watch Series 2:

watch for life

Ruslan Shebukov, Yandex.Market editorial team

“What are you doing?” - my mother asked me when she saw that I was washing my watch under the tap. There was genuine horror on her face. “Washing my watch,” I answered, unable to think of anything more original. “Uh... Why?” - Mom continued not to understand. “I swam in the sea in them, and now I wash off the salt, otherwise it will remain inside the watch, and it will not be good.” “Inside the clock???” - Mom shook her head and left. She seems to doubt that I'm okay now.

Scenario 1. Sports

Everyone who saw on mine Apple hand Watch, sooner or later I asked: what are they for? Well, the smartphone is clear: look at Facebook, chat with someone, play with a toy, receive mail, in the end. What's the watch for? Time to watch, right? And to be honest, at first I didn’t find what to answer. But now that enough time has passed for smartwatches to enter my life, I have something to say about it.

Since Series 2 is already the second version of the Apple Watch, I’ll start with what’s new in it compared to the first model. The first and most important thing is their waterproofness. Yes, you can now swim in your watch, and not just wash your hands and walk in the rain. And not just swim, I actually swim. Why there are two new sections in the “Training” application: “Swimming in the pool” and “Swimming in open water”. In the first mode, the watch counts the number of pools covered, in the second, using GPS, it draws a track in the Activity application on the iPhone - a chaotic line along which you moved, shying away from jellyfish and especially stupid swimmers who do not see where they are swimming. In both modes, the following are also calculated: the number of calories burned, distance, time, average pace and average heart rate of the swimmer.

The new Apple Watch has a brighter screen than the previous version. In the sun it does not go blind or glare, all numbers and letters are perfectly visible.

By the way, before the swim, do not forget to change your metal bracelet or leather strap to a silicone one - leather does not really like water, and stainless steel may not be so stainless. And after the swim, pour the water out of the watch by clicking on the droplet icon and turning the wheel.

In general, with the new watch you can now do any workout without a smartphone. Few people, by the way, know that music can be downloaded directly to the watch (there is a whole gigabyte of memory for this) and listen to it through Bluetooth headphones. Well, it’s generally harmful to answer calls during training, and even more so to correspond in instant messengers, otherwise the glass will have to be changed not in the iPhone, but in the car that hit you.

Scenario 2. Resort

Since in the new Apple watch I can swim, one problem that had been bothering me for a long time disappeared by itself. It’s not that this problem was global, but when it arose, I absolutely didn’t know how, excuse the pun, to solve it. This problem is called “Where do you put your phone when you go to the beach?” Moreover, I need a phone on the beach not to read e-books or play solitaire, but to keep track of the time. I had to take it with me and leave it along with my things on the shore, and then, diving into the oncoming wave, I was nervous that it would be stolen.

You can, of course, have an ordinary waterproof watch for this purpose, but it’s somehow stupid to take off your Apple Watch and put on, say, a Casio or an Audemars Piguet to the beach if you have an extra 4 million rubles. And so you kill two hares at once... oh, no, I was told after the article about the iPhone 7 that killing hares is inhumane, so... Gerrians (Zygerrians are known for their bad character and long history full of violence, wars and the slave trade, so you don’t feel sorry for them) - and you can go to the beach in smart watch, and don’t take your smartphone with you. Well, as already mentioned, when you swim while wearing a watch, you immediately train - that is, you don’t just flop around in the sea, joyfully splashing and splashing, but you play sports and immediately see the result: how many meters you swam and how many calories you burned.

Scenario 3. Social

When I tested the first Apple Watch, I was a little disappointed that it was a little, shall we say, slow. That is, for example, a message comes to you on Telegram, the watch informs you about it, you rejoice, bring the watch to your eyes, and somehow it is in no hurry to show you the message. The ring spins and spins, and you, like a fool, keep looking at your watch and waiting, just like before your first date, well, when, when?

Apple Watch Series 2 contains a new S2 processor and a new graphics processor (which does not seem to have a public name) - together they almost double the performance of the gadget. But these would be just words if I myself had not seen a dramatic change in the behavior of the watch.

Messages from any messenger appear on the screen almost instantly. With e-mail it’s a little more complicated: if the correspondent is laconic and does not spread his thoughts over the tree, but formulates his main idea in at least the first twelve sentences, then reading the letter takes the same amount of time as reading a message in the messenger, but if he starts : “Hello, how is your health, how are the children, long life to you and Have a good mood, hang in there and all that...”, you have to tap on the screen a couple more times to still get to the essence of the letter, and then, if the letter is long, the clock may think for a couple of seconds. If I were them, I would think about it too.

Letters written using styles are translated into plain text by the Apple Watch, the watch does not understand complex HTML format, sending the letter to be read in the iPhone, and attachments in the letter are visible, but do not open.

Being able to not have to take out your iPhone just to read and quickly respond to a message or email is pretty cool. Firstly, it doesn’t irritate your bosses at meetings: you look at your watch and you already know that your grandmother has returned from the store, Nyusha Meyerhold is playing “characters” under the skin, and your daughter wants new Vans. Secondly, if you are cold or if you are a girl who has a phone in her purse, you don’t have to reach far into your pocket or purse just to find out that grandma has returned from the store, and so on. Thirdly, when you are sitting in an armchair and watching a movie, and your smartphone is snoring peacefully, charging in another room, you are still aware of all the latest events: which of your favorite bands released a new album, which football team won which and immediately happily tweeted about it, and how cool your little friend looks on Instagram in her new designer coat. I'm not even talking about those cases when Yandex.Taxi came and reported this, and you forgot that you called it at all.

It’s a special pleasure to respond to these posts and messages. This can be done: a) emoticons; b) voice; V) text templates. I like the first option better - I sent it a thumbs up and everyone is happy. In the proprietary Messages application in WatchOS 3, dynamic emoji appeared in the form of a beating heart, animated gestures in a white glove, or you can also write or draw something with your finger, and your recipient will see how you do it. In Telegram you can reply with the same stickers as in the mobile application - they are all available from the watch. And so on - each messenger has its own capabilities.

Everything is clear with the templates: pre-populate your smartphone with “Don’t wait for me, I’m dead” or “You’re a fool!”, and respond to all messages with these phrases. Well, on the one hand, using a voice is more convenient - you can say anything (which you will regret later), and it will immediately be transformed into text, but on the other hand, if you are in a crowded room and you are ashamed to say such words in front of everyone, then this option disappears by itself.

However, the other day I was standing in line at Starbucks, and then one bearded guy, looking carefully straight into my eyes, loudly said: “Hello, Vladislav!” Just when I was wondering if I was Vladislav, he continued: “Maybe we’ll meet on Wednesday?” Thoughts flashed in my head at an alarming speed: “I have a meeting on Wednesday!”, “How does he know that my parents wanted to name me Vladislav?” and “What the hell, I’m not gay!” But then, without waiting for my answer, he says: “Okay, we’ll contact you later. On call! and looks at me a little disapprovingly, as if he read all my thoughts, and orders himself a double latte with caramel and pumpkin. And I thought that I would never get used to the fact that now people talk to themselves in public places. So, against the background of this, saying a small harmless answer, turning to the clock, now doesn’t look so crazy.

Scenario 4: Confidential

More than those who endlessly chatter in the minibus, the only people I hate are those who leave their workplace to go to the toilet for a couple of hours, leaving the phone with the ringer turned on at full volume, as if they would hear it from the toilet itself and come running (but they don’t hear it and don’t come running). Let's say that you, like me, don't like to bother people unnecessarily and prefer to keep your phone on the phone most of the time. silent mode. But sometimes you still need to answer calls and messages. And here the Apple Watch again rushes to the rescue and warns of calls and notifications with vibration. No one will ever know how many messages you receive per minute, and no one will be disturbed by calls you don't want to answer. But if you still decide to answer, then you can talk through the watch - it has both a microphone and a speaker.

Another useful use of the watch is as a silent alarm clock that is always on your hand. It won’t wake up anyone but you, and it’s also healthier for your psyche when you wake up from a slight vibration on your wrist, rather than from a pulsating signal screwing into your brain: “It’s time to get up, you brute! Go to work!

Scenario 5. Lifestyle

Let's start with the fact that the Apple Watch is beautiful. At least compared to other smartwatches. Especially in a stainless steel case and with a real leather strap. Then this is not just a multifunctional gadget, but a style-defining accessory, and simply a thing that is pleasant to own. The stainless steel body is a little heavier than aluminum, and its wheel is not smooth, but grooved, and this is cool in itself.

But even cooler is the Apple Watch with a Hermès strap. Apple and Hermès have been collaborating since the very beginning - since the first version of the Apple Watch was released. For the second version of the watch, the French manufacturer of horse harnesses, fashionable luggage, as well as perfumes, clothing, shoes and fashion accessories created a new collection of leather straps, including the Manchette model with a double buckle, repeating the design of the famous Hermès sandals, Simple Tour - simple and with a clasp , like a metal bracelet, as well as the women's Double Tour model, which wraps twice around the wrist.

I like the regular Simple Tour in classic brown, but blue and taupe are OK too. There are also red, pink, purple and sea green. In addition to the leather strap, the Hermès Apple Watch also comes with an orange silicone strap for swimming. Interestingly, the set costs more than if you buy a Hermès watch and strap separately - apparently because the complete version has additional Hermès branded dials built into the Apple Watch firmware.

Nike is now collaborating with Apple, and this is a completely different type of lifestyle. Here, in addition to the signature holey fluoroelastomer strap in Nike neon-lime colors and new dials, there is the Nike+ Run Club application, which motivates jogging. This application, however, can be installed on regular Apple Watch.

But the most exclusive offer is the Apple Watch Edition with a ceramic case. They say that ceramic cases are even stronger than steel ones, but that’s not the point - it looks very unusual. I probably would not dare to wear such a watch - they are too snow-white for me, but now, they say, it is very fashionable, so many expensive Swiss watches are produced in ceramic cases.

I chose a simple blue Apple leather strap and I really like it. And I wear the complete white one made of silicone when I go to the beach.

P.S

I got my first Apple Watch model just a few days after it came out, and to be honest, I still haven’t fallen in love with it. I've been wearing the second version for a little over a month, and now I only part with the watch when I have to charge it. I don't know what the reason is. Maybe in a metal case and a leather strap, which turns a smart toy into a quality item that you want to wear. Maybe it’s because the watches have become faster, more convenient and are no longer afraid of dampness. Or maybe it’s that the Apple Watch is now simply more suitable for life, or the world has become more suitable for these watches. Today I can use my watch to pay for purchases in stores and restaurants, turn on my MacBook and play games. The watch warns me in time about the start of check-in for a flight and about its delay, if any. The watch prevents me from missing an important call, message, or the end of my paid parking time. In almost everything that happens to me, the watch helps me. I don't even know what I will do if I lose them.

A reference article based on the author's expertise.