I have a bunch of watches and fitness bands. I feel cool wearing them for a while and then switch to something more jewellery-like. But this time, with the Apple Watch Series 2, I think I will stick with it for a while. Finally, a watch has me getting up and reducing some of the damage my sedentary life must be causing. Series 2 is faster, easier to use, and more health and fitness focused than before. And how it has me moving with its stand up reminders, which were there in the previous watch, but more usable now because overall the watch has evolved a little. At a starting price of ₹32,900 however, one has to give it a good long think.
Who needs it?
One thing is for sure. If you have the previous version of the Apple Watch, there really is not too much benefit to upgrading. Updating the software will get you some features and the watch looks exactly the same, though there is now a ceramic model available. Unless you specifically want to use the GPS (for maps, running routes and more), and swim with the watch on, because you can go down 50 meters with it, the new watch is not a must-have. If you have the money to spare and want a smartwatch, not just a fitness tracker, think about the Apple Watch if you happen to own an iPhone. But deciding between an expensive smartwatch and an everyday fitness tracker is a tougher decision and a personal one. The Apple Watch is very well built and a very Apple design. There are hundreds of straps and accessories available – at an additional cost, of course – so you have to see if you want to indulge yourself. The straps are part of the reason the Apple Watch feels cool to me, specially with the double tour leather band that is a statement in itself. But it is an expensive hobby.
Stop for a breath
The emphasis on fitness is strong on the Apple Watch Series 2, even though there is a separate Nike-Apple watch just for runners. Working with the watch, you can get stats on your heart rate in the longer term. Several trackers led me to believe my heart rate was unreasonably high. With the Apple Watch I was able to see that it my stats were in a healthy range. Your activity is tracked through the day with progress reports in case you want to step it up. You also get an alert to stand up and stay up for a minute. A couple of times a day, you can also stop to breathe deeply. The watch will guide you with its haptic feedback, with a sensation for inhaling and a bigger one for exhaling. You can start a variety of workouts and have them tracked for activity and calories and, because of the addition of GPS, relate activity to routes while running or cycling. There is also full support for third party apps. With the waterproofing, you can take the watch for a swim. If a little water should get in, Apple has come up with a clever way to eject the water. It pushes it out with a few loud beeps when you press the button to do so.
Dock your apps
The Apple Watch is not a specialised tracker, like some are. What it does is track a number of parameters but besides its focus on health and fitness, do what smartwatches do, such as let you dictate reminders or notes or replies to messages, locate your phone, get notifications on the news and social media posts, control a presentation on Keynote, and more. You can scroll through photos, browse your Instagram feed and even scribble on the screen, though this is by no means easy. The ecosystem of apps is probably the best for this smartwatch than for any other. They do however, need your involvement as you explore, select and collect into the ‘dock’ what you want to work with on an everyday basis.
The Apple Watch Series 2 uses a button, and the rotating crown and swipes on the screen to use. The display is definitely brighter and crisper than before and the device works in a snappier more intuitive manner. Overall, it’s a good refinement of the previous generation and a worthy, though expensive, companion to the iPhone.
Price: Starts at ₹32,900
Love: Usable health prompts, good ecosystem of apps and straps
Hate: Expensive, charge lasts only for a day