Apple Watch 2 Release Date, Specs Rumors: More Health Sensors, June 2016 Rumored Release Date
It has been more than a year since Apple announced its first smartwatch, the Apple Watch, and the rumor mill is already filled with reports about when the next generation Apple Watch will be announced and what new specs it will carry. According to a report in Macworld UK, most reports speculate a mid-year 2016 release or even later and a whole new slew of health sensors that will likely come with the Apple Watch 2.
Macworld cited a rumor that came from Apple's supplier for the Apple Watch, Chinese company Quanta. Barry Lam, Quanta's chairman, told investors at an investor's meeting that more Apple Watch 2 stock will be available in the third quarter of 2016, indicating that a June 2016 release date may be possible. Quanta, according to the report, will likely be the same manufacturer that Apple will use for the next generation smartwatch.
In terms of new specs that the smartwatch will carry, the report cited an interview of Apple CEO Tim Cook about a new device that will be "medically approved" and has gone through FDA accreditation. Although he said that this is new device is not going to be the Apple Watch, he also said that they are looking at other ways to build a product that will have medical use, such as apps or other features. Aside from this, there are also rumors going around that the next Apple Watch will have its share of health sensors, which are better than what it has currently.
Another specification that the next generation Apple Watch is rumored to have is a larger battery, one that does not need to be charged at the end of day. In order to do this, Apple is rumored to be working with LG and Samsung to produce thinner OLED displays to make room for a bigger battery.
The first Apple Watch is notably still reliant on it being paired with an iPhone, making it somewhat useless to consumers who do not own an iPhone. According to the report, Apple is reportedly working on an Apple Watch 2 that will have more functionality even without an iPhone. This project, that the report said is internally called "Tether-less," is looking at installing a wireless chipset into the watch to enable it to do some tasks without an iPhone.
