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Apple will repair your swollen Watch Series 2 battery for free
If your Apple Watch Series 2 suddenly won't turn on, don't panic -- you might qualify for a free fix. MacRumors has learned that Apple has quietly institute a service policy that will repair 42mm Series 2 models for free when they either won't power on or have a swollen battery, including those whose battery has expanded to the point where the display has popped loose. The smartwatch doesn't have to be under warranty, and it'll cover the repairs for up to three years after purchase (in other words, you likely have until 2019 or 2020).
The only thing new about Nike's latest Apple Watch is the band
When the Apple Watch Series 2 debuted some beefed-up fitness tracking features last year, the Nike+ variation looked like it would finally realize the full potential of Apple and Nike's long-running partnership. For the same price as the standard Apple Watch, the Nike edition comes preloaded with the Nike+ Run Club app, exclusive Siri commands and two run-oriented watch faces -- making it a no-brainer for runners already in the market for some Apple wristwear. Now Nike's designers are back with a new "neutral-toned" colorway just in time for the Spring running season.
Apple Watch refurbs lower the cost of outfitting your wrist
You no longer have to wait for a sale to snag an Apple Watch at a more reasonable price. Apple has quietly started selling refurbished Series 1 and Series 2 models through its American online store, lowering the barrier of entry if you don't insist on untouched wristwear. They're currently the most common models, to no one's surprise (no ceramic Apple Watch Edition here), but you're getting a sizable 15 percent discount over brand new: Series 1 begins at $229, while the GPS-equipped Series 2 variants start at $309. The Series 2 lineup also includes a few stainless steel versions starting at $469.
Runkeeper uses Apple Watch GPS to keep track of your route
Apple Watch Series 2 arrived with two notable updates: waterproofing and built-in GPS. Even though the popular jogging app has been letting users run without their iPhone since last fall, Runkeeper now tasks the wearable's own GPS for better tracking of your routes. An update to the company's Apple Watch software takes advantage of the built-in feature for "richer stats" and a detailed map you can view on your phone.
The 12 best tech gifts for fashionistas
Buying clothes and other apparel as gifts is always something of a risky proposition -- and that's doubly true if the person you're shopping for prides herself on having good taste. Indeed, you might want to skip clothing altogether and focus on services your intended can use to do what they do best: be fabulous. You might consider a gift card to Stitch Fix, where your friend will get a box of five items personalized to their tastes, with an option to return whatever they don't like. Alternatively, there's the Glam app for on-demand blowouts, manicures and makeup appointments, while Decorist offers online interior design consultations. If you'd still prefer to buy a physical gift, might we suggest headphones that look like a necklace, this sturdy-yet-stylish iPhone case or a fitness tracker that could pass for jewelry. For our full list of recommendations in all categories, don't forget to stop by our main Holiday Gift Guide hub.
Smartwatch shipments dropped ahead of new models
The smartwatch market isn't quite as red-hot as it looked in recent months. IDC estimates that smartwatch shipments fell by just shy of 52 percent year-over-year in the third quarter of 2016, with the biggest names often being the hardest hit. Apple was still the top dog, but its shipments fell almost 72 percent to 1.1 million. Samsung's shipments were virtually flat, while Lenovo and Pebble saw their unit numbers drop sharply. Interestingly, the only company in the top five to see a big surge was Garmin -- its shipments more than tripled to 600,000. Should the industry be worried? Not necessarily.
Apple Watch Nike+ arrives on October 28th
If you've been holding off on getting an Apple Watch Series 2 in hopes of scoring the running-oriented Nike+ edition, you only have a few more days to wait. Apple has updated its product page to reveal that Apple Watch Nike+ will be available on October 28th, just in time to meet the company's promised late October launch window. You can get the wristwear in both 38mm and 42mm case sizes at the same $369 and $399 prices as standard Series 2 watches, with a mix of black and gray straps that sometimes include highly visible (and slightly eye-searing) green accents.
New in our buyer's guide: The iPhone 7 and Fitbit Charge 2
Well, well, well. After just a few months of phone releases and reviews, our smartphone buyer's guide section looks very different than it did recently. New to the guide, as you'd expect, are the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, both of which earned strong reviews from us. The HTC 10 and Galaxy S7 have held their spots there, with the OnePlus 3 rounding out the list at the lower end. (And yes, we are thanking our lucky stars that we didn't have time to add the highly rated Galaxy Note 7 into the guide before it was recalled and discontinued.) We've also made some changes to our wearables section, with the Apple Watch Series 1 and Series 2 both making the cut (the Series 2 is the best in absolute terms, but we recommend the Series 1 for more people). You'll also find the Fitbit Charge 2, our new favorite all-around fitness tracker. Find all that and more right here in our buyer's guide, and be sure to check back soon -- we plan to review some highly anticipated releases like Google's new Pixel phones as well as the PlayStation Pro.
The bottom line: Our quick verdict on the Apple Watch Series 2
The Apple Watch Series 2 is what the company should have put out last year: It's faster than the original, with longer battery life, a more intuitive OS, brighter screen, built-in GPS and waterproof design. If this were Apple's only new smartwatch, we would have given it an even stronger recommendation than we actually did. The problem is, the company does indeed have another wearable on offer. The Series 1, as it's called, costs a hundred dollars less and is basically last year's model, upgraded with the same dual-core processor used in the Series 2. It, too, runs watchOS 3 out of the box. As an all-purpose smartwatch, then, the experience should be similar to what you'd get on the souped-up version. Meanwhile, though the GPS inside the Series 2 mostly matches readouts on other devices, the difference is often big enough to have big implications for estimated pace. That shouldn't be a big deal for walkers, but more serious athletes who train for events where speed matters won't want to give up their dedicated sports watches just yet. Given that, the Series 2 mostly makes sense for either swimmers or people who want distance tracking but don't care about accurate pace tracking (like we said: walkers, hikers and joggers). Everyone else, save yourself a hundred bucks and get the Series 1 instead.
Restauranteur hopes the Apple Watch will improve fine dining
Danny Meyer is considered to be quite the progressive restauranteur. His employees don't rely on tips to make ends meet (the practice is outlawed at his establishments, in fact), and they get various benefits including a share of profits. Aside from running his hospitality empire in an unorthodox way, he's also the mastermind behind Shake Shack. His next forward-thinking initiative doesn't involve any new management strategies, however. Rather, at one of his flagship restaurants he'll soon be ceding some of that responsibility to the Apple Watch.
Apple Watch Series 2 review (as written by a marathoner)
When the Apple Watch first came out last year, Engadget published not one but two reviews. There was the "official" review, which provided an overview of the device's features and, more important, attempted to explain who, if anyone, should buy it. Then there was a piece I wrote, focusing specifically on the watch's capabilities (actually, drawbacks) as a running watch. Although we knew that many readers would be interested in that aspect of the device, we were wary of derailing the review by geeking out about marathoning. This year, we needn't worry about that. With the new Apple Watch Series 2, the company is explicitly positioning the device as a sports watch. In particular, the second generation brings a built-in GPS radio for more accurate distance tracking on runs, walks, hikes, bike rides and swims. Yes, swims: It's also waterproof this time, safe for submersion in up to 50 meters of water. Beyond that, the other changes are performance-related, including a faster chip, longer battery life and a major software update that makes the watch easier to use. Even so, the first-gen version, which will continue to be sold at a lower price, is getting upgraded with the same firmware and dual-core processor. That means, then, that the Series 2's distinguishing features are mostly about fitness. And if you don't fancy yourself an athlete, we can think of an even smarter buy.
The new Apple Watch mostly looks like the old one
There are two ways to let the world know you have the next-gen Apple Watch, the Series 2, and not the original, which came out last year. You could buy the new Nike-branded one, but well, that probably won't go with your work outfit. Or you could take it for a swim: The new version is fully waterproof up to 50 meters, whereas the original was merely splashproof. Otherwise, the new version looks a lot like the old one, complete with the same two screen sizes and support for the same wristbands. The screen is brighter, sure, and the most premium version of the watch is now made from a durable white ceramic that doesn't look quite like the aluminum and stainless-steel versions that came before it. With these few exceptions, though, it's the performance that makes this a different watch.
The Apple Watch Nike+ is a running watch I might actually use
I've been wearing the original Apple Watch every day for the past eight months, but never as a running watch. As much as I enjoy the device for its notifications, slick Activity app and stylish design, I would never, ever trust it on a training run. My hangup, and many runners' hangup, has been the lack of a GPS radio. Without that crucial bit of technology, the distance tracking is off -- and no, running with your iPhone on your person to triangulate your location isn't the same. Needless to say, if your distance tracking is inaccurate, your average pace will be inaccurate, and to a runner, even a casual one, that is bad news indeed. So until now, I've been sticking with my trusty Garmin Forerunner watch, even as I continue to use the Apple Watch for everyday step-tracking. With the newest-gen Apple Watch, though, I might be willing to reconsider.
Apple and Nike have made a special edition Watch Series 2
Looks like Tim Cook's appointment as lead independent director on Nike's board earlier this year preempted a deeper relationship forming between the two companies. Alongside the Apple Watch Series 2 with built-in GPS, a special Nike+ edition of the wearable was announced on stage today. Aimed squarely at runners, the Nike version features custom software including special watch faces and the Run Club app. This is for quick-starting workouts, receiving personal coaching plans and keeping you motivated with various reasons you might want to get that lactic acid flowing, such as pitting you against friends or reminding you it's nice outside.
Apple Watch Series 2 comes with waterproofing and GPS
Two years after Apple launched its first wearable, the company has pulled the dust sheets from the second generation of its watch. It's certainly not what's on the outside that defines the Apple Watch Series 2, which looks the same as its immediate predecessor. The headline feature is that the device is water resistant to depths of 50 meters and can be used to track the activity of swimmers. The second standout upgrade is the addition of built-in GPS, which the company promises won't make you wait around like other GPS watches.
