The Apple Watch is only just now entering full retail availability, but the cogs of the Apple rumour machine are already spinning up for the next model. Here’s what we’ve heard so far about the inevitable Apple Watch 2.
FaceTime video camera
Probably the largest feature addition expected for the Apple Watch 2 is a front-facing FaceTime video camera, which will allow users to make video calls from their wrist. The camera could also be used for authentication, similar to Google’s face-unlock system, although specific details on this haven’t yet been discovered. Finally, being able to take selfies on your wrist would be a nice addition to the communication features that Apple have included in the Watch so far.
“Tetherless” functionality
Apple will try to improve the Apple Watch’s utility when it is apart from your iPhone, by including a better wireless chipset into the device. This could allow the Watch to use WiFi for text messaging, emails and weather updates, as long as your iPhone is also connected to WiFi somewhere else. Google have already released something similar with the latest update to Android Wear, so it’s no surprise to see Apple look into it as well.
No change to battery life
According to an unnamed source at 9to5Mac, Apple Watch customers are satisfied with the amount of battery life they currently get from their watch; the average customer has 30-40% of charge remaining at the end of the day. Like the iPad and iPhone, that means that we’ll see Apple focus on other improvements than battery life, while adding features like the Nightstand charging mode which encourage nightly charging (rather than, say, sleep tracking).
New materials
One interesting rumour is that Apple is investigating new materials in order to create a new range of Apple Watch bodies between the stainless steel Watch and the gold Watch Edition. They are reportedly looking into titanium, tungsten, palladium and platinum for this role. Variants with a stainless steel case and fancier straps is also possible.
2016 launch
In the meantime of course, Apple is launching watchOS 2. The update, first detailed at WWDC earlier this month, will include three new watch faces, dictated responses to email and nightstand functionality (as seen above). The watchOS 2 update is expected to launch this fall, and is already available for developers (and interested enthusiasts) to experiment with.
Conclusion
What feature are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below or write to us on Twitter @mobilefun!