Apple Considers Launching Rugged Watch For Extreme Sports

Apple is considering launching an Apple Watch with a rugged casing aimed at athletes, hikers and others who use the device in more extreme environments, according to people familiar with the matter. Bloomberg reports: The Cupertino, California-based technology giant has internally discussed introducing such a Watch variation later in 2021 or 2022 at the earliest, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private matters. If Apple goes ahead this time, the rugged version would be an additional model similar to how Apple offers a lower-cost option called the Apple Watch SE and special editions co-branded with Nike and Hermes International. Sometimes dubbed the "Explorer Edition" inside Apple, the product would have the same functionality as a standard Apple Watch but with extra impact-resistance and protection in the vein of Casio's G-Shock watches.

Redefining "extreme"

[phantomfive]

Apparently as I've aged, I have converted in my laziness from a couch potato to an extreme athlete merely by going hiking once in a while and waiting for the word 'extreme' to be redefined. Oh yeah, this weekend I'm going super extreme and will take a walk along the beach.

Don't be fools, Apple.

[Narcocide]

You can't do this well, alone. Partner with NERF.

You're welcome.

Knowing Apple

[aaarrrgggh]

Their idea of an extreme sport is sneezing. They can’t even manage swimming and fail to honor their warranty when it floods. I miss my old Suunto scuba watch from 20 years ago— talk about indestructible! (At least until someone — likely me — cross threaded the crown when changing the battery.)

Not suitable for extreme environments.

[Gravis Zero]

It's not even waterproof. The only difference is it will have a rubberized band, it's still the same easy-to-damage crap. Go swimming with it, I dare you.

The only thing extreme about this watch is the marketing hyperbole around it.

Re: Not suitable for extreme environments.

[AsmCoder8088]

Iâ(TM)ve gone swimming with my Apple Watch three days a week for over a year now and no issues. In fact keeping track of swimming laps is what a lot of people like about it.

Re:

[mccalli]

Yes - let's all comment on the specs of this thing that doesn't exist yet and may never exist. That's certainly the way to go.

Re:

[Camembert]

Incorrect. Only the first or maybe first two.versions were not waterproof. Current version is explicitly suited for surface swimming.

Re:

[Dixie_Flatline]

My swim coach swam with her series 5 every day. It has a specific function to clear water from the speaker. This is an outright lie.

Watches that handle heavy G-forces, and shocks?

[Babel-17]

The target audience might think that they prefer their current solution. And they tend to be able to be away from smart devices when getting extreme. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]

Re:

[_merlin]

I wear a Seiko Kinetic Scuba as my daily. It's a bit beat up after a decade, but it keeps time amazingly well (about thirty seconds gained in eight years, that's way better than the guaranteed 2 seconds/month drift). Havenâ(TM)t needed to replace the internal rechargeable battery yet, can go days without wearing it and it will keep running. I've used it scuba diving, running in every kind of weather. If it gets dirty, I can wash it with soap and water without having to worry. Apple just doesn't un

Re:

[Canberra1]

From dive operators, I know Casio is the most reliable watch, or were, only country of origin is now variable with de-rated depth ratings, and they dont enforce the same standards as the ones made in Japan. G5600 been seen in use on ISS. Timex is also bang for buck, as worn by US presidents. Apple can add a cpu, induction charge and do stuff, but they cannot sell in Switzerland (Apple Watch is a Swiss watchmaker). If you dive, most work at depth, but as you surface, negative air pressure sucks saltwater int

The fine print taketh away

[smap77]

If true to form, it'll have 25% less battery out of the box if you set it up with "Family Sharing", the most alluring functions will be unavailable if you set it up with setup nuance Y, and the whole process will take so long the new version of watch will already be released.

And forget shock protection if they are induced from the glass side.

Recommendation

[E360.biz2]

Highly Recommend https://www.e360.biz/product/i... [e360.biz]

Can hardly wait

[scdeimos]

It'll be a case of "your rugged-ing wrong" when all of the broken Rugged iWatch complaints start pouring in.

A Better Title

[MrPCsGhost]

"Apple sees that Garmin, Casio still in business, want their cut"

Competing with real sports watches may not be wise

[sandbagger]

Polar and Garmin have been making sports watches for athletes for decades. The software and stats they have for serious athletes validates the market but, really, is this where Apple needs to spend money to compete? Tracking vertical oscillation as you run is valuable for runners and other weird statistics is important for runners but really how much will Apple spend developing this and other features to compete for the small market place for serious athletes.

Also, let's not under estimate how brutally competent the competition is. Garmin makes radar systems that connect with their watches so that riders can be alerted about cars approaching from behind.

Apple makes excellent consumer products. Polar's heart rate monitor is as close to medical grade as it gets. Apple could push their chips in to compete, sure, but for how big a return for a comparatively small marketplace.

Re:

[Dixie_Flatline]

Garmin's quality is in the toilet. I will concede that their battery life is better, but the whole rest of the user experience is terrible, and the hardware has been getting shoddiest over the years. If what Apple is planning to do is make a version of the watch that can last longer on a charge while actively recording workouts and will also be more damage resistant, I am all for it.

I'll still be using my Wahoo cycling computer for long rides, especially since the Apple Watch doesn’t work with ANT+ an

What will be rugged and extreme...

[Gumpu]

What will be rugged and extreme for sure is the price.