Buzz
One of the key selling points of the Apple Watch series 7 this year is the tougher screen and improved dust resistance.A rugged sports watch would certainly be a logical step for Apple as the company has been promoting fitness activities for several years. The subscription-based workout service Apple Fitness Plus launched last December is a prime example, and Apple's instructors have been actively engaging users with new workout sessions added to the library every week.
The Apple Watch undoubtedly serves as the cornerstone of Fitness Plus, displaying heart rates on the screen as users exercise in their living rooms. However, venturing beyond the confines of home demands sturdier capabilities for outdoor usage. Yet, bolstering the casing's resilience isn't the sole enhancement needed for a proficient sports watch, especially for extreme sports.Firstly, Apple might contemplate transitioning from aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium to carbon fiber, akin to Casio's G-Shock watches. This shift aids in weight reduction and allows the watch to be cast as a single unit, minimizing potential weak points.
Enhancements in water resistance are also imperative. While the Apple Watch 5 boasts water resistance up to 50m, suitable for casual swimming in shallow waters, for extreme sports, Apple's new wearable must function as a full-fledged diving watch, comparable to the Polar Grit X, with water resistance up to 100m.Moving on to the button layout, Apple will need to reconsider its reliance on the touch screen for many Apple Watch features. This isn't ideal for users wearing gloves or with wet or dirty hands. A significant design change would involve incorporating a lockable touch screen and a set of buttons around the bezel of the watch.
Another potentially controversial move would be adopting a Memory-in-pixel (MIP) display as a priority. While the AMOLED display on the Apple Watch is fantastic, it drains the battery quickly. Many sports watches offer at least a week-long battery life between charges, crucial for multi-day events or overnight camping trips. Apple may need to compromise on the display for its 'athlete version' of the Apple Watch.
As such, a new power-saving mode could customize the watch's features and turn off any unused modes to conserve battery life, which is also a necessary feature.
