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   Apple Watch Gains New Bands, watchOS 2 Date

   Jeff Carlson

   At its media event today, Apple unveiled a host of new bands to
   complement the Apple Watch ' including a new luxury entrant ' as well
   as a 16 September 2015 release date for the next version of the
   device's software, [1]watchOS 2.

   Unveiled at WWDC in June (see '[2]Apple's watchOS 2 to Gain Native
   Apps, Third-Party Complications,' 8 June 2015), watchOS 2 can run
   native apps on the watch instead of being just a front end for apps on
   the iPhone as in the current watchOS. Several native apps were
   mentioned, including iTranslate and GoPro, and Dr. Cameron Powell of
   [3]AirStrip Technologies demonstrated an AirStrip app that lets doctors
   review patient information during rounds, access real-time vital
   statistics, and communicate with other professionals, with HIPAA
   privacy measures in place. He also demonstrated Sense4Baby, an app (in
   coordination with a Sense4Baby sensor) that can record a pregnant
   woman's heart rate, the baby's heart rate, and the rate of any
   contractions ' while allowing the pregnant woman to listen live to the
   baby's heart ' and send that to a physician.

   [4][tn_watchos_sense4baby.jpg]

   The watch internals aren't changing yet (most likely we'll see that
   next year), but Apple did add two colored aluminum finishes, [5]gold
   and rose gold. Also added to the lineup are an assortment of additional
   bands, including lavender, antique white, stone, midnight blue, orange,
   and (PRODUCT)RED sport bands, and a two-toned leather Classic Buckle in
   black or saddle brown.

   [6][tn_AppleWatch_AL_Colors.jpg]

   And for the luxury market, [7]Apple Watch Hermès editions not only
   offer three leather styles, but also a custom Hermès watch face to
   match.

   [8][tn_AppleWatch_Hermes.jpg]

   The new models are available now; the Hermès models will be available
   in October.

References

   1. http://www.apple.com/watchos-2/
   2. http://tidbits.com/article/15718
   3. http://www.airstrip.com/
   4. http://tidbits.com/resources/2015-09/watchos_sense4baby.png
   5. http://www.apple.com/shop/watch/bands
   6. http://tidbits.com/resources/2015-09/AppleWatch_AL_Colors.png
   7. http://www.apple.com/apple-watch-hermes/
   8. http://tidbits.com/resources/2015-09/AppleWatch_Hermes.png

.