Apple ‘considering’ new Apple Watch with rugged casing, claims Bloomberg
Bloomberg has claimed that Apple is reportedly considering launching a new Apple Watch model geared specifically towards athletes, hikers and others who would use the device in extreme sporting environments, which could see the wearable get a new rugged rubberized casing option.
According to reporter Mark Gurman, Apple is said to be holding internal discussions ahead of a potential launch later this year or at some point during 2022 at the earliest. Dubbed the “Explorer Edition,” the device would add extra impact-resistance and protection, similar to Casio’s G-Shock watches.
Gurman notes that the “Explorer Edition” watch hasn’t been signed off yet, and may be subject to cancellation.
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 Inc. 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.
Additionally, the report claims that Apple is working on new swim tracking features for the Apple Watch, which will likely be released with the next-generation wearable this year.