Apple Watch Series 3 is the wearable we’ve been waiting for

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apple watch
Don't buy a new Apple Watch on vacation.
Photo: Apple

The Apple Watch is finally ready to cut the cord with your iPhone.

Apple unveiled its new Apple Watch Series 3 at the iPhone X keynote in Cupertino today and it appears to pack all the features fans have wanted in an Apple wearable since the original was unveiled over two years ago.

Ever since the first Apple Watch came out, fans have been wanting it to be a stand alone device. It’s been dependent on iPhone for GPS and cellular but that changes today with the latest version.

“Now you have the freedom to go anywhere with just your Apple Watch,” said Apple COO Jeff Williams while presenting the device. “WE have packed Series 3 with the most advanced technology ever in a watch.”

With the new Apple Watch Series 3 you can be reached at any time via text or calls without taking your iPhone with you. Maps can give you directions and Find My Friend automatically switches to using your watch location. Apple Watch Series 3 will let you stream Apple Music songs to your wrist too.

Siri is quicker than ever thanks to a new processor. It can talk too so you don’t have to look at the screen when you ask a question. WiFi is 85% faster and 50% more power efficient. There’s also a barometric altimeter that shows you elevation gain and steps climbed.

Despite all the new tech and improvements, Series 3 is still the same size as Series 2. It comes in a variety of new finishes and bands. There are Nike+ and Hermes options as well.

There are two versions, the cellular version cost $399 while an option without cellular costs $329. Series 3 will go on sale in nine countries on September 15 with units shipping on September 22.

WatchOS 4

Apple Watch
watchOS 4 takes Apple Watch to an all-new level.
Photo: Apple

The new watchOS 4 update brings some big UI changes to the watch. Apple added a new dock that makes it easier to find apps. Simply scroll up to see recently used apps. There are also a bunch of new watch faces that make it easier to stay organized throughout the day.

Apple is making better use of the Watch’s heart rate monitor with more advanced readings that include things like recovery and resting heart rate. The watch now displays your heart rate on the screen and gives you better tracking options. It will alert you if your heart rate rises even if you’re resting.

watchOS 4 comes with a new kaleidoscope watch face too. You can create different styles for the face based off pictures in your iPhone’s Camera Roll. There are also new Toy Story faces featuring Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear.

Activity notifications are more personalized in the new update. Apple Watch will now serve up personalized motivation notifications to keep you on track to beat your fitness goals.

The Workout app has been revamped to be more powerful too. You can now open the app and start a workout with one tap. There’s a new rest feature that pauses swimming workouts. High-Intensity Interval Training is now natively supported in the Exercise app too.

Apple Watch will communicate with gym equipment now with watchOS 4. Devices that support the feature will let your watch connect to the gym’s machine so that it can share data. WatchOS 4 will be available to all customers on September 19th.

This story is developing. Please refresh for updates…

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