A more rugged Apple Watch design could be on the way

For outdoor adventurers

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TheApple Watchhas been a big hit, but it seems thatApplewants an even larger market share: it’s now reportedly looking to take on the likes ofGarminandCasiowith a more rugged version of its wearable.

As per sources speaking toBloomberg, anApple Watchwith rugged casing is under consideration, with athletes, hikers and anyone who hangs out in “extreme environments” the target market.

This is an idea Apple has thought about before, apparently – Bloomberg says an “extreme sports” version of the smartwatch was being weighed up back in 2015. If the new version gets the green light, we might see it in 2021 or 2022.

The new model is said to have the name ‘Explorer Edition’ inside Apple, though it’s not clear if that will stick all the way to a full launch. Extra impact resistance and protection are rumored to be key to the design, with a rubber exterior mentioned.

Watch this space

The current Apple Watch is water-resistant to 50 meters, but we’re assuming the Explorer Edition will go further in terms of the sort of temperatures and knocks it can survive, much like something along the lines of theCasio G-Shock series.

We’re expecting theApple Watch 7around September time, so if Apple is going to get an updated variation out by the end of this year, that might be when it launches – though it doesn’t leave the Apple team much time to get it ready.

We do know that Apple has been open to making different editions of its smartwatch in the past, with the affordable SE version arriving last year and special models launched in partnership with Nike and Hermès in the past.

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For now we can’t verify whether these rumors are true or not, but Bloomberg’s sources say the rugged model of the Apple Watch could still be canceled, delayed, or given the go ahead – so don’t take this as certain to happen just yet.

Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you’ll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.

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