Apple Watch's built-in GPS feature has been confirmed. 

Apple Watch's Built-In GPS Confirmed! You No Longer Need Your iPhone; Included Models and MORE
(Photo : Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
An attendee inspects the new Apple Watch during an Apple special event at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts on September 9, 2014 in Cupertino, California. Apple unveiled the Apple Watch wearable tech and two new iPhones, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

With this update, users no longer rely on their iOS smartphones to get accurate location data. 

When the first Apple Watch was released in 2015, the wearable relied on the iPhone GPS. 

After that, the tech firm released the Apple Watch Series 2, which includes GPS service. However, this model and other newer versions use iPhone's GPS to get signals. 

With Apple's latest update, this situation will finally change since Apple Watch is finally independent of iOS smartphones. 

Confirmed! Apple Watch Has Built-In GPS

According to 9To5Mac's latest report, Apple confirmed the new built-in GPS of its smartwatches via its official Support page

Apple Watch's Built-In GPS Confirmed! You No Longer Need Your iPhone; Included Models and MORE
(Photo : Photo credit should read JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)
A South Korean employee shows the "Apple Watch" at an Apple shop in Seoul on June 26, 2015. Apple Watch on June 26 arrived in seven more countries including South Korea, Italy, Mexico, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland and Taiwan, after the US tech giant released its first smartwatch in April in nine countries including the United States, China and Japan.

Also Read: Apple Watch to Help Diagnose Cardiac Dysfunction, Mayo Clinic AI Algorithm Under FDA Review

The gadget maker said that the models integrated with this new feature are Apple Watch SE 2nd-Gen, Series 8, and Ultra. 

Apple added that older models still rely on iPhones to get GPS signals. The tech firm explained that this would allow predecessors to preserve their battery life. 

The latest Apple Watch enhancement will surely benefit many users since they can enjoy their outdoor activities without experiencing GPS data interruptions.

Will It Consume Battery? 

GPS (Global Positioning System) will definitely consume your smartwatch's battery. 

This is because the feature needs to communicate with numerous satellites to get accurate location data. 

GPS will do this at the rate of around 50 bits per second. If your smartwatch always uses its GPS feature, it will not go into sleep mode, causing your wearable to drain its battery. 

If ever you don't need to use the new built-in GPS of your Apple Watch, here's how to turn it off: 

  1. First, visit your device's Settings and click the General button. 
  2. After that, choose the Privacy option and tap on the Location Services button. Once you are there, just deactivate it. 

Apple Watch is clearly among the most valuable products offered by Apple. 

Previously, the Apple Watch saved a 17-year-old boy after falling on a hill. 

We also reported that Apple Watch's heart rate monitor feature helped a kid discover cancer. 

For more news updates about Apple Watch and other wearables, keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.   

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