“Currently only Apple’s own [Apple Watch] apps will work without the phone nearby, meaning the likes of Strava and Endomondo need the handset in close proximity to work correctly – not ideal for those that like to trot unencumbered,” Gareth Beavis reports for TechRadar UK. “Essentially it’s meant that the Watch is nothing more than a smaller second screen if you’re not into Apple’s overly-basic workout app, and that was infuriating.”

“But with native apps, developers can create experiences just for the Watch without the need for a phone, so the information will be more comprehensive and complete, with more options available to you when running,” Beavis reports. “Watch OS 2 obviously isn’t fixing the main issue – that the Watch has no GPS and therefore won’t be accurate for things like cycling when you’re phone-less – but it’s a step forward and will mean when the Apple Watch 2 appears (and please, please let it have some more fitness-based sensors) users will have much more fully-functioning running watch on their wrist.”

Read more in the full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: Hopefully Nike is doing a watchOS 2 app that uses Apple Watch’s sensors to track NikeFuel, so we can finally take off these damn Nike+ FuelBand SEs! (We look like automatons with Apple Watches on one wrist and FuelBands on the other!)

If Nike doesn’t soon give us an Apple Watch app that measures NikeFuel when watchOS 2 is released this autumn, we’ll be calling it quits on years NikeFuel tracking.

SEE ALSO:

How to calibrate your Apple Watch for improved Workout and Activity accuracy – June 4, 2015
Nike CEO: More from Apple and Nike to come – May 8, 2015
Running with the Apple Watch: Yes, you can leave your iPhone behind – May 1, 2015
Nike+ Running iPhone app adds HealthKit integration, elevation tracking, more – October 28, 2014
Attention treadmillers: iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus no longer support Nike+ Sensor – September 27, 2014
Nike CEO on partnership with Apple: ‘We’re very excited about what’s to come’ – April 25, 2014