Reports have come in about references made in certain parts of the Apple website to a mysterious Apple Watch Victory, spawning rumors that there might be a new Apple Watch model coming soon.
The mentions of the device were found in an AppleCare+ support page for the United Arab Emirates, as warranty options were presented for the Apple Watch and the Apple Watch Victory.
References to the Apple Watch Victory have since been taken down by Apple, but not before rumors that the company will soon launch a new Apple Watch model surfaced. These rumors were quickly shot down though, as when comparisons were made with AppleCare+ support pages for other countries, the devices listed were the Apple Watch and the Apple Watch Nike+.
It is highly likely that the Apple Watch Victory name is nothing more than a codename or an alternate name that Apple was thinking of for the smartwatch collaboration with Nike. The Victory name aligns with Nike, as Nike is the goddess of victory in Greek mythology.
The appearance of the Apple Watch Victory name on the company's website is possibly due to an error within Apple's website development team, with the old name used instead of the unveiled Apple Watch Nike+. Still, it provides a glimpse into Apple's process of branding its products, with a name that the company may have considered but decided not to use.
The Apple Watch Nike+ is a special edition of the Apple Watch Series 2 that will be released on Oct. 28. Designed for health and fitness-minded users, Nike has created special software for the smartwatch that will power it alongside Apple's watchOS 3.
Apps for regular Apple Watch models will be compatible with the Apple Watch Nike+, which will feature the Nike+ Run Club app that tracks runs and sets reminders for running activities, along with special Nike-themed watch faces. The Apple Watch model will also come with a flexible perforated wristband designed for breathability while the wearer sweats from running.
The Apple Watch Nike+ will come with 38mm and 42mm models, and can now be preordered for $369 and $399, respectively.
The release of the Apple Watch Nike+ could be part of Apple's strategy to try to prevent the expected lower sales for the smartwatch this year. Famed Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities expects sales figures of between 8.5 million units and 9 million units for the Apple Watch this year, compared with the previous expectation of between 10 million units and 10.5 million units.
