Best Buy Offers Up To $100 Off Apple Watch And iPad Air 2

Best Buy is on a roll. Not only did they prove to be the only reliable shipper for the Samsung Gear VR virtual reality headset, but now they are attracting smartwatch lovers. MacRumors has the news.

“Customers can get $50 off the Apple Watch Sport and $100 off the stainless steel Apple Watch, dropping entry-level prices to $299 and $449, respectively. The discount applies to all Apple Watch models that Best Buy sells and is available online only.”

In order to get the discount, one has to enter AWSPORTDEAL when checking out with an Apple Watch Sport, or AWDEAL when buying the stainless steel version of the Apple Watch. This deal ends on Tuesday evening, and may end even earlier because of demand.

The fact that Best Buy is doing a deal like this for the Apple Watch is great for consumers, but doesn’t really surprise technology watchers. The Apple Watch, priced as it is now, hasn’t attracted nearly the amount of buyers as Apple has hoped. Apple is allegedly preparing the second version of the Apple Watch, and it is said to be something that will finally help bring the watch industry back in full swing. Tech Times has the news.

“A new Apple Watch 2 could make its debut in the summer of 2016, according to new leaks from an Apple supplier… No details are currently available regarding the specs and features of the purported Apple Watch 2, but additional information will likely surface soon enough.”

Many expect the Apple Watch 2 to be able to operate more on its own — it won’t require the iPhone to do everything. People also expect the Watch to operate a lot faster, due to a lot of complaints that things operate way too slowly. The first watch has also produced a lot of complaints about battery life, which is expected to be fixed in the next version.

According to Pocket-lint, there won’t be many changes in the design of the watch. It will have the same form factor as the first Apple Watch. However, it will likely have a front-facing camera for full-on Dick Tracy-style video conferencing.

The International Business Times talked about some of the changes they would like to see on the upcoming Apple Watch. One of them was the addition of sleep tracking.

“Better battery-life would allow the Watch to start tracking its wearer’s sleep. Something it currently does not do, the Watch could use its accelerometer, heart rate monitor and microphone to record the wearer’s sleep, adding this data to the Health app on iOS.”

They also want to see an integrated GPS and running app.

“The Watch needs its own GPS connection so it can accurately track your running without needing to rely on the iPhone. Other watches and fitness trackers do this, and so should Apple,” says author Alistair Charlton.

It’s also interesting to note that besides the Apple Watch, Best Buy is offering up to $100 off the iPad Air 2. Judging by low sales over the past year, the iPad Air is about to become extinct — sort of like dinosaurs. So, it’s best to get over to Best Buy’s site now, put in the code IPADAIR2DEAL when checking out, and grab your iPad Air. Even if you don’t find it useful, the latest iPad Air will certainly be considered a technology antique in just a couple of years.

[Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]