Report corroborates fall Apple Watch refresh with LTE connectivity, same design
Citing new sources, another venue has jumped into the fray with new Apple Watch rumors, suggesting that LTE connectivity is coming in September to Apple's wearable line.
Citing "a source with knowledge of the matter," CNBC also claims that a new Apple Watch with LTE is coming in the fall, alongside the "iPhone 8." The LTE connectivity will allow users to not remain within range of an iPhone for nearly all functions and permit things like making phone calls straight from the watch, plus music streaming to the device over wireless.
The new source confirms earlier reports claiming that Intel would provide the modem for the next Apple Watch. Allegedly, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile are already on board with plans to sell the device, with partnerships still being pursued in Europe.
After initial reports circulated about a radical redesign, the next-generation Apple Watch isn't expected to look much different than the previous one, and should contain enhanced health tracking beyond the LTE radio.
The new LTE model is not expected to provide 3G communications and will only support LTE in "specific" countries and markets. The LTE addition may bring as many as 8 to 9 million new sales to the Apple Watch.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman isn't completely convinced that the LTE Apple Watch will ship in the fall -- at the tail-end of his report he noted that the wearable could easily be launched or ship in 2018. Previous rumors from Bloomberg and other venues suggested that Apple would release a cellular connected wearable in 2016 during the last refresh -- but that turned out to be not the case.
Citing "a source with knowledge of the matter," CNBC also claims that a new Apple Watch with LTE is coming in the fall, alongside the "iPhone 8." The LTE connectivity will allow users to not remain within range of an iPhone for nearly all functions and permit things like making phone calls straight from the watch, plus music streaming to the device over wireless.
The new source confirms earlier reports claiming that Intel would provide the modem for the next Apple Watch. Allegedly, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile are already on board with plans to sell the device, with partnerships still being pursued in Europe.
Apple Watch that can make calls? It's a game changer: Jim Cramer from CNBC.
Analysts for CNBC are predicting that a "souped up" Apple Watch could help it reclaim the top spot in the wearables market, and catch up to Fitbit and Xiaomi.After initial reports circulated about a radical redesign, the next-generation Apple Watch isn't expected to look much different than the previous one, and should contain enhanced health tracking beyond the LTE radio.
The new LTE model is not expected to provide 3G communications and will only support LTE in "specific" countries and markets. The LTE addition may bring as many as 8 to 9 million new sales to the Apple Watch.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman isn't completely convinced that the LTE Apple Watch will ship in the fall -- at the tail-end of his report he noted that the wearable could easily be launched or ship in 2018. Previous rumors from Bloomberg and other venues suggested that Apple would release a cellular connected wearable in 2016 during the last refresh -- but that turned out to be not the case.
Comments
But, many runners and other exercisers do not want to carry a phone with them while exercising. But, it's not particularly safe to run without a way of calling for help if you need it. It's why most runners carry their phones. Well, that and having Apple Music streaming.
I think this will be a nice enhancement -- but not a game changer where the Apple Watch replaces the iPhone.
Unless Apple is thinking of drawing in Andorid and Microsoft users -- which would be brilliant -- I have to believe that the Watch will have some type of plan that is subsidiary and connected to the existing phone plan. For example, my new car offers something similar, a "wifi connectivity" plan for $10 per month added to my existing ATT contract.
Good luck finding the perfect alternative.
A Very Small segment of the market has any use for LTE on Apple Watch. The product is an iPhone accessory and 100% of current owners use it that way.
LTE is basically for runners. They are the only legitimate use case where it is desirable to stay connected with Apple Watch but leave iPhone behind.
Just like Series 2 was basically for swimmers, and nothing else.
But Series 3 will be about more than LTE, for sure. There will be an S3 chip that likely brings Apple Watch performance up to where it should be (Series 0 is just too slow). And hopefully a revised taptic engine that is far more noticeable.
- UI
- Hardware design
- Crown
- Performance
- What can make apps work better
- What types of technology there are to make it possible (constraining it to at least a 24 hour battery life).
There is no indication this will be the case, but I'll grant you the "if."
I like all these things.
I know a few swimmers that were thrilled, and were specifically holding out for the features on AW2. They upgraded.
Oh, they will. Billions in profit.
Yeah, it sucks. Just look at how little its market share is.
I love mine. I think it was a great value, and use it throught every day. I didn't think I'd care about the fitness functions, but it grew on me. I am clearly more active because of it.
I have no issues with people simply saying a product isn't for them. (I won't buying a HomePod because I don't need a device like that. It is cool, and many will love it. It is just not for me.) But this is clearly case where your criticism is misplaced. It's not about Apple Watch: it's about you. And that is fine.
Both "could care less" and "couldn't care less" are perfectly valid usages. (The former is loosely similar to a 'sarcastic inversion.')
:-)
I disagree because being English I could care less about meanings and incorrect use of English. See what I did there?