Analyst Suggests Third-Generation Apple Watch Will Include Cellular Connectivity

[Gasu E.]

Yet another thing to add to the monthly bill... this is why I don't see most users taking advantage of this feature if it materialises as there isn't much point but maybe I'm wrong.

My plan charges $10/month extra per device. To a lot of people, that's not much money. I imagine that's true for much of the target audience for the Apple Watch.
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In my use scenario it would mean I could do my runs phone-free. I always carry my phone on runs for safety. But if the AW had cellular I wouldn't need the phone b/c if I needed help I could just punch the SOS on AW or make a quick call.

It could also be useful for times when I typically don't have a phone with me like at the pool or beach. If family is trying to reach me they can. OTOH they can always reach me so there is that. Heh.

Exactly.

 

[M.PaulCezanne]

This is a step toward my preferred setup (I hope). No Microsoft, there is no one device fits all model. And no, Tim, we don't need 4 devices.

For me, the best would be a wearable with LTE, messaging, accurate GPS, runner's health tracking, electronic payments, good map and transportation apps and a full suite of audio and video apps, together with a keyboard based, 15" super-light, super-powerful laptop for full real productivity. I don't need an iPhone, I don't need an iPad and I sure as heck don't need AR.

I would think a strong majority of us would prefer a system like this. I feel like a certain former chief, RIP, would have made it available by now.

 

[TroyBoy30]

one of the worst things about these watches is they are worthless without the phone

 

[WatchFromAfar]

Are the people who are saying they want this the same people who are saying they want a $1000+ iPhone 8 just so they can leave it at home?

 

[xalea]

I'm sorry but I cannot imagine having a subscription/monthly fee for a data plan for my watch. Next: data plan for my office chair, jewelry box, and medicine cabinet. Combine all three to save $..

 

[bbeagle]

Well, it is obvious that Apple is working on a lot of stuff, just not on Macs. This is intentional people, they are getting out of the computer business, obviously. Zero loyalty to their long term customers.

What are Macs? Devices for computing.

iPhones, iPads, Apple watches are just modern versions of computers.

Computers as we know them will be gone in 10 years except for the 5% of the population that really needs them like software developers. Within 10 years, pretty much every other profession will be using tablets of some form.

 

[FelixDerKater]

They had to wait until all of the cell carriers started charging for "connected devices."

 

[marty11]

I suppose it depends on where you live... but have you seen any price wars? Here (Canada) all the carriers have the exact same plans and pricing, including the exact same 'bonus' or 'sale' incentives, during (as far as I can tell) the exact same time-frames.

Yes, definitely "price wars" in the US. Usually tmobile comes out with some outrageous offer that's hard to pass up and Verizon/ATT follow suit. But overall we still pay more for data than most places.

 

[blacktape242]

will need a much bigger battery then.

 

[iLLUMI]

Apple once again holding back features and slowly trickling them out each year.

For the most part that is quite true. But I think the power/battery life on the Apple Watch is the factor that is holding back the inclusion of a SIM slot.
As dannys1 says, there's really no point in adding it. You'll end up with an iPhone and an Apple Watch Phone. I don't think (not too sure) that you can have two devices with the same SIM/phone number in use at the same time anyway ..???

And then you'd have to consider that as soon as Apple add a SIM card slot to the Watch it may skyrocket in price. Apple are smart enough to know that some potential customers may opt for just the Watch (with SIM) rather than an iPhone, which would mean Apple would lose a lot of money in iPhone sales.
.... but then maybe they will gain a lot more sales in phone capable watches? Hmmm.. interesting.

I think we need a Poll to see who might buy one or not buy one or who may become a convert from Android to Apple/WatchOS.

But then why not just throw the SIM slot in there anyway and if anyone actually needs to use the Watch as a phone for any particular/temporary purpose they then have the option of throwing a SIM card into it and using the Watch as a phone for that time period.

I guess there are justifications/benefits which will work for some people, just not all people and for some of the people some of the time. 😀

If they do release an Apple Watch with SIM then I will most likely buy one, but that will only be if Apple can guarantee that it will last at least 16 hours (a full day).

 

[marty11]

Verizon and T-Mobile charges $5/month.

AT&T and Sprint charges $10/month.

Verizon and T-Mobile charges $5/month.

AT&T and Sprint charges $10/month.

Wouldnt put it past TMobile to offer a free Apple watch, 2 years unlimited data and a back massage from the CEO if you sign a 2 year contract.

 

[doelcm82]

GPS without LTE was a fine example of a classic step by step consumer milking strategy perfected by Tim "Bean Counter" Cook.

You bought every model step by step, and that's why you're complaining? Or are you one of the uber-elite who is immune?

Remember that Steve Jobs didn't include GPS or even a compass in the original iPhone. Steve Jobs! What a bean counter he was. He could have made it LTE with 3 GB of RAM, but he wanted all your money so he held it back. And what about that Apple I computer? Talk about milking! That thing was worthless.

Apple seems to be doing well these days. If this IS their strategy, then it is an effective one. If you were running Apple, would you aim to make less money? There are probably still a few people who want a G5 MacBook. Would you make it your mission to make those long-time Apple users happy by giving them what they want?
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If they do release an Apple Watch with SIM then I will most likely buy one, but that will only be if Apple can guarantee that it will last at least 16 hours (a full day).

What if they can't achieve that, but figure out a way to do it over the next few years? How many will say that it was something they should have done from the beginning?

Or what if they do have a way now, but it requires using very rare, ultra-pure dilithium crystals, so the watch costs $5000 or more. Should they make it now, or wait until they can do it for less? Which would be the least greedy course of action?

 

[Mac 128]

Oh great, yet ANOTHER data-sim or plan to pay for!

Why can we not (at least here in the UK/EU) have a SINGLE plan that allows data to be used on our phone AND tablet AND watch?

I currently buy a separate data-sim for my iPad, yet sometimes simply don't use that data allowance as I'm on Wifi so much – but when I DO need it, then I need it, and then I use it. It's basically pissing money on data one doesn't even use half the time.

There are currently family plans where all devices share the same data package. Apple won't offer a cellular watch without also brokering a package with carrier partners to support it. That's a model that already works.

I had Samsung's Gear S2 LTE watch and it was a great watch (loved the dial), and it worked great when linked in Wifi mode (they shared the same phone number via AT&T's NumberSync), but when it went into LTE mode when disconnected from your phone, the battery was crushed in just a few hours.

I don't see Apple committing to watch LTE unless some new battery breakthrough happens.

Apple allows customers to take and make calls on the watch which drains the battery down to 3 hours of continuous use. So no need to wait for battery breakthroughs. Customers will have to actually take responsibility for their use, just as Apple requires them to now.

I suppose it is possible... but there isn't much room in there to add that stuff, especially if it shrinks the battery any more. Even if it took up zero more space, we'd be looking at ~ 1hr talk-time max. Maybe that's good enough for the application if it's just meant for emergencies or quickly getting a bit of data exchanged. I'm skeptical though at this point.

But, as I said earlier, this is IMO where it has to go to become more widely useful. I currently see no use for one, but if it had this capability, I might reconsider. It would be nice to have something like this for emergencies when it's inconvenient to have a phone along.

Yet somehow Samsung Gear and other watches offer LTE cellular radios in cases not much bigger than AW. Even though battery tech is not necessarily improving, Apple continually increases battery life by better and more efficient management of the technology that requires it. The AW is not meant for phone calls, it's meant for data, so the talk time is not important -- it's currently only 3 hours via tethering.

It also has no screen. And, if it has BT at all, only uses it when you configure it with your smartphone.

Phone interacts with the collar via the cloud and cellular. The collar actively communicates its location to cellular towers as it moves around the countryside. Whether it has a screen or not is irrelevant to whether the technology is viable in such a small package, or can be integrated into the current watch battery life.

Good God. Why the hell do you need internet connectivity when surfing? Or swimming?

You're not that important that people need to reach you at all times, and there is nothing so important that it can't wait an hour for you get back to your phone.

And if you're that disinterested in actually swimming, surfing, bathing or exercising, then why are you doing them at all? Just stay home and use your computer!

I'd argue you're not important enough to need a cell phone -- just use land lines and pay phones when you get to one.

What on earth do you need internet connectivity for whilst swimming? And what are you going to look at on the watch with it? Also when has it not been practical to have your phone at the gym or running - thats the main two places i'd take it with me!
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So what you're saying is - we've gone from everyone moaning that iPhone screens are too small (and phones in general) they've got bigger and bigger and bigger and now actually we'd just be fine with a phone the size of a watch so we don't need to take this giant phone with us anymore 😵

I have an SE, and would prefer to have a smaller phone. Different strokes for different folks. I'm not interested in your giant phones, nor your lack of imagination when it comes to others needs.

For the most part that is quite true. But I think the power/battery life on the Apple Watch is the factor that is holding back the inclusion of a SIM slot.
As dannys1 says, there's really no point in adding it. You'll end up with an iPhone and an Apple Watch Phone. I don't think (not too sure) that you can have two devices with the same SIM/phone number in use at the same time anyway ..???

And then you'd have to consider that as soon as Apple add a SIM card slot to the Watch it may skyrocket in price. Apple are smart enough to know that some potential customers may opt for just the Watch (with SIM) rather than an iPhone, which would mean Apple would lose a lot of money in iPhone sales.
.... but then maybe they will gain a lot more sales in phone capable watches? Hmmm.. interesting.

I think we need a Poll to see who might buy one or not buy one or who may become a convert from Android to Apple/WatchOS.

But then why not just throw the SIM slot in there anyway and if anyone actually needs to use the Watch as a phone for any particular/temporary purpose they then have the option of throwing a SIM card into it and using the Watch as a phone for that time period.

I guess there are justifications/benefits which will work for some people, just not all people and for some of the people some of the time. 😀

If they do release an Apple Watch with SIM then I will most likely buy one, but that will only be if Apple can guarantee that it will last at least 16 hours (a full day).

Apple currently doesn't offer continuous phone calls via the watch for more than 3 hours. So no need to offer continuous cellular communications for 16. If you value battery life over functionality, then turn the radio off. Also, no need to for a sim tray. eSIM is embedded, and likely will trade off with the phone as you need it.

 

[dannys1]

It's to avoid theft.

Leave your iPhone at home when you go to the beach and bring your AW3 with you when you go out swimming.



Much better to have a watch on your wrist than strapping a large iPhone on your arm, or do you run with the iPhone in your hand, or put it down on the floor when you lift weights?

I run with the phone in am arm strap - with GPS tracking there's no need for cellular activity on the watch. I'm not going to stop and take a phone call whist running.

And yes, put the phone down whilst lifting - next to the bottle of water, or can we combine that into the watch now too? I wouldn't even use the cellular connection if it was free, which it won't be.

None of these things are problems that need solving, id rather see 4G on a MacBook before the watch.

 

[jimthing]

There are currently family plans where all devices share the same data package. Apple won't offer a cellular watch without also brokering a package with carrier partners to support it. That's a model that already works.

From who in the UK? Major carriers or MVNO's? I haven't seen any.

 

[Mac 128]

From who in the UK? Major carriers or MVNO's? I haven't seen any.

Can't help you. It's common in the US from major carriers. Whether UK carriers offer it or not at present is irrelevant, the point is that it's happening now as a practical matter, and easily solves the problem for the watch/phone.

 

[Fozziebear71]

My wife and I both love our Series II Apple Watch. Having said that, the last thing I need is another cell phone bill. If this is true not even remotely interested.

The Apple Watch has gotten both of us active and exercising and running again. If the new watches going forward require another cell hone bill I will move to a dedicated runner/exercise watch, something like a Garmin or Suunto.

 

[Kabeyun]

Samsung to Sell Refurbished Note7 Phones 'to Minimize Financial Impact' of Recall


Fixed.

Whether it has a screen or not is irrelevant to whether the technology is viable in such a small package, or can be integrated into the current watch battery life.

You're saying that adding a screen to a screen-less device has no meaningfully negative impact on either size or battery life. Disagree.

 

[manu chao]

I run with the phone in am arm strap - with GPS tracking there's no need for cellular activity on the watch. I'm not going to stop and take a phone call whist running.

I think you are aware that cellular activity on phones is used 95% of the time for things other than actual phone calls.

 

[freediverx]

Verizon and T-Mobile charges $5/month.

AT&T and Sprint charges $10/month.

Do you have a link confirming this for T-Mobile? As far as I can tell, T-Mobile charges $20+ for monthly tablet plans and $5 for a 500MB 1 day pass.

 

[jonnysods]

While "tray" is the term used in this rumor, the SIM can easily be an eSIM (integrated into the device). The Gear S3 has this. No issues with water.

Hadn't thought about that. What I had thought about was battery life and size issues. I love my AW2, totally integrated into my life in a way I hadn't thought it would. Don't want a bigger one, a monthly plan, or one with less battery.

 

[JacquesleMac]

Just make the damned thing thinner, so it doesn’t look and feel as if you have brick strapped to your wrist...

 

[Tinmania]

My dog has a cellular radio in her dog collar, as well as and antenna, GPS, cpu, software SIM, and a battery. It's about the same size as the 42mm watch, but a little thicker. It accurately reports her location anywhere she goes. And it lasts a week or more on a single charge. This is not insurmountable.

Yea you have to love the naivete of the folks living in the Apple Bubble. I already have a smartwatch, with LTE, that lasts me through the day. It even works with both my iPhone and Android phone. In fact a big reason I have this smartwatch, after having two Apple Watches, is that it has LTE. It's liberating to not be chained to your phone 24/7.

Meanwhile in Apple land they "call BS" on it even being able to be done. LOL!



Mike
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Good luck keeping a sim tray watertight.

This is like Joe the buggy whip maker wishing automobile makers good luck in keeping the buggy whip dry.



Mike

 

[nutmac]

Do you have a link confirming this for T-Mobile? As far as I can tell, T-Mobile charges $20+ for monthly tablet plans and $5 for a 500MB 1 day pass.

I should've clarified. My pricing is for adding wearable line to an existing plan. If wearable device is your ONLY device in the plan, the price will be much higher.

 

[ghost187]

You bought every model step by step, and that's why you're complaining? Or are you one of the uber-elite who is immune?

Remember that Steve Jobs didn't include GPS or even a compass in the original iPhone. Steve Jobs! What a bean counter he was. He could have made it LTE with 3 GB of RAM, but he wanted all your money so he held it back. And what about that Apple I computer? Talk about milking! That thing was worthless.

Apple seems to be doing well these days. If this IS their strategy, then it is an effective one. If you were running Apple, would you aim to make less money? There are probably still a few people who want a G5 MacBook. Would you make it your mission to make those long-time Apple users happy by giving them what they want?

What good is a GPS without LTE if you still need your phone for 99% of the functionality? While LTE without GPS has many uses. I personally have Apple Watch series "0" and I honestly wear it once every week or two. BTW, while Steve Jobs was alive, Tim Cook was the supply chain guy, so now we know where all the "bean counter" moves came from even back than 😉.