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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Exactly.
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Analyst Suggests Third-Generation Apple Watch Will Include Cellular Connectivity
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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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Exactly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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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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?
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You're saying that adding a screen to a screen-less device has no meaningfully negative impact on either size or battery life. Disagree.
I think you are aware that cellular activity on phones is used 95% of the time for things other than actual phone calls.
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.
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.
Just make the damned thing thinner, so it doesn’t look and feel as if you have brick strapped to your wrist...
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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This is like Joe the buggy whip maker wishing automobile makers good luck in keeping the buggy whip dry.
Mike
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.
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
.