That should be pretty easy depending on what needs to be acheived through the connection. Put contacts on both halves and make them non polarized like a lightning port?
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Apple Watch 2 and current bands/straps
- Thread starter smj1873
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That should be pretty easy depending on what needs to be acheived through the connection. Put contacts on both halves and make them non polarized like a lightning port?
I have no idea what is to be accomplished with the bands so I don't know what is required. I was just pointing out that the connection is a trivial matter.
To do that, I'd think that the smart band would have to connect somehow through the buckle, or clasp. Imagine an extra battery band ... If there's no connection through the two halves, then the battery in one half the band doesn't get used. And not much point in making them reversible if there's not a battery in both halves of the band. Now for sure this could be a fairly easy connection to make (2 conductors?), but the buckles and clasps would have to be redesigned to make a reliable and safe connection.
For a more sophisticated band that provides additional health sensors, presumably a much more complicated connection across the buckle would be needed than just two conductors.
I would think Apple would have to sell left and right-handed versions of such bands. Then again, and this is where the design change enters the picture, there might be two smart ports, one on each side to remedy this problem. And that might necessitate a change in the lug design.
With the announcement of Apple Watch 2 looming on the horizon one can't help but be worried about their strap collection, right?
By now I've spent more on straps than the watch. All OEM, too! I'm going to be heartbroken if Apple don't make them forward-compatible :-(
By now I've spent more on straps than the watch. All OEM, too! I'm going to be heartbroken if Apple don't make them forward-compatible :-(
I am really sorry but I have more to worry about than what will happen to my three bands. So it is OK for Apple to make your watch obsolete but they better leave your bands alone?
That's a worry too, sure.
the watch won't become drastically obsolete one generation on, they can only change so much in such a short amount of time. your current watch will still be the same watch that you enjoy now.
I'll be upgrading in Gen 3 most likely. i dropped nearly 1 k on the watch alone, I want my money's worth with my current SS.
The fact that iOS 9.3 and Watch 2.2 will allow multiple pairings, suggests to me that there's a greater likelihood that if Apple updates the case significantly, the Gen 1 & 2 bands may not be compatible. The reason being, now a customer can buy a gen 2 watch to wear easily interchangeably with their gen 1 watch, with all the bands remaining perfectly serviceable for the original watch.
What if the reason it's not released yet is its only compatible with Apple Watch 2
Haha. Right. Could be. Personally I don't believe Apple intends to discontinue the 1G Watch, when the 2G comes out. Which means they will still be releasing bands for the 1G, whether they are compatible with 2G watches or not ... If I'm right 1G customers will also buy a 2G as well, and keep both. In which case, they'll be making two idensitcal bands, with different lugs.
i actually don't think it will be the case, i was just ruffling up the debate.
i don't think the 1G watch will be discontinued either. i actually think that shape is sticking around for a long time. that's not to say, however, they won't release a 46mm, work out how to do a round one well or release a waterproof fitness "band" alongside a 2nd or 3rd gen, all of which would probably require different bands to what they have now.
I imagine the current band connection will have a significant lifespan. Think of how long Apple kept the 30 pin connector.
There are other reasons why this is unlikely to change. Thinning the connection means weakening it.
The springbar systems used on all modern watches have been around what- 70 years? The Apple connection could be the equivalent.
There are other reasons why this is unlikely to change. Thinning the connection means weakening it.
The springbar systems used on all modern watches have been around what- 70 years? The Apple connection could be the equivalent.
The springbar on traditional watches exist outside the watch case. And thickness is the least of it, though using your comparison to the springbar, even a large reducing in thickness would still be more substantial than the springbar. More important is the width. So unless Apple plans to never change the design of the watch, always leaving the ends of the watch where the bands attach exactly the same, then it doesn't matter whether the connectors will physically fit with the watch, they will be too wide, or narrow, or have different contouring. So they may well fit, but they won't necessarily look right.
Changing the band connectors is nothing like the dock connector. The bands are related to style. Now, if the connectors change, maybe Apple will sell a simple lug replacement kit for the more expensive bands, assuming the bands themselves aren't styled in proportion to the watch. But the existing $50 rubber sport watch band market is not going to stop Apple from redesigning the watch case, for form or functional reasons.
I really hope they will be. I'm certain they will but none of us can know what Apple is planning to do.
It makes sense considering the price point of the bands. Apple would annoy a lot of people if they change it up with AW2. Many of us own multiple bands and those obviously cost a lot. To make them redundant so quickly would be ridiculous.
It makes sense considering the price point of the bands. Apple would annoy a lot of people if they change it up with AW2. Many of us own multiple bands and those obviously cost a lot. To make them redundant so quickly would be ridiculous.
I dont give a jot if they change the 'lug' connection.
I've changed all my knock off straps (12 all under £15.00) with black lugs & loctite thread glue. The lugs were about £2.40 a pair.
I'll just use my wirecutters & carefully remove old lugs & replace with new lugs, simple.
A few minutes each strap easy. No one should stress over this.
Sports straps are a little different but they are under a fiver for the silicone ones to replace.
I've changed all my knock off straps (12 all under £15.00) with black lugs & loctite thread glue. The lugs were about £2.40 a pair.
I'll just use my wirecutters & carefully remove old lugs & replace with new lugs, simple.
A few minutes each strap easy. No one should stress over this.
Sports straps are a little different but they are under a fiver for the silicone ones to replace.
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