Apple Watch 2 Rumored to Include Cellular Connectivity Amid Push for iPhone Independency

[ipedro]

I imagine Apple going around having to include a cellular radio just yet. The first gen Watch had to use a lower powered processor to reach respectable battery length and that ended up hurting the usability of the watch and its reputation.

Instead, Apple could reach deals with Internet providers to build a mesh network of iPhones and WiFi networks in the vicinity to update data on the Watch.

There are hundreds of millions of iPhones in use. Why not turn them into a mesh network to improve eachother' connectivity and enable small devices without cellular connection to still connect to the Internet.

 

[Markiie]

does this mean we're getting GPS? If so, NOW i will buy this.

 

[Pbrutto]

All I want is faster......I understand people wanting gps and I understand cell service too but waiting on an app to load destroys the user experience

 

[avanpelt]

Shame they can't make the thing work for months on a standard watch battery or two.

While I'm interested to see what Apple does with gen two of the watch, I've been spoiled by my Withings Activité Pop. It lasts for about eight months using a standard watch battery and tracks my steps, sleep, and fitness activity (including swimming). While the Withings watch isn't perfect, it's sure nice to have a fitness tracker/watch that doesn't need to be charged every day or every week.

 

[techwhiz]

Or maybe not as there are allready offers available that share one data plan over 2 devices.
Perfect solution would be 2 devices on just 1 celluar number, so one would get calls on the watch if the phone isn't near.

LG Urbane 2.
AT&T Number Sync.

Already done.

 

[Flow39]

Maybe they could include a battery that lasts longer than 1.5 days ...

Bought a Pebble a couple of weeks ago. It does 90% of what the Apple Watch does, costs a fraction and has a battery that lasts a week. And they don't exclude devs from accessing all the features.

The Pebble on iOS can't do even 10% of what the Apple Watch can do, but the Pebble on Android is a different story. It replicates 90% of the Apple Watch's functionality when paired with Android.
[doublepost=1461603762][/doublepost]

*All* the features? Like replying to messages?

I've owned 3 Pebbles and developed apps for them for 2 years before switching to the Apple Watch and let me tell you: The current Apple Watch, in its laughable state, is light years ahead of any Pebble.

You can reply to messages with templates, canned messages, emoji, and voice when paired with an Android phone. Pebble paired with an iPhone can't do that though. Too bad Apple has such an iron grip on the software features so other manufacturers can't take full advantage of iOS and allow their hardware to integrate deeply.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

I see, it's a watch.

And that watch, and most clocks, are rectangles.

Is this an argument, or simple contradiction? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_Clinic (Monty Python sketch)

For the sake of argument (and I'm sure you've been through this discussion before)... The fact that mechanically-driven watch hands describe a circle is functional - possibly one of the most brilliant functional designs of all time (so to speak) - the hands radiate from a central point and rotate on that axis. However, wrist watch and pocket watch cases are round for predominently aesthetic, not functional reasons - trimming the case to reflect the circular dial. Even when the mechanism behind the watch face is made of gears, those components have to be arranged to fit within a circle - a circle is not a natural consequence of the watch movement's mechanical requirements (although, since gears and mainsprings are circular, squared corners tend to be wasted space). And I have to admit, the absence of corners on a pocket watch makes it easier to slip into/out of pockets. Still, most "round" wrist watches have flanges/lugs for watch band mounting that tend to square-off the overall outline of the timepiece, for very practical reasons (see how nicely the watch band integrates with that rectangular wristwatch design).

When the mechanism can be smaller than the clock face (wall clocks, table clocks, longcase/grandfather clocks, tower clocks, etc.) there's a near-total disconnect between the shape of the watch face and the shape of the mechanism behind that face, and the face itself is more likely to be something other than a circle. After all, it's far easier to cut and assemble wood, sheet metal, and masonry into rectilinear forms and then paint a circular clock face upon it.

 

[foxcub6]

You must really be close to irfuel if you know what's adequate for his/her needs.

Apparently, you've never been camping or hunting or forgot a charger. Better battery life is always a plus.

I guess that depends on how long you go camping and hunting ! and forget your charger where would you plug it into ? Hmm not a real camper then I guess

 

[rp2011]

Cellular would be huge for a lot of use cases. Not as your primary communication device, but for keeping connected while on a hike, jogging, the gym, the beach. Tracking activities and staying connected without carrying your honking iPhone 6Plus would be real nice.

 

[Flow39]

You people make me laugh. A round smart watch is not a good idea functionally. Be honest, if it were round you'd consider buying one and then stop yourself to complain about something else.

Ever used a Moto 360 or any other round smartwatches? The look far better than the Apple Watch and do the same stuff. I do think that a square display is best for displaying more information since edges aren't cut off like a circle, but a round watch does look so much better. The Moto 360 has turned more heads in my one week of wearing it than my Apple Watch did in the first 3 months.

 

[deviant]

And that watch, and most clocks, are rectangles.

Is this an argument, or simple contradiction? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_Clinic (Monty Python sketch)

For the sake of argument (and I'm sure you've been through this discussion before)... The fact that mechanically-driven watch hands describe a circle is functional - possibly one of the most brilliant functional designs of all time (so to speak) - the hands radiate from a central point and rotate on that axis. However, wrist watch and pocket watch cases are round for predominently aesthetic, not functional reasons - trimming the case to reflect the circular dial. Even when the mechanism behind the watch face is made of gears, those components have to be arranged to fit within a circle - a circle is not a natural consequence of the watch movement's mechanical requirements (although, since gears and mainsprings are circular, squared corners tend to be wasted space). And I have to admit, the absence of corners on a pocket watch makes it easier to slip into/out of pockets. Still, most "round" wrist watches have flanges/lugs for watch band mounting that tend to square-off the overall outline of the timepiece, for very practical reasons (see how nicely the watch band integrates with that rectangular wristwatch design).

When the mechanism can be smaller than the clock face (wall clocks, table clocks, longcase/grandfather clocks, tower clocks, etc.) there's a near-total disconnect between the shape of the watch face and the shape of the mechanism behind that face, and the face itself is more likely to be something other than a circle. After all, it's far easier to cut and assemble wood, sheet metal, and masonry into rectilinear forms and then paint a circular clock face upon it.

you know your watches, mate!

 

[Flow39]

This baffles me. Why would you want the Apple Watch to have its own cellular connection? You really have an interest in calling folks from your watch? You want yet another device added to your mobile bill? Really don't get it.


GPS I can understand.

Waterproof I can understand.

Longer battery life I can understand.

I know what you mean. I'd still carry my phone around even if my watch was independent. Trying to call, browse the web, read, or watch videos on a watch would be a terrible user experience. Standalone watches would only be good for people that don't do anything more than text, exercise, and hate carrying their phone around. The functionality is very limited on a standalone watch.

 

[Mac 128]

does this mean we're getting GPS? If so, NOW i will buy this.

If there's a shred of evidence to this rumor, it's that and LTE radio is being added to help improve any GPS functionality they may be adding, not to regularly stream data independently of the phone, much less take/make calls -- yet. Too many issues with that and battery life, whereas GPS can can be used as needed, just like the ability to use the watch as a phone now -- perhaps even more power intensive than GPS.

 

[djcerla]

Ever used a Moto 360 or any other round smartwatches? The look far better than the Apple Watch .

Nope.

 

[precogincog]

Maybe they could include a battery that lasts longer than 1.5 days ...

Bought a Pebble a couple of weeks ago. It does 90% of what the Apple Watch does, costs a fraction and has a battery that lasts a week. And they don't exclude devs from accessing all the features.

Glad to hear you say that. I also have a Pebble (older one) and it is a great watch for a cheap price and I still get all of the software updates which has made it much better. Apple Watch 1.0 (in the store) seemed clunky in terms of interface and the short battery life seemed absolutely ridiculous. With a space that small, there is really only a limited number of things you can do well with that interface. However, the Apple watch is beautiful (esp. relative to the old Pebble). I'll see what they come up with before I buy another Pebble.

 

[69Mustang]

I guess that depends on how long you go camping or hunting ! or forget your charger where would you plug it into ? Hmm not a real camper then I guess

"or" not "and" cuz words matter... the charger had nothing to do with camping. On sales trips, I've forgotten chargers more time than I can count. The point is better battery is better.

 

[Flow39]

Nope.

It's all a taste of preference, and to me, the Moto 360 looks far better than the Apple Watch. Not that the Apple Watch is ugly, because I really do like the design, but you have to admit the 360 does look good.

 

[jonnysods]

Oh my goodness this AW2 rumours are killing me. Been waiting months hovering over the idea of getting the first gen, but I know the 2nd gen will have ironed out so many bugs. Hopefully June....!

 

[Flow39]

I imagine Apple going around having to include a cellular radio just yet. The first gen Watch had to use a lower powered processor to reach respectable battery length and that ended up hurting the usability of the watch and its reputation.

Instead, Apple could reach deals with Internet providers to build a mesh network of iPhones and WiFi networks in the vicinity to update data on the Watch.

There are hundreds of millions of iPhones in use. Why not turn them into a mesh network to improve eachother' connectivity and enable small devices without cellular connection to still connect to the Internet.

Well, probably because Apple won't allow it to happen. Privacy is their big thing right now, and a meshed network of other's devices accessing your phone wouldn't be something Apple would pursue probably.

 

[name99]

Or maybe not as there are allready offers available that share one data plan over 2 devices.
Perfect solution would be 2 devices on just 1 celluar number, so one would get calls on the watch if the phone isn't near.

Or Apple could do what we all hope for, give the carriers the huge middle finger they deserve, and do what's necessary to allow iPhones (and aWatches) to work on ProjectFi...
To work on Fi requires
- both CDMA and GSM/LTE hardware support (presumably not a problem)
- BOTH these abilities to be active more or less simultaneously, and able to switch from one to the other. (I don't know if in the middle of a call, but certainly very fast.) Right now, as far as I know, Apple can only make this switchover with a reboot; but this may just require a firmware update.
- fairly aggressive switching from LTE to WiFi and back on Fi's list of approved WiFi connections (probably the easiest problem, one Apple has already solved)

In return Apple users would have access to sane and reasonable data pricing, and world-wide (not exactly, but lotsa countries) data+text+voice roaming without having to do any screwing around with changing SIMs or anything else as they cross borders.

 

[deviant]

It's all a taste of preference, and to me, the Moto 360 looks far better than the Apple Watch IMO. Not that the Apple Watch is ugly, because I really do like the design, but you have to admit the 360 does look good.View attachment 628573View attachment 628574

looks like an ordinary watch. i already have those.

 

[name99]

It's a watch.

No it is NOT. It is a wrist computer. Are you living in 1990?
Do you judge a smartphone primarily by the quality of its address book and its talk time "because it's a phone"?

Wrist computer.
Pocket computer.
Backpack computer.
Backpack computer with built-in keyboard.
Desktop computer with built-in keyboard.

THAT is how computers are classified in 2016...

 

[Flow39]

looks like an ordinary watch. i already have those.

That's the beauty of it. It's a seamless blend of timeless watch design with modern technology. I don't hate the Apple Watch, in fact I do like its design a lot. The thing is that it looks like a shrunken down computer monitor strapped to your wrist. It doesn't look like a watch.

 

[Vanilla35]

This baffles me. Why would you want the Apple Watch to have its own cellular connection? You really have an interest in calling folks from your watch? You want yet another device added to your mobile bill? Really don't get it.


GPS I can understand.

Waterproof I can understand.

Longer battery life I can understand.

Get important emails while out on a run, get important messages while out on a run, get important phone calls when out on a run. Depends on your lifestyle I guess. It's not about having an hour long phone call on your watch, it's about being able to receive a call to begin with.

People seem to forget that this is being used as one of two devices, if not both: 1) More convenient notification reader. 2) Fitness tracker/device

If you are using it for fitness, you need GPS. If you are using it as a notification reader and are not within range of your phone (you want to take it to grab coffee, etc), you need cellular. It only makes sense to marry the two, as those are both directions a smartwatch can go down...

I can only imagine the multitude of situations in which I would leave my phone at home if this device took care of both of those for me. Every time I run out to do a single task, or a quick succession of tasks (where I would end up home again within an hour or two), I would simply leave my phone at home. It would be fantastic!

Not to take this over the top, but you seem to be living in the past. The future is obviously what I mentioned above. Couple that with true wireless charging (when you walk in the door), and we're in 2025. I can't wait, lol.

 

[foxcub6]

"or" not "and" cuz words matter... the charger had nothing to do with camping. On sales trips, I've forgotten chargers more time than I can count. The point is better battery is better.

Lol yes your correct to a degree if your going camping for a week the phone won't e en last that length of time , so irrespective of how long a batt will last it depends on how long your away from a charging source ,