Apple Watch 3 Won't Have 'Obvious Change' to Form Factor, LTE to Be Main Selling Point

[Aston441]

Sign me up for a Wi-Fi only version. It will be my first Apple Watch.

Sign me up for the LTE version. I've been skipping the AW since launch, waiting for the opportunity to occasionally ditch my phone.

It will be my first watch in decades.

I think there's a good chance that when people start to realize they can go without a phone sometimes, several billion LTE AWatches will be sold.

We'll see I guess.

 

[ColdShadow]

I think battery life is fine. I want a round version of Apple Watch!

I really don't think they will ever make a round one.
Surely when they where designing the Apple Watch they considered the round formfactor.
There was basically 2 options: Round or Square and they chose the latter.
I don't see why they would do a U Turn all the sudden.

 

[ddrulez]

Why should I buy a watch with LTE? I have my phone tethered all the time with it. LTE on my watch would lead to new monthly mobile costs.
It's not worth it at all.

I would only switch from my Apple Watch 1 for build in glucose measurement.

 

[mrklaw]

Exactly why it's a ridiculous idea.

except android wear has done it for years very successfully. I don't see how a watch face that is always available is ridiculous.

 

[democracyrules]

The third-generation Apple Watch, expected to be introduced alongside new iPhones this fall, does not feature an obvious change to form factor, according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a new note shared with investors this afternoon, Kuo says LTE connectivity will be the main selling point of the new device.

The Apple Watch will keep the same two case sizes, 38mm and 42mm, and will be available in LTE and non-LTE versions, much like the iPad. Previous rumors have suggested the major carriers in the United States will offer add-on cellular service for the new LTE Apple Watch, and the plans may work similarly to iPad data plans.

Kuo believes shipments of the new Apple Watch models will reach 8 to 9 million units in the second half of 2017, with the LTE model to account for 35 to 40 percent of shipments. Overall, he forecasts 17.5 to 18 million units shipped in 2017, up 70 percent year-over-year.

According to Kuo, to drive major growth, Apple needs to introduce a radical form factor change, more FDA approvals supporting medical and health applications, and 5G commercialization.

Bloomberg first suggested the third-generation Apple Watch would include support for LTE in early August, allowing the wrist-worn device to be uncoupled from the iPhone for the first time.

Following Bloomberg's report, Daring Fireball's John Gruber said he had heard from a "little birdie" that the third-generation Apple Watch would feature an "all-new form factor," but he warned that the information might be inaccurate.

Based on Kuo's report and a lack of rumors hinting at major design changes, it appears we may not see significant design changes after all.

Article Link: Apple Watch 3 Won't Have 'Obvious Change' to Form Factor, LTE to Be Main Selling Point

I am soooooooo excited. My dream of having Apple Watch LTE is going to come true. Kudos to Apple so much for listening to his customers. Love you, Apple!!

 

[OllyW]

except android wear has done it for years very successfully. I don't see how a watch face that is always available is ridiculous.

It could also be made optional for those who don't need it.

 

[Abazigal]

I thought they allowed for up to 2 gigs of on device music?

It's more that syncing implies you need to plan in advance what type of music you want to have on your watch. With streaming music, I can decide what I want to hear on the fly, and some people appreciate having that sort of flexibility.

 

[Tunster]

I think battery life is fine. I want a round version of Apple Watch!

Nuh uh. A bastardised screen with removed screen estate is not what any smartwatch owner needs. Square is fine and keeps it different to the competition. Because it's a watch doesn't mean it needs to look like every other non-smartwatch on the market.

 

[OllyW]

Nuh uh. A bastardised screen with removed screen estate is not what any smartwatch owner needs. Square is fine and keeps it different to the competition. Because it's a watch doesn't mean it needs to look like every other non-smartwatch on the market.

Why can't we have both?

 

[Glockworkorange]

I’m very curious to see how Apple with work with carriers for the cellular connectivity / plans for the Watch. Being an eSIM, I hope it doesn’t take forever for carriers to get on board. I’m mainly worried it’ll be limited to a few carriers in the US at launch.



Have you listened to the episode (maybe few years back now) when Gurman was on the Talk Show with Gruber? Pretty interesting interactions with them.

Any link to that episode? Def appears to be some animosity there. I think Apple probably despises Gurman because of his accurate reporting of unreleased products and Gruber acts as an attack dog. Gruber's a bit of an ******* anyway.

 

[Abazigal]

Why can't we have both?

Because an Apple Watch isn't so much a watch as it is a computer mounted on your wrist.

The design of a smartwatch needs to start from what would make sense for a miniaturised computer on your wrist (number one being readability of text on the screen). A normal wristwatch is round because it has no other engineering or design constraints to take into consideration.

 

[Glockworkorange]

Intersting how many people want a "slimmer design." The Apple Watch is already thinner than most mechanical watches, unless you compare it to cheap quartz movement watches.

Otherwise, having LTE on AW seems interesting. I really wonder how it will affect battery life, and how decent reception will be. Having the option to not carry a phone at all, and just take AW + AirPods is a pretty interesting thought.

I wonder at the size of the premium $ for LTE. The ipads with LTE radios are always more than $100.00 more than non-LTE versions due to what I understand are royalties to be paid to Qualcomm.

That's fine for an iPad I suppose, but that kind of premium for a watch with limited LTE utility seems kind of steep....

 

[tdar]

Notes for the crowd:

1) Shape. If the watch was going to be round it would have already been round. You can now go into a public space and pick out who has an Apple watch from some distance due to it's design. I don't see them wanting to give that up.

2)Watch faces. The android watch face situation ended this forever. No one has shown any true initiative faces that Apple could not do. What did they do? Illegal rip offs of major watch brands. This is also about control. Imagine Jony Ive's reaction if he saw my watch light up with some Rolex clone face on it. Another brand on his watch? The incoming lawsuits? Yes the battery life drain. Even a app store does not fix this problem. Apple would need a fleet of reviewers just to kill off the copyright nock offs. Never going to happen.

3) Medical devices. Doesn't seem likely. Apple has been clear- they do not want to have to deal with FDA approval. Not mentioned but a factor, how many other countries have their version of an FDA that would need to approve. Someone mentioned glucose metering. Dexcom is Apples glucose solution. No need for Apple to deal with the negatives that an in-house solution requires. They won't even turn on the already built in Pulse Oximeter (my dream- Asthma).

4) Thicker or thinner. Apple design is just that- Apple design. It is clear that Jony and co are going to do what they think is best and not worry what anyone else thinks. If you don't like it, they say simple don't buy it. Also it does affect functionality- thinner case = less room for batteries- no one wants that.

5) LTE. Some want it, some like me could care less. Have no desire to give ATT more money to provide, what for me, would be a tiny improvement in watch functionality. I always have my phone with me. I know others have a different use case, so providing LTE as a choice seems wise.

6) Charging. What the Apple watch truly needs in my opinion is RF based wireless charging. Then I would not need to take it off. You know like a watch. This might allow for sleep tracking, which does seem to be in Apples list of interests. Due time I'm sure.

 

[OllyW]

Because an Apple Watch isn't so much a watch as it is a computer mounted on your wrist.

The design of a smartwatch needs to start from what would make sense for a miniaturised computer on your wrist (number one being readability of text on the screen). A normal wristwatch is round because it has no other engineering or design constraints to take into consideration.

I believe Apple have the talent to make both shapes work well.

 

[Tunster]

Why can't we have both?

Two sets of development UI rules for app makers? Getting a good/functional app on the watch is difficult enough as it is with the constant changes and not seeing a huge uptake from the smaller companies that dev apps. Yes, Apple could solve this within the SDK but why? I don't get the desire for a circle screen. Trying to sit on the fence/play devil's advocate here, I struggle to see the pros of a circular screen apart from preference from the end-user.

 

[spazzcat]

except android wear has done it for years very successfully. I don't see how a watch face that is always available is ridiculous.

And it is annoying when you are around someone that has a light on the wrist all the time.

 

[OllyW]

I struggle to see the pros of a circular screen apart from preference from the end-user.

I'm an end user and I'd prefer a round screen.

 

[spazzcat]

I will not even look at this product until it has a traditional circular watch design. When is the last time anyone bought a watch in rectangle shape?

There is a lot of them, it common shape... https://www.google.com/search?q=rectangle+shape+watch

 

[DNichter]

My series 0 runs fine, but I was interested in upgrading to the series 3 potentially. LTE is not enough to do it though. Hoping for something better.

 

[Abazigal]

I believe Apple have the talent to make both shapes work well.

No doubt, and I guess we can argue till the cows come home as to whether it makes sense from Apple's perspective to release a round Apple Watch. Would you need two different sets of UIs to cater to a squarish and round display?

I don't think they will, but who knows. I initially argued against larger iPhones and split-screen multitasking on an iPad and here I am enjoying both.

 

[DNichter]

Apple watch is a classic timeless design. It doesn't need a design refresh ever. Just spec bumps as technology becomes available.

I'd usually be all for a design refresh, but I kind of agree with this here. I think the watch is pretty perfect as is. All I really need is better battery and software improvements. I've never looked at my watch and thought it was too thick or I needed it to be a circle or anything. It's great as is.

 

[WRChris]

Two sets of development UI rules for app makers? Getting a good/functional app on the watch is difficult enough as it is with the constant changes and not seeing a huge uptake from the smaller companies that dev apps. Yes, Apple could solve this within the SDK but why? I don't get the desire for a circle screen. Trying to sit on the fence/play devil's advocate here, I struggle to see the pros of a circular screen apart from preference from the end-user.

End user preferences are pretty important in a fashion piece/wearable.

 

[OllyW]

No doubt, and I guess we can argue till the cows come home as to whether it makes sense from Apple's perspective to release a round Apple Watch. Would you need two different sets of UIs to cater to a squarish and round display?

I don't think they will, but who knows. I initially argued against larger iPhones and split-screen multitasking on an iPad and here I am enjoying both.

I think they could both live together and I also think a round option would be very popular and would significantly increase the user base. Having been on these forums for a while I'm also pretty sure that many of the round smartwatch detractors on here would be first in line to place an order if Apple ever did change direction and offer a good looking round option.

I've no idea about how difficult it would be to adapt the UIs, I leave all that stuff to the clever people at Apple.

 

[Syk]

Imagine a theater, museum, cinema or any other dim light environment with several displays always on.

Have you been to a movie lately? Selfish people look at their phones after the movie has started so a dimly lit watch face wouldn't be bothersome as a bright 6" screen but to address the watch. Just have it so Theater mode turns off the Always on display or dims it . It would be no different than regular watches people where today that glow or have a digital watch.

 

[OllyW]

I think the watch is pretty perfect as is.

That's great for you and other people that think the same but there are a lot of people who would disagree.

End user preferences are pretty important in a fashion piece/wearable.

Exactly.