Apple Watch Series 3 Enters 'Final Testing Phase' Ahead of Rumored September Launch

[mgauss7]

I set the watch on extreme lethargy and it congratulates me when I go to eat to the kitchen..."congratulations!!! you got up!!!" I love it no one else congratulates me ever!

I need a congratulations app that congratulates continuously throughout the day!

Apple Watch Series 3 models have entered the "final testing phase" in the manufacturing process, with mass production set to begin soon, according to a new Chinese-language Economic Daily News report [Google Translate].

The report, citing unnamed supply chain sources, said Taiwan-based manufacturer Quanta Computer will begin shipping Apple Watch Series 3 models to Apple in the fourth quarter, lining up with the smartwatch's widely rumored September launch, alongside new iPhones and possibly a 4K-capable Apple TV.

Apple Watch Series 2 models and slightly upgraded Series 1 models launched last September alongside the iPhone 7, so it's reasonable to assume that Series 3 models could launch this September as well. The original Apple Watch, now unofficially dubbed Series 0, launched in April 2015.

The rest of the report cites KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who recently claimed Apple Watch Series 3 will be available in both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + LTE models in 38mm and 42mm sizes. Kuo said the cellular-enabled model will have an embedded SIM, but it might support VoIP calling only.

Apple Watch Series 3 models will also reportedly have improved performance and longer battery life, at least for the Wi-Fi-only version.

What's less certain is whether the Apple Watch will be significantly redesigned for the first time since being unveiled in September 2014.

Apple blogger John Gruber recently said he heard Apple Watch Series 3 models could have an all-new form factor, but he stressed that the tidbit came from an unconfirmed source who could be wrong. Kuo, meanwhile, said Apple Watch Series 3 models won't have any "obvious" form factor changes.

"It could also be that both my birdie and Kuo are correct," said Gruber, in a follow-up post yesterday. "The phrase 'will not feature an obvious new form factor' leaves a lot of wiggle room with the word 'obvious'," he added.

Few other details are known about the next Apple Watch at this point, and no components have leaked from the supply chain yet.

Apple has filed patents for a number of ideas that could eventually be included in an Apple Watch, such as a heart rate identification system, modular bands, haptic feedback band, and a band with a built-in charger. More significant health and fitness features could be added pending further FDA approvals.

Article Link: Apple Watch Series 3 Enters 'Final Testing Phase' Ahead of Rumored September Launch

 

[44267547]

Seems like the only thing new is the first paragraph about the Watch going into production.

The rest is a rehash of previous rumour.

That's what I was thinking. If the Apple Watch is launching in September, production is or has already started. I originally believed the Apple wouldn't launch in September with Series 2 being less Than a year old and I don't believe the Watch is a Product that requires an annual update. Part of me believes An 18 month release would seem more likely for the next refresh, which would be March 2018. I just question what changes will be made aside from LTE to make this a significsnt upgrade Over the Series 2.

 

[MBHockey]

Yes, for real. If they're still testing, then they're not likely to have any in quantity for quite a while. It's probably one of those things where they'll announce in September, start shipping a month or two later, and (I hope) have volume production available for Christmas.

I wonder, though, if the form factor hasn't changed much maybe it won't take that long to change current production lines.

 

[harriska2]

Am I the only one ultra disappointed with Apple Watch?!
I have series 1, it's always been super slow... 80% of third party apps take a good 30 secs to launch (if ever) making it unusable...

I find it useless overall. It pains me to think how much I spent on this useless gadget!

The only thing I ever liked about it was the fitness feature the first few months I bought it, after which I got annoyed to even go through the UI to start a workout.
I also like receiving text messages on there, but that's about it.

What do you guys think of Apple Watch overall?

I have Series 1 and none of the apps, including 2 nonapple apps, are slow to load. I don't close apps.

 

[Macaholic868]

Am I the only one ultra disappointed with Apple Watch?!
I have series 1, it's always been super slow... 80% of third party apps take a good 30 secs to launch (if ever) making it unusable...

I find it useless overall. It pains me to think how much I spent on this useless gadget!

The only thing I ever liked about it was the fitness feature the first few months I bought it, after which I got annoyed to even go through the UI to start a workout.
I also like receiving text messages on there, but that's about it.

What do you guys think of Apple Watch overall?

I love mine! Getting the notifications I want to get without taking my phone out of my pocket or going into the bedroom to get it off of the charger is priceless for me as is the ability to fire off a quick response to text messages and iMessages without having to use the phone.

I also love using it with Maps when I’m driving. I don’t have Car Play and have no plans to buy a new car or have my existing car modified with a Car Play capable sound system anytime soon. When I’m driving and have the windows down and/or am listening to the AM/FM radio it’s hard to hear the Turn By Turn directions from Apple Maps coming from my phone in the center console so having the watch give me a tap on the wrist when I need to be paying attention to an upcoming navigation event is great as is the ability to look at the watch to see what I need to do next without picking up the phone.

I also like the ability to decline calls without taking my phone out of my pocket while I’m working along with the ability to answer calls if I can’t get to my phone. I’ve only taken a couple of calls through the watch since I bought it but I was glad to have the ability to use it in those specific instances.

I also love the ability to use it to ping my iPhone. Occasionally I’ll misplace my phone at home or leave it in my car and being able to have the watch make an audible noise from my phone makes finding it easy. Add the fitness aspects in and for me it was money well spent

I use no third party apps on a regular basis so I can’t speak to how useful they are or how well they work. The watch is great for my use cases but I can see why it wouldn’t appeal to a large percentage of iPhone owners.

 

[Spendlove]

I am still using and loving my generation 0! I was VERY close to getting the Nike edition series 2 but held off once the Watch OS was upgraded and became faster (and therefore usable!)

The thought of being able to connect to a signal without an iPhone present blows my mind - texts, work stuff, Apple Music (love my new AirPods) and all the apps updating over the air... TAKE MY MONEY. Would voice calls work? I don't know yet - not everyone that calls me uses a VOIP.

 

[WRChris]

Your point is what? That you need to exercise?
[doublepost=1502988627][/doublepost]

My series 0 was dead by 4pm yesterday.

My series 0 has died 3 times total since launch.

 

[febLey]

I wish they'd become a bit thinner.

 

[dwsolberg]

Am I the only one ultra disappointed with Apple Watch?!
I have series 1, it's always been super slow... 80% of third party apps take a good 30 secs to launch (if ever) making it unusable...

I find it useless overall. It pains me to think how much I spent on this useless gadget!

The only thing I ever liked about it was the fitness feature the first few months I bought it, after which I got annoyed to even go through the UI to start a workout.
I also like receiving text messages on there, but that's about it.

What do you guys think of Apple Watch overall?

I think Apple overpromised on the Apple Watch. Apps in particular should not have been added until they were usable and not super slow. I agree about the workout app being cumbersome. It annoys me that after I press the button to finish the workout, I still need to scroll all the way to the bottom to save it. Really? If I didn't want to save it, I would have pressed "Cancel". On the other hand, I have an original Apple Watch running the latest WatchOS, and I find that all of Apple's apps are pretty responsive, especially when placed in the new dock.

Personally, I think Apple spoiled the watch for a lot of people by advertising features that don't work very well. However, if you can get over those problems, I think there's a lot of good stuff that actually does work. I love Apple Pay, live weather complications, text messages, the timer app, and the ability to get silently buzzed when I get a phone call. It's also handy to find my phone when it gets lost in the house. Even after a couple years, I still like closing my rings every day. I'm not obsessive about it, but it does provide encouragement to be active.

 

[hallrac]

Your point is what? That you need to exercise?
[doublepost=1502988627][/doublepost]

My series 0 was dead by 4pm yesterday.

Well considering the series 0 would be an older battery and have more use on it... yea that would make sense your watch may die quicker than their series 2. That would be common sense. Sucks to suck

 

[Matz]

I love mine! Getting the notifications I want to get without taking my phone out of my pocket or going into the bedroom to get it off of the charger is priceless for me as is the ability to fire off a quick response to text messages and iMessages without having to use the phone.

I also love using it with Maps when I’m driving. I don’t have Car Play and have no plans to buy a new car or have my existing car modified with a Car Play capable sound system anytime soon. When I’m driving and have the windows down and/or am listening to the AM/FM radio it’s hard to hear the Turn By Turn directions from Apple Maps coming from my phone in the center console so having the watch give me a tap on the wrist when I need to be paying attention to an upcoming navigation event is great as is the ability to look at the watch to see what I need to do next without picking up the phone.

I also like the ability to decline calls without taking my phone out of my pocket while I’m working along with the ability to answer calls if I can’t get to my phone. I’ve only taken a couple of calls through the watch since I bought it but I was glad to have the ability to use it in those specific instances.

I also love the ability to use it to ping my iPhone. Occasionally I’ll misplace my phone at home or leave it in my car and being able to have the watch make an audible noise from my phone makes finding it easy. Add the fitness aspects in and for me it was money well spent

I use no third party apps on a regular basis so I can’t speak to how useful they are or how well they work. The watch is great for my use cases but I can see why it wouldn’t appeal to a large percentage of iPhone owners.

All of the above, plus Apple Pay. Turns out if I leave my phone in the car, I can still use AP on my Watch. How that works, no idea, but it does.

 

[recoil80]

I don't think I'll update this year. My series 1 is fast enough and will receive watchOS 4 update.
LTE is enticing, but I'm going to wait. Not every carrier supports VoLTE and I want to be able to make and receive phone calls, facetime audio is not widespread enough and doesn't support emergency services.

 

[Abazigal]

All of the above, plus Apple Pay. Turns out if I leave my phone in the car, I can still use AP on my Watch. How that works, no idea, but it does.

You can use Apple Pay on your watch even when it's not connected to your phone, for up to five times at a stretch, I think. No idea how Apple manages that, but it's possible.

 

[Brachaci]

Wake me up, when the battery life will be at least 5 working days.

Amen to that!