Apple Watch Series 3: Skepticism Surrounds Usefulness of LTE, but Performance Improvements Welcome

[Pirate!]

Am I the only one who'd like to see an always on watch face? Even if it's just the most basic of faces (which I usually have up anyway) or lowest brightness setting. It's a watch and I'd like to know the time without clicking or rolling my wrist and arm up while in meetings or other situations.

That said, I don't mind that all features aren't added at once for this product as it saves me from having to upgrade each year

 

[Fuzzball84]

An LTE WATCH is about the same as an LTE iPad. I can just use my iPhone and not have to spend an extra $120/yr.

And seriously, what the hell is with the red dot on the crown?

Its to say, "I have the latest apple watch and it has LTE"

 

[pedregosa]

There's no indication, as far as I am aware, that third-party apps will have cellular access. So presumably no ordering an Uber without your phone, no streaming TuneIn Radio, and -- sadly -- no streaming of podcasts.

 

[fatalogic]

I know it's been said but damn that red dot plus monthly charge kills it for me. I love my series 2 but I don't see enough of a reason to upgrade.

 

[pedregosa]

A huge thanks to anyone who answers this question!

Can the Apple Watch 3 roam overseas with the iPhone? I'm using T-Mobile and they offer unlimited text and data (at capped speeds) overseas.

Unfortunately not. I read some of the T-Mobile small print today that said that the AW3 cellular connection will not operate when roaming.

 

[HMFIC03]

The LTE also has a Cermanic back and sapphire display, the S3 GPS has neither and only 8GB of storage. Sounds like if you never use the LTE, its a better buy anyway.[/QUOTE]

 

[ghost187]

Unfortunately not. I read some of the T-Mobile small print today that said that the AW3 cellular connection will not operate when roaming.

Thank you. This was a make it or break it question for my purchase.

 

[macduke]

Two reasons I don’t want it:

• Big RED crown cap (this clashes with all sorts of colors, it’s awful)
• You can’t buy the stainless steel without cellular, so it costs more now, and I have no need for cellular.

The performance improvements were tempting, along with the hairline crack on my Series 0 that runs along the side making me want a replacement. But I was just enough on the fence for this to push me to waiting another year. By then they’ll probably have some other awful color on the crown. Also I’ve got an iPhone X 256GB and Sony A7III to buy this autumn.

 

[thisisnotmyname]

Yes. If you eat a lot less.




WHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH THE RED DOT? I can't imagine anyone shelling out for the Apple Watch in White Ceramic with that thing tarnishing it's "simplicity". What the heck other Apple product has ever had a useless design element like this other than the hideous U2 iPod?

Right, I want the edition but that red dot just ruins it for me. I like the sleek all white look. I'm considering having it painted over or such.

 

[Mikotiv]

I really think this is a missing opportunity. This could be a stand alone divice at least make it works with iPads and Macs

 

[ghost187]

Thank goodness there is a GIANT BRIGHT RED CIRCLE on the new Watch so I NEVER FORGET I HAVE THE LTE VERSION. /s

Apple must have hired the people that put all the Verizon logo on android phones.

Or maybe it's a Target exclusive!

 

[JGIGS]

I disagree. This was the sleeper today. Music with my AirPods and no phone. Epic

As someone who doesn't own an Apple watch correct me if I'm wrong but couldn't you just download a playlist to the current Apple watch and not need your phone to stream via bt? Which is definitely a good feature for working out especially running.

 

[rp2011]

There are a lot of folks living in their own little bubble. This is THE most important product released today. It will quickly become the default phone for a LOT of people, especially the younger ones. Old farts not so much.
I'm pre-ordering it on day one to make sure I get one.

 

[libmanj]

I'm on board with the people who find the red dot a major turnoff. It just looks all wrong and is too large/prominent for certain color schemes.

Meanwhile, I wonder if there will be a native podcasting app to download podcasts directly to the Apple Watch.

 

[Daws001]

It's a good update, and I like the red on the crown, but I'll stick to my gen 1 watch.

 

[fastasleep]

There's no indication, as far as I am aware, that third-party apps will have cellular access. So presumably no ordering an Uber without your phone, no streaming TuneIn Radio, and -- sadly -- no streaming of podcasts.

From the Apple Developer email I just received, "With Apple Watch Series 3, your apps can take advantage of the altimeter and built-in cellular."

 

[PizzaBoxStyle]

I'm thinking this is s bigger deal than the article author think it is. What they did today could have possibly just marked the watch as a successor to the iPhone itself.

 

[mariusignorello]

You guys begged and whined for cellular and now you don’t want it??

 

[jeremiah256]

As someone who doesn't own an Apple watch correct me if I'm wrong but couldn't you just download a playlist to the current Apple watch and not need your phone to stream via bt? Which is definitely a good feature for working out especially running.

You are correct and I do this. However, it is not uncommon for me to jump around playlists, podcasts, and streaming live news and music during the day. I rarely have all the media I want during the day on my watch.

 

[bsmith1]

So does only the LTE version allow you to stream apple music? Or can you also do it over wifi with AirPods? Thanks

 

[ErikGrim]

“The watch is useless without its own data connection”

*Apple watch gets LTE*

“Why does the watch need LTE?”

This is quality content.

 

[jeremiah256]

So does only the LTE version allow you to stream apple music? Or can you also do it over wifi with AirPods? Thanks

You have both those options, plus the series 2 allows you to stream from the content on your phone via Bluetooth. So probably three methods.

 

[douglasf13]

There's no indication, as far as I am aware, that third-party apps will have cellular access. So presumably no ordering an Uber without your phone, no streaming TuneIn Radio, and -- sadly -- no streaming of podcasts.

 

[miniyou64]

How, what, why would they put a red dot on the crown? With such a "personable" and customizable device, why would they force you to have a non neutral color? That is so very much not Apple...

 

[artfossil]

There are a lot of folks living in their own little bubble. This is THE most important product released today. It will quickly become the default phone for a LOT of people, especially the younger ones. Old farts not so much.
I'm pre-ordering it on day one to make sure I get one.

For me--age 70--the ability to insure I can make an emergency call is worth $120 a year.

(My Apple Watch series 1 is my favorite device in 33 years of Apple products.)