Apple's Series Three Apple Watch to Include Cellular Connection

[MacRumors]

Apple's third-generation Apple Watch, set to launch later this year, will include its own LTE for a standalone cellular connection, reports Bloomberg.

With a cellular connection, the new Apple Watch models will be untethered from the iPhone, able to stream music, send messages, download apps, and connect to the internet without the need for an iPhone.

It's not clear if a standalone cellular plan will be needed for the Apple Watch, but it seems likely. According to Bloomberg, only a subset of carriers who sell the iPhone will support the Apple Watch, but in the U.S., AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile all plan to offer the LTE Apple Watch when it launches.

Intel, not Qualcomm, will supply the LTE modems for the Apple Watch.

Cellular connectivity for the Apple Watch is not a new rumor - we've been hearing hints of it since before the Series 2 Apple Watch was released last September. Battery issues have reportedly been holding Apple back - a cellular connection drains battery more quickly.

Previous third-generation Apple Watch rumors have suggested Apple is focusing primarily on improving battery life and the company may have made enough progress to compensate for LTE connectivity.

Aside from the inclusion of an LTE chip, not much is known about the next Apple Watch. Rumors have pointed towards a more minor update that focuses on under-the-hood hardware and performance improvements rather than external design changes.

Bloomberg believes the cellular-capable Apple Watch will launch this fall alongside new iPhones, but cautions that the device could be delayed beyond 2017.

Update: The Wall Street Journal has corroborated Bloomberg's report and says Apple will introduce an LTE Apple Watch this year. According to The Wall Street Journal, the cellular Apple Watch will likely be rolled into existing wireless plans for an additional monthly charge, similar to how LTE tablets work.

Article Link: Apple's Series Three Apple Watch to Include Cellular Connection

 

[justperry]

Battery lasts 3-2-1.... empty.

 

[farewelwilliams]

please scribble in your password on the watch because screw your android

 

[826317]

So now my Apple Watch will have a different number to that of my phone? lol

 

[tkukoc]

Assuming it needs its own plan.. I'm out. This type of thing should be easily connected to a current plan with no up-charge. But this is carriers we are talking about.. they nickle and dime everyone.

 

[CWallace]

Pretty soon the "family" part of "family plan" will mean the various members of your Apple Family (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, etc.) rather than your biological family.

 

[Corrode]

This would get my wife to buy an Apple Watch as she wants to use her phone less.

Would be great if there's a subsidy from the telecoms.

 

[Z400Racer37]

It's not clear if a standalone cellular plan will be needed for the Apple Watch, but it seems likely.

T-Mobile will do us a solid and give it to us for free. #TMobesFTW

 

[cmChimera]

Meh. I don't see why I would need a cellular connection for the Watch. Better battery life, and faster internals sounds good though.

 

[Sunny1990]

The only Apple product that needs to be thinner, Passed my series 2 never liked the bulky design. Hope it's thinner.

 

[rosalindavenue]

I hope they sell a series 3 without the LTE. I'll be ready to replace my series 0 but am not interested in a stand alone internet device with a postage stamp sized screen.

 

[midkay]

I want a faster CPU/GPU. Even the Series 2 is quite laggy e.g. when switching watch faces. Which is weird considering how low-res the screen is...

 

[chromite]

Steaming Apple Music with just my Apple Watch and AirPods? Yes please!

Imagine going biking or jogging with just a watch and having millions of songs to choose from. No more of this:

 

[elvisimprsntr]

One step closer to a true Dick Tracy watch. Likely data only, no untethered voice or video calls yet.

I suspect it will have an eSIM and perhaps this will be Apple's first foray as a MVNO.

The cellular modem would likely improve battery life by using cellular and wifi location instead of GPS all the time.

Also means they can add a compass and use cellular data to get true vs magnetic north offset based on location.

 

[DPH]

The only Apple product that needs to be thinner, passed my series 2 never liked the bulky design. Hope it's thinner.

Srsly? Used the S2 for a while now, and stil cant understand why some people complain about that its bulky? Its a beautiful piece of tech.

 

[Sheza]

Nah, I'm alright thanks. Never without the phone, or never without the phone in a situation where LTE would be handy.

 

[chr1s60]

This could be good or bad. The added functionality is great. However, depending on pricing for the watch, battery life, and how they handle the data aspect are all going to make or break the addition being a good thing.

 

[twinlight]

If it's only LTE that is new I will go for a series 2 cheap. Would never go without my phone so can't see the use of cellular in the Watch. Not for me anyway..

 

[d21mike]

The $10 per month add on for the iPad was a problem for me. You should be able to connect multiple devices to the shared data plan and not be charge for each device. Or maybe a limit. But when you have an iPhone, multiple iPads and now iWatch(s) the $10 per extra device is crazy.

 

[newyorksole]

Interesting. I'm looking forward to an Apple Watch that's as fast as my iPhone 7+ or at least close. Speed is one of the things they should really focus on.

 

[WRChris]

This is a welcomed addition. I'm still using my sport series 0. I'm ready to retire it and get a new model. I've been waiting for a circular screen with a more classy look and feel. If gen 3 is square, I'm getting it anyway.

 

[JRobinsonJr]

I hope they sell a series 3 without the LTE. I'll be ready to replace my series 0 but am not interested in a stand alone internet device with a postage stamp sized screen.

Agreed, with possibly one minor exception. With an explosion of the Internet of Things (IoT) that need connectivity, not every device needs the *same* level of connectivity. The watch might need some lite streaming for music, SMS/iMessages, Siri interaction and maybe even navigation instructions... but with that tiny screen it won't be used for traditional device connectivity. I would be OK with a 'small' plan - total with taxes maybe $5/month - but nothing more. There is zero chance it even could use the same amount of data as a phone/iPad/laptop/etc. and carriers are going to have to create scalable plans to meet needs.

 

[Dilster3k]

Ah yes the next step into the watches independence. Within 5 years time, paired with AirPods - we'll all be walking around with these supercomputers on our wrists that will make our day to day lives easier with a personalized Jarvis to boot.

 

[44267547]

The only Apple product that needs to be thinner, Passed my series 2 never liked the bulky design. Hope it's thinner.

If this is your only complaint against the Apple Watch, I would say it's doing pretty good for its current size. Also, I actually like the thickness of the Apple Watch with the stainless model, it gives it some nice weight to it and substantiality. Plus The battery life is exceptional with the Series 2. I will gladly take the thickness any day.

 

[d21mike]

Best f****** telco

Do you now how they charge for extra devices? Like adding an iPad to your cell phone account. I am on a family plan now with 4 iPhones. We all have iPad(s) and decided to just use tethering because of the $10 per device charge to add them.