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Are people using LTE on their Watches?

andresandiego said:
I agree about the battery, but I will say that what it can do now the battery life is pretty good. FYI there is a flashlight function now. A software update should be able to address the music streaming and improve sir functionality. As far as the camera goes, I just don't see that happening. Independent set up isn't that high on my list of wants and it doesn't appear to be that high on Apple's as well.
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the "flashlight" function is better than nothing, but no replacement of a real flashlight. and, using the whole screen it sucks battery like crazy. still, that's the least important thing on my list and won't happen without a camera.

afaik, battery life is fine, as long as you don't use it exclusively as an iphone replacement. doing siri, music, calls, messages... over LTE won't last you a day. it wouldn't need independent setup, but it should work without an iphone (e.g. with an ipad, mac,...), because I`d hope to replace my phone with it. that's also why it'd need a camera for scanning things and making quick snapshots. but i don't see that happening in the near future either. still, the camera is the only "real" reason why it couldn't completely replace an iphone for me. (again, for bigscreen apps like safari or games i'd use an ipad anyway - i hate fiddling around on a tiny phone screen). but i could carry a camera like a sony a7s instead of an iphone and have the best of both worlds...

independent music streaming will come, but I guess right now that limit to apple music is also in part there to preserve battery life. as for siri - that's on the server side anyway and sort of independent from the watch. still, siri needs so get better. on the other hand, it has to be even better for a device without a big screen and a (software) keyboard.
 
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Unami said:
the "flashlight" function is better than nothing, but no replacement of a real flashlight. and, using the whole screen it sucks battery like crazy. still, that's the least important thing on my list and won't happen without a camera.

afaik, battery life is fine, as long as you don't use it exclusively as an iphone replacement. doing siri, music, calls, messages... over LTE won't last you a day. it wouldn't need independent setup, but it should work without an iphone (e.g. with an ipad, mac,...), because I`d hope to replace my phone with it. that's also why it'd need a camera for scanning things and making quick snapshots. but i don't see that happening in the near future either. still, the camera is the only "real" reason why it couldn't completely replace an iphone for me. (again, for bigscreen apps like safari or games i'd use an ipad anyway - i hate fiddling around on a tiny phone screen). but i could carry a camera like a sony a7s instead of an iphone and have the best of both worlds...

independent music streaming will come, but I guess right now that limit to apple music is also in part there to preserve battery life. as for siri - that's on the server side anyway and sort of independent from the watch. still, siri needs so get better. on the other hand, it has to be even better for a device without a big screen and a (software) keyboard.
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Well of course it is not a replacement for real flashlight nor is it meant to be. I am confused, you said that the LTE version is not available where you live so I am perplexed on how you can speak of the battery life. Maybe I misunderstood you. I am here to tell you I wear my AW3 LTE all day (phone left at home), workout/run for 45 mins while streaming music and I have never once had the battery die. It was never really meant to replace your iPhone nor have they marketed it that way.
 
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I use it for outdoor runs— that’s the thing that makes it worth the price to me... leaving my phone at home when I run, both routinely and on race day. And since i have it, I do sometimes run quick errands without my phone. I’m also looking forward to having it during the summer for wearing while taking my daughter swimming.
 
andresandiego said:
Well of course it is not a replacement for real flashlight nor is it meant to be. I am confused, you said that the LTE version is not available where you live so I am perplexed on how you can speak of the battery life. Maybe I misunderstood you. I am here to tell you I wear my AW3 LTE all day (phone left at home), workout/run for 45 mins while streaming music and I have never once had the battery die. It was never really meant to replace your iPhone nor have they marketed it that way.
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Great post. And you're correct. The Apple Watch is a device to act as a bridge from your iPhone, but by no means is it an iPhone replacement and it's no where ready for that step in the wearable market. But LTE is leading that way and ultimately it's a transition for the Apple Watch.
 
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For me it’s about having a backup for when I forget to put my phone in my pocket or my battery dies. I look after my elderly mother and need to be contactable in case she has cause to use her pendant alarm. I may never actually need to make or receive a call on my watch but knowing I can if push comes to shove is definitely worth a fiver a month.
 
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Relentless Power said:
Great post. And you're correct. The Apple Watch is a device to act as a bridge from your iPhone, but by no means is it an iPhone replacement and it's no where ready for that step in the wearable market. But LTE is leading that way and ultimately it's a transition for the Apple Watch.
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I don't really agree that it is a transition, certainly not anywhere in the near future (battery tech alone makes that rather difficult). I think LTE is just a natural progression of a connected smartwatch.

Sure there are people who want to only use a smartwatch. But the smartwatch market is already not nearly as large as the smartphone market. It's often been called a niche market. As it stands now I'd venture those who want to use only a smartwatch is a niche of a niche. So I don't think it will happen, at least not until there is some kind of new technology (battery, holographic display, whatever), that makes it attractive to all.


Mike
 
Tinmania said:
I don't really agree that it is a transition, certainly not anywhere in the near future (battery tech alone makes that rather difficult). I think LTE is just a natural progression of a connected smartwatch.

Sure there are people who want to only use a smartwatch. But the smartwatch market is already not nearly as large as the smartphone market. It's often been called a niche market. As it stands now I'd venture those who want to use only a smartwatch is a niche of a niche. So I don't think it will happen, at least not until there is some kind of new technology (battery, holographic display, whatever), that makes it attractive to all.
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You misconstrued my Post. When I stated it's leading that way, I quoted that member indicating it's becoming more independent off the iPhone with the capability of LTE. With the efficient dual core processor and stronger battery, it's suffcient enough with the current ratings to survive off Bluetooth from the iPhone for a limited time, which is what I meant by transition.

And the Apple Watch will never compare to the iPhone market and was never intended to compete with the iPhone. As I mentioned before, it's a bridge from the iPhone as a convenience factor to not have to use your iPhone for every task or function.
 
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Have to say I find it quite liberating.

It’s really nice to be able to just go out without wondering if you have your phone on you or not and still be contactable. I use it more than I thought I would. I go to the gym with just my watch and airpods and the experience is fantastic. Not having to carry my phone around at the gym is a real advantage.

Personally I feel it’s worth the small monthly cost to use. But that’s just me.
 
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For those of you who purchased the AW3 with LTE, would you do it again? Or would you go non-LTE?

I'm buying tomorrow but can't decided which one to go with. :confused:
 
81Tiger04 said:
For those of you who purchased the AW3 with LTE, would you do it again? Or would you go non-LTE?

I'm buying tomorrow but can't decided which one to go with. :confused:
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I have the AW3 LTE and I would percent do it again. Besides the LTE you get more storage over the GPS model. Also if you buy it and decide after awhile or you don’t need or want LTE you an always chose not to use it. You can’t go back and add LTE to the GPS one later, something to think about.
 
81Tiger04 said:
For those of you who purchased the AW3 with LTE, would you do it again? Or would you go non-LTE?

I'm buying tomorrow but can't decided which one to go with. :confused:
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Yes. For $70 more for the Cellular LTE feature, you get double the Storage (16 GB vs 8 GB) and you get a Ceramic watch back. Even if you never turn on the Cellular LTE feature, it is a good value in my opinion.

Note: If you don't activate the LTE feature you don't have a monthly LTE fee. There is no nagging to "Enable" LTE, just one question in the initial set up that you can skip and you can always chose to enable it at a later time.

Dave
 
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dave006 said:
Yes. For $70 more for the Cellular LTE feature, you get double the Storage (16 GB vs 8 GB) and you get a Ceramic watch back. Even if you never turn on the Cellular LTE feature, it is a good value in my opinion.

Note: If you don't activate the LTE feature you don't have a monthly LTE fee. There is no nagging to "Enable" LTE, just one question in the initial set up that you can skip and you can always chose to enable it at a later time.

Dave
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Didn't realize you get more storage. That could be worth the $70 in itself. What is the benefit of the ceramic watch back?
 
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81Tiger04 said:
For those of you who purchased the AW3 with LTE, would you do it again? Or would you go non-LTE?

I'm buying tomorrow but can't decided which one to go with. :confused:
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I bought the series 3 SBSS for the damage resistants. I will discontinue the LTE service after the trial period as I always have my phone with me. I do like the feature but, don’t use it enough to justify the cost.
 
Infrequently. I don't have a pair of wireless headphones at the moment, so I'm stuck using my phone for that. It's nice to use some features like Apple Pay if I leave my phone in the car though.

Honestly, I'd probably have been just as happy with the non-LTE version. Guess if I pick up another one in a years time or whenever, non-LTE will probably be my choice.
 
zmon said:
Infrequently. I don't have a pair of wireless headphones at the moment, so I'm stuck using my phone for that. It's nice to use some features like Apple Pay if I leave my phone in the car though.

Honestly, I'd probably have been just as happy with the non-LTE version. Guess if I pick up another one in a years time or whenever, non-LTE will probably be my choice.
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I'm very glad, but if I didn't do outdoor sports, it wouldn't be worth it for me. With running, skiing, and taking the tiny to the water park, I'm glad to have it and be able to leave my phone behind or in a locker.
 
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I have nipped out on short errands from the house without my phone a few times and it’s handy to be able to do that. The main thing I wanted was to be able to leave my phone on my desk at work and still be contactable.

I have AirPods and they elevate the Watch to another level. Using them for a call, you get exactly the same usage experience as if you were on the iPhone.
 
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dave006 said:
Yes. For $70 more for the Cellular LTE feature, you get double the Storage (16 GB vs 8 GB) and you get a Ceramic watch back. Even if you never turn on the Cellular LTE feature, it is a good value in my opinion.

Dave
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Dumb question probably, but what do you use the extra space for? Music? Apps?
 
I leave my phone at home anytime I walk to the store or go for a run, most of the time I'm not actively using the LTE connection (I even usually listen to New Music mix or Chill Mix which is stored on the watch itself instead of streaming music) but many times I've gotten phone calls, messages, or alerts that were important while I was out and very often I use Siri for things while I'm out.

I'm a bit scared to try using Uber to get places without having a phone on me as a backup but I'm going to try it out in a few days.
 
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