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AW Ultra 3
- Thread starter jon08
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If they get a OHR sensor update that does readings every second or much more frequently than now and that does more frequent HRV readings and slightly increase battery life, I’ll almost certainly upgrade my Ultra 1. I’d like them to bring back blood oxygen sensor use, too. It’s not that it’s a crucial metric for me. It’s more that it’s annoying to me for them to go backwards. They need to either figure out a deal with Massimo or have a new sensor ready.
I’ve been tempted by the Ultra 2 for brighter screen, improved Siri, and double tap, but I’ve held of this long that I figure I might as well wait for the fall.
I’ve been tempted by the Ultra 2 for brighter screen, improved Siri, and double tap, but I’ve held of this long that I figure I might as well wait for the fall.
Maybe a color upgrade but doubt a new sensor unless they can bring back an O2 sensor and software of their own.
There are reports that Apple is working on a new connection method for the bands - possibly magnetic. That would mean that all existing bands would be incompatible.
9to5mac.com
New Apple Watch band connector: Three reasons to believe
There have been recurring rumors that a new Apple Watch band connector is in the works, rendering existing bands incompatible...
9to5mac.com
that rumor has been around for almost a year now and pertain to the AW 10, not the Ultra.There are reports that Apple is working on a new connection method for the bands - possibly magnetic. That would mean that all existing bands would be incompatible.
New Apple Watch band connector: Three reasons to believe
There have been recurring rumors that a new Apple Watch band connector is in the works, rendering existing bands incompatible...
It requires a re-design of the AW case and Ultra 3 is not (currently) rumored for a re-design, in fact Kuo said almost no changes in Ultra 3 ...
I actually think I've seen this rumor for a couple of years - even for the first Ultra watch - Hopefully isn't gonna happen as I think I will be upgrading but have ~15 bands or something - would be one of the reasons not to upgrade
Turn on Afib history, that then takes much more frequent (every 15 mins) HRV readings...
Yep. I have it turned on. The increased heart rate reading frequency would be the main thing for me. They’re behind other wearables at this point by spacing out the readings by minutes.
So you just check the box with a doctor have said you have Afib? Does it not use a lot more battery?
Yes just check that box. I couldn't tell if it uses more battery but I'd guess it would need to use more.
I highly doubt a darker color is coming. The watch is marketed as being a rugged watch. Any color would just be a anodized coating which won't be very rugged and would scratch and wear off.
Garmin, Suunto, Coros, and others say, "Hold my beer"
I don't disagree, but there are plenty of rugged metal watches that are dark colored, including the Fenix and Epix lineups.
A dark AWU3 would be nice though!
Nothing yet. I would be surprised if it came back this year, or next year.
I haven't heard anything about this since the news broke a while back. Apple has two options - to find a way to do the O2 testing that does not violate the patent, or pay the licensing fee to use the previous method. And nothing but crickets at this point.
I wonder if the blood oxygen feature would come back for you if you change your location to Canada. I live in Canada and we are not impacted by the ruling in the states. Blood oxygen works fine here and has all along.
Are you suggesting that it's a region thing managed by software (as opposed to a different watch model for US vs CA)? That's interesting, for sure.
the disablement of the SpO2 sensor is tied to a specific model #, there have been stories/threads on this, can't remember the details, but if you have such a model, SpO2 ain't working period. Apple could unlock it via SW update though ...
As for the new AWs to have it or not, hard to tell:
. Apple could have designed/licensed a new sensor, doubtful it would be ready in the next month imho.
. Apple could be negotiating with Masimo over license fees, doubtful that happened though
. In question were a few patents of Masimo, Apple invalidated some of those already and was apparently attempting to continue down that path. If those patents are invalidated, current sensor can be used again, and, in that case Apple would likely release a SW update for the models that had it disabled.
. And then, this was an import ban and I do not remember whether or not it was tied to the S9/AWU2 specifically or also to all future AWs with that sensor
We'll have another month to go to find out ...
As for the new AWs to have it or not, hard to tell:
. Apple could have designed/licensed a new sensor, doubtful it would be ready in the next month imho.
. Apple could be negotiating with Masimo over license fees, doubtful that happened though
. In question were a few patents of Masimo, Apple invalidated some of those already and was apparently attempting to continue down that path. If those patents are invalidated, current sensor can be used again, and, in that case Apple would likely release a SW update for the models that had it disabled.
. And then, this was an import ban and I do not remember whether or not it was tied to the S9/AWU2 specifically or also to all future AWs with that sensor
We'll have another month to go to find out ...
no, it's not, its a specific model number of the AW, I think it was like a "/X" or something like that
This. I was gonna say the same exact thing. A darker color would be awesome, but I don't think it's happening with the Ultra. Rumors before the Ultra 2 were that Apple tested a darker model, and could not get the results they wanted for the durability of the coating. Just way to hard on a rugged watch.
Thats what I'm suspecting... but I haven't tested it as I already live in a country where the feature is enabled so not really any reason to. I may be way off but I highly doubt its an actual hardware restriction... software makes way more sense to me.