AW Ultra 3

[xDKP]

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.

I have seen quite a lot of reviews of the Garmin series - many of them available in black titanium and it doesn't seem to be an issue

 

[TheBMacAttack]

I have seen quite a lot of reviews of the Garmin series - many of them available in black titanium and it doesn't seem to be an issue

Look on reddit of people other than reviewers. Just normal folks, they have nicks and scratches through the coating. They dont look terrible at all, but definitely beat up some. Not saying they aren't good, but possible Apple doesnt use the same process. Maybe not as good. Also you have to remember Garmin's are only titanium on the front, the rest is plastic. AW Ultra has a whole lot more area covered in titanium.

 

[mtbdudex]

Are there any rumors pointing to the blood/oxygen function coming back? That's been my reason for not upgrading to the Ultra.

Real life: How would you use blood oxygen data?
I ask in sincerity, I bought my AWU2 Dec-2023 just as the upcoming ban was announced, so I’m grandfatherd in.

I’m a MTB rider, ride 3-4 times a week.
Thought I’d use it more .. not.

Like the 87% low reading shown, that was in between riding days.
What does that mean?

 

[CharlesShaw]

What’s your wishlist for the Ultra 3?

My wish is simply that the Ultra line continues to exist, so I can eventually replace my Ultra 1 someday. And if the Ultra line ends, then I hope the flat screen (my favorite feature) is used on another model.

 

[bababooie]

I’d love to see air integration for SCUBA diving in a new Ultra.

yeah i think bluetooth wont work because of transmit distance underwater being severely limited, they would have to add an rf sensor or something i would think

 

[satchmo]

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 ...

Yeah I think paying a license fee is a non-starter. Apple is only eating the loss of this feature for S9 watches in the US.

My guess is this AW10 will have a work around that brings back O2. Given there were hardware patents that involved, a new sensor might be needed. Or at least a way software accesses the sensor.

I can’t see Apple dragging this legal case through another product cycle.

 

[lewchenko]

Real life: How would you use blood oxygen data?
I ask in sincerity, I bought my AWU2 Dec-2023 just as the upcoming ban was announced, so I’m grandfatherd in.

I’m a MTB rider, ride 3-4 times a week.
Thought I’d use it more .. not.

Like the 87% low reading shown, that was in between riding days.
What does that mean?

The problem with the SPO2 measurement is it’s basically unreliable data. (On the Apple Watch , also not very accurate either so consider it a ball park type of measure)
Go to any hospital and they will use it to check you are breathing and absorbing the oxygen ok. Anything below 95% would be a cause for concern.
Whilst I have the tool on my Series 7 , it just tells me one thing - I’m ok or I’m not ok! And if your blood oxygen dropped to 87% for long, you really wouldn’t feel ok at all. Measure it whilst holding your breath for as long as you can to see what I mean !!

 

[tomtad]

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...

9to5mac.com

This will never happen as your watch would fall off if you knocked it into something, or if someone grabbed it.

 

[ebika]

yeah i think bluetooth wont work because of transmit distance underwater being severely limited, they would have to add an rf sensor or something i would think

Yeah, agreed. Wireless air integration is pretty mature technology at this point for underwater linking in similar form factors. The Shearwater Teric, Suunto D5, and Suunto Ocean are all examples of watches that have wireless air integration.

 

[Momof2.1107]

- I would love new health sensors.
- Longer battery life.

I have sleep apnea, so the blood oxygen sensor is necessary to have to work alongside my cpap machine. My watch actually showed when my oxygen dropped below 90% and showed that I was awake in the SleepWatch app (I actually stopped breathing during that time). This data was all collected before I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and I presented it to my sleep doctor who informed me that I could’ve came forward 6 months before my PE to ask for a sleep study.

I’m still using my Ultra1 with the sensor, my cpap machine, and now a Wellue O2 ring that will gently vibrate when my oxygen goes below 90% to cause me to turn over in my sleep to bring my oxygen back up, and make me start breathing again. It does the same thing for my heart rate when it drops below 40 which hasn’t happened yet. If Apple doesn’t figure out this patent issue, I’ll have to go to Canada to buy another watch, or buy a Oura ring to wear with my Ultra1.

 

[Howard2k]

I'm using an Ultra 1. If the Ultra 3 was the same but 7 day battery life I'd be in. I don't need continuous blood pressure monitoring and/or trending. It's a good idea in general and I do hope it comes, but I'm not sure it's too valuable to me yet, not enough to upgrade.

I realize I'd also back stacking on-device Siri (from Ultra 2) and double-tap as part of the upgrade. That's a worthy set of additions, just not quite there. From what I've seen so far I'm 50/50 on an upgrade.

 

[xDKP]

I'm using an Ultra 1. If the Ultra 3 was the same but 7 day battery life I'd be in. I don't need continuous blood pressure monitoring and/or trending. It's a good idea in general and I do hope it comes, but I'm not sure it's too valuable to me yet, not enough to upgrade.

I realize I'd also back stacking on-device Siri (from Ultra 2) and double-tap as part of the upgrade. That's a worthy set of additions, just not quite there. From what I've seen so far I'm 50/50 on an upgrade.

Agree if they don't change a single thing, but double the battery life it would be the biggest upgrade in years! Battery life is the biggest downside of the Apple Watch - it can do everything I want as a marathon tool but just the need to charge it every day is a bit annoying

 

[AsherN]

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...

9to5mac.com

An outside possibility for the AWX, but a non-starter for the Ultra. It is marketed to extreme sport enthusiasts. There is no way a magnet is powerful enough. I know I would not trust a magnetic attachment when I use it as a dive computer. Have you seen the Ocean band? Designed to be impossible to loosen on it's own.

 

[AsherN]

I’d love to see air integration for SCUBA diving in a new Ultra.

Unlikely. Unless they also start selling their own transmitter. And adding a receiver to the watch would be expensive and take space for a marginal part of the market.

 

[Thomas Davie]

Real life: How would you use blood oxygen data?
I ask in sincerity, I bought my AWU2 Dec-2023 just as the upcoming ban was announced, so I’m grandfatherd in.

And I will answer in sincerity 😀

I’m a dialysis patient (Haemodialysis), 3 times a week. My blood is tested for Hemeglobin 3x a week (every dialysis) and when it falls too low, I am given Erythropoetin, a Hemeglobin production stimulating hormone. I track my SPO2 levels and they show/display an oscillating pattern via the Apple Watch data; higher immediately after getting the drug and lower as time passes (it’s generally lowest immediately before getting the drug).

I use Heartwatch, a paid app that integrates bpm, SPO2 and a plethora of other data; both in waking/sleeping mode, er state.

Here is a screen capture of today, the yellow tick marks being when I received the EPO. I bet when I go in tomorrow I’m gonna get the drug.

Here is some data displaying sleeping respiration date. On July 11th was when I fell down my driveway (is a few hundred feet long and sloped at 30 degrees) was immediately before I was diagnosed with and tested positive for LYME disease. You can see when I began treatment with Prednisone and Doxycycline b/c my sleeping respiration rate declines literally within 12 hours of starting medication.

And here is where I overlay sleeping SPO2 data on top of respiration rate

The white line that is peaking is respiration rate; the one that is declining is SPO2. I’ve got the separate data plotted in Excel show a high -ve coorelation. A clear indication of a health issue which I could have addressed much earlier - but I was ignoring my watch data for some reason. I check every day now.

There is a very high degree of coorelation with how I feel and am trending with the data I can pull from my watch.

Tom

 

[AZhappyjack]

An outside possibility for the AWX, but a non-starter for the Ultra. It is marketed to extreme sport enthusiasts. There is no way a magnet is powerful enough. I know I would not trust a magnetic attachment when I use it as a dive computer. Have you seen the Ocean band? Designed to be impossible to loosen on it's own.

Don't disagree... but no value in shooting the messenger... I was just sharing a link from last May.

 

[Thomas Davie]

I’m likely to buy an AW3 just for the brighter screen, extra complication I can squeeze in and longer battery life (than AW9). I’d love to see blood pressure monitoring; not just trends, but actual readings. It would, however be a bonus on top of an already intended purchase.

Tom

 

[ebika]

Unlikely. Unless they also start selling their own transmitter. And adding a receiver to the watch would be expensive and take space for a marginal part of the market.

Do you have a source for receiver cost? Apple is already partnered with Huish Outdoors for the Oceanic+ app and phone housing. It's not that big a leap for any of the MH8A transmitters out there to be a possibility. It's what Shearwater did, just adopt the MH8A spec and then they started making and selling a variant of it themselves later. No need for Apple to sell the transmitters.

 

[slippery-pete]

I think you will see very little update in the 3.

Maybe darker color? 35% chance​

Longer battery life? 25% chance​

New chip? 20% chance​

​

​

Chance of all three of those happening, less than 5%

 

[jz0309]

I think you will see very little update in the 3.

Maybe darker color? 35% chance​

Longer battery life? 25% chance​

New chip? 20% chance​

​

​

Chance of all three of those happening, less than 5%

Well, every single AW has gotten a new chip historically, so, there will be a new one in the Ultra 3, no doubt imho. How much of an improvement, we’ll see.
Apple has never increased battery life, it’s been 18hrs for the regular and 36 for the Ultra and it will stay that way.

As for everything else, we’ll find out soon enough

 

[darthbane2k]

It will be satellite calling, black colour option a spec bump and in the new year they will announce apple intelligence support for it.

 

[AsherN]

Do you have a source for receiver cost? Apple is already partnered with Huish Outdoors for the Oceanic+ app and phone housing. It's not that big a leap for any of the MH8A transmitters out there to be a possibility. It's what Shearwater did, just adopt the MH8A spec and then they started making and selling a variant of it themselves later. No need for Apple to sell the transmitters.

You still need to build the receiver in the watch. That's extra $$ and space. And battery life.

 

[mtbdudex]

And I will answer in sincerity 😀

I’m a dialysis patient (Haemodialysis), 3 times a week. My blood is tested for Hemeglobin 3x a week (every dialysis) and when it falls too low, I am given Erythropoetin, a Hemeglobin production stimulating hormone. I track my SPO2 levels and they show/display an oscillating pattern via the Apple Watch data; higher immediately after getting the drug and lower as time passes (it’s generally lowest immediately before getting the drug).

I use Heartwatch, a paid app that integrates bpm, SPO2 and a plethora of other data; both in waking/sleeping mode, er state.

Here is a screen capture of today, the yellow tick marks being when I received the EPO. I bet when I go in tomorrow I’m gonna get the drug.

Here is some data displaying sleeping respiration date. On July 11th was when I fell down my driveway (is a few hundred feet long and sloped at 30 degrees) was immediately before I was diagnosed with and tested positive for LYME disease. You can see when I began treatment with Prednisone and Doxycycline b/c my sleeping respiration rate declines literally within 12 hours of starting medication.

And here is where I overlay sleeping SPO2 data on top of respiration rate

The white line that is peaking is respiration rate; the one that is declining is SPO2. I’ve got the separate data plotted in Excel show a high -ve coorelation. A clear indication of a health issue which I could have addressed much earlier - but I was ignoring my watch data for some reason. I check every day now.

There is a very high degree of coorelation with how I feel and am trending with the data I can pull from my watch.

Tom

Tom - truly good luck on your health journey.

Having the watch take data, then being able to grasp it and analysis (watch app or phone more info), for so many to use and help improve their situation is profound.

Me - I MTB ride 3-4 times a week, pretty consistently since 2019, except injuries or vacations/etc

Yet I felt "off" and had issues on mtb group rides, where I was front/mid pack, this spring I was mid-pack / end, then had to stop riding with my friends. Yet - I did nothing on my own, same diet, etc.

Now, by having Starva take my watch data, and analyze it, I clearly saw a drop from my 2022-2023 "normal" to a lower 2024, with a drop off February thru May. I never looked at that data, but "felt it" in my ability to do same trail.
It felt "harder", my times got slower.

Went to my doctor finally in June, turns out I have low testosterone.
I should also add, besides fitness, my ability at work to focus was reduced and other side affects were there.

My doctor did follow-up blood work, checking pituitary gland for issues, fortunately none found.
I'm trying to see an endocrinologist, they are in such high demand I can't see one till January-2025!
Yes, I made that appointment in late July, and called all around SE Michigan area, it's crazy.

I just started testosterone replacement therapy today via gel treatments.