Daring Fireball: Apple Watch Series 3 to Feature 'All-New Form Factor' [Updated]

[douglasf13]

So is it just because we’ve all become accustom to watches being round so that’s what we aesthetically prefer i.e. that’s how a “Watch” is supposed to look? I hadn’t worn a watch for years. I never even think about the fact my Apple Watch isn’t round. I just like that it’s small enough that it doesn’t look ridiculous on my tiny wrists. My fear is a round watch will mean a bigger watch which might be fine for men but not women with tiny wrists.

Yeah, square just makes more sense for any kind of digital screen. I don't understand the desire to try and make the thing look like a mechanical watch, and digital watches have always been primarily square. It makes about as much sense as a round iPad...or maybe triangle:

 

[KPOM]

Give me a round option and I'll finally buy.

Why?

 

[Braderunner]

Been wearing 1st gen Apple Watch since day one. Definitely upgrading with next release.

 

[WRChris]

I look at Apple's device history and how they reiterate a lot of the devices having the same physical design. Take for example, the iPhone 6/6S/7, physically, they are nearly the same. Similarly to the iPad line, where the hardware is incrementally upgraded over the years. But If you look at Apples timeline and history of how they treat their products, I see the Apple Watch in the same way. I see the first generation Watch, Series 1/Series 2 and now Series 3 perhaps resembling the other two form factors. I still think this next generation Apple Watch, if one launches in September, will physically almost be identical.

Could be the same but it could absolutely be a design change. I guess technically we have already had 3 iterations of the Watch in its current form factor. As I've said before I will be buying the next Watch regardless(square or circle), as mine is starting to show it's age.

I would be happier if it was circular but I'm in either way.

It's good to see you still on here man.

 

[9594864]

This will be interesting if true. We need battery life over thin-ness though Apple.

Let's see. Hmmm. Let's think. Hmmm. Let's analyze what Apple did with the Watch series 2. Ohh they made it a full mm thicker and added massive battery.

 

[MountainApple]

Please, finally make it round...

 

[harriska2]

I used the Pebble round watch for one day. The UI was horribly clunky. It did look nice but there was a ton of wasted space on the screen. I think Apple was correct in doing square. Love my series 1.

 

[9594864]

I hope they get rid of the Digital Crown and replace it with a touch sensitive frame for scrolling.

This was my original vision for the Apple Watch before it launched. I also envisioned a design with flat top and bottom but rounded sides ( ).

 

[stevefeinstein]

Now the earpods start to make a lot of sense.

 

[the future]

Oh boy ... one innocent remark of a redesign and the "watch needs to be round" brigade has high hopes again. Just re-read what Jony said, at length, about the very deliberate thought and design process that led to the rectangular shape. There won't be a round Apple Watch.

 

[stevefeinstein]

I hope they get rid of the Digital Crown and replace it with a touch sensitive frame for scrolling.

Bad idea. Touch devices don't work with gloves, or sweaty fingers. That happens a lot when you're out in the cold, or exercising. A real button is very useful under these conditions.

 

[CampbellSoup]

Apple Watch 3: NIXON Edition and I'll take two please...

 

[newdeal]

smaller bezels is really the only change needed. And new watch faces. Always on time, even if it was just a more basic view without complications etc would be very nice

 

[tkukoc]

I can see it being thinner, I can see longer battery life due to a change in screen technology.. heck I can see a completely bezel-less face. But I can’t see it being circle... maybe the edges will be rounded further like the mockups for iPhone 8.. but it’s not going to be completely round. Apple has said it repeatedly round doesn’t make sense.

 

[44267547]

Oh boy ... one innocent remark of a redesign and the "watch needs to be round" brigade has high hopes again. Just re-read what Jony said, at length, about the very deliberate thought and design process that led to the rectangular shape. There won't be a round Apple Watch.

https://www.digitaltrends.com/wearables/jony-ive-new-yorker-profile-apple-watch/amp/

 

[Rickjames74]

stupid. None of the gear from my 2015 F150 fits my $50k 2000 f1250.

And after 15 years... understandably so. I’ll be pissed if my band collection doesn’t work with the new one. I am going to upgrade my series zero to the 3 when it comes out unless I can’t use my current bands. If that’s the case count me out.

 

[Westside guy]

My husband has been known to lean over and tap my watch to get the time.

There's a joke there, but I'm going to leave it be.

 

[5105973]

I'm okay with my series 2 watch.

Yeah I just got out of the pool with mine. That's all I wanted in a upgrade from my Series 0, one that was lightweight and officially poolworthy. But I look forward to seeing what Apple brings out.

I already have a cellular enabled Samsung watch and it's a bit bulky, so I'm not super eager to jump on the LTE Apple Watch bandwagon. But it is a nice convenience to have at times, and I think for men with large wrists there won't be any serious compromises in comfort to have a bulkier LTE Watch.

I would not be shocked to see Apple bring out a Watch that can compete with the Gear S3 Classic and Frontier, with LTE and Always-on face options. It makes for a very bulky watch but my husband loves his. Even I briefly contemplated getting one until I came to my senses about how uncomfortable that would be.

Samsung wasn't interested in expending the money and effort into miniaturizing the technology to produce a Gear S3 in a smaller size for women. They brushed the whole matter aside by saying women were more interested in fitness trackers than smart watches anyway. Hmph.

If Apple does come up with an LTE enabled Apple Watch, I want to see how they addressed the bulkiness that would keep a lot of women locked out. Apple has never been cavalier about female customers, not so far as I can remember.

 

[Vanilla35]

So is it just because we’ve all become accustom to watches being round so that’s what we aesthetically prefer i.e. that’s how a “Watch” is supposed to look? I hadn’t worn a watch for years. I never even think about the fact my Apple Watch isn’t round. I just like that it’s small enough that it doesn’t look ridiculous on my tiny wrists. My fear is a round watch will mean a bigger watch which might be fine for men but not women with tiny wrists.

No it has nothing to do with what's implied, and everything to do with round being the more aesthetically appealing shape for the fashion accessory aspect of a watch. Some very fashionable watches are square, but in general, most watches look better round.

It probably comes down to the original clocks designs and inherent bias towards those having been round. I could be wrong on that, and it is just that many prefer, plain and simple, the look of a rounded watch, over square; which may be contributed to our arms/wrists being round, and therefore a round design looks more pleasing.

 

[wigby]

This will be interesting if true. We need battery life over thin-ness though Apple.

Not for the watch. I would take thinness over battery life any day

 

[djlythium]

Hmmm. To be launched this Fall, and no blueprint leaks yet? Suspicious.

 

[satchmo]

I can see it being thinner, I can see longer battery life due to a change in screen technology.. heck I can see a completely bezel-less face. But I can’t see it being circle... maybe the edges will be rounded further like the mockups for iPhone 8.. but it’s not going to be completely round. Apple has said it repeatedly round doesn’t make sense.

I agree. A new form factor may be as simple as you've described. Perhaps new materials but nothing radical, as in a circular face.

 

[DotCom2]

iPhone 8, and new Apple watch? Then HomePod release? WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Time to buy more AAPL!
[doublepost=1501888854][/doublepost]

Hmmm. To be launched this Fall, and no blueprint leaks yet? Suspicious.

Are the Apple watches made in the US or China?
If US, that might explain the lack of leaks?

 

[SeaFox]

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.

about a half-hour later...

The third-generation Apple Watch, set to launch this fall, will have an "all-new form factor" according to Daring Fireball's John Gruber.

 

[LordVic]

Why? Just aesthetics?

To be honest. That's it for me. I don't like the Aesthetics of the square faced watches. I just don't like the way the look when I wear them.