New Touchscreen for 'Apple Watch Series 3' Said to Enter Production Later This Year

[Billberryjuice]

Been testing out with incoming iMessages and nothing. Oh well, no big deal really but still a nice feature if I can get it to work. Maybe it's the WiFi connection.

I just put my phone in Airplane mode, then on my watch sent an iMessage, read BBC news, checked weather, stocks, all on my office wifi network that my phone is familiar with. Emails and twitter didn't work however. Is it a regular network you're using without any special security measures (like a login page etc)?

 

[BoricuaHec01]

I just put my phone in Airplane mode, then on my watch sent an iMessage, read BBC news, checked weather, stocks, all on my office wifi network that my phone is familiar with. Emails and twitter didn't work however. Is it a regular network you're using without any special security measures (like a login page etc)?

Yea, just a regular work wifi network. But not sure if it's a 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz network so that may play a factor in this.

 

[Billberryjuice]

Yea, just a regular work wifi network. But not sure if it's a 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz network so that may play a factor in this.

Odd, and yeah possibly. I'd either fiddle with it more or maybe ask apple support what they think.

 

[satchmo]

Actually the killer feature on the watch is the fitness tracking.

Also, I've weaned myself from checking my phone all of the time and you realized how all of society has their heads buried in their cell phones.

Yeah, the Series 2 Aluminium is ideal for fitness (notifications are a bonus...or a negative)

For me, the price is still a bit steep at $400 USD (for the 42mm). Wish it was $300.
I'm waiting for it to drop once the Series 3 version comes.
Comparatively, a Garmin Forerunner 235 is only $269 at Amazon.

 

[jonnysods]

Oh man I just got mine last September! Was thinking it would be current for 2 years at least

 

[44267547]

I swear if Series 3 rocks the same design / chassis I'm going to flip out.

If it releases in 2017, it will Be the same physical design. Apple will like improve minor hardware tweaks. It's not often Watches traditionally change in physical design. The Major revamp would likely be 2018 where new physical changes will surface. I'm still not confident a "Series 3" will launch in 2017. If Apple's timeline is correct, March 2018 would be the next official release.

 

[Soccertess]

This might be the year I actually buy an Apple Watch.

Would you if there are no real changes other than spec bumps? I am not sure I would to be honest. Without any additional utility, not sure it's worth it.

Definitely not as revolutionary as Timmy claimed it would be.

 

[DotCom2]

Would you if there are no real changes other than spec bumps? I am not sure I would to be honest. Without any additional utility, not sure it's worth it.

Definitely not as revolutionary as Timmy claimed it would be.

Dunno, that's why I said "might".

 

[44267547]

Rectangle or circle. There's really not much otherwise. There are design considerations like beveling, squaring the corners or extra buttons, but it's a watch. You kinda have two options. They already have the rectangular version. At some point soon, they're going to intro a round version as well. Just my opinion, but I'd put money on it.

Then I wouldn't wager to much money, because Ive was quoted why he believed a round variant "Doesn't make sense" under his design with Marc Newson's influence in the implementation of the Apple Watch.

Obviously the reason for a square display is for displaying data in a certain method. But other round watches had already executed this as well, So there's no argument there. I think it's coming down to Apple not wanting to release the circular display based on their preference or what have you. I'm not saying they wont or they can't release a circular Watch, I just feel that Apple may not stretch that way anytime soon. At least based off this article.

Ive was quoted that a circular display doesn't make sense in the form of listing and displaying names/other information. Being He is lead designer of the Apple Watch, I question if a round variant will ever happen. I Think there should be a round variant, being diversity is a good thing and the theory not every one has the same appreciations for the same design.


http://www.newyorker.com/books/double-take/the-man-who-made-the-apple-watch

 

[CarlJ]

Rectangle or circle. There's really not much otherwise. There are design considerations like beveling, squaring the corners or extra buttons, but it's a watch. You kinda have two options. They already have the rectangular version. At some point soon, they're going to intro a round version as well. Just my opinion, but I'd put money on it.

How dare you act so inconsiderately towards triangles! And Septagons! Did you even think about their feelings before trotting out the old rectangle and circle yet again?

 

[69Mustang]

Then I wouldn't wager to much money, because Ive was quoted why he believed a round variant "Doesn't make sense" under his design with Marc Newson's influence in the implementation of the Apple Watch.

Obviously the reason for a square display is for displaying data in a certain method. But other round watches had already executed this as well, So there's no argument there. I think it's coming down to Apple not wanting to release the circular display based on their preference or what have you. I'm not saying they wont or they can't release a circular Watch, I just feel that Apple may not stretch that way anytime soon. At least based off this article.

Ive was quoted that a circular display doesn't make sense in the form of listing and displaying names/other information. Being He is lead designer of the Apple Watch, I question if a round variant will ever happen. Think there should be around Darien, being diversity is a good thing and the theory not every one has the same appreciations for design.


http://www.newyorker.com/books/double-take/the-man-who-made-the-apple-watch

I place very little credence in what Apple execs say when it comes to features and design. They have historically poo poo'd certain things right up 'til the moment they released the exact thing they said didn't make sense. That's not a knock. It just is. I would do the same if I was marketing my product.

With Ive, I admit to a personal aversion to almost anything he says. Everything I hear from him primarily consists of florid word filling that has no meaning other than creating an image... an image that doesn't always have a foundation based in reality. All sizzle, no steak. Just my opinion. I know that others like him.

As to the round Apple Watch. If the overall wearables market, and the Apple Watch in particular, continues it's YoY decline (2015 sold vs 2016 sold) I'm pretty sure a round Apple Watch will be on offer sooner rather than later. Even if the sales go up YoY, I think there will be a round AW no later than 2018, and it will fly off the shelves.
[doublepost=1487715740][/doublepost]

How dare you act so inconsiderately towards triangles! And Septagons! Did you even think about their feelings before trotting out the old rectangle and circle yet again?

'Til they come out with a 3D floating dodecahedron shaped smartwatch I'ma take a hard pass.

 

[DhobiWanKenobi]

I could be tempted into the world of smart watches by this.

I'd love to see Apple take the health and fitness further by also catering to the adventure market, so better waterproofing for diving, more rugged design or option for climbing, etc.

 

[Karma*Police]

Personally, I don't like the rounded / curved edges of the cover glass on the Apple Watch. That's one thing that they tried to carry over from the iPhone and iPad that doesn't make sense to me. Why not just have a flush mounted glass / sapphire cover, like most common watches? It would undoubtably be easier to deal with as far as screen / touch tech goes and far easier to produce.

Actually, with all the edge to edge swiping, I think it makes good sense from a UX perspective. From a design perspective, it stands out from common watches and has quickly become one of, if not the most, recognizable watches in the world and that kind of brand equity is hard to buy. I think Apple would be foolish to radically change the overall design anytime soon.

 

[wigby]

They have to improve the mic on the watch and the iPhone if they want us to use Siri. Siri can only work with the User Interface it has, and UI is the mic. I expect they will because it can't escape their notice that Alexa works consistently in a way that Siri does not. And it isn't the programming.

It's not fair to compare Alexa with any mobile device. You can compare Siri dictation with Google Now dictation but that's only because they are both in mobile devices with limited room for microphone and power usage.

 

[TallManNY]

It's not fair to compare Alexa with any mobile device. You can compare Siri dictation with Google Now dictation but that's only because they are both in mobile devices with limited room for microphone and power usage.

Yes, but here we are. Both are voice recognition systems. Voice interaction is very likely the future of computer UI. These are leading systems. So they will be compared. Apple needs to up the game on the microphone. It might be more important than camera and battery life improvements, even if users don't realize it.

 

[44267547]

I place very little credence in what Apple execs say when it comes to features and design. They have historically poo poo'd certain things right up 'til the moment they released the exact thing they said didn't make sense. That's not a knock. It just is. I would do the same if I was marketing my product.

With Ive, I admit to a personal aversion to almost anything he says. Everything I hear from him primarily consists of florid word filling that has no meaning other than creating an image... an image that doesn't always have a foundation based in reality. All sizzle, no steak. Just my opinion. I know that others like him.

As to the round Apple Watch. If the overall wearables market, and the Apple Watch in particular, continues it's YoY decline (2015 sold vs 2016 sold) I'm pretty sure a round Apple Watch will be on offer sooner rather than later. Even if the sales go up YoY, I think there will be a round AW no later than 2018, and it will fly off the shelves.

I'm not refuting what Ive stated or questioning him, What I do find interesting about the article I posted, is he mentioned how the design of the Watch was compared to the iPod With the influence of Newsons Cartier Watch design from 1904. I think Apple was striving for a more contemporary design with the Rectangle, which makes sense for data display. I think it's function over form in some respects.

On a side note, Samsung nailed it with the Gear S3 design and rotating bezel for a round Watch. The Gear S3 Frontier is actually gorgeous, and I'm one not who really appreciates a round design.

Part of me believes Apple won't step outside the box, because they don't want to be part of the "Norm" if you will. Which, we all know Apple takes a different path on design. My thoughts are a round design won't debut with Apple. And...the big question is if a round version does exist, how would that work exactly without comprising the seamless band switching port currently.

If the 18 month Timeline serves correctly, the next major revamp is slated for March 2018. I also believe Micro-LED will be making its arrival around that time frame as well.

 

[newdeal]

I like mine a lot...but not enough to spend money upgrading every year...

 

[OllyW]

If the 18 month Timeline serves correctly, the next major revamp is slated for March 2018.

That would mean they don't have anything new on offer for the big holiday sales season. I'm not sure a 15 month old Apple Watch would sell that well next Christmas if everyone's expecting the next gen to be released only a few months later.

 

[kdarling]

Would you prefer a round face because that's really the only big visual change you could get. I think you would also lose space which on a small screen like that would significantly affect the usability of some apps.

So what. People also lose space when they choose the smaller Apple Watch.

Hasn't stopped millions from getting it anyway.

So in other words, you want your next Apple Watch to look like a Samsung smart watch.

Samsung has had all sorts of watch shapes.

He and a lot of others likely simply want something less computer like. Plus round is simply far more popular.

Ive was quoted that a circular display doesn't make sense in the form of listing and displaying names/other information.

heh

If we each had a dime for every time an Apple exec claimed that only their current product design makes sense, we'd all be retired. Such salesmen statements from them are about as solid as something written in smoke.

A round Apple watch is practically guaranteed to come, when future sales need a big boost.

 

[44267547]

If we each had a dime for every time an Apple exec claimed that only their current product design makes sense, we'd all be retired. Such salesmen statements from them are about as solid as something written in smoke.

A round Apple watch is practically guaranteed to come, when future sales need a big boost.

Agreed. @69Mustang was saying the same thing in a previous post. I think a round variant makes complete sense to compete and I would like to see the diversity, as well as others. Apple should expand to meet other demographics who won't purchase a square Watch.

I mentioned how I like the Gear S3 with the rotating bezel and Samsung did a great job with the design.

 

[kdarling]

Then I wouldn't wager to much money, because Ive was quoted why he believed a round variant "Doesn't make sense" under his design with Marc Newson's influence in the implementation of the Apple Watch.

I've commented before that I think Ive is a bit jealous of Newson, who's designed everything from watches to furniture to cars. Heck, maybe Ive wanted the car project because of it. And maybe it's why Apple created those fancy tables for the new HQ.

As you said, Newson had a lot of influence on the Watch, especially the square shape, back, bands and packaging. Perhaps Ive... who had always previously favored wearing round watches... would like to do a round version just to make it all his own.

All just speculation of course.

 

[Vanilla35]

When is the redesign coming! They already did the non-update with the Series 2. I can't imagine another spec bump for the Series 3. I would even forgive them for not offering a round design if they just slimmed it down or slightly redesigned it for Series 3.

Looks like another year and a half I'll have to wait.

 

[blacktape242]

Have you ever tried using a touch screen underwater?

i thought you were referring to the watch, gawd, honestly thats the one thing that annoys me when in water... you can't do shate with a wet hand :\

 

[satchmo]

When is the redesign coming! They already did the non-update with the Series 2. I can't imagine another spec bump for the Series 3. I would even forgive them for not offering a round design if they just slimmed it down or slightly redesigned it for Series 3.

My guess is exactly just this. A much slimmer watch, faster processor, and one model with a cellular.

But, same overall look and feel. It's all about retaining and building an iconic form factor.

 

[Vanilla35]

My guess is exactly just this. A much slimmer watch, faster processor, and one model with a cellular.

But, same overall look and feel. It's all about retaining and building an iconic form factor.

No rumors about slimming down though. Although I can see the film screen shrinking it a bit, but nothing like what a "redesign" would typically entail.