This Might Be A Dumb Question... (do I need have my iPhone close to me)

[Julien]

You are incorrect. The whole point of the Wifi support was so you could leave your phone in one section of your house, and have your watch connect to it wherever you go in the house. That is done by having both devices connected to your router.

No, it only uses point to point WiFi in combination with BT to connect to your iPhone.

...Apple Watch also features Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 4.0 to pair seamlessly with your iPhone...

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/201...e-Watch-Apples-Most-Personal-Device-Ever.html

 

[Runt888]

Do you have a link to anything saying that the wifi can only be used to directly connect to an iPhone, not through a router?

Trying to find the link - I will update this post if I can find it.

Because it really makes no sense and Apple would have to be a bunch of morons to make it work like that, since the watch would have to have a Wifi transmitter powerful enough to reach through an entire household. Goodbye batteries!

I think they are doing it this way to save batteries - they can finely tune the communication protocol to only use wifi for very short amounts of time. They also don't need to support 802.11 N or AC, and don't need to support a multitude of security schemes.

If it connected to a router, it would need a transmitter powerful enough to reach the router, so I don't really get what you're going for there. If my phone is upstairs, watch is on the main floor, and router in the basement, it wouldn't save any batteries to connect to the router in the basement vs the phone upstairs.

In short, they can vastly simplify the protocol if the watch only has to connect to an iPhone, vs a large amount of router hardware.

 

[CaneCollegeboy]

There was an entire section in the presentation that stated that via wifi, your iPhone and Apple Watch would remain connected if they are on the same wifi network. I didn't see any ambiguity there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5osYMY5n3Q

1:14:40ish

This finally sold me on the watch. Ive had way to many instances where i have the phone charging and im either outside the house or far enough to not hear it and missed messages/calls.

Im sold, i'll get the 42 sport just now im not sure on the color.

 

[Uccle]

Do you have a link to anything saying that the wifi can only be used to directly connect to an iPhone, not through a router? Because it really makes no sense and Apple would have to be a bunch of morons to make it work like that, since the watch would have to have a Wifi transmitter powerful enough to reach through an entire household. Goodbye batteries!

Actually, if you think about it, it is pretty smart. Home wifi is hardly ubiquitous here in the U.S.A. and in great swaths of the world it is highly unusual. And there are a number of places/situations where there is no wifi and where I might wish to keep my phone a distance away. So not relying on a wifi router allows the watch to work in a greater variety of places (at least anywhere the iPhone has cell service).

My camera communicates to my iPhone in a similar way. It pairs over its own wifi, independent of any network connection. It can therefore, transfer pictures to my iPhone, or I can use the iphone as a remote shutter no matter where I am...even backpacking.

So, if you need sporadic communication between devices and you want that communication to occur anywhere, what apple is doing seems pretty smart.

 

[ksuyen]

OMG so many misinformation in this page.

Shall we go back to the root and ask Siri? Just kidding.

But regarding whether Watch has Wi-Fi or not, here we go:
Apple Watch also features Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 4.0
Apple Watch Press Release

 

[troop231]

Lol I got a good laugh reading this thread. 90% was essentially "Wrong", "Incorrect", "No, you're wrong", "He's Right"

 

[zaneliu94]

I don't know how exactly the wifi will work but running bluetooth with my Bluebuds X wireless earbuds, I can tell you that I can be on opposite sides of my house 2nd floor to garage with no signal issue. Of course, that's with newer homes. In my apartment where the old building is cement, signal is ****

 

[Runt888]

OMG so many misinformation in this page.

Shall we go back to the root and ask Siri? Just kidding.

But regarding whether Watch has Wi-Fi or not, here we go:
Apple Watch also features Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 4.0
Apple Watch Press Release

You've completely missed the point. No one is saying that the watch doesn't have WiFi. The argument is whether or not the watch will connect to a WiFi network, versus connecting directly to the phone.

 

[Dmaynard83]

The watch seems interesting to use for exercise. But I don't like the idea of my phone rattling around in my pocket if I'm running.

 

[ksuyen]

You've completely missed the point. No one is saying that the watch doesn't have WiFi. The argument is whether or not the watch will connect to a WiFi network, versus connecting directly to the phone.

But I didn't miss the point, thus "Regarding <something>..." as a "beside-the-point". As for whether or not it will connect to the network, it certainly "can", but to find out if it "will", one has to wait until the day it releases.

Although I seems to remember to read somewhere that it will connect to your phone when the watch and the phone are in the same wifi network, so maybe it means the wifi inside the watch is only used to detect whether or not the 2 devices are on the same network, but not actually connect to the network, though it could connect to the watch (and internet via the watch) with the wifi (not bluetooth).

Right?

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The watch seems interesting to use for exercise. But I don't like the idea of my phone rattling around in my pocket if I'm running.

Unless you use GPS constantly when run, you can leave your phone. It will sync to the phone with new data once you back to do the stuffs below.

Apple Watch includes a groundbreaking Activity app designed to help motivate you to be more active throughout the day, and an all-new Workout app designed to provide the metrics you need during dedicated workout sessions. Apple Watch uses the accelerometer, a built-in heart rate sensor, GPS and Wi-Fi from your iPhone to provide a comprehensive picture of your daily activity. The Activity app measures three separate aspects of movement: calories burned, brisk activity and how often you stand up during the day. The Workout app provides goal-setting and pacing during popular session-based workouts, such as running and cycling. The companion Fitness app on iPhone collects your activity data so you can see your activity history in greater detail. Apple Watch uses this history to suggest personal, realistic goals, reward fitness milestones and keep you motivated.

 

[Runt888]

But I didn't miss the point, thus "Regarding <something>..." as a "beside-the-point".

No, you completely missed the point. You said:

But regarding whether Watch has Wi-Fi or not, here we go

No one was arguing that the watch didn't have wifi.

As for whether or not it will connect to the network, it certainly "can", but to find out if it "will", one has to wait until the day it releases.

Although I seems to remember to read somewhere that it will connect to your phone when the watch and the phone are in the same wifi network, so maybe it means the wifi inside the watch is only used to detect whether or not the 2 devices are on the same network, but not actually connect to the network, though it could connect to the watch (and internet via the watch) with the wifi (not bluetooth).

In this context, the watch "can" only connect to a wifi network if Apple allows it to, regardless of if the hardware is capable. So no, it cannot.

As for the rest, Apple has never said anything about the watch and phone being on the same network.

 

[Sharkey311]

What's an iWatch?

 

[Piggie]

If someone can please simply clarify this point....

You are at home, indoors.
You iPhone is in the house somewhere.
You are wearing your Apple Watch whilst at home.

If you wish to get proper use of your Apple use, you will need to still carry your phone around with you as you move from room to room, to keep the Watch operating fully?

 

[Julien]

Apple has only made one statement about the Watch having WiFi and it is unambiguous. It clearly states that it is for point to point paring for the iPhone and Watch. Apple said: "...Apple Watch also features Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 4.0 to pair seamlessly with your iPhone..."

Apple says nothing about the Watch connecting to a WiFi network.

Also the Companion App has been examined and there is no mention or any evidence shown of a way to connect to a WiFi.

 

[Planey28]

Apple has only made one statement about the Watch having WiFi and it is unambiguous. It clearly states that it is for point to point paring for the iPhone and Watch. Apple said: "...Apple Watch also features Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 4.0 to pair seamlessly with your iPhone..."

Apple says nothing about the Watch connecting to a WiFi network.

Also the Companion App has been examined and there is no mention or any evidence shown of a way to connect to a WiFi.


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It was said in the March 9 event. I don't get the ambiguity here, it has been explicitly stated by Apple themselves.

It could just copy the wifi settings from your phone, what's the point in choosing wifi networks all over again when it takes them from your phone's settings.

 

[Julien]

It was said in the March 9 event. I don't get the ambiguity here, it has been explicitly stated by Apple themselves....

Please provide a time code for this statement.

 

[matrix07]

Apple has only made one statement about the Watch having WiFi and it is unambiguous. It clearly states that it is for point to point paring for the iPhone and Watch. Apple said: "...Apple Watch also features Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 4.0 to pair seamlessly with your iPhone..."

Apple says nothing about the Watch connecting to a WiFi network.

Also the Companion App has been examined and there is no mention or any evidence shown of a way to connect to a WiFi.


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I'm not good at all these technical things but common sense tell me, from Apple Keynote.. the way KL presented, that you will be wrong in this one.

There you go.. another "wrong" in this thread.

 

[Julien]

I'm not good at all these technical things but common sense tell me, from Apple Keynote.. the way KL presented, that you will be wrong in this one.

There you go.. another "wrong" in this thread.

Please provide a time code so I can hear it for myself. I would love to be wrong but I did not hear this and not one has ever said this that I know of (including Apple).

Please post a link, time code or a direct quote of what you head about Watch using WiFis without being connected to your iPhone in the presentation.

 

[Planey28]

please provide a time code for this statement.

1:12:40.

 

[harpyeagle]

This finally sold me on the watch. Ive had way to many instances where i have the phone charging and im either outside the house or far enough to not hear it and missed messages/calls.

Im sold, i'll get the 42 sport just now im not sure on the color.

..and what if your watch is out of charge? It is not unreasonable given the 18 hour battery. In fact, your phone may be better.

Not to steal this thread, but this brings up another question in my mind for these kinds of specific use cases- Are we now looking at managing the charging of our devices at different time cycles so one always has one of these devices on hand while the other is being charged?

 

[kxxxxxxxx]

1:12:40.

Here it is

 

[cmChimera]

Please provide a time code so I can hear it for myself. I would love to be wrong but I did not hear this and not one has ever said this that I know of (including Apple).

Please post a link, time code or a direct quote of what you head about Watch using WiFis without being connected to your iPhone in the presentation.

Here's what we are talking about but I think there's been a miscommunication in the thread. The only point being made is that on Wi-fi, you don't have to be within bluetooth range.

 

[Runt888]

It was said in the March 9 event. I don't get the ambiguity here, it has been explicitly stated by Apple themselves.

It could just copy the wifi settings from your phone, what's the point in choosing wifi networks all over again when it takes them from your phone's settings.

I'm not good at all these technical things but common sense tell me, from Apple Keynote.. the way KL presented, that you will be wrong in this one.

There you go.. another "wrong" in this thread.

All he said was that the Apple watch connects to your phone over wifi as well as bluetooth. No mention of connecting to a network. In fact, the way he said it (and what Apple states on their site) make it pretty obvious that it is a direct connection between the watch and phone.

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..and what if your watch is out of charge? It is not unreasonable given the 18 hour battery. In fact, your phone may be better.

Not to steal this thread, but this brings up another question in my mind for these kinds of specific use cases- Are we now looking at managing the charging of our devices at different time cycles so one always has one of these devices on hand while the other is being charged?

I plan on charging all my devices over night, and having them all last the entire day.

 

[matrix07]

All he said was that the Apple watch connects to your phone over wifi as well as bluetooth. No mention of connecting to a network. In fact, the way he said it (and what Apple states on their site) make it pretty obvious that it is a direct connection between the watch and phone.

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Doesn't Continuity, says between iPhone and Mac, work over local wi-fi network as well? Yes, I know these devices can connect to w-fi on its own but I think for the Watch, Apple might have some magic going on here.

 

[Runt888]

Doesn't Continuity, says between iPhone and Mac, work over local wi-fi network as well? Yes, I know these devices can connect to w-fi on its own but I think for the Watch, Apple might have some magic going on here.

Yes, Apple has several technologies that seamlessly create point to point wifi networks.

This was posted earlier in the thread but it's worth repeating: http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/09/15/apple-watch-airdrop-ibeacon-continuity-coax-advanced-features-from-bluetooth-wifi