The cellular edition of the forthcoming Apple Watch Series 3 has been found to suffer from a weird software bug where the device may connect to unknown Wi-Fi networks with no connectivity, which in some cases may prevent it to use LTE networks.
Following the advent of iOS 11 earlier today, Apple has now boosted its conservative per-app cellular download limit by fifty percent, going from a hundred to 150 megabytes.
Arriving this Friday, Apple's third-generation watch is seeing “significantly stronger” than expected demand, with the pricier LTE model accounting for the lion's share of preorders.
Apple on Friday pushed a new video to its official YouTube channel, highlighting Apple Music streaming on the go with the new LTE-enabled Apple Watch Series 3.
US carriers have already unofficially announced the pricing of their service for cellular Apple Watch, with AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile all charging $10 per month. But digging into Apple's battery page information for Apple Watch, it seems the true cost of owning a cellular Apple Watch won't necessarily be the price itself, but rather the toll on battery life.
With some Apple Watch Series 3 models gaining cellular support, the big unknown from Apple's event was the cost of that add-on to users' existing phone plans. We've now had that answer as AT&T and Verizon have revealed to The Street that they will both charge $10 per month. T-Mobile also confirmed to iDB reader Matthew M. that the carrier will also be charging $10 per month.
The Apple Watch Series 3 is almost what everyone has been waiting for in an Apple Watch since the beginning: the ultimate luxury of cellular connectivity such that an iPhone isn’t required to use the device.
Although both cellular + GPS and -only models are available, and we go over the tech specs of both in this piece, so you’re aware of what’s under the hood on the latest Apple Watch models.
A third-generation Apple Watch with LTE has reportedly entered the “final testing phase” in the manufacturing process ahead of its planned September reveal alongside iPhone 8.
It doesn't take a genius to see why Apple Watch is not a truly standalone device yet.
Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE cellular connectivity as its key new feature will be announced alongside iPhone 8 and potentially other new hardware at an Apple media event in September, an unnamed source with knowledge of the matter told CNBC Tuesday morning.
Respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities wrote in a new report to clients today that Apple Watch Series 3 won't have any obvious form factor changes from existing models, saying LTE cellular connectivity will be its main selling point.
Apple is planning to release an LTE-flavored version of its smartwatch later this year, reports Bloomberg. Citing people familiar with the matter, the outlet's Mark Gurman says that the wearable will feature an LTE modem from Intel that will reduce its reliance on the iPhone.
In current Apple Watch models, a connection with a smartphone is required for tasks such as streaming music and sending messages. An LTE chip would obviously allow the Watch to complete these tasks independently, meaning users could opt to leave their phone at home.
Apple is already in talks with carriers in the U.S. and Europe about offering the cellular version, the people added. The carriers supporting the LTE Apple Watch, at least at launch, will be a limited subset of those that carry the iPhone, one of the people said. However, AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and T-Mobile US Inc. in the U.S. plan to sell the device, according to other people familiar with the matter.
It'll be interesting to see how carriers price their Apple Watch data plans, given the device's tiny display and limited capabilities. You would think it'd be relatively inexpensive. The report also notes that it's possible the LTE-flavored Watch could be delayed beyond this year.
Additionally, Daring Fireball's well-connected John Gruber claims he has heard this year's Apple Watch will also feature an all-new form factor. He doesn't offer up any details, but if true, it would mark the Watch's first change in design since its initial debut two years ago.
Source: Bloomberg