According to Bloomberg, Apple might be launching an Apple Watch that supports LTE this year.
The latest information is that Apple has partnered with Intel, LTE chips for the new watches and this could be one of the major USPs in the Apple Watch 3. With the tech company added Intel as its modem supplier for last year’s iPhones, it indicated that the LTE modem for the new smartwatch could be supplied by the same. Samsung already has a cellular version in their Gear smartwatch series, but a cellular capable Apple Watch could be next if these reports hold true.
Apple is already in talks with carriers in the US and Europe about offering the cellular version, the people added. The new device could still be delayed beyond 2017 – indeed, the company had already postponed a cellular-capable smartwatch a year ago. Other reports show that each of the four major carriers here in the USA would carry the watch in the future when it becomes available, but they all declined to comment says Bloomberg. Sales of the device grew more than 50 percent in the third quarter, Cook added. Apple does not break out sales numbers for the Watch like it does for iPhones, iPads, and Macs. For starters, the watch will be called Apple Watch 3 and it may look quite different from the way the predecessor devices were presented. “If they could deliver an experience that isn’t tethered to an iPhone, it could kick start a new direction for the business”. However, according to Know Your Mobile, Daring Fireball’s John Gruber made it known that the Apple Watch Series 3 will be available with an entirely new form factor.
As for its arrival date, it is believed that Apple will release it just in time for the Holiday Season. With the device having an LTE connectivity feature, the device should be equipped with a bigger battery capacity. But there are two things that many wearables aren’t good at and that’s to be a standalone device or go on the internet without any form of cellular connection.