Apple Reveals Innovative Plans for Cellular-Connected Smartwatches

In a visionary stride towards reducing our dependency on smartphones, tech giant, Apple Inc., has announced plans to launch a new version of a smartwatch capable of making phone calls, as reported by Mark Furman from Bloomberg.

This revolutionary development aims to grant users some level of digital independence from their phones. With these avant-garde watches, users will have the freedom to make calls, download new tracks and use apps directly from their wrist-bound device, making smartphones less of a constant necessity.

However, for these innovative features to be utilized, the smartwatch must be synchronically connected to an iPhone. Leveraging the power of LTE chips, watch users can accomplish numerous tasks even without their iPhones at close quarters.

The LTE chips, that will empower smartwatches with these remarkable features, are to be provided by Intel Corp. This collaboration signifies a significant win for Intel, who has been seeking a vendor opportunity with Apple. The previously dominant chip supplier, Qualcomm Inc., is presently enmeshed in a legal dispute with Apple.

Notably, Apple is actively negotiating with carriers in the US and Europe to support the cellular version of the smartwatch. According to Bloomberg, there may be a limited subset of carriers supporting the LTE Apple Watch upon its launch. However, it is reported that AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc., Sprint Corp., and T-Mobile US Inc., are planning to market the device in the US.

Despite the exciting announcement, the new smartwatch’s release could be pushed beyond 2017. Apple has not yet responded to the requests for comments, and Intel has chosen to stay silent on the matter.

Unlike most of their products, Apple does not publicize sale numbers for the watch. CEO Tim Cook, however, confirmed the smartwatch’s market lead over similar products, stating that “sales of the device grew more than 50% in the third quarter.”

The greatest challenge that could potentially delay the watch’s production is the issue of maintaining the battery life. Gene Munster, an extended-time Apple analyst, and co-founder of Loup Ventures, mooted that allowing the smartwatch to function independently might ease the burden on the battery life, consequently boosting sales.

Last year, Apple had planned to launch an LTE capable device but postponed the plan due to persistent battery related issues. Regardless, Apple continues to explore ways to improve battery life span, despite the challenges of integrating an LTE radio into such a compact device.