Apple Plans Major 'Watch X' Overhaul for Device's 10-Year Anniversary (bloomberg.com) 24
While Apple's next line of smartwatches is expected to be a minor upgrade, the company is working on a revamped "Watch X" update for the device's 10th anniversary. Bloombeg's Mark Gurman reports: Apple is planning a splashy upgrade for its smartwatch, but you won't see it this year. The 2023 models, due next month, will be a minor refresh -- the kind of incremental update that has characterized the product in recent years. Inside Apple, executives have pondered the idea of switching away from this slow-but-steady annual upgrade cycle. The deliberations haven't gotten far (Apple has dutifully released a new watch every year since the category debuted in 2015), but recent updates to the device underscore why this is even a discussion. [...] Fact is, Apple isn't giving consumers many reasons to buy a new watch with each generation. The company did launch an impressive new Apple Watch Ultra last year that spurred upgrades at the high end, but 2023 will (once again) be another low-key year. [...]
Because of the Apple Watch's slow evolution over the years, the design has remained largely the same since the Series 4 launched in 2018 -- aside from the Ultra model. But that's poised to change. Apple is planning a "Watch X" model to mark the device's 10-year anniversary, and it promises to be the biggest overhaul yet. (The category was unveiled in 2014 and released the following year, so Apple is planning to launch Watch X either in 2024 or 2025.) With the X model, Apple designers are working on a thinner watch case and have explored changing the way bands are attached to the device.
Starting with the original Apple Watch, bands have slid into the sides of the chassis and attached with a locking mechanism. Keeping that design the same let the bands stay compatible with old and new models, but it has downsides. People involved in the development of new Apple Watches say the system takes up a considerable amount of space that could be better filled with a bigger battery or other components. To that end, the company has explored a new magnetic band attachment system, though it's unclear if it will be ready or used in the Watch X revamp. Even bigger changes are coming as well: a microLED display that tops the color and clarity of the current OLED screens, as well as a technology for monitoring blood pressure.
Because of the Apple Watch's slow evolution over the years, the design has remained largely the same since the Series 4 launched in 2018 -- aside from the Ultra model. But that's poised to change. Apple is planning a "Watch X" model to mark the device's 10-year anniversary, and it promises to be the biggest overhaul yet. (The category was unveiled in 2014 and released the following year, so Apple is planning to launch Watch X either in 2024 or 2025.) With the X model, Apple designers are working on a thinner watch case and have explored changing the way bands are attached to the device.
Starting with the original Apple Watch, bands have slid into the sides of the chassis and attached with a locking mechanism. Keeping that design the same let the bands stay compatible with old and new models, but it has downsides. People involved in the development of new Apple Watches say the system takes up a considerable amount of space that could be better filled with a bigger battery or other components. To that end, the company has explored a new magnetic band attachment system, though it's unclear if it will be ready or used in the Watch X revamp. Even bigger changes are coming as well: a microLED display that tops the color and clarity of the current OLED screens, as well as a technology for monitoring blood pressure.
Why (Score:3)
Re: Why (Score:5, Funny)
Re: Why (Score:4, Insightful)
In Apple's case it's because it's the number ten. In twitter's case it's an u imaginative guy's idea of "cool".
Re: (Score:2)
Probably appealing to a customer base that is overtaxed even with the task of having to sign their name and has to resort to making an X instead.
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Re: (Score:2)
I prefer less functionality. I have a MiBand that measures heart rate and counts steps. The display is superfluous, I'd be happy with just an app on my phone.
It would be nice to have more medical sensors perhaps, but heart rate and steps gives you a lot to work with. It does sleep tracking too. And it was £20 on one of their regular sales.
Only one thing will get me to upgrade. (Score:1)
Apple always has something more to sell you. (Score:2)
20th Anniversary Mac (TAM) (Score:2)
Anyone else remember how that went over?
WIKI: "Upon its unveiling, the TAM was predicted to cost US$9,000, which would include a direct-to-door concierge delivery service. At release the price was reduced to US$7,499. In the middle of the machine's sales lifespan Apple dropped the price further to around US$3,500, and finally upon discontinuation in March 1998 the price was set to US$1,995. Customers who paid full price for the TAM, and then complained to Apple when the price was so drastically cut, were of
Face it, they're basically feature-complete (Score:3)
Smartphones and smartwatches include all the features the vast majority of users care about, and have for years. You can add fluff - Memoji, hand-washing timers, etc. - but that's only going to appeal to the fanatics who buy new devices every year simply because they have to have the latest shiny thing. Everyone else just upgrades when their old one stops working as well as they want it to.
Now if (as rumored) Apple somehow manages to pull off truly functional non-invasive blood sugar monitoring, that will change the calculus for a lot of people - one time, anyway. But it's hard to see what else they could add that truly would be a "must have" for most folks.
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Don't confuse stagnation for lack of opportunity. There are plenty of things smart watches should be capable of but don't. Car keys are obvious, but there are plenty of other examples out there. There just has not been enough focus on innovation in the sector.
Magnetic attachment to the band though has to be one of the dumbest ideas though. Sure, I'll swim with that...
Re: (Score:2)
Apple Watch is getting there with software updates. I'm using the WatchOS 10 beta, and it's got support for those sorts of workouts, and it finally pairs with the power meter on my bike.
I swim with someone that has a Garmin, and he has to manually start and pause the sets we're doing. I think the newer watches aren't restricted like that, and they auto-detect the swimming you're doing like the Apple Watch does, but Garmin's downfall is probably its software. And the primary benefit of getting one over an Ap
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I dont plan on upgrading my watch unless/until it breaks or they really do release non-invasive blood glucose and/or blood pressure. Those are game changers, and I am willing to pay almost any price for an apple product that can measure blood pressure, blood glucose, heart rate, o2, and ekg. It becomes a mini medical tricorder at that point! I got this generation of watch since it added EKG. I wear my watch 24/7 to monitor my o2 levels due to severe sleep apnea.
Blood glucose (Score:2)
Waiting for blood glucose monitoring. Doesn't have to be spot on accurate, but if it can show an approximation and trends up/down that is still worth having.
Round - I want it round (Score:2)
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All personal taste, I prefer square watches (real watches or smart watches). I think the round smartwatches look ridiculous.
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Wait! (Score:3)
Didn't Elongated Mollusk copyright "X"?
Here is a better "overhaul" (Score:1)