According to Mark Gurman’s report for Bloomberg, the upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 3 could feature a potentially lifesaving capability next year. His report also sheds light on various health and safety advancements currently under development for future Apple Watch models.
As per Gurman’s trusted insights, Apple intends to integrate satellite messaging capabilities in the next iteration of the Apple Watch Ultra. This will be the first instance of satellite connectivity on an Apple Watch, and starting with the Ultra model is a logical choice due to its enhanced battery longevity compared to the more streamlined Series models.
Similar to the features available on modern iPhones, the satellite messaging function will allow users to send texts without Wi-Fi or cellular service, provided they have a clear view of the sky. This capability is particularly valuable for Apple Watch users venturing into remote areas without an iPhone. It may also aid users in situations where their iPhone becomes lost or damaged in an accident, especially when conventional connectivity isn’t available.
In addition, it has been reported by Gurman that Apple Watch will transition from Intel to MediaTek for its cellular modems. This change is expected to facilitate an upgrade from LTE to a “lower-tier 5G service” for connected devices. However, plans to implement an Apple-developed modem in the Apple Watch are not currently being considered, despite the iPhone being a focus for such developments.
Moreover, Apple is in the process of developing a blood pressure monitoring feature that aims to identify hypertension indicators without providing specific readings. The company is also exploring noninvasive blood-glucose tracking, although this feature may take longer to materialize, according to Gurman.
For a comprehensive overview of the Apple Watch’s satellite messaging capabilities and the anticipated upgrade to 5G, read Gurman’s full report on Bloomberg.
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