Radek Pokora Another hot news from the ongoing Keynote. Apple has just unveiled a new watch on his wrist, a new series of apple watches, the Apple Watch Series 3. How accurate were the leaks and what does this new “3” series bring?
At the beginning of the presentation, Apple showed us a video from customers whose lives Apple Watch has helped or even saved their lives. I mean, for example, the story of a man whose Apple Watch helped him call for help during a car accident. Also, as usual - he supplied us with numbers. In this case, I mean bragging that the Apple Watch has overtaken Rolex and is now the best-selling watch in the world. And reportedly 97% of customers are satisfied with the watch. And it wouldn't be Apple if it skimped on numbers. In the last quarter, Apple Watch sales increased by 50%. If all this is true, then hats off to you.
Design
Before the actual release, there was speculation about the appearance of the Apple Watch Series 3. For example, about a round dial, a thinner body, etc. There were many versions, but all of them were just speculations. The most likely version appeared to be the one in which the appearance of the watch would remain almost unchanged. And that's exactly what happened. The new Apple Watch 3 received the same coat as the previous series - only the button on the side is slightly different - its surface is red. And the rear sensor is shifted by 0,2mm. The dimensions of the watch are otherwise exactly the same as the previous generation. It also comes in aluminum, ceramic and steel versions. Nothing new. The only noticeable change at first glance is the new color combination of the ceramic body - dark gray.
Better battery
Quite logically, Apple has improved the imaginary heart of the watch so that we as users can expect better battery life. Which is also necessary, because the power consumption will again be slightly higher due to the new functions. Apple didn't directly mention the battery capacity, but it did mention the battery life per charge. Until 18 p.m.
Welcome, LTE!
A lot of speculation and discussion was also conducted regarding the presence of an LTE chip in the body of the watch and its connection to LTE. The presence of this chip was recently confirmed by the leak of the GM version of iOS 11, but now we have the information confirmed directly from Keynote. With this innovation, the watch will become independent from the phone and will no longer be strictly tied to the iPhone. The fear of the location of the LTE antenna was unnecessary, because Apple skillfully hid it under the entire screen of the watch. So what does the presence of this feature change?
If you go for a run, you don't need to take your phone with you. All you need is a watch. They can communicate with the phone using LTE. So you can handle calls, write text messages, chat with Siri, listen to music, use navigation, ... - even without the phone in your pocket. It is enough to have it connected to the Internet, for example in the car.
And yes, you can listen to music without having to have your phone with you, as AirPods will now be able to be paired with the Apple Watch. Just leave your phone at home, you don't really need it anymore.
New graphs with heart activity data
The fact that the Apple Watch measures heart rate is nothing new. But Apple boasted that the Apple Watch is the most used heart rate monitor device. The leak regarding the presence of a blood sugar sensor has not been confirmed, but we still have news focused on monitoring the user's health. And the new graphs of heart activity, where the Apple Watch can recognize anomalies in heart activity and alert the user to an emerging problem. And that's only if you don't play sports. You don't have to worry about the news that you're about to die if you go for a run once a month.
A leak about Apple's collaboration with Stanford Medicine has been confirmed - and so Apple will, with your consent, provide heart activity data to scientists at this university. So, sorry. Not to you. US ONLY.
New training fashions
At the conference, the sentence was said: "Watches were made to help people stay active." The new "watches" support many more sports than its predecessors. You will be able to measure the new one
your performance in skiing, bowling, high jump, football, baseball or rugby. However, some of these sports are only available on the triple series of watches, due to new chips and sensors that can measure performance in these sports. Specifically, thanks to the new pressure gauge, gyroscope and altimeter. And as we are used to from the previous generation, you can also take the new "watches" into the water or the sea, because they are waterproof.
Hardware
New generation, new hardware. That's how it always is. The new "watches" have a new Dual core in their body, which is 70% more powerful than that of the previous generation. It has an 85% more powerful Wi-Fi adapter. We cannot leave out the 50% more powerful W2 chip and 50% more economical bluetooth.
And I have to mention the microphone, Apple did it too. When the test call took place during the conference, it was at sea. In the live video, the woman was paddling into the surf, the waves were rocking around her, and surprisingly, nothing but the woman's voice could be heard in the hall. Right after that, Jeff (the presenter) informed the audience how high-end the microphone is and that apart from noise interference and the like, it has such parameters that we don't have to walk around with the watch on our lips and the other party could hear us clearly. Bravo.
New bracelets, ecological production
Again, it wouldn't be Apple if it didn't introduce new wristbands for the Apple Watch. This time it was mainly sports versions, as the whole presentation of the new watch looked like it was aimed at sports activities. Towards the end, together with the introduction of the new bracelets, Apple mentioned that the production of the watch is completely ecological and does not contain materials that burden the environment. And that's what we all like to hear.
Price
We are already used to the price of new Apple products moving in higher numbers. How about the new Apple Watch, labeled "generation 3?"
- $329 for Apple Watch Series 3 without LTE
- $399 for the Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE
Along with these prices, Apple mentioned that the Apple Watch 1 now costs "only" $249. You will be able to pre-order the new watch on September 15th and it will be available on September 22nd – in France, Germany, Switzerland, Britain, Japan, China, Great Britain, Canada and of course the USA. So we have to wait.
He mainly said that LTE will only work in 9 countries. Without LTE, there will be AW3 in another 26 countries, among which the Czech Republic is not (in contrast to Luxembourg, Austria, Ireland, Norway, Portugal and the United Arab Emirates..)
I have a question: Apple watch series 2 were even at prices of around 17, with the fact that they were not aluminum, but probably steel and had a more durable glass or is the glass the same throughout all series? I would consider a new version, but the durability of the display glass is quite a crucial factor for me. Thanks if anyone knows how it is.
There was no mention of stronger glass. He only mentioned that there will be a ceramic watch - probably a watch made of clay :) I'm afraid there is no stainless steel, at least not in the foreseeable future. Briefly summarized: AW3 in the Czech Republic, after 1 year of development, has a slightly better processor, more economical Wi-Fi and an altimeter and does not even last 24 hours.
Update: the stainless steel version with cellular is only unavailable in the Czech Republic. So is that new Sport Loop strap.
Hello, how come I don't see an apple watch offer with Cellular on the Czech Apple store?
Because according to Keynote, cellular will not be available in the Czech Republic, cellular will only be available in 9 countries. I am surprised that the watch is advertised on apple.cz, because the Czech Republic was not among the 26 countries mentioned during the Keynote.
In my opinion, it will not be on the Czech market until at least one of the operators starts supporting it (virtual SIM card).
somehow I did not understand why it is a problem to electronically clone any SIM card .. or that operators from inappropriate countries would pay little?
The other day, t-mobile told me that the eSim is ready after testing, but that the device is missing. Otherwise, there cannot be a phone SIM clone in the watch, but the phone will redirect calls to the eSIM in the watch.
I don't own an AW, but I was planning to buy the new generation. At first I was disappointed with what they "improved". After the keynote, I looked at the prices, when I saw that the 42mm version costs almost two thousand less than the second series, it immediately lifted my mood and I will definitely be ordering!
Now the only thing.. why is the silver one now "fog gray"..just a gray strap, instead of white?! (Yes, I know, stupid :D)
The people I know who have Apple watch 2 all said that the aluminum model lasted them about a week or 14 days without scratches. The fact that there is only aluminum to choose from annoys me. They could have added a camera - and a water fountain ;-)
I've had the aluminum model since February and the watch is like new... Just act like a human being...
Have you unpacked them yet? Just a joke. You're obviously smarter and a lot smarter than my 7 non-human friends. I don't think it can be saved. I wouldn't say that I personally treat my watches harshly, but I am happy for their unbreakable glass - because many times during climbing, trekking, swimming, sports, work, etc. even with the best of intentions, sooner or later they get hit. I remembered my late grandmother, who covered the sofa in the living room with plastic from the day of purchase and was not allowed to sit on it, people brought wooden chairs from the kitchen to the TV :-)
"And yes, you can listen to music without having to have your phone with you, as AirPods will now be able to be paired with Apple Watch."
What the hell is this? I have a Series 2 and AirPods and normally listen to music while running without my phone… So no new…
but Apple Music was talked about at the Keynote. That is that you can stream music from the cloud and not listen from storage in the watch. You can already listen to music inside the watch, you need LTE for Apple Music :) So you're out of luck in the Czech Republic anyway.
but Apple Music was talked about at the Keynote. That is that you can stream music from the cloud and not listen from storage in the watch. You can already listen to music inside the watch, you need LTE for Apple Music :) So you're out of luck in the Czech Republic anyway.
I am talking about what is written in the article, not what was said at the keynote. And the article is about music, not Apple Music…
In that case, take my comment as an addition to the article :)
I guess so, but I'd better ask. Can they pair with any bluetooth headphones? Or does it have to be AirPods?
They work with any, I bought a kind of wireless shunt from China on eBay for a test for 100,- and it worked too...Although the human body also interfered with the transmission, but it worked...:D
Does anyone have experience with a camera strap? See http://getcmra.com
I would expect that if the AW3 is indeed available as I read "On sale from 29th September" at the listed prices, that the sellers will come down with the prices of the AW2 - otherwise no one will buy it. Interestingly, that doesn't happen much yet.