A major upgrade is coming to the Apple Watch soon, and its one fans have been waiting ages for.
Things are ticking along nicely for Apple, and much more than just being known as the company behind the iPhone, the tech giant has given us everything from the iPod to the iPad, AirPods to the Apple Watch.
The first Apple Watch was released in 2015, and while it's a little chunky by today's standards, it effectively gave us an iPhone on our wrist for those times when we don't have an actual model in our hands. Apparently, Apple is working on huge upgrades to the base Apple Watch and souped-up Apple Watch Ultra, with these overhauls potentially coming as early as 2025.
The big takeaway is the idea that the upgraded Apple Watch Ultra could be adding a lifesaving feature that users have been asking about for years.
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For those who are disappointed that the Apple Watch Ultra 2's recent update simply gave it a black colorway option, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 could be getting satellite capability.
Like iPhones have boasted satellite capability for a few years, the supposed September 2025 launch of the Apple Watch Ultra 3 could soon add the feature.
Apple originally let you connect to emergency services when off the grid with the launch of the iPhone 14 in 2022. This was expanded to connectivity with roadside assistance providers in 2023, while 2024 added the ability to text anyone via iMessage - even in areas without network or Wi-Fi coverage.
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For outdoor enthusiasts, the idea of taking your Apple Watch and iPhone with you on hikes and the like was a small but frustrating issue. That might not be a problem for much longer.
Apparently using Globalstar Inc.’s satellites fleet, Gurman says the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will finally be catching up to the iPhone in this regard.
Sticking with safety, Gurman says Apple Watches will soon be able to monitor the blood pressure of its owners. The article states that while this tool was supposed to launch in 2023, it was delayed. Still, with Apple CEO Tim Cook pushing for health and safety features on a wider range of products, the company is continuing to promote Apple Watches as potentially lifesaving devices.
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Still, the Apple Watch Ultra comes with its own premium price tag. Is a satellite function enough to warrant the Ultra model's $799 when compared to the series 10's $399 and budget-conscious Apple Watch SE at $249?
After a sluggish year where Apple's wearables market continued to shrink and the Apple Watch Ultra remained largely untouched, it's about time the top-tier device got some TLC.
It looks like the news could be positive all around, as in the aftermath of Bloomberg reporting the news, Globalstar shares leaped by about 15% to $2.43. On the other hand, Apple's shares crawled up by less than 1% to $247.53.
Apple invested a chunky $1.5 billion to improve Globalstar's infrastructure in November 2024, and while it took a 20% stake as part of the deal, the pair seem to be working well together.