Geek Park Author: Rubberso
As the Apple launch conference approaches, more news about Apple Watch 2 has also increased. A hot topic recently is whether Apple Watch 2 will add independent communication functions, that is, it does not use the mobile phone's cellular network to make calls, send and receive emails, etc.
At the WWDC conference two months ago, Apple brought a brand new watch system watchOS 3, which added functions such as multi-task interface, control center, and handwriting input method, greatly improving the ease of use and independence of the watch. In the "non-Apple Watch camp", more and more smartwatches can make phone calls - "independent" has become a very important development trend for wearable devices.
In this context, it is speculated that Apple Watch 2 will add independent communication functions, which will logically work. However, some foreign media have recently "spent cold water". For example, Bloomberg said that based on the information they have, the Apple Watch 2 will be equipped with a GPS module, but will not add a communication module.
Before Apple officially held a press conference, any discussion on new features could only stay in the "shocking the wind and shadow" stage. Let’s think from another perspective: Suppose that the Apple Watch 2 has added independent communication functions, what kind of "chain reactions" will it trigger? What should I do if
"Two charges a day"?
Since making a phone call is a two-way process, the watch needs to have both a microphone and a speaker module. Of course, more importantly, it is necessary to have a SIM card module if you want to access the operator network independently of your mobile phone.
Regarding SIM cards, there are currently two configuration methods for smart watches. One is to open the card slot directly on the watch. This is how many children's watches are now. The other is to use an embedded SIM card chip, which is the familiar eSIM card - it helps the device access the operator's network through " sintering ". For smartwatches that are "everything is worth every inch", embedded SIM cards are obviously a better choice.
Apple Watch has already equipped with a microphone and speakers, and you can answer calls by connecting to your phone. Apple is already "proficient in embedded SIM cards" - since the iPad Air 2, Apple has been promoting "Apple SIM cards", and iPad Pro (9.7-inch) has used embedded Apple SIM cards.
hardware integration may not be a problem for Apple, but the biggest challenge for communications to smartwatches is battery life - the additional components will further reduce the battery life of the Apple Watch.
There are only two ways to increase battery life when battery technology and watch-specific chips have not made breakthrough progress: increase battery capacity or optimize it on software. The former will affect the thickness of the smartwatch, and consumers will not buy it; and according to our experience of watchOS 3, software optimization has a clear "ceiling" for improving battery life.
If Apple Watch 2 adds communication function, will there be "two charges per day"? At that time, many people will definitely turn off the cellular switch in order to save power, so that the value of the communication module will be greatly reduced.
If you want to add communication function to the watch "pay phone bill"
watch, it is equivalent to having an additional "mobile phone number", and its use will naturally not be free. I happened to go through this process when I was experiencing Ticwatch2 some time ago.
Ticwatch2 is the second smartwatch launched by Go out and ask . One of the biggest changes is the addition of 3G communication function. Its communication service is provided by the virtual operator Minsheng Communication , and requires "opening a card" operation online, including payment, uploading document photos and selecting numbers. After a few days of waiting, I got a number assigned to the watch starting with 170.
In terms of tariffs, domestic voice is 0.15 yuan/minute, domestic traffic is 0.15 yuan/MB, and SMS is 0.1 yuan/mail. Free answers in China, no roaming fees are charged. You can also choose a monthly package of RMB 9.9 (including 30 minutes of voice and 50M traffic).
This means that in addition to paying for your mobile phone number, you should also pay attention to the balance of the "watch number". I believe that many people will leave this number idle for various reasons after the novelty is over.
Apple Watch 2 Once the communication function is added, if you want to use it normally in China, you must cooperate with domestic virtual operators. Apple currently has cross-cooperation relationships with the three major domestic operators, while virtual operators are in the "swing period" of policy.
Therefore, it is not easy for Apple to find the right communications service provider in a short period of time. This will be a more difficult problem than changing user usage habits.
affects the decisions of other wearable manufacturers
Although many people question that the sales of Apple Watch did not meet expectations, its influence in the entire wearable field is still unquestionable.
According to IDC's first quarter 2016 wearable device sales rankings, Apple Watch ranks third with a market share of 7.5%. It should be noted that Fitbit, the first place, has a very rich product line, Xiaomi has only launched smart bracelets, while Apple has entered the top three with one product of Apple Watch. When the Moto 360 was first launched, it almost improved the awareness of the circular dial among the public by relying on its own strength. But with the release of the Apple Watch, many wearable manufacturers have found new learning objects, and square dials have become popular overnight.
For the wearable industry, any improvements to the Apple Watch are of considerable "reference value". Once Apple sways in the positioning of smart watches, it will directly affect the product direction of many manufacturers. At that time, if "making a phone call" became the standard configuration of smart watches, don't be surprised.
Apple Watch 2 If you want to add communication functions, some of the problems mentioned above are very realistic. In addition, judging from previous positioning and publicity, Apple is very eager to build the Apple Watch into a sports and health device, so the "reward" that can be brought by adding GPS modules and barometers is obviously higher.
We think that the possibility of Apple Watch 2 adding independent communication functions is very small, and it may not be possible to achieve it until the next generation of products. However, there is another possibility that the Apple Watch 2 will provide a "Cellular" version, with pre-installed SIM modules for consumers in need to purchase. You can save this article and review it when the Apple Watch 2 is released.
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