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RumorsWatch

Apple Watch Ultra 3 will reportedly be able to send texts via satellite

RumorsWatchDennis SellersDecember 10, 2024
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Apple continues to work on plans for non-invasive blood glucose monitoring on the Apple Watch, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. And the tech giant has shifted oversight of the project from platform architecture chief Tim Millet to Zongjian Chen, the senior engineering leader overseeing the Advanced Technologies Group and hardware like modems, he added “Some view the transition as a sign the work may finally be progressing to a point where Chen, known as someone who delivers, can ramp up development of the technology into an eventual consumer-grade offering," Gurman said. “A potential breakthrough could come from Apple’s long-running noninvasive glucose monitoring project,” he adds. “First conceived during the Steve Jobs era, the effort aims to develop sensors capable of detecting elevated blood sugar levels without requiring finger pricks or blood draws. Non-invasive glucose monitoring for the Apple Watch has been rumored for years. For example, in May 2017, BGR claimed that plans to introduce a “game-changing” glucose monitoring feature in an upcoming smartwatch. And in January 2021, ETNews predicted that the Apple Watch Series 7, would sport blood glucose monitoring via an optical sensor. Obviously, we’re still waiting. But better that Apple take its time and get it right than release something too soon and too buggy. I hope you’ll help support Apple World Today by becoming a patron. Almost all our income is from Patreon support and sponsored posts. Patreon pricing ranges from $2 to $10 a month. Thanks in advance for your support.  Also, check out my daughter-in-law’s “Scattered Words” website if you’re interested in unique, handcrafted jewelry made out of an array of vintage dictionaries, books, and even a few antiques.

An upcoming  Apple Watch Ultra 3 will reportedly be able to send texts via satellite, reports Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman (a subscription is required to read the article).

It may also sport a blood-pressure tool, the article adds. Gurman also says Apple will using MediaTek modems in new watches for the first time. 

Apple first introduced satellite connectivity with the iPhone 14. Since then, the feature has been added in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16, but not to any Apple Watches. All iPhones come with two years of connectivity for free.

As for the modem, the move to MediaTek will also include support for 5G Redcap, a lower-tier 5G service aimed at internet-connected devices and wearables that typically don’t require fast data connections, Gurman reports. Current Apple Watches use 4G LTE and never moved to the 5G standard, despite Apple switching over the iPhone in 2020, he points out.

Dennis Sellers
the authorDennis Sellers
Dennis Sellers is the editor/publisher of Apple World Today. He’s been an “Apple journalist” since 1995 (starting with the first big Apple news site, MacCentral). He loves to read, run, play sports, and watch movies.
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