Apple's Series 3 Apple Watch could be the Apple Watch you've been waiting for... (like share and comment)

All the hype about next month’s annual Apple Event has been focused on the eagerly-anticipated iPhone 8. The flagships smartphone is expected to get a radical new design and new features. However, another Apple gadget might be seeing a big update as well: the Apple Watch. Apple first debuted the Watch in 2015 and though sales got off to a rocky start, Apple has now sold over 30 million of the devices, according to MacRumors:

That’s not too bad for a device many people regard as an “iPhone accessory”. However, that label of shame might be soon put to rest. There are rumors the Apple Watch Series 3, expected to launch next month, could see a radical redesign and internal improvements that will untether it from the iPhone for good.

In the run up to the launch of Apple’s iPhone 8, nearly all the talk has been about the handset, what it will look like, and how Apple will take things forward with its iPhone in 2017/18.

However, a new rumor suggests that Apple will announce its third-generation Apple Watch – AKA the Apple Watch 3 – alongside the iPhone 8 during its Q4 launch.  

A new report in August via CNBC reiterates the idea of the Apple Watch Series 3 launching in September. The report states the wearable will be LTE-enabled via an embedded SIM (as opposed to a physical SIM card) and should be officially unveiled alongside the iPhone 8, iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus. The report also reiterates earlier claims that all major US networks will be stocking the watch.

Analysts cited in the report are allegedly expecting the Apple Watch Series 3 to be a "big seller", which would be an interesting change if true. To date Apple's watch has dominated the wearable market over rivals from the Android space, but with that said it has still proven a niche market on the whole, with low sales for Apple relative to its other hit products such as the iPhone.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-chi Kuo has published a report for his investors which claims that the Apple Watch 3 won't support stand-alone phone calls at launch despite coming with built-in 4G LTE capability. Kuo says that before the feature will be fully functional, Apple needs to improve "user experience of data transmission". He thinks it won't support voice calling inside 2017, implying therefore that Apple could push an update in 2018 to enable voice calling. However, he does think it will support VOIP for things like FaceTime and Skype, but this isn't different from the existing Apple Watch.

As per previous reports, Kuo expects the Apple Watch 3 to use an embedded eSIM which will share the same phone number as the user's iPhone. He also believes it will use Qualcomm technology, will not feature many external design changes, and will not support LTE in every region (presumably even after Apple updates it with call support).

Both The Economic Daily and DigiTimes are reporting that Quanta Computer is expecting to see MASSIVE upshifts in its revenues during the second half of 2017. Quanta, in case you were wondering, was the primary manufacturer of the first two Apple Watch devices.

The reports specifically mention the Apple Watch 3, which is expected to boost the company’s profits exponentially during Q3 and Q4 2017. Nothing about the actual device was mentioned in the reports, however, so we don’t know anything about its specs, features or design.

Still, Apple sold around 12 million Apple Watch units in 2016, which in the smartwatch space might as well be a billion, so a third-generation makes a lot of sense given it is essentially the only significant player in the smartwatch market.

Apple has been investing heavily in health-focused projects for the past 18 months. Like Amazon, it clearly believes there is huge scope for profits in this area by leveraging technology like the Apple Watch to analyze a person’s biometrics is a more focused, detailed manner.

At present, the Apple Watch is rather limited. But it is not beyond the scope of imagination to see Apple Watch devices in the future measuring things like blood pressure, glucose levels and resting basal metabolism, to name but a few.

The applications are huge, potentially, and, importantly, features like this would help propel the Apple Watch from a glorified notifications hub to an actual, useful device. This is clearly where Apple envisages taking the platform. How long this will take, however, remains to be seen. It is just a matter of time, though.

Apple has also been drilling out the watchOS updates too, adding new features and building up the platform.

Personally, I’d like to see a more traditional-looking Apple Watch, one with a circular face that doesn’t look so much like a gadget. Something like the Nokia Steel HR, basically.

Beyond this, key updates will likely be improved biometrics, improved battery life, new designs and, potentially, more models and partnership-sponsored devices like the one Apple did with Nike.

Below is everything we know about the Apple Watch 3... 

Apple Watch Series 3: Rumored LTE Connectivity

The biggest feature of the upcoming Series 3, according to Bloomberg, is that it will feature a built-in LTE cellular connection. This means that the next Apple Watch could access the internet without being connected to an iPhone. If so, it would make the Watch a truly stand-alone device. Bloomberg says Intel will supply the LTE modem inside the new Watch. As for wireless service, the site says service plans for the Series 3 Watch will be sold through the same mobile operators you get your smartphone plan from:

“Apple is already in talks with carriers in the U.S. and Europe about offering the cellular version, the people added. The carriers supporting the LTE Apple Watch, at least at launch, may be a limited subset of those that carry the iPhone, one of the people said. However, AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc., Sprint Corp. and T-Mobile US Inc. in the U.S. plan to sell the device, according to other people familiar with the matter. The new device could still be delayed beyond 2017 -- indeed, the company had already postponed a cellular-capable smartwatch last year. Apple, Intel and the carriers declined to comment.”

Apple Watch Series 3: Better Battery

It’s no surprise one of the focal points of future Watch developments for Apple is to expand the battery life. With that in mind, there have been reports the Series 3 will have a bigger battery capacity. However, if the Series 3 is gaining LTE connectivity, that new feature may eat up any battery gains. Our guess is to expect battery life relatively on-par with the Series 2 Watch.

Apple Watch Series 3: New Design

The final thing the Series 3 Watch may have is a new design. That’s according to Daring Fireball's John Gruber, who usually has good connections within Apple. In a post, Gruber wrote:

“It’s hard to overstate just how big a deal this [the LTE connectivity] could be. No mention in Businessweek’s report, though, of the all-new form factor that I’ve heard is coming for this year’s new watches.”

However, Gruber then updated his post to add: “That tidbit came from an unconfirmed little birdie, though, so I wouldn’t bet the house on it.”

So will Series 3 feature a new design? It may if Apple’s iPhone tic-tic cycle is anything to go by. This will be the third series of Apple Watch meaning Apple might think it’s ready for a design change. Round clock face, anyone?

The LG V20 is an odd beast, but well worth a look for its raft of innovative and well-implemented features

At first glance the LG V20 might seem like something of an oddity; it was awkwardly slotted in between last year’s LG G5 and this year’s yet-to-be-launched LG G6 flagship, it has a premium price tag, it’s a phablet, it has a weird dual-display setup, and it was only made available in specific world regions (yet again, we in the UK get left out).

It will also be replaced by the LG V30 very soon. That phone is getting a UK release, by the way, so that’s something to look forward to. But is the LG V20 still a good buy in 2017?

I’d argue, yes – even more so once the LG V30 arrives, as prices will drop considerably. Like this one, which is now retailing for $429.95 on eBay – down from $899.99!

But with all that said, there’s a lot to like about this phone. It got rave reviews from most reviewers, and this, in no small part this is due to the fact that it is innovative, quirky, and feature-packed. And now the price of the handset is lower than ever, well... that kind of makes it a steal. 

So without further ado, let’s take a look at what makes the LG V20 such an appealing handset.

LG V20 Design: Premium Build, Durable, Removable Battery

Following on from the LG G5, the LG V20 presents a similar largely metal design language which is highly premium to behold and handle. It’s a nicely proportioned, slim, and relatively lightweight device with a solid feel in the hand, and it packs a massive display tightly into the confines of its bodyshell - those bezels are super thin.

The back panel is a removable piece of aluminium, making it less fiddly than the LG G5’s removable end cap for switching the much-welcome removable battery - the cell itself is rated at 3,200mAh, so is nice and large. It also puts to bed that nonsense about metal build phones requiring a unibody design (although that argument can be made for waterproofing, which the LG V20 lacks). The handset isn’t entirely metal, however, with the end-caps being made from a high-end polycarbonate composite, which doesn’t detract from that premium aesthetic and feel. LG has also made efforts to ensure the LG V20 is robust, and it can take quite a beating compared to your average handset.

LG V20 Hardware: High Quality QHD Display, Innovative Secondary Display

One of the LG V20’s most unusual and standout features is the inclusion of not one, but two display panels. The primary display is a pretty standard high-end setup; a 5.7in IPS LCD with a  1440 x 2560 QHD pixel resolution at 513 pixels-per-inch and with a 72.4% screen-to-body ratio. It’s a decent size, plenty sharp, and has good colour, brightness, and contrast. The second display at the top of the phone’s fascia is a 2.1in “Ticker” display with a 160 x 1040 pixel resolution. This is “Always On” for information like the time and date, and provides notification alerts, as well as quick access controls for favourite apps and key settings. The screen has been improved over the LG V10 to allow for more characters to display longer messages and notifications, and it’s also brighter.

LG V20 Hardware: Smooth Performance

The LG V20 just missed the boat for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 and is instead using the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820; the same chip found in the LG G5. Not that this is such a big deal, it remains an extremely capable chip; the differences between the 820 and 821 are not huge, and, in terms of LG’s line-up, is not going to be topped anytime soon. It’s understood the LG G6 will still use the Snapdragon 821 rather than making the jump to the Snapdragon 825.

Samsung has hogged all of those, apparently, so that does mean the LG V20 and LG G6 will not be as speedy as Samsung’s Galaxy S8 flagship, but still, do not expect the LG V20 to be a slouch by any means. It has 4GB of RAM to keep things ticking smoothly, and functions extremely well with the combination of Android Nougat and the LG UX 5.0+, a well-optimised combo that does compliment the quad Qualcomm Kryo cores and Adreno 530 GPU nicely.

However, it’s worth noting that carrier-locked LG V20’s do tend to be chock-full of extra bloatware, so expect that performance to take a hit in this case; it is probably better to buy an unlocked model if possible.

LG V20 Hardware: Plenty Of Storage & Connectivity, Plus High Quality Audio

Onboard storage is a fairly spacious 32GB or 64GB plus microSD support for cards up to 256GB. Connectivity wise, the LG V20 is well-stocked with full 4G LTE support, Wi-Fi (including Direct, DLNA, and Hotspot), NFC, Bluetooth, GPS, and Type-C USB. It also features a fingerprint scanner and fast charging support.

The LG V20’s audio and multimedia capabilities are some of the best on the market. It features a Hi-Fi audio mode with four DAC (digital-to-analogue converters) and an ESS Sabre ES9218, delivering superb sound quality for MP3’s and FLAC files. It’s Bang & Olufsen Play certified, supports 32-bit/192kHz audio recording and LPCM 24-bit/48kHz audio recording on videos, together with active noise cancellation via three dedicated microphones. Despite all of this, the sound experience is best heard through the 3.5mm headphone jack, as the single speaker grille is fairly mediocre, sadly.

LG V20: Best Places To Pick One Up In The US

If you’re in the US, the LG V20 is available from most major carriers. Below are a selection of some of the best deals we’ve seen.

LG V20 Verizon Deals

You can pick up the LG V20 from $24 a month on 24 month contracts. Or, if you fancy going the SIM-free route, $576.

LG V20 Sprint Deals

Sprint’s deals for the LG V20 start from $33 a month and you won’t have to pay a DIME for the handset.

The best option, or, the one I’d go for is the Unlimited Plan, which nets you Unlimited Data, Talk, Text, HD video and 10 GB Mobile Hotspot.

The SIM-free route will set you back $729

LG V20 AT&T Deals

Prices start at $27.67 per month at AT&T with two other options: Next Every Year, where you can trade the phone in for a new model in March, 2018; or, SIM-free which will cost you $829.99.

LG V20 T-Mobile Deals

T-Mobile’s ONE Plan will set you back $69.99 – it’s usually $100 – but it is one of the most robust options available, as you get 2 unlimited lines with AutoPay, unlimited calls and unlimited data.

I like having unlimited data, so I would probably go for this one.

Or – if you're something of a P.I.M.P, you can buy that sucker outright below: 

YES 4G IS BACK WITH NEW AND ATTRACTIVE 4G LTE PLANS.

It was an interesting day today where we got to witness Yes 4G’s intense comeback with their new and not to be missed 4G LTE plans. Firstly, we are glad to know that there is finally a SIM card that we can use in our existing phones instead of carrying a bulky modem everywhere we go. 

As Yes 4G’s new network runs on TD-LTE, you may want to check if your device is compatible with this band. Just for your information, all other networks in the market currently e.g. DiGi, Maxis, Celcom etc are running on FD-LTE. However, if your device is quite new, you shall not worry too much as it is likely that your device supports both TD-LTE and FD-LTE bands.

Below are the new plans offered by Yes 4G :

YES 4G LTE PREPAID

You can get your Yes 4G starter pack at any Yes outlets for just RM 10 (including GST). There will be 500 MB worth of data + unlimited basic internet once you’ve used up your 500 MB high speed data. However these are only valid for 7 days from activation date.

YES 4G LTE POSTPAID

Postpaid plan seems to be more attractive compared to prepaid plan because you get more value for your money. Basically you will enjoy 4G LTE data as well as 4G broadband data. In case you’ve finished up all your data, you can always purchase additional data.

What is so special about Yes 4G LTE?

Yes 4G LTE is built purely on 4G LTE infrastructure where as other telcos in Malaysia are basically using their 3G infrastructure as the base for their 4G network. So their 4G LTE network is not built from scratch and is inter-dependent on their 3G. That is the reason you don’t get to enjoy some 4G specific feature such as VoLTE (voice over LTE) on other networks.

Yes 4G LTE allows you to make and receive HD quality calls due to VoLTE feature. Calls are also connected faster and are more clearer.

As for data, theoretically, the maximum speed for a pure LTE network is up to 100 Mbps which is 50 times faster than traditional 3G. Of course, in real life, you can’t expect that kind of speed but in some places that we tried, the speed went up to 40 Mbps which is extremely fast.

Yes 4G also promises coverage up to 85% which we personally don’t know how true but based on our experience, we get to enjoy good coverage in places where we can hardly find any good internet. This will be a good news to those who are waiting for UNIFI for so many years.

Some of you might be worried about the TDD network used by Yes 4G LTE but China Mobile, one of the largest telco in the world, is also using TDD network.