Satellite texting may be included in the next Apple Watch Ultra.
Blood pressure monitoring on the Ultra and 5G RedCap support on select models may be added in Apple's next Watch upgrades.
Earlier this year, Apple made it possible for iPhones to send non-emergency satellite messages. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg claims that in addition to including the long-rumored blood-pressure monitoring capability, it could do the same with the next Apple Watch Ultra.
Rumors about satellite messaging on the Watch Ultra date back before we even knew the name of Apple's sporty, XL-sized wearable line. Gurman described how it would function similarly to the iPhone, enabling text messaging from the watch without the need for a Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
Additionally, according to him, Apple is replacing the Intel modems in the Apple Watch with a MediaTek component, but it has no immediate plans to deploy its future in-house modems for the wearables. The new part included in "at least some models" may also enable RedCap, a 5G service designed for wearables and the Internet of Things that forgoes additional antennae and bandwidth in order to save money and prolong battery life.
Even if the Garmin inReach's hundreds of hours of battery life are still superior for long walks, adding satellite connectivity might help Apple attract some fans who would want to have one fewer item to tote. Globalstar, Apple's satellite partner for the iPhone, which it acquired a 20 percent interest in previous month, is presumably going to supply the service.
Although Gurman notes that the function has previously been postponed, he thinks that blood-pressure monitoring "may arrive as soon as 2025 as well." Similar to the Apple Watch's sleep apnea detection and other health features, this function can alert you if you appear to be suffering from hypertension without providing precise data.
