Tag: Apple Watch Ultra

  • Apple Debuts watchOS 11.3 with New Unity Rhythm Watch Face

    Apple Debuts watchOS 11.3 with New Unity Rhythm Watch Face

    With the launch of watchOS 11.3, Apple keeps its promise of celebrating Black History Month by unveiling the 2025 Black Unity collection. This collection seems to draw inspiration from the “rhythm of humanity” and features:

    Unique Watch Face Design

    The Unity Rhythm watch face has a distinct look, showcasing red, green, and yellow threads that weave together to create lively numbers. These threads resemble abstract brushstrokes but turn into clear digits when the Apple Watch’s gyroscope senses that the user is raising their wrist. Additionally, the watch face plays rhythmic chimes each hour and half-hour, introducing a gentle musical touch to the overall experience.

    Sport Loop Availability

    The Black Unity Sport Loop comes in sizes of 42mm and 46mm and is compatible with Apple Watch Series 4 or newer, Apple Watch SE, along with the Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra 2 (46mm band only). It’s priced at $49 and can be purchased through the Apple Store online, with availability at Apple Store locations starting this week.

    HealthKit Update Fixes

    This update also addresses a HealthKit problem where user permissions for certain data types may not stay active, which could lead to apps losing access to data and repeatedly requesting user authorization.

    To get watchOS 11.3, you’ll need an iPhone XS or newer with iOS 18.3. The update is suitable for Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), Apple Watch Series 6 and later, as well as all Apple Watch Ultra models.

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  • Apple stops in-house MicroLED display plans for Watch Ultra 2

    Apple stops in-house MicroLED display plans for Watch Ultra 2

    Apple has ceased its internal work on microLED display development for smartwatches, as per a report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The company had allocated significant funds towards this technology, intending to introduce it initially in the Apple Watch Ultra range. However, Gurman's latest findings indicate that Apple found the microLED technology too expensive and intricate to pursue further.

    Apple's Shift in Focus

    The decision to abandon the project has led to restructuring within Apple's display engineering teams and job cuts in the U.S. and Asia. While some employees might be reassigned internally, others will receive severance packages.

    MicroLED Technology

    MicroLED, an advanced display tech utilizing tiny LEDs for individual pixels, offers advantages such as enhanced energy efficiency, contrast, color accuracy, and response times over traditional LED and OLED technologies. Furthermore, it eliminates issues like burn-in commonly associated with OLED displays.

    Future Prospects

    Despite scrapping the current microLED project, Apple is expected to maintain interest in the technology. Gurman mentions that the company will explore external suppliers and novel manufacturing methods but the timeline for microLED's integration into upcoming Apple products remains uncertain. In the interim, Apple Watch models will likely continue utilizing OLED displays for the next one to two years.

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  • Apple cancels highly-anticipated microLED order for Watch Ultra

    Apple cancels highly-anticipated microLED order for Watch Ultra

    Apple's much-anticipated transition to custom microLED screens, set to debut in the Apple Watch Ultra, has encountered obstacles. Recent challenges with suppliers like ams-Osram, coupled with economic uncertainties, have led Apple to halt its plans for the microLED Apple Watch Ultra.

    Apple Scraps MicroLED Watch Ultra Project

    Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that Apple has called off a substantial microLED order with Austrian company ams-Osram, believed to be for the upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 3.

    While there were speculations that ams-Osram would provide microLED displays for the Watch Ultra, the company announced a setback in its microLED strategy, stating that a key project supporting it had been canceled unexpectedly, prompting a reevaluation.

    Uncertainty Surrounding MicroLED Technology

    Although Apple has axed its microLED Apple Watch project with Osram, Kuo suggests that Apple might have determined that the technology, though promising, does not justify its high production costs.

    On the other hand, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman hints that ams-Osram could be just one of Apple's microLED suppliers, raising the possibility that the Apple Watch Ultra's display upgrade could still be in the works.

    Apple has shown keen interest in microLED displays due to their potential for brighter and more energy-efficient screens. Earlier rumors indicated a gradual integration of microLED technology across Apple's product range, starting from the Apple Watch and eventually extending to iPads, iPhones, and MacBooks.

    Future of MicroLED Apple Watch Ultra

    The fate of the microLED Apple Watch Ultra remains uncertain. Whether this setback is temporary or signals a significant strategic shift will likely become clearer over time.

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  • Apple Watch Ultra prototype with dark ceramic back unveiled in FCC filings

    Apple Watch Ultra prototype with dark ceramic back unveiled in FCC filings

    Apple Explored Dark Ceramic Back for Apple Watch Ultra, FCC Documents Reveal

    Apple reportedly conducted experiments with a dark ceramic back for the Apple Watch Ultra, according to documents filed with the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

    Prototype Revealed in FCC Documents

    The FCC documents, discovered by @ParrotSWD on X/Twitter, indicate that Apple may have initially considered a darker color option for the smartwatch before ultimately choosing the current titanium finish. These documents were part of Apple's application for the Apple Watch Ultra, which was released in September 2022. They include images of a prototype that features a dark ceramic back, closely resembling the ceramic back found on previous Apple Watch Series models.

    Design Differences from Final Release

    One notable design difference in the prototype is the presence of a plastic-looking Action button with no indent. This deviates from the final release of the Apple Watch Ultra. The prototype images suggest that Apple was exploring various design elements for the smartwatch before finalizing its appearance.

    Expiration of Confidentiality Clause

    According to MacRumors, it is likely that the confidentiality clause associated with the FCC filings for the Apple Watch Ultra has recently expired. This expiration may have allowed the images of the dark ceramic prototype to surface now, providing a glimpse into Apple's design experimentation process.

    Current Offering of Apple Watch Ultra 2

    Apple currently offers the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which was released in September 2023, in the same natural titanium color as the first-generation model. Despite rumors prior to the launch of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 suggesting the possibility of a darker color option, this did not come to fruition.

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  • Apple Watch Ultra’s Fall Detection Feature Rescues Diabetic Man’s Life in Las Vegas

    Apple Watch Ultra’s Fall Detection Feature Rescues Diabetic Man’s Life in Las Vegas

    Apple Watch Ultra’s Heroic Role in Saving a Diabetic Man’s Life

    Apple Watch Ultra’s Heroic Role in Saving a Diabetic Man’s Life

    The Apple Watch Ultra‘s fall detection feature recently played a crucial role in saving the life of a diabetic man in Las Vegas. Josh Furman, a 40-year-old resident, fell unconscious due to low blood sugar, and his smartwatch automatically dialed 911, ultimately leading to his rescue.

    Fall Detection Feature Saves the Day

    When Furman collapsed, his Apple Watch Ultra detected the fall and initiated a call to emergency services. Although he couldn’t communicate clearly with the 911 operator, his watch shared his location, aiding the responders in reaching him promptly. Additionally, the watch sent messages to his emergency contacts, enabling Furman’s mother to convey his medical condition to the emergency services team.

    Customizing Smartwatch Settings for Safety

    Furman’s case highlights the importance of customizing smartwatch settings. He had activated the fall detection feature, which is typically off by default for users under 55. This feature is primarily designed for use during physical activities, but Furman’s decision to keep it always on proved to be a life-saving choice. He emphasized the significance of understanding and utilizing the available features, stating that without his watch’s fall detection feature, the outcome might have been very different.

    The fall detection feature on compatible Apple Watch models functions by lightly tapping the wrist, emitting an alarm sound, and displaying a notification if it detects a significant fall. Users have the option to either contact emergency services or dismiss the notification. If the watch detects a lack of movement for approximately one minute, it will automatically dial emergency services, sharing the user’s location with emergency contacts.

    While the Apple Watch cannot directly track blood sugar levels, it can still be a valuable tool in emergencies, as demonstrated in Furman’s case. This story serves as a reminder of the potential life-saving capabilities of wearable technology when properly utilized.

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