Apple Watch Ultra 3 may get a new lifesaving feature

Mark Gurman reports for Bloomberg about a potential Apple Watch Ultra 3 feature that could next year that could be lifesaving. Gurman’s reporting also includes a status update on ongoing health and safety features for future Apple Watches that are currently in development.

According to Gurman’s reliable reporting, Apple plans to introduce the ability to send text messages over satellite as soon as the next Apple Watch Ultra revision. This would mark the first time Apple has added satellite connectivity to the Apple Watch. Using the Ultra form factor first is logical considering it has twice the battery life as the much more sleek Series models.

Like on modern iPhones, satellite connectivity will include the ability to send text messages when disconnected from wifi or cellular connectivity if the user has a clear view of the sky. This feature is especially compelling for Apple Watch users who go off the grid without an iPhone. It could also be useful if your iPhone is lost or damaged during an accident that occurs without wifi or cellular connectivity.

Additionally, Gurman is first to report that Apple Watch will switch from Intel to MediaTek cellular modems. The switch will likely mean the Apple Watch will upgrade from LTE to a “lower-tier 5G service” for connected devices. Plans to put an Apple-developed modem in the Apple Watch aren’t on the radar despite the iPhone being a target for that move.

Meanwhile, Apple continues to develop a blood-pressure feature that could detect signs of hypertension without providing specific readouts. Apple is also working on noninvasive blood-glucose tracking, but Gurman says that feature is further down the road.

Read the full report on Apple Watch satellite connectivity and the upgrade to 5G from Mark Gurman on Bloomberg.