Apple Inc conceded its latest smartwatch unveiled a week ago has
problems with its most important feature: the ability to make phone calls and
access data without an iPhone nearby.
Several prominent reviewers said Wednesday they could not recommend the
device because of a wifi glitch that causes cellular connectivity problems.
The Watch Series 3 starts at US$399 and was launched
alongside new iPhone models. Unlike previous versions of the watch, it has
cellular network connectivity built in.
Apple said the watch can experience LTE connectivity problems when it
connects to open WiFi networks such as at a hotel or a coffee shop.
Many reviewers such as the New York Times praised the new features and
gave generally positive assessments.
But other prominent publications, including the Wall Street Journal and
The Verge, recommended against purchasing the new model because the LTE cellular
data connectivity did not work as expected.
"Considering that my Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE (both first and
second review units) didn't function like it was supposed to, I can't recommend
buying it — and paying the monthly cell fee — based on promises," Verge
reviewer Lauren Goode wrote.
Apart from connection issues, some reviewers were disappointed with the
drain on the watch's battery while making calls. Apple had touted up to 18
hours of battery life but said the watch would get only one hour on a cellular
phone call.
Gene Munster, a longtime Apple analyst with Loup Ventures, doubted
issues with the Series 3 Watch would hurt Apple's bottom line. "That
review takeaway is a negative but is not a surprise. This is the first
generation watch with LTE," he told Reuters.
Bob O'Donnell, an analyst with Techanlysis Research, said the watch
reviews, paired with reviews of the iPhone 8 that were generally positive but
described the phone as an incremental improvement on its predecessor, put more
pressure on the iPhone X to garner good press before its Nov 3 launch.
Apple also experienced hiccups with iOS 11, the new operating system
the firm released Tuesday.
For business users, iOS 11's Mail application had problems sending mail
for Microsoft Exchange and Outlook.com mail accounts. — Reuters
Comments
Post a Comment