However, TechCrunch warns that people shouldn’t expect a major refresh for the Apple Watch at the event. “There could be new bands and partnerships with fashion companies, but it’s going to be the same watch,” it says. BGR backs that up by saying, “Word on the street is that the only changes to the Watch aside from software updates and a few new bands.” That’s all a bit disappointing as, back in June, reports claimed that Apple was planning some major tweaks up its sleeve for the next-gen Apple Watch – most notably a FaceTime camera and extra tether-less functionality.
The former purported that a HD camera was to be added to the bezel on the front, allowing Watch users to video call with one another. FaceTime audio arrived with watchOS 2 last year, so introducing video seemed the logical next step. A more useful feature being touted was extra tether-less functionality. It was rumoured that features such as emails, texts, and app updates could be hitting the new Apple Watch without the need of an iPhone to transmit the data. This, apparently, would be the result of a new Wi-Fi enabled chipset, which will also power a ‘find my watch’ feature. These features should still arrive on the next-gen Apple Watch, but it’s likely that we’ll have to wait until Apple’s Autumn event for the announcement. Last week it was reported that the Cupertino company shipped 12 million smartwatches in 2015 – a figure apparently worth two-thirds of the total smartwatch market.
Writer - Paul Lamkin | Forbes