Apple has announced a high-end version for the Apple Watch that will include a larger screen, longer battery life, rugged design and even a body temperature sensor — all in an attempt to compete with Garmin’s rugged smartwatch that’s popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Cheddar News’ Ken Buffa says Apple must weigh energy-draining features against the current short battery life. “It's going to be tough for them to balance both this really large screen that has a bunch of colors and can do a bunch of things … and having a longer battery,” Buffa said. “It's going to be a very, very tough line to walk.”

Closing Bell

Apple Plans Rugged Watch Redesign with Longer Battery Life

Welcome back to cheddar news. It's closing bell. Everyone kristen show here alongside the cam buffa kristen kristen likewise, it's always good to see you and it's always good to talk Apple kristen because Apple is reportedly planning the first major redesign of the Apple watch since 2018. According to Bloomberg. Apple is planning a high end version of its popular wearable that includes a bigger screen, longer battery life and rugged design. It would also apparently come with the body temperature sensor. Now Apple has lost market share to the more active consumer that likes to hike and to run and wants a more rugged watch with a longer battery life and that's where Garmin has succeeded. It appears Apple wants to attract those customers as well as the hardcore Apple enthusiasts. Now I think this is a very steep hill for Apple to climb because anyone that has an Apple watch knows they get about a day, perhaps a day and a half on a charge. You can't really track your sleep with it because it doesn't last very long. You really can't go on I guess camping with it because it doesn't last very long when garbage on the other hand, they have very limited technology when it comes to their, their screens and such which gives the battery more life. So you could do a lot more with it. But we saw on their Apple Watch series seven that they were trying to go more rugged when their approach they were showing bikers like hitting the pavement on gravel and things like that, but it's gonna be tough for them to balance both. This really large screen that has a bunch of colors? I can do a bunch of things plus lce power and having a longer battery. It's gonna be a very, very tough, tough line to walk. Okay, so I have a Fitbit and it's really just kind of like a useful watch for me to track my steps, you know, my heart rate if I'm commuting, what time is it? I don't have to pull out my phone all of these things. Super convenient. How often do you have the charger Fitbit? Probably once a week? Oh if that, but I don't wear it 24 7. Okay. Um I could but I don't as an Apple watch user, I have to charge it every single night because the battery is so limited because the watch does so much. So Apple really needs to get more efficient when it comes to their batteries. And it's interesting that they're going after Garmin because Garmin has very limited tech in their stuff. I mean they have GPS, they have like tracking and waves and lunar and stuff like that. It's all very simple. I would say most people that I see with an Apple watch, they live in the city I guess. I wouldn't consider them to be major hikers doing outdoor long duration trips, Things like that. I just kind of see it, it's like a step up from my Fitbit basically what I use my Fitbit for. exactly which is just day to day where now can you are the tech guru? So do you think that this is a game changer? It would be if they can implement to right? No one's gonna buy an apple watch for their outdoor lifestyle. If it only lasts for two days. If it lasts for 4 to 5 days then possibly yes, but then you know at the same time for those who have an Apple watch before this there's a little bit of anxiety of whether or not it'll actually last those said days, especially if you're trying to track things like your workouts because that has the sensors turn on, the battery is getting drained faster so Apple Watch, they can see what they're trying to do is just to be very difficult to execute. You have such good insight when it comes to technology, can I like ask the experts should I buy this product? It is, it is, it is good to be good. I forget what I was gonna say now but it was something, it was something important anyway. I just, I just thought you should get the tech praise much deserved praise. Yes. Oh now I remember thank you is at least I feel like your data is protected on apple products. Right, because I've been talking so much about data protection, there have been acquisitions deals happening, where is my data going? You know which vendor should I go with, if it's owned by google is my data being sold. Does that data matter if it's out there? But I do think that people continue to pay a premium for Apple if they can. It's a more affluent customer because I feel like there is just based on the privacy policies, more protection of some of that data. Am I wrong? No, you are right for that and I will defend Apple in the sense of if you're going hiking and you get lost. You cannot make a phone call as far as I know as you're on your garment watch or an Apple watch can have L. T. E. So you can make a phone call to say a park ranger or emergency help if you still need it and if you fall right, it actually alert service providers. Yeah, I think in the area. So these are good. All right.