American technological giant Apple is planning to introduce new version of its smartwatch later this year that can directly connect to cellular network without relying on iPhone.
The company requires its smartwatch to be connected wirelessly to an iPhone to stream music, download directions in maps, and send messages while on the go.
In this regard, a few models of the watch equipped with LTE chips are expected to release at the end of the year.
According to reports, Intel Corp. are expected to supply the LTE modems for the new Watch, which would allow the users to download new songs and use apps and leave their smartphone at home.
That’s a big win for the chipmaker, which has been trying for years to get its components into more Apple mobile devices. Qualcomm Inc. has been the main modem supplier for iPhones and other Apple mobile gadgets, but the two companies are embroiled in a bitter legal dispute.
Apple added Intel as a modem supplier for some iPhones last year. Apple is already in talks with carriers in the U.S. and Europe about offering the cellular version, the people added.
The carriers supporting the LTE Apple Watch, at least at launch, may be a limited subset of those that carry the iPhone, one of the people said. However, AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc., Sprint Corp. and T-Mobile US Inc. in the U.S. plan to sell the device, according to other people familiar with the matter.
The new device could still be delayed beyond 2017 — indeed, the company had already postponed a cellular-capable smartwatch last year. Apple, Intel and the carriers declined to comment.
