Apple Introduces Apple Watch Ultra • Hacker News Board

Re: Apple Introduces Apple Watch Ultra

#71

Post by maratc » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 6:42 PM UTC

aeharding wrote: post #5

Is the Apple watch air integrated (for scuba)? Edit: Nope... found on https://www.oceanicworldwide.com/faqs/ Q: I have a wireless transmitter, can I connect it with the Oceanic+ app? A: At the moment this option is not currently available.

If your question is about the decompression algorithm, then air is a minimum requirement, although I'd imagine it having Nitrox mixes too (these are just different inputs to the same algorithm).

If it's about reading the tank pressure, then most probably the answer is no.

Re: Apple Introduces Apple Watch Ultra

#72

Post by jpalomaki » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 6:42 PM UTC

idoh wrote: post #27

Apple is amazing at solving problems customers wished they had.

I think they have learned a lot from car manufacturers and their marketing.

Re: Apple Introduces Apple Watch Ultra

#73

Post by AdamJacobMuller » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 6:42 PM UTC

aeharding wrote: post #5

Is the Apple watch air integrated (for scuba)? Edit: Nope... found on https://www.oceanicworldwide.com/faqs/ Q: I have a wireless transmitter, can I connect it with the Oceanic+ app? A: At the moment this option is not currently available.

I can't find anything saying it is and I somewhat doubt it because of that. I think if it did they would mention it. Oddly, I can't find anything from Huish or Suunto announcing this....

In any event, this isn't replacing my teric but I wouldn't mind diving with a backup.

Re: Apple Introduces Apple Watch Ultra

#74

Post by maratc » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 6:42 PM UTC

evgen wrote: post #59

aeharding wrote: post #5

Is the Apple watch air integrated (for scuba)? Edit: Nope... found on https://www.oceanicworldwide.com/faqs/ Q: I have a wireless transmitter, can I connect it with the Oceanic+ app? A: At the moment this option is not currently available.

No, nor are there any generic air integrated Bluetooth units available at the moment but I expect that to change quickly. A smart play for Apple as the cost of a low-end rec dive computer makes this almost a no-brainer for anyone already in the Apple ecosystem and adding an air integrated unit makes it an easy sell in that market.

Bluetooth doesn't work underwater as far as I know.

Re: Apple Introduces Apple Watch Ultra

#75

Post by tenacious_tuna » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 6:42 PM UTC

chrisseaton wrote: post #61

krisdol wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed. They say this is for explorers and adventure, but it seems like I’d be out of charge after the first segment of a backpacking trip. Need a map of an area for the return or the next day? Good luck.

Carry a small battery pack.

that's a lot of weight to add for backpacking. every bit counts when you're going 20 miles up and down hills.

Re: Apple Introduces Apple Watch Ultra

#76

Post by TobyTheDog123 » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 6:43 PM UTC

Why would you make the "action button" a fixed bright orange color? I want to be able to wear it whether I'm on a run or whether I'm going out.

EDIT: Yeah, international orange, cool - keep it as an option, but the vast majority of people buying this will never be in a situation where "international orange" is needed.

Re: Apple Introduces Apple Watch Ultra

#77

Post by systemvoltage » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 6:43 PM UTC

yjftsjthsd-h wrote: post #62

systemvoltage wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is a general trend of huge watches though outside of these concerns. Omega seamaster used to be available in 36mm. No more. Even the larger ones went from 40mm to 41mm, and last year they upped it to 42mm.

Sure, and I would very much prefer that we had more small watches (and phones, while we're commiserating). I'm just questioning whether a thing recognizable as an Apple Watch can be any smaller than it is today.

May be we can start a new trend, but instead of Z-height and making things slimmer, let's just make the phone and watch thicker but smaller X,Y dimensions.

Re: Apple Introduces Apple Watch Ultra

#78

Post by h4waii » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 6:43 PM UTC

slg wrote: post #48

drewg123 wrote: post #16

How can they call 36 hours of battery life "long"? The $799 version Garmin Fenix 7 solar (which they seem to be targeting) has an 18-22 days of battery life.

What is the value of having 18 days of battery on a device like this? To me there are diminishing returns pretty quickly when it comes to battery life. I agree, there is a lot of value if you are able to hit 72-96 hours and you can go away for a weekend without worrying about charging, but 18 days seems like a waste. Are people really regularly away from their chargers for that long? At that point, I would much rathe…

I recently returned from week long road trip, and while my wife would plug in and charge her Apple Watch every single night, I kept wearing my Pebble without a thought at all -- didn't even pack a charger.

Granted, it does have fewer features, but how good are all those whiz-bangs if the battery is dead?

Re: Apple Introduces Apple Watch Ultra

#79

Post by justsomehnguy » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 6:43 PM UTC

systemvoltage wrote: post #38

yjftsjthsd-h wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Size is probably driven by the size of the electronics, size of batteries, and size of screen. You could probably get a usable system on a smaller screen, but the rest of it, I suspect, is already up against the limits of what we can manufacture today.

There is a general trend of huge watches though outside of these concerns. Omega seamaster used to be available in 36mm. No more. Even the larger ones went from 40mm to 41mm, and last year they upped it to 42mm.

It is. Watches lost the timekeeping service long ago, so their main purpose now is /only/ being a symbol of status.

(Thats why I'm happy with my wristwatch, it shows the time and day of the month. Nothing more. I wouldn't mind a perpetual calendar, only to avoid those three days a year when they don't sync with the ideosyncrazies of the human's calendar)

Re: Apple Introduces Apple Watch Ultra

#80

Post by AdamJacobMuller » Wed, Sep 07, 2022, 6:44 PM UTC

evgen wrote: post #59

aeharding wrote: post #5

Is the Apple watch air integrated (for scuba)? Edit: Nope... found on https://www.oceanicworldwide.com/faqs/ Q: I have a wireless transmitter, can I connect it with the Oceanic+ app? A: At the moment this option is not currently available.

No, nor are there any generic air integrated Bluetooth units available at the moment but I expect that to change quickly. A smart play for Apple as the cost of a low-end rec dive computer makes this almost a no-brainer for anyone already in the Apple ecosystem and adding an air integrated unit makes it an easy sell in that market.

Unlikely they can use bluetooth as the communications methods between the AI pod and the watch are custom and bespoke due to needing to work underwater and be super reliable.