The technology would extend one of Apple’s biggest efforts under Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook: bolstering the health and safety features of its products. The company has increasingly marketed its watch and phone as lifesaving devices, and the latest capabilities would strengthen its case
Apple Inc. plans to bring satellite connections to its smartwatch in 2025 and is ramping up work on a blood-pressure feature, seeking to entice hikers and health-conscience consumers into upgrading their devices.
The satellite capability is slated to come to next year’s Apple Watch Ultra, the company’s top-of-the-line model, according to people familiar with the matter. The technology will let smartwatch users send off-the-grid text messages via Globalstar Inc.’s fleet of satellites when they don’t have a cellular or Wi-Fi connection.
The other feature, which would monitor whether Apple Watch users have high blood pressure, may arrive as soon as 2025 as well, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the work is confidential. But it’s been delayed before, with Apple previously aiming to release the tool last year.
The technology would extend one of Apple’s biggest efforts under Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook: bolstering the health and safety features of its products. The company has increasingly marketed its watch and phone as lifesaving devices, and the latest capabilities would strengthen its case.
A representative for Cupertino, California-based Apple declined to comment.
The company first launched a satellite communication feature with the iPhone 14 in 2022. It let users stay in contact with emergency services while off the grid. The capability was expanded last year to allow for contact with roadside assistance providers. Apple then upgraded the feature again this year to let people use it to text anyone via iMessage.
But that meant hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts still had to carry their iPhone to use the technology. Now they’ll only need their watch.
The Apple Watch Ultra would be the first mainstream smartwatch with satellite abilities. The move also could give consumers less reason to use a standalone satellite communication device, such as Garmin Ltd.’s inReach.
Apple and Globalstar have expanded their partnership over the past few years. In November, the iPhone maker invested about $1.5 billion in GlobalStar to beef up the infrastructure. Apple took a 20 per cent stake in the company as part of the deal.
Apple is looking to reinvigorate smartwatch sales with the new features after a slow stretch. Revenue from the company’s Wearables, Home and Accessories business, which includes watches, has declined the past two years — partly because customers have had less reason to upgrade.
Though this year’s Apple Watch Series 10 is thinner and has a larger screen, it isn’t much of a departure from prior models. And the company didn’t update its Ultra model at all in 2024, though Apple began offering a black titanium version along with new bands.