There have been recurring rumors {that a} new Apple Watch band connector is within the works, rendering present bands incompatible with future Watch fashions.

There are three causes to consider that the studies are true, however I’d anticipate the change to be a complete lot much less controversial than some are suggesting …

New Apple Watch band connector

The primary report got here from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, again in the summertime, who mentioned it was a part of a significant redesign of the system.

Gurman writes that Apple is getting ready a significant redesign for the Apple Watch, known as Apple Watch X […] scheduled to launch in 2024 or 2025, in step with the system’s tenth anniversary. The replace will signify the most important redesign of the Watch ever, following a number of years of minor modifications.

Gurman says Apple is attempting to make the Watch X thinner than ever, probably together with a brand new magnetic attachment system for attaching and swapping bands […] The swap from the band-compatible sliding system to a brand new magnetic attachment system is an effort to scale back house, doubtlessly unlocking extra inside house for the battery.

Yesterday’s corroboration got here from Kosutami, a leaker with a strong observe report, who was very particular about it.

Comprehensible preliminary controversy

Understandably, that’s led to lots of people expressing dismay. There are individuals who have massive collections of Watch bands, which they differ to swimsuit their outfit or their temper, and it’s not unusual for much less fashion-forward people to have two or three.

It has additionally led to inevitable accusations of Apple doing this purely as a money-grab.

They’re merely attempting and succeeding at sucking each final penny they’ll out of their clients. That’s the aim of all companies. The aim isn’t to enhance their merchandise or the lives of their clients, the aim is make more cash subsequent 12 months than they did final 12 months. Full cease.

Actually if Apple did it with out good motive, there would certainly be outrage. However that’s unlikely to be the case.

The explanation prompt within the studies is that the prevailing connector system takes up plenty of house, and that’s room the corporate want to use for different issues. That might be new sensors, or just a bigger battery.

Three causes to consider the studies

There are three causes to consider the studies. One, the sources are good.

Two, the logic likewise: Whereas the prevailing connector system is an efficient design, combining rock-solid reference to relative ease of swapping bands, it’s plain that it takes up a lot of inside house. Moreover, a magnetic system would enable even faster and simpler band-swaps.

Three, Apple has proven time and time once more that it’s pleased to journey out the controversy on this kind of change.

The iPhone’s change from 30-pin connector to Lightning to USB-C. The elimination of the headphone socket from iPhones. The swap from USB-A to USB-C in MacBooks. The elimination and later reintroduction of (an incompatible model of) MagSafe on MacBooks. I may go on, however you get the concept: The corporate will not be afraid of change, even when these modifications are unpopular within the short-term.

One motive to not fear

Certain, for those who’ve invested a whole bunch of {dollars} (hundreds, in some instances) in Apple Watch bands, you’d be fairly upset for those who couldn’t use them with upcoming fashions.

However no person is suggesting that would be the case. It’s an absolute certainty that Apple will promote adapters for present bands.

A dongle does call to mind visions of one thing fairly clunky, however I wouldn’t anticipate that to be true. On condition that the brand new connector is predicted to be magnetic, and to take up a lot much less room, I’d think about that may hook up with the Watch very seamlessly. An adapter needn’t find yourself trying very completely different to the prevailing connector.

Maybe the Extremely will probably be an exception?

One extra difficulty that’s been raised is whether or not any magnetic attachment system will probably be sturdy sufficient to deal with excessive circumstances.

With rock-climbing, for instance, it’s straightforward sufficient to catch your strap on a pointy piece of rock, and even a powerful magnetic attachment may come undone and see your Watch plunge to the bottom under. Equally with issues like scuba-diving.

The Extremely additionally already has an extended battery life. So maybe the Extremely will retain the prevailing connector, and depend on its massive measurement (which can be getting even bigger) to accommodate any further sensors?

This will probably be a storm in a teacup

I’d really anticipate this variation to finish up being manner much less controversial than earlier ones. I believe the advantages of quicker connectors (suppose MagSafe, however stronger) will probably be a giant promote to those that do prefer to swap bands, and we’ll all recognize higher use of the house contained in the case, even when it’s solely used for the least-exciting good thing about elevated battery-life.

And truly the individuals who have best motive to be upset – those that have a big assortment of pricey bands – may find yourself being the happiest of all. They’ll probably purchase adapters for every band, because the marginal value will probably be small, so that they’ll then get even quicker band-swaps.

That’s my view – how about yours? Please take our ballot, and share your ideas within the feedback.

Pictures: Apple