Rumor: Apple wants to provide new Watch with camera for FaceTime

The successor to the Apple Watch may get a camera. This could be used to make FaceTime calls. The smartwatch would also need an iPhone less often due to a better WiFi chip.

9to5mac reports this based on anonymous sources. The camera should be integrated at the top of the bezel around the display. For example, the wearer of an Apple Watch can make audio and video calls via FaceTime via the watch.

Apple would also try to make the Apple Watch autonomously make WiFi connections for a larger number of tasks, while the first version of the smartwatch requires a direct connection to an iPhone for almost all actions. This would require a new Wi-Fi chip. The WiFi chip can also be used to find a watch via the Find my Watch function. Triangulation with Wi-Fi routers can be applied for this.

A new battery that would keep the Apple Watch running for a longer period of time would not be likely. Apple would conclude from user research that most Apple Watch wearers are satisfied with the endurance of the current battery. However, Apple would study whether it will release a number of more expensive models, with prices between 1000 and 10,000 dollars, that fall just below the segment of the current gold top model. The new models of the ‘Apple Watch 2’ are expected in 2016.