iWatch possible to make/receive calls thru iOS 8 Continuity?

[Cyborgeek]

The recent WWCD showed off making and receiving calls (and texting) from an iMac routed thru the users iPhone. I've been wondering if possibly the iWatch will include call abilities routed thru your iPhone. This would make the iWatch miles ahead of other smartwatches, and be a possible reason why the iWatch has been in development for so long. It might not be on the 1st gen, but if anyone was going to do this, it would be Apple.

Also, the close timing of Continuity/Handoff being released and the rumored iWatch release seems more than coincidental.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[TWO2SEVEN]

Seems possible. Doesn't the Galaxy Gear do something similar?

 

[iMacBooked]

iWatch possible to make/receive calls thru iOS 8 Continuity?

That's in fact why I would buy an iWatch in the first place, to see the caller ID to know when someone's calling me as I quite often don't feel the phone vibrate. I doubt if actually making calls from it would be possible, as it would feel at bit futuristic. But I won't be suprised if that ever happens.

 

[dhoom]

Times change. There was a period when you didn't carry a cell phone. If a wrist-worn computer serves a useful purpose, people will wear them. It's that simple.

 

[betabeta]

Absolutely! You will be able to make and receive calls, and has to be continuity, as the watch has no cell chip. How good the experience will be is up in the air, they didn't demo it, but I'm thinking they left that for the a main Watch event.

You can clearly see the phone icon on the main screen, also in the Apple Watch video they flash a screen showing an incoming call.

 

[Julien]

Absolutely! You will be able to make and receive calls, and has to be continuity, as the watch has no cell chip. How good the experience will be is up in the air, they didn't demo it, but I'm thinking they left that for the a main Watch event.

You can clearly see the phone icon on the main screen, also in the Apple Watch video they flash a screen showing an incoming call.

This thread is pre event/aWatch announcement. That is the reason for the question.

 

[iolinux333]

Seems possible. Doesn't the Galaxy Gear do something similar?

The Gear S makes the call directly, as the watch contains a cellular transceiver.

 

[matrix07]

Absolutely! You will be able to make and receive calls, and has to be continuity, as the watch has no cell chip. How good the experience will be is up in the air, they didn't demo it, but I'm thinking they left that for the a main Watch event.

You can clearly see the phone icon on the main screen, also in the Apple Watch video they flash a screen showing an incoming call.

Looking at this screenshot it is the first time I'm disappointed with Watch interface. Screw the symmetry. Ones will likely taking the call rather than deny it so the green circle should be bigger. In fact, the touch area should be so large you only need to touch at half the screen to register. And that grey line for swipe up? That close to two important icons (green and red one)? Really? I guess you can use the Crown to swipe up but still...

 

[p3ntyne]

I doubt it has a speaker. Most likely, it will work like other smart watches - i.e., it will start the call on the phone.

If that's true, I wonder if you would be able to place the phone on speaker, from the watch, similar to Android Wear.

 

[bransoj]

I doubt it has a speaker. Most likely, it will work like other smart watches - i.e., it will start the call on the phone.

If that's true, I wonder if you would be able to place the phone on speaker, from the watch, similar to Android Wear.

From the Apple Watch details on the Apple site...

Phone. Use the built-in speaker and microphone for quick calls. You can also put callers on hold while you get your iPhone. Transfer calls from Apple Watch to your car’s speakerphone or Bluetooth headset. And silence incoming calls by covering Apple Watch with your hand.

The Microphone and Speaker are at the same sort of places but on the opposite side of the watch from the Digital Crown and the other button on the watch.

 

[p3ntyne]

From the Apple Watch details on the Apple site...

I stand corrected. Do you know if it's a 'private call speaker' or a 'speakerphone speaker'.

TBH, I fail to see how that would be useful.

 

[bransoj]

I stand corrected. Do you know if it's a 'private call speaker' or a 'speakerphone speaker'.

TBH, I fail to see how that would be useful.

No idea to be honest.

 

[Julien]

I stand corrected. Do you know if it's a 'private call speaker' or a 'speakerphone speaker'.

TBH, I fail to see how that would be useful.

It was demonstrated at the event. It is of course a speaker phone. Not sure what you mean by "private call speaker" (since it's a watch on your wrist) but if you want your parties conversation to only be be heard by you then you pull your iPhone out of your pocket.

 

[p3ntyne]

It was demonstrated at the event. It is of course a speaker phone. Not sure what you mean by "private call speaker" (since it's a watch on your wrist) but if you want your parties conversation to only be be heard by you then you pull your iPhone out of your pocket.

I can't remember the name but there was a watch that had a private speaker on the strap of the watch.

 

[Julien]

I can't remember the name but there was a watch that had a private speaker on the strap of the watch.

I found it but it's vaporware (or worse) and way WAY behind schedule (Kickstarter from 2013). Don't know of any test of the system (or if it will ever ship) but sure it looks wacky and gimmicky.

http://www.hotsmartwatch.com

 

[jclardy]

I stand corrected. Do you know if it's a 'private call speaker' or a 'speakerphone speaker'.

TBH, I fail to see how that would be useful.

I'm pretty sure it is a speakerphone speaker and not an earpiece. Mainly because holding your wrist up to your ear to hear like a phone just doesn't work...


I think the idea is that you would use it where having a "public" conversation is socially acceptable...so like at your desk in your office, or while walking down a street. Not while sitting on a crowded bus. Of course you know people are going to be dumb about it and pick up a call in a crowded movie theater, but people will be people.

You should be able to answer on your watch, then pull out your phone to continue the conversation. So if your hands are full you can tap the answer button, say hold on a sec then grab your phone.

 

[p3ntyne]

I'm pretty sure it is a speakerphone speaker and not an earpiece. Mainly because holding your wrist up to your ear to hear like a phone just doesn't work...


I think the idea is that you would use it where having a "public" conversation is socially acceptable...so like at your desk in your office, or while walking down a street. Not while sitting on a crowded bus. Of course you know people are going to be dumb about it and pick up a call in a crowded movie theater, but people will be people.

You should be able to answer on your watch, then pull out your phone to continue the conversation. So if your hands are full you can tap the answer button, say hold on a sec then grab your phone.

Yeah, that's what I typically do with my G watch. It comes in very handy.

 

[Urban Joe]

I'm pretty sure it is a speakerphone speaker and not an earpiece. Mainly because holding your wrist up to your ear to hear like a phone just doesn't work...


I think the idea is that you would use it where having a "public" conversation is socially acceptable...so like at your desk in your office, or while walking down a street. Not while sitting on a crowded bus. Of course you know people are going to be dumb about it and pick up a call in a crowded movie theater, but people will be people.

You should be able to answer on your watch, then pull out your phone to continue the conversation. So if your hands are full you can tap the answer button, say hold on a sec then grab your phone.

I just realized how cumbersome this is likely to be. I fully expect a lot of users not to have the grace or presence of mind to use this thing without causing widespread social havoc ... If people are distracted with smartphones we haven't seen anything yet. I wonder how many car wrecks or pedestrian collisions will result from this thing?

 

[jason.siegel]

Really doubt it. Apple doesn't want to make the same mistake as Google, which is to make the public annoyed with its product. Big turn-off.