Apple to bring satellite connectivity, other changes, to Apple Watch next year: report

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is planning to make several changes to several models of the Apple Watch next year, including satellite connectivity, Bloomberg reported.

Shares of the tech giant rose fractionally in midday trading, while Globalstar (NYSE:GSAT), its satellite connectivity partner, rose 8.8%.

The new connectivity feature is set to come to the high-end version of the watch, the Apple Watch Ultra, the news outlet added, citing people familiar with the matter. The feature, first introduced as part of the iPhone 14 lineup in 2022, allows people to send messages and calls when they do not have Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity. The emergency service was included free for two years, but so far, Apple has not charged for the service.

Last month, Globalstar shares jumped after it announced an expanded deal with Apple (AAPL) that saw Apple make an infrastructure prepayment of up to $1.1B and take a 20% stake in the company.

In addition, Apple is increasing its focus on a blood-pressure feature for the Watch and could arrive as soon as next year, Bloomberg added. Apple has worked on the feature for some time now, though it has been marred by delays.

The Apple Watch may also get an internal change, with some models having modems built by MediaTek, replacing those made by Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), Bloomberg added. Apple is working on in-house modems for the iPhone in an effort to rely less on external partners and control more of its devices.

Intel shares fell 3% in late afternoon trading.

Apple and Intel did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Seeking Alpha.