Apple CEO Tim Cook says an issue with LTE connectivity on the Apple Watch Series 3 is “very minor.”
Speaking to CNBC on Apple Watch and iPhone 8 release day, Cook said the problem will be sorted quickly in a forthcoming software update.
The issue, publicised this week, prevents LTE connections while the Apple Watch Series 3 is lingering on an unauthenticated Wi-Fi network.
Related: Apple Watch Series 3
“The issue is very minor, it will be fixed in a software update,” Cook said.
“It has to do with the handoff between Wi-Fi and cellular, and we’ll fix that. It only happens in a rare number of cases. I’ve been using it for quite a while and it works great. So we’re very happy about it.”
Selling out
Despite the issue affecting the signature feature, it doesn’t seem to be lessening demand for the Series 3 smartwatch. During his interview with CNBC Cook heralded sell-outs in some territories.
Cook added: “Here’s what we’re seeing right now. The watch with LTE — the Series 3 Watch — we are sold out in so many places around the world. And we’re working really hard to meet demand.”
Earlier this week Apple addressed the LTE issue in a statement.
“We have discovered that when Apple Watch Series 3 joins unauthenticated Wi-Fi networks without connectivity,” the firm said. “It may at times prevent the watch from using cellular. We are investigating a fix for a future software release.”
The Series 3 is by far the most refined release yet, assisted by the new fitness-focused watchOS 4 software.
Is now the time for you to snag an Apple Watch? Or are you going to wait to see how the LTE issue plays out? Let us know @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
