Apple Watch 2 Release Date and Updates: This Year's Apple Wearable To Feature Calling?

Is Apple planning to make the next edition of Watch completely independent of the iPhone? New reports suggest Watch 2 will be able to make calls and send messages.

Apple Watch sales have been below expectations due to what analyst Ming-Chi Kuo calls 'immature market'. The Watch was released about a year ago and is reliant on iPhones for calling and texting. Users have demanded for cellular connectivity for Watch. Recent reports have suggested Apple may introduce cellular connectivity on its smartwatches, which could help make the next generation of wearables acceptable.

The introduction of cellular connectivity in Watch means the device would be able to compete with Apple's rivals including LG and Samsung, besides a host of other companies making Android wearables which offer calling.

Apple fans have also asked for slimmer Watch design, with better battery life. It goes without saying that the next generation of Watch is also expected to be faster. However, questions are being asked regarding how much Apple will be able to accomplish within one generation.

"They could get better battery life using the exact same battery just by putting in a newer SOC. However, Apple's history tells us that they choose a battery life for a product and keep it there. Apple's generational updates give us more processing power, more features and a slimmer form factor with the same battery life. I don't see Apple increasing the battery life of the Watch, and furthermore see no reason why they would. I got my watch expecting 1 day battery life and I get a day and a half before needing a charge," said one Reddit user.

Though not a certainty, Watch 2 is expected to be unveiled during Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June. Apple may however defer the launch to fall.