AAPL Apple Inc

By Tripp Mickle and Ryan Knutson 

Apple Inc. is planning to introduce a smartwatch this year capable of connecting to cellular networks, according to people familiar with the matter, marking the first step in liberating the device and possibly consumers from their iPhone dependency.

The new Apple Watch will have LTE capabilities similar to the data connection on a phone, which could allow it to access data, send and receive texts and make phone calls, the people said. Currently, the Apple Watch must be paired with an iPhone and use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to transmit data and texts.

The cellular-enabled Apple Watch expected later this year would be available from all major U.S. carriers, the people said. It would likely be rolled into existing wireless plans for an additional monthly charge, similar to how data connections for tablets are sold today.

An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment. Bloomberg first reported the new watch on Friday.

Write to Tripp Mickle at Tripp.Mickle@wsj.com and Ryan Knutson at ryan.knutson@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 04, 2017 19:03 ET (23:03 GMT)

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