Qualcomm's next gen chipset announced SEP 10

TjPhysicist · Dec 30, 2018

Feanor
The thing is that the previous Tambour Horizon was already running on Qualcomm platform. If TAG Heuer has a contract with Intel, it's unknown whether they can switch suppliers or not.

Didn't I read somewhere that Intel was getting out of the "wearables" chip thing? I'm sure I did, hopefully that means that Tag would be allowed to look elswhere, it'd sure suck if tag was stuck with Intel if the latter is no longer interested in supporting wearables or making new wearable chips.

Feanor · Dec 30, 2018

T TjPhysicist
Didn't I read somewhere that Intel was getting out of the "wearables" chip thing? I'm sure I did, hopefully that means that Tag would be allowed to look elswhere, it'd sure suck if tag was stuck with Intel if the latter is no longer interested in supporting wearables or making new wearable chips.

I'm more worried that they may exit the market altogether rather than switch chip maker. However, yes, it is true that Intel have exited the market, so TAG Heuer will have to switch, if they decide to stay in the game.

Hubert · Dec 30, 2018

I think we will know in the first quarter of the year.

Remo · Dec 30, 2018

When I was at an official TH retailer last summer the salesman told me, that TH will bring an independent Smartwatch with e-sim-card. He also showed me a picture of 2nd edition of the Alec Monopoly F1; so I would give him some credibility.

Feanor · Dec 30, 2018

Remo
When I was at an official TH retailer last summer the salesman told me, that TH will bring an independent Smartwatch with e-sim-card. He also showed me a picture of 2nd edition of the Alec Monopoly F1; so I would give him some credibility.

This makes sense, because adding cellular connectivity would need so much space that would make the modular concept difficult. I just hope that, if TAG Heuer releases a separate, non-modular model with e-SIM, they will release in parallel a modular version with no cellular connectivity for the rest of us.

Hubert · Dec 30, 2018

Remo
When I was at an official TH retailer last summer the salesman told me, that TH will bring an independent Smartwatch with e-sim-card. He also showed me a picture of 2nd edition of the Alec Monopoly F1; so I would give him some credibility.

I've heard a few rumblings, but the e-sim is a first.

TjPhysicist · Dec 30, 2018

Hubert
I've heard a few rumblings, but the e-sim is a first.

Either way, as someone above said - being able to just buy the "new smartwatch module" (or even upgrade to it) for cheaper would be GREAT (per my calculation the smartwatch module for 45mm itself is worth about $400 or so).

Hubert · Dec 31, 2018

T TjPhysicist
Either way, as someone above said - being able to just buy the "new smartwatch module" (or even upgrade to it) for cheaper would be GREAT (per my calculation the smartwatch module for 45mm itself is worth about $400 or so).

I honestly don't think being able to simply buy the new smart module will be offered. It certainly would be nice for existing owners, but I doubt it will be an option.

Feanor · Dec 31, 2018

Hubert
I honestly don't think being able to simply buy the new smart module will be offered. It certainly would be nice for existing owners, but I doubt it will be an option.

I certainly hope it will be offered. Switching between digital and analogue module is one part of the concept but having the possibility to upgrade the tech would really complete the idea of modularity.

Albert-AMG · Dec 31, 2018

Hubert
I honestly don't think being able to simply buy the new smart module will be offered. It certainly would be nice for existing owners, but I doubt it will be an option.

It would be a shame if TH doesn’t continue the Modular system in the 3rd Connected generation... and also a waste of money (it was expensive to design and develop) for TH if this Modular system dies with current Connected generation.

When current TH CM 45 was launched (in Switzerland), Mr. Biver gave much more importance to its Modular concept than to its smart features. It’s something that really makes this watch unique and innovative, and not only within the smartwatch sector.

Increasing the compatible Modular range with both mechanical and smart modules, and with more accessories (straps, lugs...), would motivate existing owners to spend more money in TH. For instance: I probably would buy the 3rd generation Connected module if I can buy just the module (if the price does not exceed 400€-500€, which is the price for a complete apple watch), but for sure I would stay with my current CM 45 if it’s not possible to upgrade just the smart module. I’m not going to pay 1.750€ again for a complete smartwatch, because I’m more than happy with my current one.

I’m also considering to buy the Calibre 5 mechanical module... and I would never consider to buy a complete Calibre 5 watch, so it’s clear that to keep growing the Modular range is a good business for TH 😉

Feanor · Dec 31, 2018

Albert-AMG
It would be a shame if TH doesn’t continue the Modular system in the 3rd Connected generation... and also a waste of money (it was expensive to design and develop) for TH if this Modular system dies with current Connected generation.

When current TH CM 45 was launched (in Switzerland), Mr. Biver gave much more importance to its Modular concept than to its smart features. It’s something that really makes this watch unique and innovative, and not only within the smartwatch sector.

Increasing the compatible Modular range with both mechanical and smart modules, and with more accessories (straps, lugs...), would motivate existing owners to spend more money in TH. For instance: I probably would buy the 3rd generation Connected module if I can buy just the module (if the price does not exceed 400€-500€, which is the price for a complete apple watch), but for sure I would stay with my current CM 45 if it’s not possible to upgrade just the smart module. I’m not going to pay 1.750€ again for a complete smartwatch, because I’m more than happy with my current one.

I’m also considering to buy the Calibre 5 mechanical module... and I would never consider to buy a complete Calibre 5 watch, so it’s clear that to keep growing the Modular range is a good business for TH 😉

I fully agree. The issue is that the modular system connectors take so much space that it must be really challenging -if not impossible- to add some popular features, like SIM and antennas or a heart rate monitor. So, it's a matter of balance.

Albert-AMG · Dec 31, 2018

Feanor
I fully agree. The issue is that the modular system connectors take so much space that it must be really challenging -if not impossible- to add some popular features, like SIM and antennas or a heart rate monitor. So, it's a matter of balance.

Maybe it’s not so challenging to add these features to the CM 45 (the apple watch has all these features, and I think its volume is not bigger than CM 45), but for the CM 41... 👎

Anyway the antennas are already in the TH CM (these two golden small parts, hidden under both bezel wings)

and the heart rate monitor can be solved with an external BT belt, which is much more accurate than a watch sensor, but... we will see! 😕

Feanor · Dec 31, 2018

Albert-AMG
Maybe it’s not so challenging to add these features to the CM 45 (the apple watch has all these features, and I think its volume is not bigger than CM 45), but for the CM 41... 👎

Anyway the antennas are already in the TH CM (these two golden small parts, hidden under both bezel wings)

and the heart rate monitor can be solved with an external BT belt, which is much more accurate than a watch sensor, but... we will see! 😕

But these antennas are for bluetooth and NFC, you'd need additional antennas for cellular.
Also the heart rate monitor would be for all-day monitoring, I doubt that anyone would wear their expensive and heavy TAG Heuer smartwatch for training. For training you'd have anyway either a belt or a specialised smartwatch, like I have a Huawei Watch 2.

Albert-AMG · Dec 31, 2018

Feanor
But these antennas are for bluetooth and NFC, you'd need additional antennas for cellular.
Also the heart rate monitor would be for all-day monitoring, I doubt that anyone would wear their expensive and heavy TAG Heuer smartwatch for training. For training you'd have anyway either a belt or a specialised smartwatch, like I have a Huawei Watch 2.

OK! Please don’t put more (or bigger) wings for additional antennas into the next TH Connected! 😁

Anyway, the cellular feature is useful mainly for training (when you want to leave the phone at home)... so if there were no place for both features (although Apple found it), do you think is it better to have the “all-day monitoring heart-rate sensor” in the expensive TH without e-sim, and then have a specialized smartwatch for training with e-sim and belt?

Feanor · Dec 31, 2018

Albert-AMG
OK! Please don’t put more (or bigger) wings for additional antennas into the next TH Connected! 😁

Anyway, the cellular feature is useful mainly for training (when you want to leave the phone at home)... so if there were no place for both features (although Apple found it), do you think is it better to have the “all-day monitoring heart-rate sensor” in the expensive TH without e-sim, and then have a specialized smartwatch for training with e-sim and belt?

Yes, I'd prefer the heart rate monitor over LTE connectivity. I have both on my Huawei Watch and I never use the LTE. It would be useful only when I go biking, but I don't bike regularly. Everywhere else I carry my phone with me.

Hubert · Dec 31, 2018

Albert-AMG
It would be a shame if TH doesn’t continue the Modular system in the 3rd Connected generation... and also a waste of money (it was expensive to design and develop) for TH if this Modular system dies with current Connected generation.

When current TH CM 45 was launched (in Switzerland), Mr. Biver gave much more importance to its Modular concept than to its smart features. It’s something that really makes this watch unique and innovative, and not only within the smartwatch sector.

Increasing the compatible Modular range with both mechanical and smart modules, and with more accessories (straps, lugs...), would motivate existing owners to spend more money in TH. For instance: I probably would buy the 3rd generation Connected module if I can buy just the module (if the price does not exceed 400€-500€, which is the price for a complete apple watch), but for sure I would stay with my current CM 45 if it’s not possible to upgrade just the smart module. I’m not going to pay 1.750€ again for a complete smartwatch, because I’m more than happy with my current one.

I’m also considering to buy the Calibre 5 mechanical module... and I would never consider to buy a complete Calibre 5 watch, so it’s clear that to keep growing the Modular range is a good business for TH 😉

I hope your wishes come true; I just have a feeling that it won't be as easy.

Albert-AMG · Dec 31, 2018

Hubert
I hope your wishes come true; I just have a feeling that it won't be as easy.

We keep our fingers crossed! 🙄

Hubert · Dec 31, 2018

Albert-AMG
We keep our fingers crossed! 🙄

Yes, make sure to make this one of your 2019 wishes!

Albert-AMG · Dec 31, 2018

Hubert
Yes, make sure to make this one of your 2019 wishes!

😁 In fact, for my economy it would be better if TH doesn’t expand the Modular range 🤦, because one of my 2019 wishes is the restoration of my 20 years old Mercedes-Benz AMG... I have to save money for the restoration, and the Modular range doesn’t help me! 😁

Hubert · Dec 31, 2018

Albert-AMG
😁 In fact, for my economy it would be better if TH doesn’t expand the Modular range 🤦, because one of my 2019 wishes is the restoration of my 20 years old Mercedes-Benz AMG... I have to save money for the restoration, and the Modular range doesn’t help me! 😁

Nice; be sure to make a post on the Garage section.