Today, news broke that, at some point later this year, Apple is going to launch a cellular-connected Apple Watch. As is par for the course, the company won't be the first on the market with a smart wearable that also offers an LTE connection, but one can hope that Apple also doesn't have to sacrifice battery life in their wearable to make the feature work, either.

Which I'll just get out of the way first: Apple has two generations of the Apple Watch now (three, if you count the OG device that didn't get the upgraded processor), and I think that's primarily the reason why the company is waiting for the "Apple Watch Series 3" to launch this feature. They wanted to make sure the battery life doesn't get destroyed. So I wouldn't be surprised if one of the talking points is that, even with the LTE network connected, it lasts as long as the Apple Watch Series 2 without LTE.

Cellular connectivity for a wearable is a good idea, especially for folks who like to use the device as a means to keep track of fitness goals and what not. Being able to leave the phone at home, but still get the notifications you want to get, stream music, and so on is pretty great. So it might be strange to hear that I probably won't pick one up -- even if I liked smartwatches.

And that's because of the carriers.

The Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE (here's a question: Does Apple sell the Series 3 in variants with/without LTE? Or just one model for all, you think?) is going to be an expensive product right out of the gate, obviously going for more than what a non-LTE-equipped Apple Watch would go for, but then owners are going to have to pay even more on a monthly basis to make the thing work. And, depending on your carrier, you may even have to pay a device "access fee" or what have you, just to have the opportunity to have the device linked to your account.

I think an LTE-connected smartwatch is a great idea, but I don't want to pay a monthly subscription to make it work. I'm sure carriers will offer leasing options, which might convince some to pick it up, but I don't want to pay a fee just to get a data connection on my watch.

But I imagine that the LTE-connected Apple Watch will go over well with folks who want that sort of thing, but it's going to come down on Apple to sell the idea to those who might be on the fence. Is the only benefit leaving your phone at home? Or can Apple make the experience of streaming music, replying to messages, and checking social media worthwhile on the smaller display thanks to that data connection we have to pay for?

What do you think? Would you pick up an LTE-connected Apple Watch? Have you been skipping the past iterations of the wearable until Apple got around to launching a cellular-connected variant? Or if you plan on skipping it, why? Let me know!