Half a year later, the Apple Watch feels like a stalled platform • Hacker News Board

Re: Half a year later, the Apple Watch feels like a stalled platform

#51

Post by rchaud » Thu, Dec 03, 2015, 5:42 PM UTC

I recently imported the Huawei Mediapad X2, a 7-inch phone with a 16:10 1200P screen not unlike the Nexus 7. I use it both for phone functions (BT headphones) but also as my primary web browsing, magazine/ebook reading and mobile gaming/XBMC device.

A smartwatch is the perfect accessory to a device like this, which is too large/unwieldy to use at the gym, or pull out for things like map directions, public transit arrival times, email notifications, etc. None of these are a problem with smaller phones, like the 6 Plus or Galaxy Note.

The Apple Watch is a poor solution for this, because, like the 2001 iPod, it requires a Mac device to work. And even if it didn't, like Android Wear devices, it must be tethered to a smartphone for most of its functions, as opposed to functioning as a standalone device.

I understand Apple, Google, etc. don't want to cannibalize device sales, but it seems ridiculous to me that a V1.0 smartwatch costing $300+ can't even support music playback on local storage, or have a built-in GPS and maps that work offline. If I'm on the go, I'd like to limit the number of expensive devices I'm carrying with me where possible. I think the same goes for most people, otherwise people would still be carrying their flip phones and digital cameras around. Yes, of course there are hobbyists who need their DSLR with them all the time, but the majority of people are happy with a solution that's good enough and convenient enough.

I'm not even thinking about more advanced features like a built in video camera that, with the appropriate strap, could act as a body cam or a helmet cam. I'm sure future versions will offer such functionality, but V1.0 functionality is already so limited, I simply can't muster any enthusiasm for this class of devices yet.

Re: Half a year later, the Apple Watch feels like a stalled platform

#52

Post by jsonau » Thu, Dec 03, 2015, 5:44 PM UTC

zer0defex wrote: post #28

danso wrote: post #4

Whew! I'm pretty sure I armchaired-critiqued the Watch when it first came out (basically, my reasoning was that unlike the iphone, ipod, and ipad -- there is not as much inherently appealing on paper about having a watch, because of its physical form factor, among other things)...so now I can be a little relieved that maybe I won't be a CmdrTaco/iPod meme 10 years from now :)

Have to disagree on this one. The 6th gen iPod nano ( https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare... ) is my absolute favorite, so if they made the Apple Watch able to be an iPod without accompanying iphone AND able to support bluetooth wireless headphones, I'm sold. Perfect fitness form factor.

Yea I'm really surprised Apple didn't go with this route initially. Add the heartbeat measurer + calories burner and it will be the perfect fitness assist device.

I guess they don't want to pigeonhole a device into a specific category.

Re: Half a year later, the Apple Watch feels like a stalled platform

#53

Post by untog » Thu, Dec 03, 2015, 5:45 PM UTC

carsongross wrote: post #47

untog wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They should have made the watch round so that it creates design busywork? I'm not sure that's a strategy for product success.

Well, as I said initially, I don't think that this product was ever going to be a home run. Regarding busywork, it's worth recalling that "the enemy of art is the absence of limitations." A circular UI would introduce some very interesting constraints and give Apples designers a chance to work in a new problem space. The tension and interplay there could lead to more interesting innovation than the scaled down mobile…

I'm sorry, that all still sounds like busywork with some buzzwords thrown in for good measure to me.

A screen that has the size and power limitations of the Apple Watch seems like plenty of limitations to work with, to me.

Re: Half a year later, the Apple Watch feels like a stalled platform

#54

Post by wietsehage » Thu, Dec 03, 2015, 5:58 PM UTC

zer0defex wrote: post #28

danso wrote: post #4

Whew! I'm pretty sure I armchaired-critiqued the Watch when it first came out (basically, my reasoning was that unlike the iphone, ipod, and ipad -- there is not as much inherently appealing on paper about having a watch, because of its physical form factor, among other things)...so now I can be a little relieved that maybe I won't be a CmdrTaco/iPod meme 10 years from now :)

Have to disagree on this one. The 6th gen iPod nano ( https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare... ) is my absolute favorite, so if they made the Apple Watch able to be an iPod without accompanying iphone AND able to support bluetooth wireless headphones, I'm sold. Perfect fitness form factor.

It does support both actually. Apple Watch supports Bluetooth Headsets [2] and untethered music playback using the 2GB internal memory [1].

[1] http://m.imore.com/how-add-apple-music-playlists-your-apple-...

[2] https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204218

Re: Half a year later, the Apple Watch feels like a stalled platform

#55

Post by dillera » Thu, Dec 03, 2015, 6:02 PM UTC

braythwayt wrote: post #37

The Apple Watch works well for my (N=1?) use case: I have an iPhone 6 plus, and no, I don't want to pull it out of my pocket or bag dozens of times a day. I had an iPhone 5, and loved the form factor, but not the battery life. The 6+ can handle a couple of days of use as a smartphone and mobile internet access point. The larger screen is irrelevant to me, but the larger battery matters. I like that when the phone rin…

This is my case exactly. What else can it possibly do? It tells me the time, wiggles my wrist for all my appts, reminders, messages, slacks, and even answer phone calls. Oh and it tracks my pathetic exercise and motion as a bonus.

I can now leave my iPhone6 on my desk at work, and on a table and home and never have to carry it around with me (at those locations). It does exactly what a >Watch< should do. It's not a computer it's a 2nd screen for my phone.

Re: Half a year later, the Apple Watch feels like a stalled platform

#56

Post by danem » Thu, Dec 03, 2015, 6:16 PM UTC

carsongross wrote: post #2

I really think apple missed on the aesthetics with this one: they should have gone with a round watch and used the rotating bezel (either physical or touch) for input, rather than a tiny crown. Even if it remained a niche product, which always seemed the most likely outcome, at least there would be some interesting design work to do with a circular UX. I think that Ressence Watches (which are, ironically, mechanical)…

Samsung recently released a watch that somewhat matches your description. http://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/gear-s2/

Re: Half a year later, the Apple Watch feels like a stalled platform

#57

Post by carsongross » Thu, Dec 03, 2015, 6:21 PM UTC

danem wrote: post #56

carsongross wrote: post #2

I really think apple missed on the aesthetics with this one: they should have gone with a round watch and used the rotating bezel (either physical or touch) for input, rather than a tiny crown. Even if it remained a niche product, which always seemed the most likely outcome, at least there would be some interesting design work to do with a circular UX. I think that Ressence Watches (which are, ironically, mechanical)…

Samsung recently released a watch that somewhat matches your description. http://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/gear-s2/

Yes, it's a step forward, for sure. The software component is important for getting the circular UI right, so I'd like to see it in action.

I think (or at least hope) there is a chance that eventually apple will break and move to something like this.

Re: Half a year later, the Apple Watch feels like a stalled platform

#58

Post by DannoHung » Thu, Dec 03, 2015, 7:02 PM UTC

It's too fucking slow! Every interaction with a non-Apple app takes like 5 seconds just to boot the app.

Siri goes away and thinks for dozens of seconds when you ask her something and sometimes never comes back. Even once text has been translated from speech, it sometimes takes 5 seconds to actually send a text.

The functionality is amazing, but the speed of the device is abysmal.

I love everything that it does do, but it is too painful to do it.

Re: Half a year later, the Apple Watch feels like a stalled platform

#59

Post by maxerickson » Thu, Dec 03, 2015, 7:16 PM UTC

roymurdock wrote: post #44

The Apple Watch is not a seriously compelling product, nor will it ever be as (a) useful or (b) revolutionary as the iPhone. Apple knows this, and despite what pundits and analysts might think, it doesn’t care. Tim Cook and Johnny Ive may present the Apple Watch as an incredibly novel, sexy-as-hell product in a nascent, high-value market, but they do that with every new Apple product line because it’s their job. They…

I think smart watches will take off when they get good enough to be a second phone (LG almost launched this a couple weeks ago). It makes sense to get the platform out before that happens so that users and 3rd party developers can help improve it.

Re: Half a year later, the Apple Watch feels like a stalled platform

#60

Post by melted » Thu, Dec 03, 2015, 7:17 PM UTC

It's a watch first, computer second, not the other way around. And that's the right way to do it, IMO. FWIW, I'm enjoying mine. Its heart rate monitor is about as accurate as a chest strap. Its timekeeping is accurate (unlike with Android Wear which sometimes struggles with this basic task). It shows me which meeting I have next (if any). It tells me to stand up and shows text messages. It lets me set the timer while I cook without touching anything. Battery lasts a day and a half. And it'll only get better over time. That said I don't use any apps aside from built in ones.