71–80 of 107 posts
But I still love it.
The article was very unclear about what rapidly changed in the phone market for all but the earliest adopters. And given that its basically a phone 2nd display, its not new at all.
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…
If you think keeping time accurately is a notable feature in a $300+ digital watch, you seriously need to re-think how you evaluate usefulness of a product.
In rare cases I've seen my MacBook Pro display stale time in the taskbar. Haven't pinned it down yet.
In both cases the balance of usefulness paid for is found elsewhere in the product.
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…
At some point technology will permit iPhone-level computing in a form factor the size of a watch. When that happens, it will require new UI concepts to make that power usable. Apple has started the learning process by seeing what works in the market.
They need to get the battery life above "1 day". I think that's what's stopping MANY people. In my case, I almost need sleep tracking (diagnosed with a sleep disorder).
It was good for pausing music and choosing podcasts with the overcast app.
I've now got a Garmin 235. It's much more comfortable, has a GPS, better battery etc. It also does all the health stuff and has an HRM.
Google glass, on the other hand, seems in my observation to have launched with about 25% cool factor and 75% dorky, show-off, elitist kinda vibe to it. It devolved from there.
Despite Apple's reputation for coolness, the watch seems like it's at about 50/50 on the scale at best. I love technology and probably have a reputable score on the dorkiness scale myself. But, when I see Apple watches, they even seem a bit much for me.
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)…
I understand they need a smart watch. Like another person pointed out, the last thing Appke wants is "Will this (any brand smart watch) work with my iPhone."
So they need a smart watch? When they figure out all the problems it might be a easier sell? Until they get to that point, I think they should work on making it waterproof.
A waterproof watch is not an easy engineering feat. Most watches, even high end watches, are not waterproof. Yes, they say they are, but unless you are vigilant on servicing a high-end watch; it will leak. I have had so many water resistant/proof watches cloud up while river rafting, or even sea kayaking.
I think Apple should focus on a truly waterproof watch. I think it would be a great selling point. It seems like it would be an easy engineering feat, but it's hard. They could do away with the crown. That would be one less gasket to worry about. And then you still need to access the internals for repair? You want customers thinking they will have this watch for life?
I think what Apple forgot about when designing the Iwatch is this; When people decide to buy a high-end watch, a little part of them is thinking, I'll have this watch for life? If it needs repair/servicing--I can easily it repaired. (If it's out of warranty it's very difficult/expensive to repair these high end watches.) "Hell, if I get tired of it, I'll sell it?" "I love those 60 year old Bubble-backs--they must be bullet proof?" "If I buy this watch, I give it to my kid eventually?"
When I look at the Iwatch, none of these thoughts come to mind. Actually, maybe Apple should have never tried to play up the luxury branding of the Iwatch. Forget about the 18k gold, and all that. Lower the pricing point. Make it truely water resistant. Maybe even waterproof?
But then again, what do I know? I do collect/repair old watches. I really wanted to like the Iwatch. Maybe the next model?
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)…