Apple announces Apple Watch
- Thread starter Volotaire
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This too. Bluetooth LE is has been a boon for these devices.
CreepingFear
Member
I had to work. What was the reaction to the Apple Watch? Disappointment or does it live up to the hype?
if they have any of the ol' jobs juice left, they'll make you want to wear a watch. that's the name of the game.
NYR
Member
I do agree, but I do put an asterisk on it - the Moto 360 press pictures make it look better than it actually is.
I do understand this
but they're also putting out a "sport" version and the market for people who would buy that probably aren't going to be the type who wear the thing other than for when they're working out.
You Are Viewtiful
Member
No, I mean, for this Apple Watch you specifically need a iPhone. And for the Galaxy Gear you specifically need a Galaxy phone. You can't pair a Nexus and a Galaxy Gear for example.
In all honesty, I'm pretty disappointed by the Apple Watch. The device seems like an evolution in the wrist-watch, and that's exactly the source of disappointment for me.
The wrist-watch exists in so many forms that in order to truly make a 'magical' wrist-watch it can't just be a better wrist-watch. It has to evolve into something entirely different that we've never seen or used before. It has to be a wrist-device that is designed to take advantage of the way we use our wrists (and the way we don't use our wrists) and the world around us to create something that does things that we've only seen in our imaginations.
I think Apple may have missed a golden opportunity to change the way we communicate and interact with the world around us. I could be completely wrong and the Apple Watch could end up delivering innovation(s) that we haven't even dreamed of. Based on today's unveiling however, I can't shake the feeling that the Apple Watch will have a lot of limitations based on its design.
The wrist-watch exists in so many forms that in order to truly make a 'magical' wrist-watch it can't just be a better wrist-watch. It has to evolve into something entirely different that we've never seen or used before. It has to be a wrist-device that is designed to take advantage of the way we use our wrists (and the way we don't use our wrists) and the world around us to create something that does things that we've only seen in our imaginations.
I think Apple may have missed a golden opportunity to change the way we communicate and interact with the world around us. I could be completely wrong and the Apple Watch could end up delivering innovation(s) that we haven't even dreamed of. Based on today's unveiling however, I can't shake the feeling that the Apple Watch will have a lot of limitations based on its design.
To be fair, by looks I would still prefer my current IWC and omega watches to any of them. Looking at the collections, Apole's effort isn't as bad as I first thought and their stuff usually look better in the flesh so might give them the benefit of the doubt for now. Probably won't jump on any of these now though, the leaps in the second and third iterations would probably be vast.
DrForester
Kills Photobucket
I don't hate the design. But it's just so plain and ordinary. I was expecting something that would stand out.
Oh. Well, I never even expected the Apple wearable to be interoperable with other OSes. (And vice versa for Tizen and Android Wear devices.) That's probably not feasible.
Ollie Pooch
In a perfect world, we'd all be homersexual
That Verge article sums it up pretty well (IMO) - while it's plain on the surface the different options of finish/strap allow a much greater audience, along with the different faces etc. The simplicity works in its favour.
The_Inquisitor
Member
The main techniques to reduce power consumption are to use concepts such as power islands, clock gating, power gating. Mismatch reduction, etc. These already dramatically reduce leakage. It used to be 20 years ago dynamic power use was larger than the static or "off" state leakage. Now it's the opposite.
The only real way to improve the "off" state leakage is for newer process technologies, better transistor matching techniques, and understanding how to smartly disable parts of the devices when not in use.
The issue is that there is a trade off between power savings and reaction time of the device to work while in power save. For a watch there is some sort of watchdog timer that recognIzes the wrist flip. This in term means the chip probably only has on the order of 100mS to power back up fully for user application. These issues present their own unique solutions that apple and other smart watch makers are currently facing.
Remember, Apple never truly innovates. They refine and elevate. Think of the iPod, iPhone, iPad. All refinements to existing technologies or ideas (companies like Creative for MP3, Palm for smartphone, etc). Innovative in application but not a true new idea.
We will get the next Apple version of a different kind of wearable when someone else (like Google who in some ways is like the Xerox of old) invents the first device. And they will refine and elevate it.
They have been labeled the Pirates of Silicon Valley for a reason.
I recommend everyone read Malcolm Gladwell's article in The New Yorker called Creation Myth - http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/05/16/creation-myth
We will get the next Apple version of a different kind of wearable when someone else (like Google who in some ways is like the Xerox of old) invents the first device. And they will refine and elevate it.
They have been labeled the Pirates of Silicon Valley for a reason.
I recommend everyone read Malcolm Gladwell's article in The New Yorker called Creation Myth - http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/05/16/creation-myth
I'm guessing this is what people were referring to? Cook doing that to get people to randomly stand and applaud? I couldn't watch it all as the stream was terrible and buffering all the time.
60% of the event was filled with Apple employees, and many of them were in fron seats. Cook made them stand up at the end.
Witchfinder General
punched Wheelchair Mike
Meanwhile, I've been drooling over this:
But nice try, Apple.
But nice try, Apple.
I agree with this. I may not like the design, but man the way the straps lock in place (the different kinds too) the crown , and material are definitely top notch. $350 doesn't seem that bad for what you get.
Like I said before, Moto has a nice design but they went cheap on inners and materials.
neogaffer1
Banned
TBH I didn't expect Apple to make a round smartwatch but I did expect something that looked closer to this:
It's plain and simple, but very classy at the same time.
It's plain and simple, but very classy at the same time.
Meanwhile, I've been drooling over this:
But nice try, Apple.
That is the most generic looking watch I have ever seen in my life.
AstroNut325
Member
TBH I didn't expect Apple to make a round smartwatch but I did expect something that looked closer to this:
It's plain and simple, but very classy at the same time.
The Asus Zenwatch is purrrty
Yes, plus a neat trick where it uses the haptics to help you navigate. Eg when you approach a left turn it'll tap on your wrist once, and two taps to turn right. (Just an example, they didn't say exactly how it would do it)
kame-sennin
Member
I met my parents at Costco last weekend. My dad stopped to ogle the Samsung phone display. I said,
"Dad, just move on. You'd a smart phone to use it".
He asked, "I need a Samsung phone to use a Samsung watch?"
"Yes"
"So what's the point of the watch?"
"There isn't one."
Same applies here. I can't believe Apple wasn't smart enough to realize that. I figured Apple would make the other smart watches look like junk by releasing an iWatch that had self-contained functionality. Even if it was limited, that kind of thing could really eat into phone sales. But they put out $350 iPhone attachment instead. I will be blown away if this becomes a big seller.
"Dad, just move on. You'd a smart phone to use it".
He asked, "I need a Samsung phone to use a Samsung watch?"
"Yes"
"So what's the point of the watch?"
"There isn't one."
Same applies here. I can't believe Apple wasn't smart enough to realize that. I figured Apple would make the other smart watches look like junk by releasing an iWatch that had self-contained functionality. Even if it was limited, that kind of thing could really eat into phone sales. But they put out $350 iPhone attachment instead. I will be blown away if this becomes a big seller.
Yes.
Maybe no one knows yet, but how is the phone to watch working with maps? Is it simply all running on the phone and displaying the information on the watch or is the watch doing some of the location work?
I guess regardless I would save some battery life on the phone since I wouldn't be turning the screen on momentarily every 20 meters but curious as to what's going on.
neogaffer1
Banned
Other people have tried that, they all failed really horribly. They were all just normal smartwatches that were strapped to the wrist, basically.
Ahahaha. IPhone 4 user here, and I'm not planning to upgrade soon. They really didn't think this one through, I think. This is only gonna sell to the hardcore Apple crowd and people who like throwing money at shiny new stuff. Nothing wrong with that, but I'm not impressed with the iWatch. At all.
mattiewheels
And then the LORD David Bowie saith to his Son, Jonny Depp: 'Go, and spread my image amongst the cosmos. For every living thing is in anguish and only the LIGHT shall give them reprieve.'
I was open to buying this thing....but after the presentation I think it's best if I wait for this thing to go back in the oven for a while. I thought it was funny that everything in the interface was pretty much based on circular design...so let's make the watch square! The whole thing just doesn't feel like Apple made it, the interface seems so far removed from iOS style that I was warming up to, it just seemed like placeholder stuff through the whole demo. Very weird presentation.
Plus, I don't know how Apple Pay will work with the watch if you have an iphone 5, since no thumb id there. Maybe the watch uses bio for an id?
Plus, I don't know how Apple Pay will work with the watch if you have an iphone 5, since no thumb id there. Maybe the watch uses bio for an id?
Officerrob
Banned
Aimed for fitness, yet requires you to take along the iphone as well. Seems counterproductive...
Game on.
The silly part of this opinion (and I say this as someone who eagerly awaits his Apple Watch purchase) is that Android Wear is designed to obliterate this problem. You can buy a Moto 360, or you can buy a Zenwatch, or any style of Android Wear watch you like.
The only issue right now is that the list of good Android Wear watches is very slim. That's going to be less of an issue as time goes by, and eventually there's going to be a good smartwatch in almost any style you'd conceivably want on the platform.
AstroNut325
Member
The phone is doing the work. The watch does not have any GPS hardware. But the watch does track your heart rate, exercise/movement via accelerometer and gyro.
Well of course it'll dominate the market. It's already won CES 2015!!!
Please somebody give me an unbiased tech news site.
Only water resistant? $350? The fitness stuff seems useful but other than that I'm not impressed. Maybe in a couple years it will be worth that price. The thing is, you just know they are going to charge insane prices on those interchangeable watch straps too. Plus you need an iPhone 5 or better?
I don't think it will bomb, it might do ok or even do great, but I just wish it had been a little more impressive. Especially with waterproofing, which I can live without on phones (wish it would become standard though) but is a big deal for me on watches. Especially when they are so expensive.
I don't think it will bomb, it might do ok or even do great, but I just wish it had been a little more impressive. Especially with waterproofing, which I can live without on phones (wish it would become standard though) but is a big deal for me on watches. Especially when they are so expensive.
I see. Well then I'm curious to see real world tests from people. I don't know if you'll be saving a lot of phone battery despite the screen being off if it's pushing the info to the watch constantly.
northead
Member
It's hard for me to see why would you want an Apple Watch, but if you like it I respect your opinion and hope you will enjoy the product once you get your hands on it.
There should be more people like you.
This is probably the first time a first gen product in a new category from Apple is under so much attention and expectation to succeed. The first gen iPod and iPhone was ridiculously limited compared with what they became and at the end of the day the iPad is just a larger iPhone. Everything about this wearable tech push from all the players feel a bit rushed, the tech isn't quite there yet for it to be really useful.
nhlducks35
Member
Doc Holliday
SPOILER: Columbus finds America
I was not excited for the apple watch but the reactions to the announcement are almost exactly like the Ipad and Iphone. This of course means it will be huge!
Buddha Beam
Banned
I just realized I couldn't wear this thing if I wanted, since I have an apparent metal allergy. Every time it wear a watch for more than a day my wrist breaks out in a rash.
axisofweevils
Holy crap! Today's real megaton is that more than two people can have the same first name.
As someone interested in unique watches and still likes wearing an iPod Nano watch from time to time, I was underwhelmed by this. Maybe I'm missing something, but the whole thing seems to lack vision. I'm definitely going to wait until at least 3 years / revisions before I buy one.
This thing looks like a fucking failure to me. Would rather have the Moto 360 tbh. At least with Android Wear there's a chance some really good watches for it will come out besides waiting for Apple to make a new version of their watch.
Knowing this is an Apple product though, this will probably do really well and "redefine" the smartwatch.
Knowing this is an Apple product though, this will probably do really well and "redefine" the smartwatch.
BFIB
Member
It's Apple. I expected $400.
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