Even if that is true, being the least ugly smart watch leaves a whole lot of room to be ugly.
Apple announces Apple Watch
- Thread starter Volotaire
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Even if that is true, being the least ugly smart watch leaves a whole lot of room to be ugly.
You may actually get a battery life bump if Bluetooth LE is less of a drain on the battery versus the number of times you can now get notifications on the watch and don't need to turn on the phone screen.
Agreed. I straight up LOVE the look of the yellow gold watch with the modern red buckle.
The gold color does look good, only women wear gold watches these days though. I think thats my main problem with this watch, the style is definitely more suited for women. The larger size with the bigger bands just dont match.
I'm fascinated by the way some people are comparing the beauty/aesthetics of the different smartwatches especially in contrast to the way we compare smartphones. Blackberry offers a Porsche edition of their smartphone but nobody claims (except, perhaps on Crackberry) that means the Blackberry is the best looking smartphone. Likewise we don't use the HTC One 24K gold edition or the Samsung S5 Crystal Edition when comparing smartphone looks. We also ignore the avalanche of available cases (leather, silver, burberry, michael kors etc) when comparing smartphones. Instead of all looking at all those distractions, we typically look only at the unadorned, base level, model when comparing different smartphones...
Now Apple hasn't actually revealed which model is selling for the $349 starting price but most suspect that's the Watch Sport edition (made with the cheapest combination of materials). That's this:
I view the AppleWatch body as equivalent to a base smartphone and the straps as equivalent to cases. I'd probably spring for the stainless steel model (assuming the sapphire screen is functionally better in daylight than the one on the sport model, otherwise I'll go with the cheaper one) and a simple leather strap (I've had Apple's plastic cases before and they suck). I'd view anyone with a gold watch edition as only slightly better than someone with a black diamond iPhone... Why?!
Now Apple hasn't actually revealed which model is selling for the $349 starting price but most suspect that's the Watch Sport edition (made with the cheapest combination of materials). That's this:
If the moto360 isn't your thing, then compare it to the Asus ZenWatch (<$199) — stainless steel, leather strap, quick release buckle:
I view the AppleWatch body as equivalent to a base smartphone and the straps as equivalent to cases. I'd probably spring for the stainless steel model (assuming the sapphire screen is functionally better in daylight than the one on the sport model, otherwise I'll go with the cheaper one) and a simple leather strap (I've had Apple's plastic cases before and they suck). I'd view anyone with a gold watch edition as only slightly better than someone with a black diamond iPhone... Why?!
can still track distance etc through the steps counter. So unless you particularly don't know where you are running, or want to map it, it'll be fine.
SapientWolf
Trucker Sexologist
I would be going with the one that isn't a giant PITA to use. It might take them a few more generations to get something that's more convenient than digging in my pocket for my phone.
I didn't buy my phone for the looks either. People comment about that monstrosity every time I whip it out. And the Note 3 I have gets a lot of attention too.
jimbobsmells
Member
First thing someone said at work when we were talking about it was 'is there a titanium version?'. So there's two materials it could add to the lineup at least. They need to add a black milanese strap asap too.
I think this is the case as well. I reckon we are looking at:
Watch Sport Small - $349
Watch Sport Large - $399
Watch Small - $549 (sapphire and ceramic are not cheap)
Watch Large - $599
Watch Edition Small - $[4 figures]
Watch Edition Large - $[4 figures]
Bomber Bob
Banned
Is the sport gonna be cheaper than the regular?
Antiwhippy
the holder of the trombone
I honestly prefer the matte look of the sport.
Squirrel Killer
Member
Me too. If I were in the market for a smartwatch (which I'm not since I've never worn a watch smart or otherwise,) I'd be going with the Sport Space Gray watch and black sport band and trying to get a standalone Space Black stainless steel link band for a dressier option.
Aluminum's not cheap either, my guess is the $349 version is the "38mm Stainless Steel Case with White Sport Band" and Watch Sports are a $50 upgrade.
As a side note on the whole "pass down to your grandkids" aspect, my grandfather died in 1981 and I was always told that I inherited his favorite watch. Even though I'm not a watch person, my grandfather was an old WWII guy and air traffic controller, so it had the potential to be a really cool watch. I finally got around to asking for it when my grandmother passed away earlier this year. Turns out, it was a first generation LCD digital watch. My grandfather was also a gadget geek and it was his favorite because it was new and "cool."
I was offline for the better part of the previous week and have seen the specs and pictures only just now.
First impressions: Can't say I'm a fan. Then again, I love my ten-dollar Casio F-91w and have been iffy on the whole smart watch thing before, so I'm not exactly the target audience for this stuff. So I can mainly judge this thing from a design standpoint, regardless of features, because frankly, all I really want my watch to do is beep in the morning and show the time. Anything beyond that will be eyed with suspicion.
So: I kinda wish they had taken the 6th-gen iPod design, ripped out the connector port and clip and scaled the thing up a bit to allow for better hardware and batteries. That would surely look better than this overstuffed sausage-y ... thing. Sure, it's a throwback to the 3GS, but after years of sleek designs with plenty of angles and sharp edges I find it hard to return to the rounded look.
But oh well. I already know one guy who's head over heels into the thing, and I fear he'll drag me with him on the hype train. It's hard to say no to someone who enjoys gadgets with that child-like innocence and enthusiasm that I've come to lack as years go past.
First impressions: Can't say I'm a fan. Then again, I love my ten-dollar Casio F-91w and have been iffy on the whole smart watch thing before, so I'm not exactly the target audience for this stuff. So I can mainly judge this thing from a design standpoint, regardless of features, because frankly, all I really want my watch to do is beep in the morning and show the time. Anything beyond that will be eyed with suspicion.
So: I kinda wish they had taken the 6th-gen iPod design, ripped out the connector port and clip and scaled the thing up a bit to allow for better hardware and batteries. That would surely look better than this overstuffed sausage-y ... thing. Sure, it's a throwback to the 3GS, but after years of sleek designs with plenty of angles and sharp edges I find it hard to return to the rounded look.
But oh well. I already know one guy who's head over heels into the thing, and I fear he'll drag me with him on the hype train. It's hard to say no to someone who enjoys gadgets with that child-like innocence and enthusiasm that I've come to lack as years go past.
I don't see the sizes as intended for men and women specifically, it's really just the size of a person's wrist, if a woman has a distinctly large wrist, she may favor the larger watch, and men with smaller wrists, the smaller watch. It's not about gender, outside of men generally having large forearms.
What the Apple Watch Says About Apple
Apple Watch: Asking Why and Saying No
NYTimes said:
Apple Watch: Asking Why and Saying No
Stratechery said:
D
Deleted member 22576
Unconfirmed Member
If you just wore this on a keychain you could make a wicked tomagotchi thing for it.
infiniteloop
Member
Who you talking to Jim Carey gif?
ehhh . I think hes forcing himself to be too optimistic on the potential of the software, whose true power will be revealed at a later time. I think the screen size of a watch limits functionality more than anything else.
I did not know the gold watch was solid gold. I thought it was plated. jesus h christ. that thing is gonna cost a fortune.
I also hope hes way off on that steel version pricing guesstimate because thats the only model I would consider and theres no way its worth 1000 bucks. Half that, maybe, if I was in a suggestible state of mind.
Lol, it gets even more strident:
There will be no lines for the Apple Watch (hint: wealthy people don't wait in lines).Gruber said:
He raises some good points about Apple positioning itself as a luxury brand but really doubles down on the stupid in an attempt to support this Apple transformation
There may be lines
for the sport model at 350. or any model thats not 5 figures, really. Not iphone lines, but lines.
but hes not making a good argument mixing up potential demand for the affordable watch with his argument about the likely press reaction regarding ONLY the high end model pricing.
but hes not making a good argument mixing up potential demand for the affordable watch with his argument about the likely press reaction regarding ONLY the high end model pricing.
Apple Watch Sport (aluminum/glass): $349 (not a guess)
Apple Watch (stainless steel/sapphire): $999
Apple Watch Edition (18-karat gold/sapphire): $4999
What? I wonder if this is another controlled Gruber leak phrased as speculation...
I'm finding it hard to imagine that too many people who want to spend $4999 on a piece of tech that could be out of date in not too long.
Nazgul_Hunter
Member
I think the Moto 360's strap is way too small for the watch face. Almost like a smart watch version of Ariana Grande
he doesnt couch his leaks as speculation. he couches them as jokes or quick asides at the end of a post, as if it were no big deal. hes always been super clear when hes speculating. and these are speculations.
that said if its really solid gold and not plated, which he says Apple confirmed yeah, itll be expensive as hell.
Its for that fabled person who wants a fancy gold watch, probably already has a lot of luxury mechanical watches, and has some money to burn super niche market. the person buying it isnt thinking that theyre buying tech". theyd be buying a piece of jewelry.
Byakuya769
Member
GuitarAtomik
Member
Holy shit, that is a painful read. I don't use this word almost ever, but it actually made me cringe.
SuperPac
Member
Yeah, I'm an apple fan - and that Apple Watch piece made my eyes roll several times. Apple is not a tech company, what?
There's some good parts to that, and some critical thinking about how this new market will guide Apple and what sort of positioning there will be, but it's buried under a lot of other things that really throw off the tone.
Honestly, he seems to think that they'll be sold at a premium like you see the traditional watch industry, and I'm definitely not of the same mind.
He's looking at it like it's a standalone device - like a traditional watch is - despite the fact that it clearly is not and was never designed to be. He can claim to the contrary, but Apple Watch IS a companion device. It's just a really good companion device.
But because it's a companion device, I could see Apple taking less margin on them than they would on an iPhone, just to get them on more wrists. It requires compatible iPhones to have a market in the first place, so it would make sense to reduce a barrier to entry as much as humanly possible. Sell someone on the watch and you've sold them on an iPhone, so take your margin where it's easier to get it. Just my thought, anyways.
He does make a very good deduction about the possibility of Apple-sponsored trade-ins, though. It is highly conceivable that they would offer that for the gold Edition watches, if not for all of them, given the rarity of the materials used to make them. Upgrades I'm iffy on, but a trade-in program is sounding like a likelihood.
I don't even think the Edition collection will be sold at Apple Retail Stores to begin with. I think you'll see them instead at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Holt Renfrew and stores of their ilk.
Not STRICTLY a tech company is probably a better way of saying it.
What if the Apple Watch [Band] was Designed by Famous Fashion Designers?
Charging Stand for Apple Watch
That all white watchface doesn't seem possible...Hypebeast said:
Charging Stand for Apple Watch
?!Dodocase said:
heliconsoul
Member
There's not a chance on earth the stainless steel would be starting at $999 (translating into £800 probably) that article is batshit crazy 
I can see it being £600 with the link strap though.
I can see it being £600 with the link strap though.
Doubt they will start at 999, but I don't think his speculation is off base.There's not a chance on earth the stainless steel would be starting at $999 (translating into £800 probably) that article is batshit crazy
I can see it being £600 with the link strap though.
My guess is Stainless with a sport strap start at 500, leather straps above that and head up towards 1000 with Milanese or link bracelet.
I think the sport will be 350 and 400 for the two sizes respectively, with the cheapest SS option starting 100 above that with a large range of prices based on strap.
heliconsoul
Member
You could well be right, reading the description on the Milanese and Link chains doesn't make them sound cheap to produce. Hmm.
I'm totally in for the 38mm space grey stainless with link strap as long as it's under £800, I think it looks beautiful.
If the links are stupid expensive they will be plenty of third party options. And stainless steel and a small sapphire face shouldn't be that much more than the basic watch?
Sapphire glass covers are fairly expensive, payed around 150€(Edit: was more like 100 for the glass, had some other stuff done too) to replace my regular glass with one if I recall correctly. And that was through a local watchmaker my dad knows so it was mostly material cost.
that is with low volume specialist manufacturers. Didn't Apple just spend a fortune investing in large scale sapphire foundries? Their cost of production is not going to be anywhere near what it is for the high end watchmakers.
Their margins probably will be though
SteveMeister
Hang out with Steve.
I don't think the bands will be that expensive, even the link or Milanese ones.
Sapphire is also not as expensive as some seem to think. I have a Hamilton automatic with sapphire front and back and it was around $250 (leather band). And don't forget, Apple has their own sapphire manufacturing plant.
I may be wrong but my guess is $50 premium for the larger size, +$100 for stainless, + another $200 for Edition with leather, add on another $50 for Milanese or link bracelet. So a large Edition with Milanese would be $750-$800. Prices might vary due to the price of gold at the time.
I'll be surprised if Edition runs over $1000.
(I hope I'm right! :-/)
Sapphire is also not as expensive as some seem to think. I have a Hamilton automatic with sapphire front and back and it was around $250 (leather band). And don't forget, Apple has their own sapphire manufacturing plant.
I may be wrong but my guess is $50 premium for the larger size, +$100 for stainless, + another $200 for Edition with leather, add on another $50 for Milanese or link bracelet. So a large Edition with Milanese would be $750-$800. Prices might vary due to the price of gold at the time.
I'll be surprised if Edition runs over $1000.
(I hope I'm right! :-/)
What is "not too expensive" for a band, Milanese or link.
Most manufactures don't have a smoothly rounded sapphire front with crazy low tolerances. That is much harder to produce than a flat round or a round with simple chamfer.
Remember the edition watches are SOLID 18 karat gold cases and clasps. It would be cool if the whole line was under 1000 though, I guess we will see
Byakuya769
Member
If Ive is saying Swiss watchmakers should be worried, I don't think it's because they plan on aggressively lowering the price floor. Just not Apples's MO.
heliconsoul
Member
The only thing was a comment from Cook on stage about nightly charging. I'd bet on about 24 hours or so.
jimbobsmells
Member
No, but probably because a lot can change between now and release day.
heliconsoul
Member
Screw the haters, got this bad boy in the mail today. It actually had great printing quality and looked and felt surprisingly high quality.
I did have to remove three links though. The process should have been as easy as getting a small screw driver and pushing the pins through, but it was too tough for that. I then got a lightweight hammer and tried hammering the screwdriver through the pins, still didn't work. I ended up having to get a big metal heavyweight hammer, and putting it on the concrete floor in my garage and slamming the screw driver into each pin with the hammer multiple times to get each one out. Crazy thing was the thing didn't even scratch, dent, or break from any of this. I felt like Billy Mays slapping it with a hammer and it not breaking.
Also this happened too:
So yeah, screw the haters. Now I get to roll like a P.I.M.P.
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