• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Apple announces Apple Watch

Status
Not open for further replies.
Deku Tree said:
I'm not sure if the Edition or regular Apple Watch or the Sport version will have exclusive bands ... or a slightly different clasp connection so they don't fit the other versions ... or the higher end bands will just be really really expensive like why would you buy a regular Apple watch silver band for your sport watch when the Band costs so much more etc?
Click to expand...
I'm sure the Sport version bands will be non exclusive and most, if not all, colors will be available separately at retail. I think the Edition version bands will be exclusive and not be available separately at retail (even though the Edition white band with gold buckle would pair alright with any Sport version). The question mark is the stainless steel version, Apple could go either way there.

badcrumble said:
That's a pretty silly comparison (the Mac mini thing).

Do people plan to keep the same computer around for decades as a decoration? No. And with the S1 entire-computer-on-a-chip thing, the Apple Watch is both upgradable and, more importantly, upgradable in a way where 100% of the upgrade revenue will go to Apple because nobody else can do it.

The $100 premium for the black macbook that happened that one time is not, for example, a useful precedent for a piece of hardware that costs over twenty times as much for the same hardware in a different enclosure, also. If Apple sells hardware that goes obsolete for $10k and stuff that has the same specs and also goes obsolete at $350, the $10k models won't sell.

Yes, yes, lol apple cult of people who will buy anything apple does because they're hypnotized by marketing and don't make Logical consumer decisions, but if Apple's competing with $20k gold watches that never go obsolete because they're based on clockwork, they need to make sure their $10k watch can't go obsolete either. This is best come at with reasonable thinking, not overcooked stereotypes about how Apple hardware is overpriced and Apple's consumers are sheeple who don't care.
Click to expand...
The mac mini thing is an example that Apple is trending away from upgrading and swapping out components of their devices. That trend started with their mobile devices — iPods, iPhones and iPads are not upgradeable. The iWatch will get software updates sure but swapping out chips? Is it even physically possible to swap in sensors?

It's not about apple cult or apple sheeple. Those people don't buy Vertu phones. Gangsters buy vertu phones:
lZ4a5.jpg

rT2lMl.jpg
Click to expand...
You think that muthafucker expects to live to 80 yrs and give his kid(s) a watch as an heirloom? To illustrate the point further: thewirecutter are pretty big apple fans and review/recommend cases to the apple 'sheeple'. Their current recommendation for an iPad case is the Apple Leather Folio for $80 but they also offer a runner-up because it's more affordable at $40 and even highlight a budget recommendation for a $15 case. That gangster up there has a Louis Vuitton bag and belt. Do you know how much a Louis Vuitton 'technical case' costs? $300 for an iPhone case, $600 for an iPad case, over a $1,000 for a Macbook case. The people who buy a $300 LV case don't care it's going to be obsolete in 2 years when a redesigned iPhone is released (they certainly don't expect LV to offer an upgrade program for their case). They spend thousands every season (i.e every 6 months) on clothes, bags etc. That's the luxury fashion branding Apple is trying to get into so their $10K watches can sell.

The Edition watch is not for you or for me. Neither is the Sport watch (that's for people who buy iPhone 5c and Beats headphones because they are 'cool'). The stainless steel version is made of premium materials that Apple cult fans expect from the company; those sheeple fans who buy Apple products because they are the best and last for years. If Apple's going offer an upgrade program that's the version they should be targeting. But then Apple would have to announce/promise an upgrade program before the iWatch is released so it spurs sales among that demographic especially if it's going to be $1000 (cult apple fans know now to buy 1st gen). So if Apple doesn't announce a future upgrade program along with the price/pre-order day then I doubt it's ever going to happen.
 
Greyface said:
The Edition watch is not for you or for me. Neither is the Sport watch (that's for people who buy iPhone 5c and Beats headphones because they are 'cool'). The stainless steel version is made of premium materials that Apple cult fans expect from the company; those sheeple fans who buy Apple products because they are the best and last for years. If Apple's going offer an upgrade program that's the version they should be targeting. But then Apple would have to announce/promise an upgrade program before the iWatch is released so it spurs sales among that demographic especially if it's going to be $1000 (cult apple fans know now to buy 1st gen). So if Apple doesn't announce a future upgrade program along with the price/pre-order day then I doubt it's ever going to happen.
Click to expand...

An upgrade program is extremely important for this device based on purchase cost alone. But if they can do it for one model, then they can do it for all. The difference is just case material.
 
jimbobsmells said:
An upgrade program is extremely important for this device based on purchase cost alone. But if they can do it for one model, then they can do it for all. The difference is just case material.
Click to expand...

Does any other watch maker or tech company doing phones or watches or whatever offer such a program? If not, I don't imagine it's really important enough for Apple to do, especially if they plan on changing the case at all to accommodate new sensors or whatever. Just because they "can" do it does not mean they will.

It'd be nice but - they're a business. A very, very profitable one.
 
I don't see the upfront cost being a motivator to start an official watch upgrade program.

I don't buy the "obsolescence" explanation. just because the existing watch is slower than new ones, doesn't mean it's obsolete. not everyone will care. in addition, Apple is pushing this as a fashion item and not a tech item. an upgrade program being something that would push that aspect of the watch to the forefront of consumers minds. Apple wants people to think about the tech portion of the watch less. So I don't see them offering upgrades to it regardless of cost.

as for comparing to mechanical watches. you could make a case that mechanical watches are already obsolete. the mechanism inside has been replaced by more accurate and more capable quartz watches for decades now. But people still appreciate these mechanical watches specifically for the craftsmanship of the old fashioned movement (i certainly do).

Even when a swiss watchmaker comes out with a new movement that offers more accuracy or longer time between servicing or more complications, there's no upgrade offer for implanting the new movement in the old watch. you just buy the new watch and, if you like, sell the old watch for the replacement.

I know people are freaking out over the watch pricing but I really, really do not see Apple starting an internal replacement program for this item considering their recent history, their positioning of the watch as a personal fashion item, and the history of the watch market in general.
 
SuperPac said:
Does any other watch maker or tech company doing phones or watches or whatever offer such a program? If not, I don't imagine it's really important enough for Apple to do, especially if they plan on changing the case at all to accommodate new sensors or whatever. Just because they "can" do it does not mean they will.

It'd be nice but - they're a business. A very, very profitable one.
Click to expand...

I agree with you.

But I feel there is still a very valid argument for it. It's not necessary when you look at this as a cheap smartwatch or a long-life expensive swiss watch. But it sits in some vague middle space. As many people have said before the internals will be out of date and reaching EOL way, way before that case and strap does. All the marketing in the world will not be able to stop people ultimately seeing this as a tech product rather than a luxury fashion item.

I collect watches, so I appreciate the quality and value of a timeless piece
is there a pun there?
. This watch needs to be able to seperate the 'watch' aspect (design & material) and the 'tech' otherwise I assume a lot of people are going to feel burned after spending what's presumably good swiss watch money on something thats defunct after a couple of years.

On another note, I've only just noticed how many people in my office are wearing fitness trackers at the moment. It's like every other person has one right now. Wonder how that will change once the Apple Watch is released...
 
I feel like all these price predictions are like a bad game of price is right. Everyone is overbidding.

$1, Bob.
 
DrEvil said:
I feel like all these price predictions are like a bad game of price is right. Everyone is overbidding.

$1, Bob.
Click to expand...

for the high end maybe not. But for the entry level they've already said $399. And with the replaceable straps they are bound to have several options that are 'affordable' relative to the cost of the entry level watch. Of course they'll have a bunch that are way more expensive too, but they won't want to lock people out of the entire range - they need this to be a mass market product to get traction. If they can get it to also have a luxury version, then thats all upside on the margin for them too
 
Greyface said:
The Edition watch is not for you or for me. Neither is the Sport watch (that's for people who buy iPhone 5c and Beats headphones because they are 'cool'). The stainless steel version is made of premium materials that Apple cult fans expect from the company; those sheeple fans who buy Apple products because they are the best and last for years. If Apple's going offer an upgrade program that's the version they should be targeting. But then Apple would have to announce/promise an upgrade program before the iWatch is released so it spurs sales among that demographic especially if it's going to be $1000 (cult apple fans know now to buy 1st gen). So if Apple doesn't announce a future upgrade program along with the price/pre-order day then I doubt it's ever going to happen.
Click to expand...

I do agree with this part, I think. It'll have a major effect on what some consumers are willing to invest in.

LCfiner said:
I don't buy the "obsolescence" explanation. just because the existing watch is slower than new ones, doesn't mean it's obsolete. not everyone will care. in addition, Apple is pushing this as a fashion item and not a tech item. an upgrade program being something that would push that aspect of the watch to the forefront of consumers minds. Apple wants people to think about the tech portion of the watch less. So I don't see them offering upgrades to it regardless of cost.
Click to expand...

To me it's less about obsolescence than it's about the fact that the battery's going to degrade over time. It's eventually going to be a brick.

SuperPac said:
Does any other watch maker or tech company doing phones or watches or whatever offer such a program? If not, I don't imagine it's really important enough for Apple to do, especially if they plan on changing the case at all to accommodate new sensors or whatever. Just because they "can" do it does not mean they will.

It'd be nice but - they're a business. A very, very profitable one.
Click to expand...

Mechanical watches need to be taken in to a watchmaker for cleaning/oiling about once a year. There's absolutely a precedent.
 
badcrumble said:
Mechanical watches need to be taken in to a watchmaker for cleaning/oiling about once a year. There's absolutely a precedent.
Click to expand...

I more specifically meant Samsung, LG, Sony, Motorola - smartwatch manufacturers. In the current mainstream tech market there is no precedent in taking in your old model and having its guts swapped by the original manufacturer. Watches are different - this is a watch, but it's also a tech product. Just like the iPhone is a phone but also not just that.

Even if you have the processor swapped out you're not going to want a better screen, microphone, crown or new body size/shape that a new model would offer? Seems like the better strategy is let people sell their old one and buy a new one. Outside of the Edition, the guts of the thing are more expensive than the case anyway, no?
 
The only trade-program that remotely makes sense is for the Editions. Maybe Apple would be willing to take back the old models just for the gold in exchange for a discount. There's no chance that they will be shuffling processors in and out of the other models.
 
SuperPac said:
Even if you have the processor swapped out you're not going to want a better screen, microphone, crown or new body size/shape that a new model would offer? Seems like the better strategy is let people sell their old one and buy a new one. Outside of the Edition, the guts of the thing are more expensive than the case anyway, no?
Click to expand...

Yeah a competitive trade in program would be good. Ok your intial cost of entry the first year is expensive, but that'll subsidise your next version. There'll be a market for that just like for iPhones right now. If Apple can offer that themselves it would help convince me more.
 
jimbobsmells said:
Yeah a competitive trade in program would be good. Ok your intial cost of entry the first year is expensive, but that'll subsidise your next version. There'll be a market for that just like for iPhones right now. If Apple can offer that themselves it would help convince me more.
Click to expand...

They might via a third party, just like they do with iPhones - but I could see them not offering it right away maybe waiting until the 3rd version or something. Either way it's pretty unlikely they'd announce that now.
 
Couldn't the watch be something that you upgrade every four/five years like your laptop? Every one compares it to a similar cycle to a smartphone, but isn't the acceleration of that more down to the way carrier contracts work (especially in the US where, at least to my understanding, it's quite rare to buy a smartphone outright)? As much as people like throw around the word "obsolete," these older devices are still completely useable.
I still use an iPhone 4S...
Isn't that kinda what we've seen with iPad sales slowing down? That people are less susceptible to upgrading when they've paid for the thing outright.

edit: I guess the argument would be Apple would obviously want to create a product that you wanted to upgrade regularly. However, Apple's entire strategy seems to be about making the smartphone more central to your life (HomeKit, HealthKit, Apple Pay). If the Watch continues to do this (strengthening your "bond," for lack of a better word, with your iPhone), it seems in line with what they've been doing.
 
I think at best, you'll be able to use your watch band with the second gen but even that isn't necessarily a given and I'd be super wary of buying a $1k tech watch that could be obsolete in a year without knowing that up front.
 
badcrumble said:
To me it's less about obsolescence than it's about the fact that the battery's going to degrade over time. It's eventually going to be a brick.



Mechanical watches need to be taken in to a watchmaker for cleaning/oiling about once a year. There's absolutely a precedent.
Click to expand...

good point about the battery. But I can see battery replacements out of warranty - when the life will be appreciably lower - being handled the same way as iphones. they take out the battery and put a new one in for a fee (or maybe like ipads where they just give you a new one since the thing is glued together). that's a different level of support than replacing a system on a chip via official process to upgrade the internal speed of the thing.

once a year for maintenance is a bit much - maybe for really old watches? usually it's every couple years or longer, as recommended by the manufacturer. some newer movements can get closer to 8 to 10 years.
 
I can see Apple having a maintenance upgrade program for the Apple Watch and The Apple Watch Edition.

Similar to the way you get your $10K++ Swiss watch refurbished every so often for thousands, you can spend $500 or $1000 or more to get your Edition up to date with the latest tech and battery life but you keep your expensive band and you keep your gold watch case.
 
Deku Tree said:
I'm thinking Apple is not even going to discuss or address the issue of "what happens to my obsolete expensive tech watch next year?"
Click to expand...
I agree. Explaining it seems like them admitting that they know it costs a lot, when their target audience is probably looking at it thinking, "pretty cheap actually!"
 
LCfiner said:
good point about the battery. But I can see battery replacements out of warranty - when the life will be appreciably lower - being handled the same way as iphones. they take out the battery and put a new one in for a fee (or maybe like ipads where they just give you a new one since the thing is glued together). that's a different level of support than replacing a system on a chip via official process to upgrade the internal speed of the thing.

once a year for maintenance is a bit much - maybe for really old watches? usually it's every couple years or longer, as recommended by the manufacturer. some newer movements can get closer to 8 to 10 years.
Click to expand...

Remember, the S1 isn't just a system on a chip, it's the entire computer as a single unit. That's why I suspect that if there's any upgrade system whatsoever - and, IMO, it doesn't make sense for there not to be - it's going to have to involve upgrading the whole thing.

That's also a good way for Apple to lock in a *massive* amount of annual or biannual upgrade revenue like they've failed to get from the iPad.
 
I think apple does a lot of research on this, and are very confident in their pricing schemes. If you aren't going to buy at their prices, then they've already determined you weren't their target consumer. And you know what? That's OK. Not every consumer cares to buy everything and not every business wants every consumer
 
ito007 said:
I think apple does a lot of research on this, and are very confident in their pricing schemes. If you aren't going to buy at their prices, then they've already determined you weren't their target consumer. And you know what? That's OK. Not every consumer cares to buy everything and not every business wants every consumer
Click to expand...

It could be telling that Apple is grouping Apple Watch revenue in with Apple TV and iPods. Maybe they've realized that the device as they want to build it is going to be attractive to a small-ish % of their audience anyway so being aggressive on pricing isn't *as* important.

And this is an interesting case where the function and form are (at least that we know) the same between the models, the difference is the materials it's built out of. If the strategy doesn't work they can always change it next year. :D
 
Greyface said:
Any GAFfer with plans to buy the iWatch Edition ONLY if Apple announces an S1 upgrade/trade-in program? What about the iWatch SS?
Click to expand...

It's called the Apple Watch, not iWatch. ;)

Regardless of an upgrade/trade-in, I'm in for the Apple Watch Stainless Steel (silver). Probably with Classic Buckle.
 
Greyface said:
Any GAFfer with plans to buy the iWatch Edition ONLY if Apple announces an S1 upgrade/trade-in program? What about the iWatch SS?
Click to expand...

I'm long overdue for buying something stupid, so I'll grab one regardless. My upgrade plan is to just sell it shortly before the second gen ones come out. It's not something essential like a phone, so I hope to sell it while I can still get top dollar for it.
 
Greyface said:
Any GAFfer with plans to buy the iWatch Edition ONLY if Apple announces an S1 upgrade/trade-in program? What about the iWatch SS?
Click to expand...

Heh, well, this sort of tips my hand about wishful thinking, but I'd go for the standard Apple Watch with link bracelet if there's an S1->S2 upgrade program. Otherwise I probably won't get an Apple Watch until the hardware gets way more useful (more sensors, more telephony, more biometric-identity verification, better battery life).

I prefer the steel aesthetic over the gold one.
 
Speaking of, I wonder if there is some patent that prevented them from calling it iWatch or if it's intentional as not to confuse it for being a standalone product (requiring iPhone) or something.
 
Greyface said:
Any GAFfer with plans to buy the iWatch Edition ONLY if Apple announces an S1 upgrade/trade-in program? What about the iWatch SS?
Click to expand...

If the Edition version really ends up being over $10,000 I can't imagine buying it even if they announce an upgrade/trade-in program. That's just too much money for something that has the potential to be a complete bust.
 
Majine said:
Speaking of, I wonder if there is some patent that prevented them from calling it iWatch or if it's intentional as not to confuse it for being a standalone product (requiring iPhone) or something.
Click to expand...

I think it's their new branding strategy (notice ApplePay instead of iPay). I'd be surprised if anything with the "i" prefix comes out of Apple again.
 
I know they said they were putting safes in at apple stores for the edition watch, but they would probably need private security if that thing was 20k (like the fancy jewelry stores do at my local mall.

I just don't see it happening.
 
SeanR1221 said:
I know they said they were putting safes in at apple stores for the edition watch, but they would probably need private security if that thing was 20k (like the fancy jewelry stores do at my local mall.

I just don't see it happening.
Click to expand...

It's pretty funny that Apple's putting a bunch of great theft protections in place for iPhones and then turning around and releasing a product made out of gold, lol.

Gold is like $1200 per ounce. It doesn't matter what the MSRP is - that shit's valuable no matter what they're charging at retail.

To be honest it might be smarter for Apple to make Edition purchases appointment-only.
 
Isn't there a rumor that Apple is considering opening separate stores for the watch? Maybe that's the only place that you'll be able to buy the Edition version at.
 
curious how much the bands cost. I think the sports one with a leatherband would look fine.

will probably wait for gen 2 though. pebble time will keep my smartwatch funsies until then.
 
iMax said:
This. Editions will probably be ordered-in on request.
Click to expand...

I'm really curios as to how this will all end up working. I can't imagine they'll let just any person off the street come in and hold a $10,000 watch. If they go the route of requiring watches to be ordered-in at most of their stores will they ask for a deposit? Will they only sell the Edition version at third party high end jewelry stores?
 
Advertising gearing up. First print ad is in Vogue - http://www.macrumors.com/2015/02/25/apple-watch-vogue-magazine-march/

MacRumors said:
Apple appears to be gearing up for a big marketing push for the Apple Watch ahead of its April launch, featuring the device on several magazine covers. The Apple Watch made its U.S. magazine cover debut earlier this month in the March issue of Self, and it's also being featured in a multi-page spread in the March issue of Vogue.

applewatchvogue2-800x600.jpg
Click to expand...

It's happening!!!! Etc.
 
Greyface said:
Any GAFfer with plans to buy the iWatch Edition ONLY if Apple announces an S1 upgrade/trade-in program? What about the iWatch SS?
Click to expand...

They're not going to announce an upgrade program until the second model comes out, if at all, and I doubt they will.

$10k solid gold smartwatches are targeted squarely at the luxury crowd with more money than God, the kind of people who will have no problem blowing $10k on something that will be obsolete in 2 years because that kind of money is insignificant to them. If that's not you, I wouldn't even think about it.
 
Greyface said:
Any GAFfer with plans to buy the iWatch Edition ONLY if Apple announces an S1 upgrade/trade-in program? What about the iWatch SS?
Click to expand...

Tech trade ins are the norm now, but Apple Watch isn't going to get some special treatment that you can't get with other hardware. Resale market is the likely option before upgrading. They aren't trying to appease anyone's budget with the Edition models, and they are likely only in the lower thousands and not these 5 digit estimates. Gold ain't THAT expensive and Apple doesn't have high fashion pricing credibility yet, which is a much wilder stretch than their slight premiums in tech.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Tim Apple announces Season 3 of Severance
36
4K
kapshin replied
Recommended Smart Watches (not Apple)
5
700
Sticks replied
Apple Event - 'Awe dropping' | Sept 9, 10am PT
2 3 4 5
238
3K
Trilobit replied
Apple posts a very cringe ad for new iPhone - A ferret gets triggered
48
536
PonyStation4 replied
Apple prepares to enter the low-cost laptop market for the first time (Bloomberg)
22
576
LordCBH replied
Top Bottom