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[mrklaw]

I don't really know how they are going to make it perfect though with current battery tech. I mean apple CAN go a long way by giving more screen time options, definitely. but what watch wearers basically want is "nearly almost always on" which either requires eInk and all the massive compromises that come with that, or will eat through modern battery tech like no tomorrow. not sure how the modern smart watches will be able to handle that while providing true "on demand' time viewing.

Android wear can mostly do a day with an always on, slightly dimmed screen (OLED at least). My guess is apple have too small a battery or the rest of their system is too battery hungry - heart rate checking every 10 minutes could be one culprit. OLED with mostly dark themes should not be a big battery hog. I'd be fine with it not updating all the time too - android wear goes into a dimmed mode that I think updates once a minute and the second hand disappears.

For now though I think tapping the screen to wake will be an ok workaround for those that like glancing down at their watch rather than swinging their wrist up.

If Apple used an OLED display, it wouldn't be hard to show the time constantly on Apple Watch 2 next year.

The burn-in from doing that would be horrifying though.

Which is probably why Apple didn't do that with Apple Watch 1 come to think of it.

The problem isn't current battery tech, it's current display tech.

Android wear cycles the watch face in an orbit of a few pixels to try and mitigate burn in.

 

[mrklaw]

Oh I think you are woefully optimistic. I suspect most models will slip past 4/24 shipping within 2-6 hours in the U.S.

I think stores will have some online reservations held back, for those that want to go into stores and try things on. It would be very bad if Apple had all these new setups and training to sell in store, but when they help you reserve,mthey are all sold out.

So if you miss out online, I think you'll have a second bite of the cherry if you can get to an Apple Store

 

[Appleman]

Android wear can mostly do a day with an always on, slightly dimmed screen (OLED at least). My guess is apple have too small a battery or the rest of their system is too battery hungry - heart rate checking every 10 minutes could be one culprit. OLED with mostly dark themes should not be a big battery hog. I'd be fine with it not updating all the time too - android wear goes into a dimmed mode that I think updates once a minute and the second hand disappears.

For now though I think tapping the screen to wake will be an ok workaround for those that like glancing down at their watch rather than swinging their wrist up.





Android wear cycles the watch face in an orbit of a few pixels to try and mitigate burn in.

Really wish there was a way to manually engage the display without having to use my other hand... would be great if it could detect you flexing your wrist or something and display the time

 

[RedNumberFive]

I think I just talked myself back into space gray. I'm obsessing way too much over this decision.

 

[Hobohodo]

I think I just talked myself back into space gray. I'm obsessing way too much over this decision.

Tell me about it. But yeah I'm back onto space grey sport. Now gonna log off the computer so that I can't be tempted and show back up at 7:45 AM ready to order. So glad its just early in the morning for us UK guys and not the middle of the night.

 

[Sean]

Thinking of going with this combo, aluminum Sport with black Sport band.

BUT apparently this isn't even a possible combo? That the only way you can get a sport with a black band is by either getting the Space Gray model or paying $50 extra for a black replacement band.

Anyone know what the deal is on this?

 

[strikeselect]

I'm going back and forth on whether I should give the watch a try. Biggest thing holding me back is the fact that I don't want to deal with TWO devices in my everyday life. I only want one and my iPhone 6 does the job remarkably well.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Android wear cycles the watch face in an orbit of a few pixels to try and mitigate burn in.

Anyone who owned a plasma TV knows that pixel orbiting a few pixels doesn't actually do anything. If it's going to burn in, it's going to burn in.

The reason why is painfully simple: When's the last time you ran into any graphical element anywhere which is exactly 2-3 pixels wide, and will result 100% of currently lit pixels being unlit during a period of the pixel orbit?

 

[The_Inquisitor]

I'm contemplating using GAFers in this thread as my beta testers.

 

[Nothing1016]

Stainless Steel or Aluminum?! I'm second guessing myself now. D:

 

[cakefoo]

After flipping through all the color options at http://mixyourwatch.com, I'm gonna get the white sport with light aluminum instead of the black. That dark aluminum looks so boring.

 

[LyleLanley]

Stainless Steel or Aluminum?! I'm second guessing myself now. D:

I'm going with stainless steel, I want the sapphire.

 

[sc0la]

I think the silver sport with stone leather loop could look pretty baller.

 

[iMax]

Stainless Steel or Aluminum?! I'm second guessing myself now. D:

dat sapphire man

 

[Sean]

Stainless Steel or Aluminum?! I'm second guessing myself now. D:

I am leaning towards the aluminum / budget option since it's a first gen product. If I'm gonna go all out it'd be during a second gen or later model (more future proof etc).

Aluminum looks quite nice and is lighter as well. There's not as many matching band choices on the aluminum but I'm sure third parties will take care of that. I think the aluminum would be less likely to show wear and tear/scratches as well.

 

[iMax]

I am leaning towards the aluminum / budget option since it's a first gen product. If I'm gonna go all out it'd be during a second gen or later model (more future proof etc).

Aluminum looks quite nice and is lighter as well. There's not as many matching band choices on the aluminum but I'm sure third parties will take care of that. I think the aluminum would be less likely to show wear and tear/scratches as well.

Not on the screen. That thing's gonna look awful if you don't treat it with extreme care.

 

[chadskin]

Not on the screen. That thing's gonna look awful if you don't treat it with extreme care.

Can't wait for Scratchgate

 

[SuperPac]

Thinking of going with this combo, aluminum Sport with black Sport band.

BUT apparently this isn't even a possible combo? That the only way you can get a sport with a black band is by either getting the Space Gray model or paying $50 extra for a black replacement band.

Anyone know what the deal is on this?

That's correct. With the Sport model the black band is only available with the space gray one.

 

[Nothing1016]

I'm going with stainless steel, I want the sapphire.

dat sapphire man

That's amazing. My initial guy reaction was to go with the Stainless Steel as well and I think that video sealed the deal but the price of the Sport is cheap.

I am leaning towards the aluminum / budget option since it's a first gen product. If I'm gonna go all out it'd be during a second gen or later model (more future proof etc).

Aluminum looks quite nice and is lighter as well. There's not as many matching band choices on the aluminum but I'm sure third parties will take care of that. I think the aluminum would be less likely to show wear and tear/scratches as well.

My thinking is that if I get the stainless steel I might be able to sell it for $250-$300 when the next one is announced. But at the same time I can get the Sport for $150 right now because I have a $200 Gift Card. Decisions. Decisions.

 

[twinturbo2]

I'm not even convinced that Apple is going to commit to annual Watch updates. They might wait until the battery tech improves and that most of the teething problems will be solved with software updates.

Gonna set an appointment the moment I can do so, working overnight has its privileges after all. Then I'll upgrade to an iPhone 6 with a Sprint unlimited plan and I'm good to go.

 

[Ape Gone Insane]

What's the range between phone and watch? Feel like that should be a key question.

 

[LCfiner]

I’d say the first few years of Apple Watch should get yearly updates just to maximize the potential for speed, screen, form factor and battery improvements.

The issues the reviews bring up need to be resolved and if it means doing more on the watch and less on the phone (slow data loading for location apps, for example) then quick hardware iteration will make the product better and be worth it.

 

[Dreamwriter]

Not on the screen. That thing's gonna look awful if you don't treat it with extreme care.

Eh? It's gonna be the same glass as on recent iPhones, those don't look awful, you don't need to treat them with extreme care. Sure, Sapphire is insanely scratch resistant, but Gorilla Glass ain't no slouch either.

The issues the reviews bring up need to be resolved and if it means doing more on the watch and less on the phone (slow data loading for location apps, for example) then quick hardware iteration will make the product better and be worth it.

Most of the issues reviews bring up can be solved through software updates. One's even guaranteed, the speed of third party apps will greatly improve once Apple releases the native dev kit for developers to use. The current Apple Watch dev kit has apps running entirely on the phone, and then communicating with the watch to tell it what to display. So, press an onscreen button, the watch has to communicate with the phone that the button was pressed, the phone then tells the watch what to display based on that button press. So, instant lag with every single action. But later this year Apple will release the native dev kit, allowing developers to finally run their apps directly on the watch itself.

 

[Got the Shakes]

What's the range between phone and watch? Feel like that should be a key question.

I believe if you are on wifi then it's anywhere that the wifi your on covers. On Bluetooth it's like your standard 30-50 feet or whatever.

 

[kaskade]

What's the range between phone and watch? Feel like that should be a key question.

I believe Bluetooth can get up to around 100 ft with no walls and stuff. I'd bet it wouldn't be an issue if you leave the phone and walk around the house a bit.

 

[Dreamwriter]

This is using the new low-power Bluetooth that goes easy on batteries, I doubt it'll get 30-50 feet. But through Wifi it can go much, much farther, it just has to be able to talk to your router.

 

[Cloudy]

Any extended hands-on video of the black sport? I'm having second thoughts now lol

 

[TwIsTeD]

All the reviews so far are just reinforcing my decision to go sport - I only wish that damn band wasn't white haha - I really don't like the dark grey

 

[subrock]

Any extended hands-on video of the black sport? I'm having second thoughts now lol

I'm having trouble finding any hands on with the black sport. Doesn't bode well...

 

[ayeorkean]

Any extended hands-on video of the black sport? I'm having second thoughts now lol

http://youtu.be/ybQOcbLC5-o
http://www.engadget.com/gallery/apple-iwatch-hands-on/2919997/

 

[Epix]

 

[Nothing1016]

It's all ready beginning. First new product category for Apple in a while. Fans are thirsty including myself

 

[subrock]

I am legit shook that there are two real life women in line

 

[Cloudy]

http://youtu.be/ybQOcbLC5-o
http://www.engadget.com/gallery/apple-iwatch-hands-on/2919997/

Thanks. I'll stick with it. Just can't justify going over $400 for gen 1. Anyone know the weight difference btw. the 3 versions?

 

[ito007]

This is such an exciting time. Can't wait for this thing to come out

 

[Cloudy]

I'm having trouble finding any hands on with the black sport. Doesn't bode well...

Seems like Apple didn't send out any aluminums for review...

 

[infiniteloop]

Thanks. I'll stick with it. Just can't justify going over $400 for gen 1. Anyone know the weight difference btw. the 3 versions?

sport is 25g, watch is 40g, edition is 54g

edit: those are 38mm. 42 is:

30/50/67

 

[TKR92]

Thanks. I'll stick with it. Just can't justify going over $400 for gen 1. Anyone know the weight difference btw. the 3 versions?

I think someone posted this link a few pages back.

http://robservatory.com/the-all-in-one-apple-watch-spreadsheet/

 

[Cloudy]

Wow, that is quite significant. I like heavy watches but I have to stay at $400 lol

 

[Wario64]

Does Apple allow open returns

 

[infiniteloop]

Does Apple allow open returns

i believe within 14 days.

 

[border]

Are people seriously already lining up for this thing? Not to buy it or pre-order it, but just so they can try it out in the morning?

 

[subrock]

Are people seriously already lining up for this thing? Not to buy it or pre-order it, but just so they can try it out in the morning?

You must be able to reserve after a try on.

 

[infiniteloop]

You must be able to reserve after a try on.

Nope.

 

[Terrell]

I've never done an online preorder for an Apple product, do they pre-auth the total purchase value at time of pre-order?
The answer to this question will determine what I buy.

 

[dallow_bg]

I'll check it out at the Apple Store that's right down the road during work hours Monday. Hopefully it won't be packed then.

 

[border]

You must be able to reserve after a try on.

But you'll be able to reserve your watch from the comfort of your own home in less than 6 hours. Why stand outside an Apple Store all night long? Especially when there's a chance that all the pre-orders might sell out before the store even opens.

 

[mrkgoo]

Are people seriously already lining up for this thing? Not to buy it or pre-order it, but just so they can try it out in the morning?

With such a breadth of options on such a personal device, something you wear, wouldn't you want to try it on before you get one?

It makes sense there's a line to try it, if you want one, but just need to see which one suits you best.

Even if just for sizing.

I mean, with the phones, you mostly know what you're going to get. you might want to see it, but you could use your imagination. It's not so easy with a watch.

Like I would like to order one as soon as i can, but I have no idea which one i'd like. Which watch size and which strap size. I want to try them first THEN order.

 

[Terrell]

With such a breadth of options on such a personal device, something you wear, wouldn't you want to try it on before you get one?

It makes sense there's a line to try it, if you want one, but just need to see which one suits you best.

Even if just for sizing.

It's not people wanting to try it first that he's puzzled by. It's the lineup the day before the thing is available that baffles the mind.

People maybe didn't hear that there's no in-store pre-order stock allocations?

 

[subrock]

pretty cool demo kiosk actually
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ly0A9EelFg

And for anyone that wants to check sizing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY1A7nzZxIA