Tim Cook Talks Apple Watch Water Resistance and European Apple Pay Expansion

MacRumors · Feb 25, 2015

While on a trip in Germany to visit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and meet with a few German-based Apple staff members, Apple CEO Tim Cook told Apple Store employees in Berlin that he wears his Apple Watch constantly, "even in the shower", according to iGen.fr [Google Translate].

The new piece of information from the Apple CEO could mean the company's been working on adding more water resistant features to the upcoming wearable, since at its early-September reveal event the company warned off wearing the device in the shower.

Cook went on to say that he charges his Apple Watch every night, which seems to fall in line with what he's said previously on the topic. But, as Apple Insider points out, some of his comments regarding the new information on the Apple Watch could have been lost in translation.

He also told a few of the Apple Store workers, specifically in fielding a question asked by a visually impaired employee, that apps and accessibility features focused on aiding the disabled would be coming to the watch over time. Cook even commented on a few recent bits of bad press the company has faced in regards to the working conditions at its Chinese facilities.

He said that Chinese workers want to work hard and their employers want them to always work more. Apple is trying to ensure that there is no abuse, and the number hours worked per week decreases with time. He said that wages in China are increasing much faster than anywhere in the world. While recalling that the cost of living is much lower there, compared for example to Germany or the United States.

Concerning the overseas launch of Apple Pay, which has been gaining steam in rumors lately, Cook stated that a European launch for the contactless payment service will come "before the end of the year." Cook's trip continues this week (via The Marker) [Google Translate], with the CEO moving on to Israel to visit the newly-built Apple offices in Herzliya and a planned meeting with former President Shimon Peres.

Article Link: Tim Cook Talks Apple Watch Water Resistance and European Apple Pay Expansion

joshuaclinton · Feb 25, 2015

"even in the shower.."

I'd like to know how many Apple Watches Tim has gone through.

0815 · Feb 25, 2015

good - but won't stop the haters from hating it.

CmdrLaForge · Feb 25, 2015

I would not read to much what he tells employees at the store. Question will be how the watch is specified. I hope that they can improve the water resistance to at least 30m.

willwritefortea · Feb 25, 2015

I didn't realize this was such a big feature for so many people.

What are you aiming to do on your watch that can't wait the five or ten minutes it takes to actually shower?

thekeyring · Feb 25, 2015

December 31 2015: "Apple Pay launches in UK."

Nailed it!

I'm kidding, obviously

I could have upgraded my phone early, but I thought I'd wait for my upgrade to come round. By then the iPhone 6S would have launched and - hopefully - Apple Pay in the UK.

Four oF NINE · Feb 25, 2015

Apple Pay adoption is rapidly increasing, working conditions in China are improving. The trend is positive.

Bane-Thunder · Feb 25, 2015

I'm still waiting to see the prices. I'm not one to wear a watch in the shower anyway.

So water resistance isnt a problem for me. Price will be a factor not looking to go over £400 for the Stainless steel 38mm.

neuropsychguy · Feb 25, 2015

0815 said:
good - but won't stop the haters from hating it.

Of course not because they can't go deep sea fishing or scuba diving with it on (not that they really would). Some people will always complain about anything.

marvz · Feb 25, 2015

willwritefortea said:
I didn't realize this was such a big feature for so many people.

What are you aiming to do on your watch that can't wait the five or ten minutes it takes to actually shower?

I think, it's all about convenience. I want to wear my Apple Watch all day and don't want to remember specific situations where I have to take it off.

Mad Mac Maniac · Feb 25, 2015

Of course he wears it in the shower. He make enough money during the time it takes me to write this post to buy a new Apple Watch every hour for the rest of his life.

LordVic · Feb 25, 2015

willwritefortea said:
I didn't realize this was such a big feature for so many people.

What are you aiming to do on your watch that can't wait the five or ten minutes it takes to actually shower?

its not necessarily the shower. thats just an example (I know i don't wear mine during showering)

but you know, I do wash my hands regularly during the day, Especially coming out of the toilet. When I wash my hands, I use lots of soap and water. and do wash up to my wrists (proper handwashing technique, it's a habit). Wearing a watch, it WILL get wet. it will on occasion get under the flow of water.

What about rain? can you guarantee during a torrential downpour, no water will get on your wrist watch?

what about regions of the world with extreme humidity? Water resistance helps here too.

Simply put, the more water resistant a watch can be, the better.

bobob · Feb 25, 2015

I'm not sure why anyone is surprised...

... oh wait, that was one of the major criticisms in The League of Apple Watch Naysayers handbook.

thekeyring · Feb 25, 2015

willwritefortea said:
I didn't realize this was such a big feature for so many people.

What are you aiming to do on your watch that can't wait the five or ten minutes it takes to actually shower?

I think people want to put it on in the morning and take it off at night without thinking much about it.

That's why people want a 20 hour battery life, no questions asked. They don't want to worry "I'd better not use the Watch too much, I'm working late tonight and the battery might die".

dlewis23 · Feb 25, 2015

willwritefortea said:
What are you aiming to do on your watch that can't wait the five or ten minutes it takes to actually shower?

You don't like to read your messages in the shower like everyone else?

Roessnakhan · Feb 25, 2015

willwritefortea said:
I didn't realize this was such a big feature for so many people.

What are you aiming to do on your watch that can't wait the five or ten minutes it takes to actually shower?

Control music while in the shower?

0815 · Feb 25, 2015

willwritefortea said:
I didn't realize this was such a big feature for so many people.

What are you aiming to do on your watch that can't wait the five or ten minutes it takes to actually shower?

I think you are taking this too literal. Don't think most people care if you can take it into the shower - but they care if they can use it during day to day activities where it might get under water for short amounts of time - or maybe they can't wash the hands without making a wet mess all around them.

So yes, I think it is a feature to care about ... a nice to have, but not must have.

madsci954 · Feb 25, 2015

Mad Mac Maniac said:
Of course he wears it in the shower. He make enough money during the time it takes me to write this post to buy a new Apple Watch every hour for the rest of his life.

Actually, he probably just walks down to the warehouse, grabs a new one of the style he wants, and puts it on. And no one bats an eye lol

iSee · Feb 25, 2015

willwritefortea said:
I didn't realize this was such a big feature for so many people.

What are you aiming to do on your watch that can't wait the five or ten minutes it takes to actually shower?

It's about not having to worry about it and not being forced to fiddle with it.
You want a watch to serve you, not the other way around.

CmdrLaForge said:
I would not read to much what he tells employees at the store. Question will be how the watch is specified. I hope that they can improve the water resistance to at least 30m.

That's a good point. Tim Cook can do whatever he wants but if Apple recommends that it not be worn in the shower, then you are taking a chance. TC can replace Edition watches by the dozen. There's wiggle room, of course, because you can always claim when going in for a replacement that you never wore your Apple Watch in the shower. But no one wants that hassle, a lot of people like to be honest, and surely there are limits.

Mad Mac Maniac · Feb 25, 2015

willwritefortea said:
I didn't realize this was such a big feature for so many people.

What are you aiming to do on your watch that can't wait the five or ten minutes it takes to actually shower?

Well for me personally, I like to listen to music/podcasts during my shower, so it would be nice to be able to control that. Also, check the time. Those are the main things that stick out to me.

That being said, if the Watch has a quick charge capability (say an hour or so. The battery will be pretty small), then I might prefer to charge during that time to allow myself to sleep with my watch. That would allow for sleep tracking and the tap to wake feature. Not to mention a mini nightlight if I need to get up in the middle of the night

cmChimera · Feb 25, 2015

Roessnakhan said:
Control music while in the shower?

That's actually a good use I never thought of.

Keirasplace · Feb 25, 2015

Mad Mac Maniac said:
Well for me personally, I like to listen to music/podcasts during my shower, so it would be nice to be able to control that. Also, check the time. Those are the main things that stick out to me.

That being said, if the Watch has a quick charge capability (say an hour or so. The battery will be pretty small), then I might prefer to charge during that time to allow myself to sleep with my watch. That would allow for sleep tracking and the tap to wake feature. Not to mention a mini nightlight if I need to get up in the middle of the night

I can't wait for the millions of flashlight apps for the watch ;-).

You'd need bluetooth speakers in your shower (or near) to do that (or shower proof headphone ;-).

----------

0815 said:
I think you are taking this too literal. Don't think most people care if you can take it into the shower - but they care if they can use it during day to day activities where it might get under water for short amounts of time - or maybe they can't wash the hands without making a wet mess all around them.

So yes, I think it is a feature to care about ... a nice to have, but not must have.

That was already a feature (washing hands); this is supposedly something more than that.

LordQ · Feb 25, 2015

Roessnakhan said:
Control music while in the shower?

Awesome thought. Now I can install a great sorround system in the bathroom and control music from the watch and sing to full lunges.

Wiesenlooser · Feb 25, 2015

Maybe apple watch is water resistant but they just didn't have the feature nailed down by 100% and didn't want to make false promises so they kept it out.

Keirasplace · Feb 25, 2015

thekeyring said:
I think people want to put it on in the morning and take it off at night without thinking much about it.

That's why people want a 20 hour battery life, no questions asked. They don't want to worry "I'd better not use the Watch too much, I'm working late tonight and the battery might die".

That still doesn't mean engineers have to shoot for something; actual numbers, say 4h of screen time/direct interaction per day.

4h of active use (looking at the screen/replying) is a hell of a long time to look at a watch... Yet, some people seem to think that this means they'll have to ration themselves all day because of that.

What kind of lives must you live to be affraid of running out of battery juice because you stared at your watch for 4h!!

For most people, as expected, this won't be an issue. It is not like Apple has not made consumer battery devices before you know.

I don't even look at my Iphone's screen for more than 2h a day (and I think that's too much).

Tim Cook Talks Apple Watch Water Resistance and European Apple Pay Expansion

macrumors bot

macrumors member

macrumors 68000

macrumors 601

macrumors newbie

macrumors 68040

macrumors 68000

macrumors 6502

macrumors 68020

macrumors 65816

macrumors 601

Cancelled

macrumors 68040

macrumors 68040

macrumors 65816

macrumors 68040

macrumors 68000

macrumors 68030

macrumors 68040

macrumors 601

macrumors 601

macrumors 601

Suspended

macrumors 6502a

macrumors 601

Our Staff