Apple Announces Apple Watch, Available in Early 2015 From $349

[Anaxarxes]

Rename!

I think Watch was renamed to Watch very recently. Here is Tim Cook in ABC's interview saying iWatch instead of Watch.

at 0:58

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/dav...?tab=9482930&section=1206853&playlist=1363340 …

 

[840quadra]

ive got one the solor powered casio watches love the thing apple could ahve figured a way out to use that type of tech for the watch so you dont have to charge unless you are not in the sun a lot

That would be awesome, but it would have to be some advanced tech involved to make that happen in a small package (likely trouncing the watch itself). I know there are US companies working on micro solar cells, however they would still require a relatively large lens to pull in light, and would do a great job of heating the internal structure of the device far passed a comfortable wearable temp, and quite possibly hurt the watch circuitry itself.

With general available solar tech, an Apple watch would require one large cell to charge / power itself. Looking at the current iPod Nano (closest thing in size and potentially power to the Apple watch), it requires a 220 mAh battery to give it respectable battery life as an iPod device. I am sure with a watch, you could cut that in half, but even then, the solar panel to produce similar power levels would be ~50 -100mm square of solid / unblocked solar cells.

 

[leaningshane]

As always, it's fun to go back and read this: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apples-new-thing-ipod.500/

Fantastic. Shun the non-believers!

 

[deputy_doofy]

Fantastic. Shun the non-believers!

Haha! Exactly. Doesn't mean the Apple Watch will succeed, but it does show that the Apple faithful whine at *everything*!

 

[fortysomegeek]

I do wonder if the apple watch will being looked down at from both directions.

The tech geeks will look at it like Beats, overpriced tech, trying to be fashion.

People who know about fashion, the people who would buy a $500+ watch , will see it was tacky and lacking the sophistication of something like a Rolex.

I'm on a few high end watch boards. The first place I went to was Timezone's public forum. The general consensus is that everyone knows where Apple and smartwatches are in the food chain.

The watch is generally inoffensive. With some actually praising it. On my Instagram circles, there is a general like but we all know we won't replace our mechanical with any electronic wearables.

The Apple watch in the food chain is the "mall watch" category.

Lastly your 500+ mark is way off. Add a zero. The good watches are $4000 and up.

There are plenty of tacky $500-$1500 watches with zero horological value that sells. Michael Kors being one of them.

 

[foodog]

which is one of the reasons why I don't wear a Rolex either. I would think these would be more noticeable than a Rolex though.

Have you ever seen a Rolex. They stand out like a whore in church.

 

[milo]

LG got it. I think the bezel dial hides it. It's slightly smaller than the 360 but has higher resolution.

Yeah, it looks like with round at this point it's a choice between not fully round or a big bezel.

 

[kreasonos]

Make it a stand-alone device and you've got a game changer. As is, having to be tethered to an iphone, makes it nothing more than an accessory similar to a Bluetooth headset.

 

[ljonesj]

That would be awesome, but it would have to be some advanced tech involved to make that happen in a small package (likely trouncing the watch itself). I know there are US companies working on micro solar cells, however they would still require a relatively large lens to pull in light, and would do a great job of heating the internal structure of the device far passed a comfortable wearable temp, and quite possibly hurt the watch circuitry itself.

With general available solar tech, an Apple watch would require one large cell to charge / power itself. Looking at the current iPod Nano (closest thing in size and potentially power to the Apple watch), it requires a 220 mAh battery to give it respectable battery life as an iPod device. I am sure with a watch, you could cut that in half, but even then, the solar panel to produce similar power levels would be ~50 -100mm square of solid / unblocked solar cells.

true i dont know what type of battery my casio watch has to allow it to power with out the sun for long periods of time but i think the whole surface under the lense of the watch is a solar collector but i dont know
here is a pic of the watch it is solor as it says so on the back

 

[ProVideo]

Have you ever seen a Rolex. They stand out like a whore in church.

Yes, I have seen a Rolex. Someone checking their Apple Watch, or any smartwatch, at night is going to be much easier to distinguish than a Rolex though due to the obvious illuminating screens.

Rolex's main demographic is business men. Women and teens are going to be a large market for the Apple watch. They would be be easier targets and less likely to be carrying a firearm.

 

[laurim]

Yes, I have seen a Rolex. Someone checking their Apple Watch, or any smartwatch, at night is going to be much easier to distinguish than a Rolex though due to the obvious illuminating screens.

Rolex's main demographic is business men. Women and teens are going to be a large market for the Apple watch. They would be be easier targets and less likely to be carrying a firearm.

A firearm!! lol. Yeah, like stopping in my tracks on the street to dig out my iPhone to check the time or map is sooooo inconspicuous. OMG

P.S. Please don't continue to live with the delusion that carrying a firearm will protect you from a surprise attack. It just makes you look silly and the false confidence could make you take unfortunate chances.

 

[lookatchu]

Not too impressive.

 

[Tanegashima]

What an assumption! I'm actually upgrading from the iPhone 5 to the iPhone 6.

Just because I don't love every product Apple makes doesn't mean I don't use some of them.

Then you should send an email to Tim Cook, because it's ugly and Apple should stop making those, because you don't like them.

 

[MacFinnley]

There is a camera app on the apple watch and in the presentation we saw that you can make pictures. But where's the camera?

 

[Tanegashima]

Speaking of the iWatch, watching Phil Schiller present the iWatch and expound on its health, diet and exercise features while the fat was trying to burst out of his shirt and mom jeans, was pretty funny.

He's not fat by any means, specially for an American.

 

[HardBall]

Check out Tag, Maurice Lecroix, etc....it's actually quite fashionable in the watch world...I own 38 watches...I think it's actually nice looking.

Watches styles come and go in trends. But a few classic forms remain over long periods of Time.. These few time tested forms would be made in high end Watches regardless of fashion du jour, which this certainly is not.

This is a plump, unwieldy looking form that's not going to-age well, even if it hits the right trend at the beginning.. So intern of design, This one is either going to Cater to some temp taste in the market, or be a complete design dud.

 

[justinthesommer]

It's About Time!

Tip of the hat Apple! Great Job on the new Watch.

 

[toke lahti]

"Sports watch" that isn't waterproof of doesn't have sapphire glass. Does this mean we are getting Lifeproof case for over it to use it in all sports?

Hope the fix these for 2nd gen and add solar cell to it...

 

[AppliedMicro]

As always, it's fun to go back and read this: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apples-new-thing-ipod.500/

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win"


Wouldn't surprise me, if it happens like this, with the traditional watchmakers.
I'm curious to see how this pans out.
It is a first generation product from Apple.
I can imagine battery life and manufacturing will only get better (and the product thinner).

 

[mackinmike]

You raise an interesting point, The apple watching falls awkwardly between a tech gadget and a piece of fashion jewellery. User expect and understand that the new cool tech today will be outdated in a few years, we buy a phone knowing full well that we will 'need to replace' it in ~24 months. Jewellery and high end watches like a Rolex are expected to last year or decades, part of the high price is the quality that allows the watch to last that long.

I completely agree. high end watches and jewelry are timeless. you can wear it 10 yrs from now and still be classic. with an iwatch, you're lucky it makes it past a year without looking obsolete by the new model. it already looks "meh", won't ship till 2015 and is easily outdone by the moto360 (already shipping) in terms of looks. i'm a watch guy so have some bias towards the look of a watch. apple watch ain't it. the bracelet reminds me of a seiko calculator watch.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d183/diginut/natsemidwf1.jpg
http://vintagedigitalwatches.com/watches2/p18seko2.jpg

 

[laurim]

I completely agree. high end watches and jewelry are timeless. you can wear it 10 yrs from now and still be classic. with an iwatch, you're lucky it makes it past a year without looking obsolete by the new model. it already looks "meh", won't ship till 2015 and is easily outdone by the moto360 (already shipping) in terms of looks. i'm a watch guy so have some bias towards the look of a watch. apple watch ain't it.

I think the point of making the case so classically simple and the bands switchable takes fashion evolution into account. Seriously, how can a rectangle with a metal frame ever be out of fashion? It's a staple look. Change the look of the face if you want to display your personal style. Compared to the generally gaudy look of most men's watches, this watch is much sleeker and less douchy.

 

[Milese3]

I dont understand why people dislike the design. I personally find it beautiful- it looks pleasant and personal on anyone as the device can be customised in so many different ways ascetically. I personally think that makes the device unique and therefore better (in terms of design) than the competition.

The Apple we once knew. Is back.

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I think the point of making the case so classically simple and the bands switchable takes fashion evolution into account. Seriously, how can a rectangle with a metal frame ever be out of fashion? It's a staple look. Change the look of the face if you want to display your personal style. Compared to the generally gaudy look of most men's watches, this watch is much sleeker and less douchy.

Agreed. Past smartwatches from Samsung, LG and Motorola look extremely geeky and all follow a generic design, which cannot be customised to the extent of the Watch. This watch provides a classy design that ANYONE can where and most people like- it's clearly the best smartwatch we've seen.

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Watches styles come and go in trends. But a few classic forms remain over long periods of Time.. These few time tested forms would be made in high end Watches regardless of fashion du jour, which this certainly is not.

This is a plump, unwieldy looking form that's not going to-age well, even if it hits the right trend at the beginning.. So intern of design, This one is either going to Cater to some temp taste in the market, or be a complete design dud.

I beg to differ. The device is essentially different from traditional watches, and therefore should not been seen as one. Apple did not once reference a traditional watch and thus design is a different characteristic.

I think the Watch will be extremely successful, mainly because of the feedback I have received from people (who are not interested in tech)- mostly agreeing that the customisability makes the device a design master piece.

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I see several problems with the Watch:

• Not waterproof

It's waterproof.

 

[HardBall]

I beg to differ. The device is essentially different from traditional watches, and therefore should not been seen as one. Apple did not once reference a traditional watch and thus design is a different characteristic.

I think the Watch will be extremely successful, mainly because of the feedback I have received from people (who are not interested in tech)- mostly agreeing that the customisability makes the device a design master piece..

I disagree with that.

It's not really much better than the Galaxy Gear that came out last year (which was a pretty stilted design, albeit with high quality finish and material), except far more customizable. They are very different in physical form and feel, but both rely on a very tech-centric design language that does not translate well into real-life aesthetics.

They both look like generic gadgets that are adapted into watch forms, with fine finishes, but overall form is quite bland and lacks any stand-out appeal and elegance of real designer items.

Something like this:

Would have been a far more elegant and enduring design, that does not rely on whims of fashion trends. Obviously some interactions with the device would have to be rethought, and to be less like a smartphone.

 

[MacConsultant]

People should admit that Apple watch has at least two flaws

Here's a good article on yahoo finance. In addition, Apple did not use "far field" induction for charging. Far Field would allow there to be no contact between the watch and the charging unit.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/cant-just-admit-apple-watch-170750775.html

PARTIAL QUOTE:

But the device has two obvious flaws that people aren't really saying much about.

The watch works only if you're carrying an iPhone at the same time. It isn't an independent gadget. It needs to be tethered to a nearby iPhone via Bluetooth if you want it to do its stuff.

The watch's battery doesn't last all day. It must be charged anew each night, Apple says. That means you can't sleep with it on your wrist, like, you know, a normal watch. (Even Apple is unhappy with it, we hear.)

 

[ljonesj]

if they would have went witha round face watch i would have actually been more tempted to go back to an iphone especialy the 6+ 128gb and the watch i just dont like a square ish watch i like them round and hey if they really would have got me if it was a pocket watch as i collect them