Great ads. I look forward to do some of those things with my watch, IF I EVER GET THE STINKIN' THING! 
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Apple Debuts Three Apple Watch Ads: 'Rise', 'Up' and 'Us'
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I don't think they've gotten to the point where the ROI is there for a hotel to switch. Think about the costs involved. There's nothing really in it for them to spend all that money when the systems are already in place. Replacing lost platic key-cards that have been around for years is nothing when compared to replacing an entire lock and then having the communication systems and technology set up to manage all the locks in the hotel. Managing their internal wifi is a PIA as it is let alone adding 500 room locks to it.
Agreed. And the decision to migrate won't be marketing or cool factor - it will because of possible maintenance costs, security issues, the ability/desire to collect data and leverage that for a better customer experience, etc. New hotels being built, I can see, choosing NFC locks as they will need to choose "some" technology to adopt. But hotels already with systems in place - it will take a lot longer.
ETA - Also the fact that not everyone would be able to use the functionality either - so these systems still need to have some form of entry (NFC card you hand out and/or keypad)
Fitbit
Although they are not exactly equals in comparison, I bought a Fitbit a few weeks ago and it ROCKS! And yes, I use it often to check the time so it is a watch to me.
Before I even knew of the Fitbit, I looked at the AWatch in the Apple Store and my impressions were:
-battery is terrible
-nice looking
-interface was far too small...my fingers are not large either
-expensive starting at $350
-have to be within 50 feet of my iPhone for any kind of synching
-it's tied to the iPhone which is in my pocket or within 10 feet of me 99% of the time anyway
-REQUIRES iOS 8 or higher...that royally stinks. Which certainly means I/we now have to upgrade iTunes as well.
I then heard about the Fitbit. $149 for the Charge HR...runs for about 7 days on a charge, tracks all my fitness stuff, comes with a sweet iOS app in addition to a full website app...is not tied to any other device...and is not trying to be a I-can-do-everything device.
Apple is really betting that people are going to want the Watch to basically mimick the iPhone/iPod/iPad features and a little bit of exercise tracking...for a premium price starting at $350. I just don't see this doing well as a product until the price drops, wifi is possibly added, and the battery lasts a LOT longer.
Although they are not exactly equals in comparison, I bought a Fitbit a few weeks ago and it ROCKS! And yes, I use it often to check the time so it is a watch to me.
Before I even knew of the Fitbit, I looked at the AWatch in the Apple Store and my impressions were:
-battery is terrible
-nice looking
-interface was far too small...my fingers are not large either
-expensive starting at $350
-have to be within 50 feet of my iPhone for any kind of synching
-it's tied to the iPhone which is in my pocket or within 10 feet of me 99% of the time anyway
-REQUIRES iOS 8 or higher...that royally stinks. Which certainly means I/we now have to upgrade iTunes as well.
I then heard about the Fitbit. $149 for the Charge HR...runs for about 7 days on a charge, tracks all my fitness stuff, comes with a sweet iOS app in addition to a full website app...is not tied to any other device...and is not trying to be a I-can-do-everything device.
Apple is really betting that people are going to want the Watch to basically mimick the iPhone/iPod/iPad features and a little bit of exercise tracking...for a premium price starting at $350. I just don't see this doing well as a product until the price drops, wifi is possibly added, and the battery lasts a LOT longer.
Will we really be able to use the watch to check in for airline flights? Whenever I fly my watch has to be taken off along with everything that's in my pockets.
They have to come up with stuff you can do since there's no real use for it except brag-value.
The boarding pass scan - at all the airports I pass through regularly (DCA, ATL, SFO, JAX) - is at the security line entry point.
i.e., way before you're pulling out notebooks, "tubbing" phones/electronics, taking off shoes, etc., then that process doesn't involve your pass (unless you're pulled aside with your property for further scrutiny).
Then post-security, you're all "re-geared" so it would again be available for convenient use.
The boarding pass scan - at all the airports I pass through regularly (DCA, ATL, SFO, JAX) - is at the security line entry point.
i.e., way before you're pulling out notebooks, "tubbing" phones/electronics, taking off shoes, etc., then that process doesn't involve your pass (unless you're pulled aside with your property for further scrutiny).
Then post-security, you're all "re-geared" so it would again be available for convenient use.
An interesting read. Now some is a UI issue. But it also sounds like using it as a boarding pass - even just for scanning, might not be the easiest. Mileage, of course, will vary.
http://www.androidcentral.com/smartwatch-boarding-pass-anything-first-class
I actually liked Us but I definitely agree with you about the metro scene. That seemed really forced... They should edit that out.
The ads were very well done. Just like the ads were for FaceTime, Siri and Apple Pay. But at the end of the day, those are features I rarely use. (Though I would use AP more if it was widely available.)
While the Apple Watch seems like a pretty neat device. I still can't find a good reason (for me) to justify the cost. (And the idea of playing sports with a $500 watch on seems kinda silly) I'm keeping an open mind though and I imagine the functionality will grow to new an different areas over time.
While the Apple Watch seems like a pretty neat device. I still can't find a good reason (for me) to justify the cost. (And the idea of playing sports with a $500 watch on seems kinda silly) I'm keeping an open mind though and I imagine the functionality will grow to new an different areas over time.
Hm, I've seen one (1) person at work.
Which is my real life environment
I was thinking more the guy running through the snowy trees, we don't get much of that here
All around great ads. I especially like the form editing in 'Up'.
However, the one scene in 'Us' however made no sense. The man waits while the woman sets up the iPhone to snap a pic remotely. You can just make out that the guy pushed his Apple Watch in the background but why didn't he wait until she was back posing with him before using his watch remote? Isn't the point of the Apple Watch camera remote so that you can line up your shot and then all get into position ready for camera so you're not running like when you use the timer? I might be analyzing it too much but don't think for a moment that every one of these little vignettes weren't scrutinized for weeks before getting the OK from Apple.
However, the one scene in 'Us' however made no sense. The man waits while the woman sets up the iPhone to snap a pic remotely. You can just make out that the guy pushed his Apple Watch in the background but why didn't he wait until she was back posing with him before using his watch remote? Isn't the point of the Apple Watch camera remote so that you can line up your shot and then all get into position ready for camera so you're not running like when you use the timer? I might be analyzing it too much but don't think for a moment that every one of these little vignettes weren't scrutinized for weeks before getting the OK from Apple.
Best looking and selling Smartwatch ever made and by far the best craftsmanship. Doesn't hurt that Apple knows how to sell and get people to buy their products even if they don't know they need it or want it. I love the ads and the whole Apple product lineup. Best quality in my opinion and that is why they sell more.
Most handheld GPS units are IPX7. Garmin's multisport watches marketed for triathletes was IPX7 for their first couple generations. Most of their cycling computers are IPX7. With a few exceptions mobile phones are not waterproof or even IP rated. iPods and MP3 players aren't IP rated outside of a few specialty products. The walkman wasn't waterproof unless you bought the bulky yellow waterproof version. "Boom boxes" weren't waterproof.
I agree none of these are watches or jewelry, but I think IPX7 is perfectly fine for the Apple Watch and it's intended use. If you think of the Apple Watch as a portable electronic and not jewelry, then it's in line with the majority of consumer portable electronics. But even as jewelry, traditional watches vary greatly in their waterproof ratings.
As you said I would love for the Apple Watch to be waterproof, but I think expectations are too high. I doubt in the near future they will ever be fully waterproof. Priority has to go the the sensors and the speaker/mic.