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Apple Emphasizes That Solo Loop May Increase in Length Over Time, Updates Sizing Guide With More Specific Instructions
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When the announcement came out, they said that the number one damage repair issue for the Apple Watch's screen was people dropping it when they tried to latch the original band. The solo loop is supposed to eliminate that.
The silicon bands I wear right now, throughout the day I adjust a button or two. I've never really paid attention to it, it may just be one, it will get tight, I'll adjust it out one and then at some point it will feel loose, so I'll adjust it back. I need to start paying attention so I can measure for the solo loop when my wrist is at its smallest.
Different materials lose elasticity at different rates. Only time will tell if Apple's material choice is a liability. If it retains most of it's strength and shape for 2-3 years... fine. If it's loose after a couple of months/less than a year... not so fine.
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Ugh, this does not bode too well.
Also, the Sport Band is a piece of art that adds a lot to the Watch aesthetic, imo.
Also, the Sport Band is a piece of art that adds a lot to the Watch aesthetic, imo.
It’s a recent change. They only started doing that as of yesterday. Prior to that a full return was indeed required at the store as well.
I still want to know why the woven version costs $99..
I don’t know which kind of sorcery Apple uses with Sport Loops, but my white one from Series 0 is still pristine and white like day one. Top quality.
Wonder if the fitted silicone traps heat, causing access perspiration?
This is good but Apple needs to allow customers to exchange the band for a different size. I was able to do it but only because I have an Apple store near me and told them if I couldn’t exchange the band I would return the Watch and not buy another one.
Retail really dropped the ball here. There should have been very clear sizing instructions. Also IF the policy is the entire Watch must be returned and rebought to get the correct band size that should be made very clear during the check out process. Apple should treat the Watch and band as separate items but that might create too many SKUs to manage.
I‘m wearing a solo loop right now and I love it. Very comfortable and easy to slip on and off. Shame if these bands get a bad wrap because sales/retail/customer service couldn’t figure out the right buying process.
Retail really dropped the ball here. There should have been very clear sizing instructions. Also IF the policy is the entire Watch must be returned and rebought to get the correct band size that should be made very clear during the check out process. Apple should treat the Watch and band as separate items but that might create too many SKUs to manage.
I‘m wearing a solo loop right now and I love it. Very comfortable and easy to slip on and off. Shame if these bands get a bad wrap because sales/retail/customer service couldn’t figure out the right buying process.
By now I would’ve already fired the guy or team that came up with this dumb idea of finding the right size. Moreover you have to waste a sheet of paper which is totally not in line with Apple’s “green” values. Just FIRE THEM!
Only an issue for those buying the Solo Band as the included band with a Watch. But, yeah, they should fix that.
I wrapped the sizing strip fairly tight (not a tourniquet, but snug), and it was on the line between sizes, so I ordered the smaller size because they said it might stretch (I read the fine print). The result fits perfectly.
I’m glad to see them making the instructions more clear. And, yeah, they should ship the Watch and included band as two separate items (listed that way in their internal systems, to facilitate Band-only returns - they can still ship in the same FedEx box). I suspect they don’t want to list the bare watches separately on their site, but they should be able to track them that way internally. Asking someone to uninstall and erase and send back the entire watch, because the band isn’t quite the right size, is unreasonable.
If you bought a car and put all your car stuff in it and started driving it, and then it turned out that, say, the spare tire was mangled, you’d reasonably expect them to just replace the spare tire, and not demand that you empty out the car and return it for a new one.
The thing is, it would save Apple money too - if they take your Watch back, they can’t turn around and sell it again as new, it goes into their “refurbished” system and ultimately makes them less money. Much cheaper for them to just swap out the band.
How is it harder to put on/take off? All you do is slide it off your wrist. And yes it is very comfortable. The band is not the problem.
That’s why it comes in multiple sizes. I actually like that it stretches a bit because wrist sizes don’t always stay the same. I know when it’s really humid my wrist size expands a little bit.
This is a crazy idea, but having some sort of buckle or clasp mechanism to adjust the fit might solve this problem.
Sorry I'm being facetious. But in all seriousness, dependent on the weather or style of band, I'll wear the watch looser or tighter. This seems like an enormous amount of effort just to rid yourself of a fastening device.
Sorry I'm being facetious. But in all seriousness, dependent on the weather or style of band, I'll wear the watch looser or tighter. This seems like an enormous amount of effort just to rid yourself of a fastening device.
I bought the blue solo loop and LOVE it. super comfortable and easy to put on and off. no buckles or pushpins so it can't pop off and is nice and snug for bio readings! I bought it in the store over the weekend and the woman helping me mentioned that if it was between sizes to go lower - so Apple's know about this for at least a few days.
Yes and no. Silicone is a flexible material; it will inherently stretch over time. So in that sense it's not an engineering issue, rather a material issue. If you have ever bought an Apple Silicone case, you'd know how prone they are to damage due to that material characteristic.
That said, this makes it a poor engineering decision. If you know a material will stretch over time (like silicone) you'd rather re-engineer it or choose another one.
That’s NOT what an Apple customer service rep told me over the phone and I told her I was standing outside an Apple store. It looks like the stores are doing exchanges (did it for me). But are they just making exceptions or is Apple changing it’s policy? Online and B&M need to get on the same page.
The article is not incorrect and your anecdote actually supports it being correct.
Two things.
1. With COVID-19 and store closures, most people aren't going to get to an Apple Store.
2. You essentially made a full return by bringing your watch and all of it's packaging back to the store.
If someone gets an exchange without going through the required steps, that's an exception. It doesn't invalidate the rule.
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I really don't know why they even bothered releasing these. The regular sport band looks better and there is no headache with the different sizes.
Herein lies the problem, all of the Apple Stores by me are closed. I would gladly go to one to swap out a band, but I’m unable to do so.
I like the idea of this solo loop, but I saw the potential problems as soon as I saw the sheer number of sizes. (And the price of the braided solo loop is a non-starter.) I'll stick with my sport loop.
Poor engineering? More like poor skills at deducing the obvious.
"Stretchy material stretches over time"
Who honestly doesn't realize that's ultimately going to happen?
I'm genuinely happy for you, but I'm not quite sure what that has to do with elasticity - it's ability to return to form after being stretched or shrunken. Apple already knows it's going to lose some of it's elasticity, hence the updated support doc. How much degradation and how quickly it occurs is the question that only time can answer.
Solo loop has only been brought out to ensure the oxygen sensor works correctly from what I have seen.
"Who honestly doesn't realize that's ultimately going to happen?"
Do you even know people?
