Apple Employees 'Set Low Expectations' For iWatch Battery Life

[farewelwilliams]

1 day battery life:
"Yeah, it's going last for the day. Cool."

4 day battery life:
"CRAP, was I supposed to charge it last night?"

 

[Carlanga]

Batteries, in general, are WAY overdue for reinvention. It's pretty pathetic how often we rely on them but the tech hasn't changed in soooo long (in tech time).

I bet if you were to put one of these new iPhone batteries into an old nokia you could probably get a month of battery life, it's not the tech that hasn't changed, it's that all the other tech that needs it sucks out the new improvements.

 

[JHankwitz]

I haven't worn a watch since high school, I can't imagine wanting to wear one now. Just me?

Many people are in a position where they are not responsible to meet a schedule. Very fortunate indeed. Most people have joined the rat race, so need to manage time constantly.

 

[Locoboof]

This would be better than the one MR keeps using...



Image

That's actually pretty cool looking

 

[Carlanga]

1 day battery life:
"Yeah, it's going last for the day. Cool."

4 day battery life:
"CRAP, was I supposed to charge it last night?"

that is not how it works, but good try

 

[CrazyForApple]

I could make a better iWatch concept in Photoshop than that and probably in 20 mins.

 

[Carlanga]

I haven't worn a watch since high school, I can't imagine wanting to wear one now. Just me?

so where do you work and what do you do?

 

[designaholic]

It's all a trade off. If you want a nice colourful retina screen to wear on your chosen appendage, deal with fact that battery life isn't determined by Apple, it's down to battery technology in general, and the device is tiny.

If people want super long battery life on these things, either wait for some new battery technology to arrive -or- buy a Pebble and enjoy the crusty mono screen in all it's battery saving glory

Can't believe how much whinging I see around the internet about the battery life all these amazing devices we now have. I still think the iPad's endurance is incredible, yet people whine on about the battery life on that. People take technology for granted so fast.

/rant

 

[Carlanga]

I could make a better iWatch concept in Photoshop than that and probably in 20 mins.

prove it, you have 19mins 59 secs left

 

[FreeState]

that is not how it works, but good try

That's how it works for me. My iphone has died on me once in the last year (daily charging). My Withings Pulse has died close to 10 times (needs a charge every two weeks).

 

[taptic]

I wonder how far the wireless charging would charge from...

 

[JHankwitz]

1 day battery life:
"Yeah, it's going last for the day. Cool."

4 day battery life:
"CRAP, was I supposed to charge it last night?"

That's the exact problem I have with my fitBit. I often charge it after it dies.

 

[avanpelt]

Lessin did not give details on how long the iWatch's battery might last, but past rumors have suggested that battery life was one of the main areas Apple was struggling with during the device's development.

The part I bolded above tells me all I need to know about this story -- which is that the story is pointless. If Apple wasn't satisfied with the battery performance of the wearable, they wouldn't be releasing the device anytime soon. There's no sense in Apple rushing a subpar product to the market when it's a brand new category of device for them -- plenty of other companies have done that already.

 

[JHankwitz]

I wonder how far the wireless charging would charge from...

Likely up to 1/4 inch, if that much. Distance makes a huge difference. They'll likely have a form fitting cradle to put it in to hold it very close and positioned exactly right.

 

[Piggie]

Remember.

Samsung or LG will know FAR more about the iWatch, iTime than any of us, as they are the ones making the hardware for Apple to use.

So one of them or another major company already knows exactly what Screen it will have & what battery it will have.

(if it even has a screen!)

 

[bigfatipod]

It's been so long since I've worn a watch, I don't think I could go back to something around my wrist

 

[jlake02]

I bet if you were to put one of these new iPhone batteries into an old nokia you could probably get a month of battery life, it's not the tech that hasn't changed, it's that all the other tech that needs it sucks out the new improvements.

I disagree. Battery tech is still stuck in the 20th century.

Although computer chips have doubled in speed every few years, and digital displays have become significantly brighter and sharper, battery technology is largely stuck in the 20th century. Device makers have relied on incremental improvements to battery power, now usually supplied by a decades-old lithium-ion concoction, in combination with more energy-efficient chips and screens.

 

[Locoboof]

The only issue I'm thinking of with this that it's supposed to monitor our sleep right? So if it's charging every night how is that going to work?

Because once you put it on it's cradle to charge at night you aim it towards your bed. It will "watch" you sleep and give you your results in the morning

Totally joking...lol. You actually have a valid point.

 

[bushido]

I haven't worn a watch since high school, I can't imagine wanting to wear one now. Just me?

same, since 5th grade actually. i hate stuff on my wrist. i remember having to wear a plastic band on a all inclusive hotel for a week and it drove me insane. i bought a casio watch recently cuz i heard they r in style apparently but i just couldnt do it especially in that summer sweaty heat. so juck

 

[Carlanga]

That's how it works for me. My iphone has died on me once in the last year (daily charging). My Withings Pulse has died close to 10 times (needs a charge every two weeks).

Yeah, but one is an must have item and the other is an item that you don't really need.

 

[Jazper]

Put it back on the shelf apple. release it when you're happy with it not because the market is going nuts over smart watches

By that time everyone in the world will realise they're not worth buying - Apple's gotta take over some (most) of the market and make it's millions before then.

Anyway, as usual Apple has to keep some features back, what else will it use for it's S model?!

 

[ianKent]

This would be better than the one MR keeps using...

Perfect for a wrist that resembles Pringles.

 

[Rogifan]

So now we're getting second guessing of the second guessers.

Situation normal.

And then there's this:

Seth Weintraub @llsethj
Things I've heard about the 'iWatch' 3rd hand (so unreliable):
<24 hr battery
looks techie good, not fashion-y
screen rectangular, not huge
4:31 PM - 30 Aug 2014

 

[Piggie]

I still don't understand why no one it using the strap to house the battery?

Flexible battery?

Segmented battery ?

It's SOoooooooooooooooooooooo Obvious for the strap to be the battery

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I'd like 2-3 days of battery life. That way, after 2 years, the battery should still last a full 24 hours.

This is a great point. I only need all day battery life (assuming through wireless charging I can keep it on while I sleep), but it needs to a) survice a full day of heavy use and b) ...survive a full day of heavy use after 2 years...