Apple Launches Magnetic Apple Watch Dock for $79

[Glassed Silver]

"What ruined Apple wasn’t growth … They got very greedy. Instead of following the original trajectory of the original vision, which was to make the thing an appliance and get this out there to as many people as possible, they went for profits. They made outlandish profits for about four years… What that cost them was their future. What they should have been doing is making rational profits and going for market share."

Steve Jobs, 1995

Meanwhile, let's listen to what Cook has to say, because Jobs is "irrelevant" today.

(section 1:21:00h - 1:22:10h)

Alternatively: Link to video - start and end time stamped

Taken from my old thread:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/two-years-ago-tim-cook-said-this.1804744/

Glassed Silver:mac

 

[JackANSI]

With every day I'm more disgusted by the obvious greed of Apple. When I jumped into Apple ecosystem in 2007, I understood the products are a bit more expensive [than competition], but most likely worth it. But today everything they sell is so obviously and shamelessly overpriced, that it seems the millionaires/billionaires at Apple have lost any connection with reality and turned the brand in some sort of Vertu equivalent.

Get used to it now that Apple's top execs are rubbing shoulders with the "high fashion" and celeb crowd.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

is you apple watch alive?

I am

 

[Reds622]

An overpriced irrelevant product accessory for an overpriced irrelevant product. Remember when everyone thought the Apple Watch would perhaps have a wrap LED or OLED display around the entire wrist? Or that it there was some medical breakthrough that allowed the testing of blood for diabetics without invasion? What Apple released was an overpriced "fashion" notifications accessory that has been heavily marketed by trying to appeal to the masses by latching on to the mainstream fashion society whose goal is to trick customers into spending considerably more for an item because of its status symbol appeal. What a letdown. When they finally release a powerful Macbook or Macbook Air containing Skylake processors hopefully the focus will move back towards powerful machines and not the bloody gold color on the lid.

 

[Poochi]

An overpriced irrelevant product accessory for an overpriced irrelevant product. Remember when everyone thought the Apple Watch would perhaps have a wrap LED or OLED display around the entire wrist? Or that it there was some medical breakthrough that allowed the testing of blood for diabetics without invasion? What Apple released was an overpriced "fashion" notifications accessory that has been heavily marketed by trying to appeal to the masses by latching on to the mainstream fashion society whose goal is to trick customers into spending considerably more for an item because of its status symbol appeal. What a letdown. When they finally release a powerful Macbook or Macbook Air containing Skylake processors hopefully the focus will move back towards powerful machines and not the bloody gold color on the lid.

unfortunately "most" people care more about fashion than power.

 

[chiefsilverback]

I wonder if the magnet in the sport charger is not as strong as the SS one? I have had mine for a few months now.

I think the charger is the same, just that the stainless steel models weigh a little bit more.

 

[Phoenixx]

That is one spectacularly ugly, space consuming, and expensive charger. I'll stick with the one I got from Amazon thank you very much. It cost me $7, and looks far better.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0127F1IC4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

​

 

[weintrw]

Mr Cook must have a very expensive and VERY large nightstand. This thing costs 20% of the watch and 20% of the space if you put it near you. Oh yeah, it just charges the watch, your iPhone charger goes where? There is $10 of plastic and metal. No R&D except for research as to how much they can charge.

 

[usarioclave]

If you don't like Apple products or think they're too expensive, go buy something else or make your own company that does it better and cheaper.

Jeez, it sounds like a bunch of Samsung astroturfers in here.

 

[nutmac]

I'm confused by the people saying this is too expensive.

It comes with a lightning cable ($29) and you don't need a Watch cable ($29) so that makes this comparable to $31 docks.

While true, Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock doesn't include USB power adapter ($19). So I would argue for not including the lightning cable (it's $29 2-meter one BTW) and reducing the price to $49.

 

[roxysdad]

Apple is no more greedy than I am, or I bet most of us on this forum are. When I sell my iPhone on Craigslist how much do I charge? When I sell my house how much should I ask? When I trade in my car for a new one, how much do I hope to get for it? The answer is "the most I can". If you don't like the price they are charging, then don't buy it. It is a simple equation. Based on sales, one might argue that Apple is pricing their products very well.

I like to think of the extra cost of an Apple product as the Apple tax, a concept I was introduced to on this forum years ago. So what do I get for it? Customer service at their stores, a generous return policy, high quality products, and generous software updates. They are the Nordstrom of the electronics industry.

Either you like Apples business model and you buy their products, or you don't and you buy someone else's. I would love to buy the One+ line of products, but their return process, software updates, lack of a real storefront and ties to Google ecosystem put me off. I really like the Microsoft offerings of late, they just might be the Pepsi to Apples Coke, but their phone and tablet app selection is abysmal, so I remain with Apple.

 

[eriksmoe]

How to fit the watch in the lying position sporting the Milanese or the bracelet band?

 

[caoimhin]

No way. I may have become brainwashed into thinking that $800 is a reasonable price for my iPhone, but I'm drawing the line at an $80 accessory. There are more functional 3rd party chargers for much less.

 

[roxysdad]

No way. I may have become brainwashed into thinking that $800 is a reasonable price for my iPhone, but I'm drawing the line at an $80 accessory. There are more functional 3rd party chargers for much less.

800 dollars isn't a reasonable price for a phone. Not one bit. I'd much rather pay 3-400 dollars, but for that kind of money I can't get the quality, customer service, software support, interoperability, and quality apps that I can with the Apple device. 80 dollars for a watch accessory, and 500 dollars for the watch (that will be out-dated in another year) is entirely unreasonable. I have no want or need for them, so I don't buy them. However I'm glad Apple offers them to the buying public, as I know a broad product base helps the company continue to make great products elsewhere. A rising tide lifts all boats, etc.

 

[thed0g]

Apple is no more greedy than I am, or I bet most of us on this forum are. When I sell my iPhone on Craigslist how much do I charge? When I sell my house how much should I ask? When I trade in my car for a new one, how much do I hope to get for it? The answer is "the most I can". If you don't like the price they are charging, then don't buy it. It is a simple equation. Based on sales, one might argue that Apple is pricing their products very well.

I like to think of the extra cost of an Apple product as the Apple tax, a concept I was introduced to on this forum years ago. So what do I get for it? Customer service at their stores, a generous return policy, high quality products, and generous software updates. They are the Nordstrom of the electronics industry.

Either you like Apples business model and you buy their products, or you don't and you buy someone else's. I would love to buy the One+ line of products, but their return process, software updates, lack of a real storefront and ties to Google ecosystem put me off. I really like the Microsoft offerings of late, they just might be the Pepsi to Apples Coke, but their phone and tablet app selection is abysmal, so I remain with Apple.

5400rpm drive in a 1500$+ iMac isn't Apple tax.

300$+ RAM upgrade where the actual RAM cost below 100$ isn't Apple tax.

New Hybrid Fusion drive, where SSD part is 24GB instead of 128GB as on previous model isn't Apple tax.

So pls. There's Apple tax and there's BS.

 

[koruki]

I'm starting to agree with all the comments on Apple being greedy. The first time it really hit me was when I went to change my battery in my iPhone 5S, whereas it use to have a pull up tab with a bit of double sided tape, now its stuck on so tight, entire body of the phone and screw driver was flexing to try and get it out. At the end I had to heat the entire base of the phone in order to wedge it out. This is totally unnecessary and speaks volumes of the direction they're going.

 

[yg17]

Good call, but just a way for apple to charge this price. How many people have multiple AW chargers?

I do since I went out of town a couple weeks ago and left mine at home. It was 30 bucks I didn't want to spend, but I guess that's what happens when you wake up at the arse crack of dawn to catch an early flight.

But Apple is out of their mind charging this much for a dock.

 

[roxysdad]

5400rpm drive in a 1500$+ iMac isn't Apple tax.

300$+ RAM upgrade where the actual RAM cost below 100$ isn't Apple tax.

New Hybrid Fusion drive, where SSD part is 24GB instead of 128GB as on previous model isn't Apple tax.

So pls. There's Apple tax and there's BS.

I can't disagree. It bothers me that they did that with the iMac line. The grandmother that buys the iMac has no idea that Apple is putting inferior tech in there. Same goes for fusion drive.

300 for RAM when it costs 100? Well, that could be said for the whole computer. Raw component cost is way below the sales price for anything in the electronics industry. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts and all that.

Reminds me of the opposite of the computer industry - the motorcycle industry. Try and build your motorcycle from OEM parts and it costs 10 times the price!

So yes, there is Apple tax and there is BS.

 

[Gregintosh]

But Spigen has never sold a black Apple Watch dock?

This is the one I am referring to: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0109I9W24/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[randomgray]

Almost the same price as an airport express ($99) ...

shhhh.... should apple hear you, they may up the price of airport express to fix such ridicule

 

[mattopotamus]

I do since I went out of town a couple weeks ago and left mine at home. It was 30 bucks I didn't want to spend, but I guess that's what happens when you wake up at the arse crack of dawn to catch an early flight.

But Apple is out of their mind charging this much for a dock.

I could see that if you travel a lot. It would be a pain if you have a stand to unhook it all of the time.

 

[Bromeo]

Hmm. I'd have to see it in person, but this thread of critics reminds me of when Jobs introduced a $99 leather slipcase for the iPod back in 2006 (along with the memorably ill-fated iPod HiFi). I remember watching this and thinking, really, a leather slip case, wait, for how much? Was some other product removed from the show and they needed quick filler?

http://everystevejobsvideo.com/ipod-hi-fi-introduction-apple-special-event-excerpt-2006/

Companies innovate, throw things out there, see what sticks, and at what price-point. I think Apple has more success than most with taking risks, but they are bound to introduce things that don't gain traction.

I love my Apple watch, and only wish the charging pucks had a lightning connector and detachable cable. If I had spent more on the stainless watch, perhaps I'd be looking for a nice stand. As this one goes, the all-white design would clash with my dark stained furniture, so it's not for me.

 

[zooby]

.

 

[roxysdad]

Hmm. I'd have to see it in person, but this thread of critics reminds me of when Jobs introduced a $99 leather slipcase for the iPod back in 2006 (along with the memorably ill-fated iPod HiFi). I remember watching this and thinking, really, a leather slip case, wait, for how much? Was some other product removed from the show and they needed quick filler?

HAHA, I remember that event, and that I lusted so much for the HiFi that I bought one! It is the only legacy Apple product we have in the house, I'm sad to say. It still sounds great after all these years, and with a refurb AppleTV box attached is quite useful.

Love the point on "throwing things out there, and see what sticks". Well put.

 

[Bromeo]

HAHA, I remember that event, and that I lusted so much for the HiFi that I bought one! It is the only legacy Apple product we have in the house, I'm sad to say. It still sounds great after all these years, and with a refurb AppleTV box attached is quite useful.

Love the point on "throwing things out there, and see what sticks". Well put.

I'll bet that HiFi does sound great. I only heard one at the store. I think I read somewhere that Jobs had a stack of them, unopened, in his office... perhaps he loved them, or needed a reminder that even great ideas sometimes don't stick, as much as you'd like them to.

I'd guess the timing was off - iPods and earbuds, and Bose Wave radios were cannibalizing the traditional component home stereo system, and bluetooth speakers weren't quite a market yet. All this a year before they announced the iPhone. I can only imagine the pressure everyone was under. He looked very tired in the presentation.