Apple Outlines Smart Wristband with Phone Connectivity and Gesture Control in New Patent

[LordVic]

What on earth are you talking about? Nothing has been released. Or shown. Or leaked. Or anything.

that was reffering to the Moto 360 (the post I quoted)

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

To say 'there's no point in a smart watch' is short sighted just because you personally can't see a point in one.

I never said "there's no point in a smart watch". What I did say is that I can't see it being a "next big thing" impact on par with an iPhone or iPad. Big difference.

So, again, my question is: what are apple working on that will make the naysayers eat their words? Or, cause the critics to moan while still selling in huge numbers?

I also offered up my own idea in answer to why iWatch along these lines. I think it's a new subsidy play, subbing in a subsidy from insurers and medicare with an iWatch in the roles of AT&T & Verizon, etc with the iPhone. I spelled this out in fuller detail several posts ago (in this thread). That's the scenario where I think it has "masses" legs based on all the rumors I've seen.

 

[iBighouse]

But therein lies the problem with the whole iWatch rumor. Watches are jewelry. They've had 100+ years in "the wild" and people have come to appreciate them in every shape, depth, style, width, height, color, etc. We've got heavy duty metal vs. dress w/strap. ...I find it hard to imagine everyone adopting a singular watch design.

Your argument makes a ton of sense. But, what if the "patent" seen above hints at a way to make one watch that fits all? I can imagine, though cannot visualize, an iWatch that is very clean and almost devoid of style, that snaps into one of dozens of different bands made, even, by other watch and style houses.

 

[iBighouse]

?..A smartwatch needs to be your own personal connection to the digital world. Think about it: a smartwatch would always be with you, always be connected to you wherever you go. It would be your body's digital identifier and microchip. Your smartwatch could know if it is you wearing it and when you are provide you access to all your secure services. It would be like touch ID x 10. You wouldn't need passwords, pin codes or keys.

It knows your location, your biometrics and your activities because it is always connected to you.

I do not currently wear a watch. I used to wear one from my teenage years up to about two years ago. If Apple makes a beautiful device that can be enjoyable to use, I will likely wear a watch again.

But, even then it will not be "always connected to me". I regularly took off my watches when I showered, did dishes, washed the car, went swimming (unless I had me seiko diver watch in), slept, did chores or work with tools or materials that might damage the crystal or harm the watch in some way.

So, that's a lot of tome when the watch isn't connected to me.

I wonder if the device will be waterproof? Will I need to carry a power cord with me to recharge frequently?

 

[carjakester]

i cannot wait to get an iwatch.

 

[Tech198]

cool...

Everyone will have fun with this.... Lego on your wrist


Reminds me of that interchangeable phone.

Only smaller.

 

[henzpwnapple]

It doesn't and it is kind of dumb. What would you even be able to fit on the screen if it were circle.

You never know, trust me.

..to add that, I don't mind the shape as it will eventually be accepted even it is in triangle. I care more about it's functions and how it can be practically used.

 

[pan88]

Old hats

To embed battery or circuitry into the watchband is far from being new or innovative, its been done but it never caught on for a number of reasons.
As a seasoned watch professional, I find it fascinating that the newcomers coming up with "new ideas" that are not only old hats but have flopped, a little research would save them a lot of money and frustration.
For me, the absolute killer of all smart watches is power consumption and supply. I am therefore wondering why Apple is not looking at the Micro-Generator-System MGS for solid state timepieces which transforms wrist movements into energy, an invention I made 15 years ago. Only smart watches that are independent of external energy will eventually make the grade.

(info@ventura.ch)

 

[dewski]

I have not ever owned a real watch. Im 27 now and bought a pebble (on sale for 50) and with its bulky design and limited functionality, I still think its really cool. I generally only wear it at work or when out socially. Its very convienent at work. I do a lot of physical work in a warehouse and keep my phone at my desk about 20 ft away.

Its also handy while driving, to take a quick glance at a text to see if its worth responding to.

All i would want from an iWatch is siri, so that you could respond to texts and other small tasks. Then I would be sold. It would have to be less than 200 dollar though. Not gonna break the bank for a watch

 

[AppleExpert]

You're wrong. A square or rectangular shape of the same area would be much less comfortable to wear. It has corners. You don't want corners on your wrist, you want a round shape.

I never had said that it had to be comfortable, although I agree and it would feel cheap too if it was square or rectangular. I like the idea of a circle iWatch.

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i hope the iwatch can transform into a robot when you remove it from its wristband!

image

yes! Yes! Yes!

 

[SHNXX]

iTime or iWatch? hmm.

 

[sebastian...]

For me, the absolute killer of all smart watches is power consumption and supply. I am therefore wondering why Apple is not looking at the Micro-Generator-System MGS for solid state timepieces which transforms wrist movements into energy, an invention I made 15 years ago. Only smart watches that are independent of external energy will eventually make the grade.

I agree, they should have some advanced way to power these watches, but I think Seiko introduced this technology 26 years ago. Seiko kinetic ?