Apple Reportedly Weighing $400 Price Range for Upcoming Wearable Device

[monaarts]

The only way I see this or the mobile payment technology apple is supposed to release taking off is if they are combined. Don't have your iPhone or don't want to pull it out of your pocket/purse? Just use your finger for Touch ID on your watch and then tap it to pay. If you don't want to buy an I watch, no problem - you can use your phone.

Either way, the receipt can be found at any time using the built in purchase app on your iPhone or iCloud.com account.

 

[StyxMaker]

iWatch already has apps such as iHealth. Any app for the iPhone based on health, status updates or exercise will work with iWatch presumably. iWatch is supposed to run iOS so why not?

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I would almost go so far as to say anyone posting in MacRumors that's not into the bleeding edge should have their internet card revoked. Isn't that what every Mac rumor is about after all?



But in answer to your question, I guess I don't value the classics unless they are purely form and not function. Old cars run loud, inefficient and miss the best features of any modern car - cup holders, Bluetooth and USB port for charging my iPhone. Vinyl sounds awful (unless you're into snap, crackle and pop) and especially inconvenient. Old computers are well...old. Do you run Classic Amiga, Atari or Apple from decades past because they are classics?

iHealth may communicate with the iWatch but it's a good bet it won't run on the iWatch. I've read a lot of comments talking about API's and third party apps running on the iWatch, there won't be any.

 

[iZac]

Maybe they're going to 'iPad' this thing. Remember everyone expected the iPad to drop at $999 and they came in at $499?

A wrist accessory seriously needs to be priced like an iPod nano, since that's basically what it will be.

 

[Fenez]

Is it supposed to be a stand alone device or an accessory?

 

[Cabron]

Lol Nixon makes some crap watches. Why would you pay 400 for some crap that's not even worth it's weight in scrap metal and not for an apple iWatch which will likely have great engineering?

dude, i feel better paying 400 bucks in "this nixon crap" than the crap fancy watch from crapple

also, if i got any smartwatch someday
certainly will be google android based, not a ******** from apple

 

[SHNXX]

dude, i feel better paying 400 bucks in "this nixon crap" than the crap fancy watch from crapple



also, if i got any smartwatch someday

certainly will be google android based, not a ******** from apple

Neither Nixon nor apple can be considered fancy.
They're both cheap watches made for the masses; it's just that one might actually be useful for something other than telling time.

 

[wigby]

iHealth may communicate with the iWatch but it's a good bet it won't run on the iWatch. I've read a lot of comments talking about API's and third party apps running on the iWatch, there won't be any.

Maybe you're right but I've heard from good sources that iWatch will be running iOS. Seems overkill to run such an advanced OS on a wearable and not open it up to apps designed for that interface. Maybe the first generation of iWatch won't but the next generation will probably have to just to stay competitive to the million Android smart watches that will be running tons of apps.

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Maybe they're going to 'iPad' this thing. Remember everyone expected the iPad to drop at $999 and they came in at $499?

A wrist accessory seriously needs to be priced like an iPod nano, since that's basically what it will be.

Except they announced iPad pricing before anyone else did. That's why the pricing speculation was such a wide range from $500 to $2000. All of them seemed possible because we are talking about Apple in a price comparison vacuum. Most of the iWatch's competition have revealed their pricing already. That means Apple can compete on price which is unlikely. Or they can create a new high end tier for smart watches by setting their own price which would be about $400 to $500.

 

[alphaod]

I wouldn't buy one regardless.

 

[Patriot24]

You think I'm living in the fantasy land? Really now.
I know what is "wild rumour", "very plausible rumour" and "fact confirmed by Apple". And we both know the difference between all 3.
The journalists you speak about are just talking based on the rumour mill. They would not have access to information that's going to be said at a keynote in two weeks. Apple would not want some journalist to steal their thunder.

But as you said it's easy to find the fire with all the rumour smoke around.

Someone hasn't been doing their homework...

http://9to5mac.com/2014/08/29/seeing-through-the-illusion-understanding-apples-mastery-of-the-media/

 

[the8thark]

Someone hasn't been doing their homework...

http://9to5mac.com/2014/08/29/seeing-through-the-illusion-understanding-apples-mastery-of-the-media/

That does not prove what I said wrong. That's just how Apple's PR machine works. We both know this already.

 

[iZac]

...Except they announced iPad pricing before anyone else did. That's why the pricing speculation was such a wide range from $500 to $2000. All of them seemed possible because we are talking about Apple in a price comparison vacuum. Most of the iWatch's competition have revealed their pricing already. That means Apple can compete on price which is unlikely. Or they can create a new high end tier for smart watches by setting their own price which would be about $400 to $500.

This may end up being an unfair comparison, but Apple introduced the iPad when this kind of thing was 'all the rage' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-mobile_PC

From what I recall, people were gauging the price (and technology) based on this kind of device. Although the iPad was lamented by technologically being 'just an iPhone' running a 'pointless and limited' OS, it showed a fresh approach that obviously re-invented the tablet market.

Now Apple may end up just releasing something that resembles everything that's come out of Google this year (yawn) but they do have the capacity to surprise us.

I've always thought they took the square iPod nano off the market because it was nearly exactly the right size and technology that you need in a smart watch. Add a wifi/bluetooth antenna and a heart rate sensor to that 4 year old device and tech-wise you're sorted.

 

[AFDoc]

People have no idea what the device does (if it exists), but are giving price ranges at which it'd sell like 'hotcakes', and what's too expensive. Lol.

Yes because we, as consumers, know what we will pay for X device. There is nothing the thing will be able to do that could justify a $400 price tag in the majority of consumers minds. I know the MR crowed isn't exactly all consumers but I would say we make a pretty good slice of the pie and the majority of the responses I've seen here are it's a no-go at $400.

 

[cube]

Yes because we, as consumers, know what we will pay for X device. There is nothing the thing will be able to do that could justify a $400 price tag in the majority of consumers minds. I know the MR crowed isn't exactly all consumers but I would say we make a pretty good slice of the pie and the majority of the responses I've seen here are it's a no-go at $400.

The issue is not the $400. The question is if you would wear it on your other wrist.

 

[CFreymarc]

Haha you're silly. I guess he does like the laid blackness of not being the head guy, but I truly do think he emulates Steve's passion in a way.

Considering Craig worked with Steve all during the NeXT years, a lot rubbed off of him. Meeting both Steve and Craig, I find Craig more talkative and interested in the third party developer community. Steve was very reserved unless it was a subject or project he had a passion for -- then Steve's swag was off the charts.

 

[Dekema2]

Considering Craig worked with Steve all during the NeXT years, a lot rubbed off of him. Meeting both Steve and Craig, I find Craig more talkative and interested in the third party developer community. Steve was very reserved unless it was a subject or project he had a passion for -- then Steve's swag was off the charts.

Wait... You actually met BOTH???

 

[CFreymarc]

Have you ever seen anyone wearing a pebble or any smart watch? I know your probably going to say yes ...

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7220/7068787627_0271018c1a.jpg

but its few and far between and for they most part they aren't normal consumers.

You can make money off abnormal consumers. The volume may not be there but if you keep your overhead low, you can do very well.

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Wait... You actually met BOTH???

Been in Silicon Valley for most of my career. Never pulled an Apple nor NeXT paycheck but been around them several times be it a conference, possible cooperative project or just the occasional social scene.

Move out here and you will find that everyone puts their pants on the same way in the morning.

 

[Dekema2]

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7220/7068787627_0271018c1a.jpg







You can make money of abnormal consumers. The volume may not be there but if you keep your overhead low, you can do very well.

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Been in Silicon Valley for most of my career. Never pulled an Apple nor NeXT paycheck but been around them several times be it a conference, possible cooperative project or just the occasional social scene.



Move out here and you will find that everyone puts their pants on the same way in the morning.

Interesting perspective you've had then!

A bit off topic, but moving to the Bay Area has been my lifelong dream since I was 13. I'm 18 now, in NYS studying Civil engineering. How I can move out there and thrive without living in a tenement my whole career (whether I pursue civil engineering or a different branch) is beyond me.

 

[captain kaos]

Good luck with that one apple.

 

[StyxMaker]

Maybe you're right but I've heard from good sources that iWatch will be running iOS. Seems overkill to run such an advanced OS on a wearable and not open it up to apps designed for that interface. Maybe the first generation of iWatch won't but the next generation will probably have to just to stay competitive to the million Android smart watches that will be running tons of apps.

And, how many third party apps are there for the Apple TV that also runs iOS

 

[MyDataMyProbs]

dude, i feel better paying 400 bucks in "this nixon crap" than the crap fancy watch from crapple

also, if i got any smartwatch someday
certainly will be google android based, not a ******** from apple

my "crappy nixon 51-30"

1) has taken more beating than any other watch and still looks great, because when it scratches it turns red
2) has had more compliments
3) preformed better than any other "omega, citizen" watch i have ever owned in an ocean. it was like 400$ cheaper than my citizen.

so whats your deal with nixon? not every one can afford a 10k rolex. especially while being 24 years old
________________________________

OT: i can't see myself using a smart watch, i don't really work out, and as a server and a safety officer (primary career) i live in oklahoma and work in the oilfield, and randomly pick up shifts from a restaurant i worked at during college before graduating. long story short - i can't see myself wearing this watch for at least 18 hours of my day because the watch would be ruined so very quickly. my phone has had 2 otter boxes on in. one was ruined by a forklift - saved my phone though! - and the current one is still going strong. i would NEVER put my watch in a otter box because it would look ugly. my restaurant job is at a pizza place, if i get pie sauce on my nixon i was just wash it off no big deal. idk about an iWatch though.

just saying, a lot of people with iPhones may not find this device useful.

Another note: i have absolutely NO idea whats coming out so i don't know why I'm passing judgement on a device that ive only read about on a rumor forum i am still very much looking forward to this in HOPES i am completely wrong and i can use this "device" daily as i love the apple ecosystem.

 

[eezacque]

I hope there is a high end iwatch as well to replace for some of us who we were rolex/longines but we want some more functional stylish watch

Rolex is famous for its build quality, and they last forever, which is very unlike the lumps of plastic, glue and solder that last for no more than their 3 years worth of Applecare, 'designed' by Apple.

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Just throwing out pure speculation, but does it have to be an 'iWatch'? Anyone who used to watch Star Trek: TNG will remember the Starfleet communicator pendants that were worn on their uniforms.

A $400 'Beam me up Scotty' transporter would be nice

Peace be with you.

YM 'Live long and prosper'...

 

[VulchR]

Lol, soooooo you can buy 2 separate, much larger products

You must have information about size of the iWatch that I don't. Both the Jawbone and the pulse oximeter are quite small. Since I am currently involved in research using using OLED's and organic photodiodes for medical sensors (for detecting brain & muscle activity as well as SpO2), I can tell you that the components are already small and already cheap.

that replace the functionality of 3 or 4 of the 10 rumored sensors for around $200, but you'd expect to pay a max of $250 for a product minuturizing them & fitting them into a single package AND in your mind that built in a price premium????!

The devices I described were developed years ago. I assume progress in miniaturisation and economies of scale in the interim should drive both size and costs down.

Wow. *shakes head* I thought you guys were supposed to be more educated than Americans... *sigh*

I am a highly educated American.

If you're going to play the "add up costs of other products" game, please add a list of products containing the remaining sensors, then list total cost with a photo of all those products in a big pile & pose the question to readers "wouldn't you rather pay for & manage all these products bought from separate vendors & hope they all update harmoniously and work together well for the lifetime of each one, than get one product that can do it all???" See if you have any takers... =P

Let us see what sensors are actually included, if indeed the iWatch is going to be released. As for the rumored costs of the iWatch ($400), the capabilities of the iWatch would have to match the utility of the other things I can by for $400. So far, none of the rumors has convinced me on this point. I very am interested in what Apple is going to come up with, but I want to feel that I can afford it.

 

[Rogifan]

Yes because we, as consumers, know what we will pay for X device. There is nothing the thing will be able to do that could justify a $400 price tag in the majority of consumers minds. I know the MR crowed isn't exactly all consumers but I would say we make a pretty good slice of the pie and the majority of the responses I've seen here are it's a no-go at $400.

But we're talking fashion here. My $45 handbag from Kohls does everything that my $200 Coach handbag does but I own more Coach handbags than anything else. I suspect Apple will have different models at various price points but I wouldn't doubt at all that they'll have some drool worthy high end stuff. There's a reason Apple has hired executives from luxury fashion houses to run their retail strategy for this.

 

[elmaco]

I don't mind paying a high price as long as it is a great product.

If I am going to wear this device 16 hours a day for the next 2-3 years it must look good, feel comfortable and have a feature set I like. If it is $300 or $600 doesn't really matter.

 

[Rogifan]

March 2010: "Apple's tablet to cost $1,000"
April 2010: Steve Jobs reveals the iPad to debut at $499

August 2014: "Apple Reportedly Weighing $400 Price for Upcoming Wearable Device"
September 2014: Phil Schiller reveals the iWearable to debut at $199

You can take it to the bank that the $400 rumor was started by Apple to set expectations and "wow" everyone when they reveal it at half the rumored price.

Except there were all these guesses that the 5c was going to be a cheap(er) phone (because according to all the smart people Apple desperately needs a cheap phone for emerging markets) and yet that never happened. Same thing with iPad mini. Not many were expecting a $329 price point and then Apple raised it to $399 when the device went retina.

This re/code rumor said several models at different price points with $400 being at the high end. If that's the case then I wouldn't be surprised to see a low end model maybe coming in at $199. But anyone who thinks Apple will price a flagship wearable device the same or cheaper than Android Wear devices are engaged in some mighty wishful thinking.