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Apple Targeting March for Apple Watch Launch, Retail Training Begins Next Month

handsome pete said:
Generally you're right in that's kind of a strange attitude to have. But when it comes to brand new products, it's not necessarily a bad idea. The first iPhone was kind of cool when it first debuted, but really didn't hit its stride until the 3G model and the app store. Unless you're the type to buy every iteration of a device, then waiting around for the 1st revision isn't a bad idea.
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True about the original iPhone but I enjoyed it just the same -- came from an arguably better featured Treo too. No regrets at all and that sucker was $499 too. I didn't upgrade again until the 3GS arrived, again no regrets thanks to iPhone OS 2.0.

If I like the Apple Watch once all the details are revealed I'm buying and will enjoy I'm sure. People's adverse position on Gen 1 is overwrought. Even mature products have design faults because they are in effect all- new or changed enough from the previous model.
 
And here come the Chinese knockoffs. H/T Benedict Evans @ CES

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filmantopia said:
I want one because it's an exciting new frontier in tech. The interface looks like an awesome user experience. It's a beautiful piece of customizable jewelry. My girlfriend and I will use the communication features every day. I'd love to have a way to receive notifications without having to pull my phone out every two seconds. It will be a great fitness tracker and help me track my progress as I am very active. Its the most convenient way to pay for things that exists in my opinion. And I'm sure developers will have a ton of rich ideas.

I really can't wait to have one.
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Spot on explanation my friend! :)
 
MrXiro said:
Actually if the first gen were waterproof it'd be a BUY for me rather than a... "I'll wait for reviews and maybe even the 2nd gen".

Based on my experience with Apple their first gen products are always crippled in some way and then their 2nd Gen fixes what should have been fixed to begin with. ie iPhone 1 was only EDGE when 3G was already readily available for years. iPod Touch 1 didn't have volume buttons, iPad 1 lacked bluetooth and sufficient RAM.

Prime example being the iPad... it stopped supporting it at iOS5, but the iPad 2 is STILL being supported today at iOS8.

:apple: Watch 1 will be like a beta tester's device and 2nd gen will have it down like usual... I still want one though. :p
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In what way did the iPad 1 'lack bluetooth'?
A big feature was being able to connect it to Bluetooth keyboards/speakers.
Agree with you about the ram though, could have done with 512mb instead of 256mb
 
attila said:
Almost nothing without a bluetooth connection to an iPhone, draining the battery of both.
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If it's anything like being connected to a pebble, it'll be fine for me. I have my phone connected all day long and still have 50 percent+ By the end of the work day.
 
It'll be nice to get this release out of the way. It's getting old listening to rumors. People can spend their money get their watches and things should calm down.
 
Rychiar said:
why does anyone even want one of these? the only way i'd take one is if i won one for free. The price is absurd for a device with less functionality than a phone, crap battery life, and a chunky boring design. if this thing had turned out to be a wrist cuff with a wrap around screen like the Moment Smartwatch it might have been more compelling:rolleyes:
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You've seen actual watches, right?

Compared to those, this has tons of features!
 
I think there will be a keynote when this is launched. And it doesn't matter if the recap/new info isn't enough to fill an entire keynote. By March, Apple will hopefully have an updated music service to announce, too and will need to spend time talking about that.
 
lincolntran said:
I challenge you to find a smart watch in production (not concept) that looks better than this.
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Looks are subjective, and I'm not comparing the Apple Watch to other smart watches. From the pictures I have seen this far, I personally don't find the watch attractive, hence me saying that I need to see it person. I am not blown away by the pictures that have been posted and if this was any other company besides Apple, I think the response would be lukewarm at best.
 
Technodynamic said:
I think this is a better guess. exactly 2 months to train, hence the article.
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I'm not sure why 2 months of training should be needed. It would be a hard thing to train on a new device for the experts for 2 months, plus, to keep secrecy (of the specifics; I know it's already announced, but the secrecy of the details that would be in the training), they'd need to have the training right before the launch.

I'm thinking that the actual training is about 1-2 hours for the store employees, and having the watches on hand will aid greatly in that, so I anticipate this will happen (as detailed below) immediately before/after the launch announcement.

So, the February is a "Train the trainers" event, and as the launch approaches, those trainers will train the store people immediately before/after the launch announcement, and all will be good in the world!
 
It's going to be darn interesting to see how this thing sells. I'm intrigued but also in the "I'd rather wait for version 2" camp. If it were a pedometer that functioned with my work's Step incentives then I'd replace my fitbit with one.
 
carrrrrlos said:
Hoping for smaller bezels on the final production model!
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The black bezel is an interesting approach. Apple is encouraging apps to use a black background, which blends seamlessly with the black bezel since the screen is oled. It ends up looking really nice, and you get free "pixels" that don't require power or processing and every screen has some sort of margin around the content/words anyhow.

Has nice side-effect of encouraging app makers to make subtle apps, not ones that look like your arm is lighting up like a disco.
 
Patriot24 said:
The reality is that very few, if any, of the current crop of wearables are fully waterproof.
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Actually, most other smartwatches launched the last two years are rated to IP67. This does not mean that you can actually dive with them of course, but the standard dictates that they should survive being submerged to a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes. Which of course is more than enough to make it possible to use them in the rain and when showering without any concern whatsoever.

I am on my second smartwatch now (had a Gear Fit and switched to the newer Gear S in December) and have showered with both of them every single day without any problems. Even went for a few swims in saltwater last July with the Gear Fit - did not hurt it at all.

If the Apple Watch is not waterproof to at least the same extent as most other smartwatches the whole charging solution seems very very odd. The only reason to have something cumbersome like that is to be able to make it waterproof. If it isn't you might just as well charge it with a regular cable - making it much easier when travelling.
 
Patriot24 said:
I keep seeing this argument in the scope of comparing Apple's product to common wristwatches that have far less functionality. The reality is that very few, if any, of the current crop of wearables are fully waterproof.

I suspect that in time this will be remedied, but I don't think it is realistic to expect for a first generation product from any company.
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Pebble?
 
Let's wait until someone at Apple says that for 100% certain that story here about ads on the watch will never happen. Who wants a $400 watch that today is ad free but next month starts tells you to buy Pepsi or something.

I'd need a guarantee that ads will never happen on the watch.
 
AppleScruff1 said:
Looks are subjective, and I'm not comparing the Apple Watch to other smart watches. From the pictures I have seen this far, I personally don't find the watch attractive, hence me saying that I need to see it person. I am not blown away by the pictures that have been posted and if this was any other company besides Apple, I think the response would be lukewarm at best.
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A good rule of thumb is to not be blown away by pictures, one way or another, and not especially of technology products. You won't know if a tech product is beautiful or ugly until you actually use it.
 
I'll be buying one immediately.

I bought a first gen iPad and used it until the retina. Never regretted it.

I was in on an iPhone at 3G (not S!). I wish I had gotten in on the first year.

The first year of Apple products is the most exciting... That's when the groundwork is laid for how the thing is going to develop over time. That's when all of the innovation is as people experiment with the new interface...

This time around I expect a ton of wild ideas (I have a few of my own as well) as people try to figure out what to do with a screen on your wrist...
 
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