That's it, and I don't think Apple is making the apple watch 2 for us. They're (just speculating here) trying to create a product in the second iteration to entice even more people to buy it, those that turned their noses up at the first version.
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Apple Watch 2 Said to Enter Mass Production in Mid 2016
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Not only does the Apple Watch lack "killer" features, it also lacks "killer" apps. Developers have to strip their apps way down for the interface and the specs of the watch, so what you're left with is a tiny subset of otherwise great applications. I see the Apple Watch as having the same problem as the Apple TV - some things just don't translate well to a watch or television set.
That's me then.
The iPhone and iPad both only really took off once their second generation models were released so I'm hoping the 2nd gen Watch brings big improvements.
Yes, and there is a big difference between Apple Watch and "normal" watch brands.
With a normal watch you don't have to worry about the cost as much since the watch will probably be used for 5-25 years..
Very few will have the gen1 apple watch going in 2035..
For most people it´s probably dead in 2017..
Is it a $500/year cost for nice AW-bands or will they continue to fit future models?
Is it $500 or $5000 for 10 years?
I know many with the watch, including myself. All are very happy with it, wear it daily, and find it very useful.
BTW, how are you watching your person with the watch closely and what are you asking him about it? I mean, is this a daily or weekly event/task that you participate in? Seems odd to me.
On the contrary. Apple absolutely knew it was going into relatively unchartered waters and is why from the start it announced it would tippy toed in on financial reporting. It's why they remain coy about sales and never announced sales expectations, actual sales numbers, and bundled revenue with accessories in an "other" category. My guess is that sales have met unambitious expectations, but too tiny a number for Apple to broadcast. When TC says Apple won't announce sales numbers for "competitive reasons," its that such numbers would freak out the stock market and stock options is one of the key baits used to gain and keep talent.
As for marketshare, even if we knew how sales among all companies stacked up, it's really a meaningless # at this point because the category is still finding itself. For example what is a smartwatch? Does it include stand-alone fitness trackers? Sports watches that have apps and smartphone connectivity? Or is it something distinct from those products because they are more broad featured? And if Fitbit is a smartwatch maker, it beat sales last Q, so the AW has not stolen their marketshare at least.
A Watch app should do one thing. The Uber app hails a car to your current location. That's it.
I agree. Why would I want to spend minutes or hours staring at my wrist? Surely that's what the phone is for?
The watch always needed to be used for quick interactions that you want to do without pulling the phone out.
A couple of features I feel are missing from the watch are the ability to see your phone battery and phone signal (and data connection)
I know you can get your phone battery through TP apps but phone signal doesn't seem to be available anywhere.
I would find the signal really useful especially on the commute to work and wondering why my music stops streaming (is it signal or something else) or even just checking to see if there enough signal to iMessage the wife.
I'm not sold that the second version will be radically better but much smarter people then I, are working on the watch at Apple
Great article on the Apple Watch for all the doomsayers:
http://qz.com/602038/watching-apples-first-quarter-what-products-still-have-room-to-grow/
http://qz.com/602038/watching-apples-first-quarter-what-products-still-have-room-to-grow/
Thankfully, I do not rely on you for advice on aesthetics or value. I'm sure we're gratified to know that the Apple Watch does not meet your impeccable taste or price point, but I must beg to differ.
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And just how big is the market for high-priced jewelry?
You seem to be lumping the Sport version in with high-end Apple Watch edition. Same internals, same software, the only difference is ... high-priced jewelry.
The Apple Watch was released in stores on April 2015. That's not twice in a single year.
We've also seen slightly shortened release cycles with some other Apple products from the first release to second, before falling into a more normal release schedule.
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You obviously have never looked at the watch market. Their bands are on-par with all the other bands out there.
Yes Amazon offers sub-$100 bands. Look at the reviews. They generally fall apart after a month or two, aren't nearly the same quality (lots of cheap leather and cheap metals), and the kit isn't nearly as good. Most of the positive reviews are from those that have had the product less than a week and haven't seen much wear on it.
I wish the knockoff bands were the same quality as the Apple offering. I'd buy them in a heartbeat. You get what you pay for, and that's a problem.
Basically pricing in the entire watch market is ludicrous... which is probably why Apple (not to mention other tech companies) was so interested in the space.
One can legitimately argue that Apple is offering more value than most other premium watch brands without contradicting the basic idea that premium watches as a whole are overpriced.
And plenty of their customers by a base mode, and ignore their expensive add ons. Personally, my Apple Watch strap, which was a stainless steel link bracelet cost $35, but there was no way I was going to pay MORE than the cost of a second watch for the Apple version of the same thing.
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I bought one of these "knockoff bands" as you call them, it cost $35, and the quality was superb. I've never had any problems with it at all, and it's been on the watch almost non-stop since I first bought it.
This is just my personal preference, but make it round, slimmer, and give it a more masculine look and I'll bite.
He was referring to the original article where it said:
Recent rumors point to the possibility of an interim update for the Apple Watch in March, including only one or two new features (like a FaceTime camera), and with a proper full 2.0 model released later in the year.
That's doubtful. They might come out with new bands, or perhaps a partnership (similar to the Hermes deal).
I agree, but was pointing out to the guy who said "The Apple Watch was released in stores on April 2015. That's not twice in a single year" what the MacRumors article stated at the bottom of the article.
He's a coworker. We sit together for lunch most days. I watch him use it during lunch + sometimes in his cubical. I ask him about it, IE, whether he likes it, if he finds it indispensable, useful, etc. Basically what I hear for answers are "It's a watch. I was given it as a gift. I wouldn't buy a replacement myself, but I'll go through the effort of putting it on each day. I like the passive fitness tracking."
I have next to no interest in the fitness aspect. Given he wouldn't buy himself one, even now that he has it, I'm really not thinking this is a particularly useful product.
Maybe generation 2 or 3 will be worth getting, but it doesn't seem like this one is.
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I've quoted the article below for you, since you seem incapable of reading it for yourself.
Before the end of the year, we'll have seen 3 models released over the course of just 20, maybe fewer, months.
Mad Mac Maniac
macrumors 601
oh wow was that always in the article??? Totally missed that. No way could I ever see that happening. Maybe new bands/colors in the spring, but no real update (unless that is the only update in the year).
I beg to differ. What exactly does a QUARTZ Cartier watch (or any designer watch) that costs thousands of dollars have over an Apple watch. Branding? Well, I hold Apple in higher regard than any quartz watch. And there is a significant amount of engineering that makes the bands easy to remove and change. Something no other watch maker has done in the past with the exception of Panerai and you still need a tool. Lastly, check out eBay - Omega and Rolex bands go for $500 and up.
I'd be more interested if it were a little more independent from the iPhone, like able to text/call on its own, but I'm guessing it's not possible or they make more money this way.
I still don't get the point of having something that does half of what a smartphone does and still requires me to have my phone in my pocket, and is kind of odd to wear on top of that. I know some people think watches are status/fashions symbols, but I can honestly say it's probably been ten years since I've seen someone my age or younger wearing a watch.
I still don't get the point of having something that does half of what a smartphone does and still requires me to have my phone in my pocket, and is kind of odd to wear on top of that. I know some people think watches are status/fashions symbols, but I can honestly say it's probably been ten years since I've seen someone my age or younger wearing a watch.
Bingo. I don't know what would entice me to buy a new Watch in 2016. Camera and less need for the iPhone doesn't do it for me.
I love my Watch, but it'd have to be a huge change for me to even consider it.