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Apple Watch Band Adapters Begin Hitting Crowdfunding Sites Ahead of Next Month's Launch
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You and I have talked about this before (I think), but I'm firmly convinced Apple will. Look how much R&D they've spent making these bracelets and bands. Don't think there's any way in hell they AREN'T going to defend this tooth and nail.
And get ready for Apple not supporting you if you "void your warranty w/ a 3rd party adapter".
I'm pretty sure there has been some consideration given to the band design with regards to optimal contact for the heart rate monitor against the wrist.
Yes, a band is a band is a band. But - I can't see Apple supporting claims where the band is a non-Apple product. Time will tell.
I'm pretty sure there has been some consideration given to the band design with regards to optimal contact for the heart rate monitor against the wrist.
Yes, a band is a band is a band. But - I can't see Apple supporting claims where the band is a non-Apple product. Time will tell.
Kinda doubt that for myself. #1, I have never seen any reason for ANY watch. #2, I'll probably get a Fitbit to track health stuff, if I ever get anything for that. They'll need to add A LOT for me to ever consider it. This is coming from someone that's had every iPhone generation (no 5C/regular 6), multiple Macs, and even bought a few iPads I knew I'd never use just to see if I could find a use for them. I just don't see any reason at all to buy one. They're pretty and all, just nothing I need/want.
But you can get equivalent bands for far cheaper with this attachment? I don't understand your logic. Just because apple makes it and sets a high price tag doesn't mean it's the best.
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Defend what? They don't have a leg to stand on first of all. And why is it that competition with other companies is good but the moment there's competition with apple (even though there isn't any competition as it doesn't compete with anything apple makes) you fanboys deem it evil and wrong.
I own many Apple products. You are being ridiculous and insane.
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It would be feasible actually. All you need is a magnetic strip to go across the charging port.
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Defend what? They don't have a leg to stand on first of all. And why is it that competition with other companies is good but the moment there's competition with apple (even though there isn't any competition as it doesn't compete with anything apple makes) you fanboys deem it evil and wrong.
I own many Apple products. You are being ridiculous and insane.
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It would be feasible actually. All you need is a magnetic strip to go across the charging port.
I know people will want to use aftermarket straps and bracelets. But, as I mentioned, at the higher end I think people will mostly get bands made for the Apple Watch -- no adapter needed. At the lower-end, well, people interested in that probably aren't buying a lot of Apple Watches in the first place.
I agree with you, and so they should. There will be good money to be made in the aftermarket strap business.
Most important for me would be to have the metal of the casing and the strap match, going to be interesting.
Would love to try some panerai style aftermarket leather bands with the SS watch. The apple leather straps are kinda boring for me.
If the Watch is a success there will soon be a lot of 3rd-party Watch compatible bands on the market, too.
I love it! This is all about style. Apple's won the "it's not a wrist computer, it's jewelry" battle before it even hits the streets. Two sizes, six cases per size, plus 24 band styles in multiple sizes... and it's not enough! It's, "I want to show it off, and when I do, I want it to express my tastes and personality."
And before you think I'm a cynic... Yes, I'm getting one. Might not even spend the bare minimum - I've liked the look of a Milanese mesh strap for a long time.
Would Apple be foolish enough to shut the third parties down when the more options there are available to the public, the more watches (and "accessory" iPhones) they'll sell? Sure, Apple'll make noise, noting that ill-fitting bands will not deliver the solid watch-to-flesh contact that's required for proper functioning, (Say it, Tim! "You're not wearing it right!"). But this is not the stuff of major lawsuits. A few cease and desists here, a few MFI licensing payments there, and that'll be the end of the headlines.
Sure, plenty of people would rather pay $75 for a link bracelet than $400 for Apple's - accessories like this will sell. The more cheap bands the are sold, the more likely others will spend extra just to boast it's genuine Apple. A few will spend $50,000 on diamond-and-platimum Cartier bracelets (how much you wanna bet that the Rodeo Drive jewelers will be loaning these out to celebrities at next year's Oscars?)
I'm also willing to bet that some of those Swiss watchmakers will give up on making their own smart watches (imagine, Rolex being accused of making knock-offs) and start selling watch bands - there's probably better mark-up in the bands than the mechanics, anyway.
Note that the same TAG Heuer exec who previously badmouthed Apple Watch has lately been saying nice things. Perhaps his parent company, LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) is negotiating to have a Louis Vuitton Edition? Would Apple turn that down? If they can put a no-name leather strap on a $17,000 watch, how much could they charge for a Gucci, Prada, Fendi, or Coach Edition?
I can imagine the day when Apple's sweetheart deal with Ireland ends, and they relocate the international headquarters to Paris.
And before you think I'm a cynic... Yes, I'm getting one. Might not even spend the bare minimum - I've liked the look of a Milanese mesh strap for a long time.
Would Apple be foolish enough to shut the third parties down when the more options there are available to the public, the more watches (and "accessory" iPhones) they'll sell? Sure, Apple'll make noise, noting that ill-fitting bands will not deliver the solid watch-to-flesh contact that's required for proper functioning, (Say it, Tim! "You're not wearing it right!"). But this is not the stuff of major lawsuits. A few cease and desists here, a few MFI licensing payments there, and that'll be the end of the headlines.
Sure, plenty of people would rather pay $75 for a link bracelet than $400 for Apple's - accessories like this will sell. The more cheap bands the are sold, the more likely others will spend extra just to boast it's genuine Apple. A few will spend $50,000 on diamond-and-platimum Cartier bracelets (how much you wanna bet that the Rodeo Drive jewelers will be loaning these out to celebrities at next year's Oscars?)
I'm also willing to bet that some of those Swiss watchmakers will give up on making their own smart watches (imagine, Rolex being accused of making knock-offs) and start selling watch bands - there's probably better mark-up in the bands than the mechanics, anyway.
Note that the same TAG Heuer exec who previously badmouthed Apple Watch has lately been saying nice things. Perhaps his parent company, LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) is negotiating to have a Louis Vuitton Edition? Would Apple turn that down? If they can put a no-name leather strap on a $17,000 watch, how much could they charge for a Gucci, Prada, Fendi, or Coach Edition?
I can imagine the day when Apple's sweetheart deal with Ireland ends, and they relocate the international headquarters to Paris.
melman101 found some patents:
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/20862706/
It looks like Apple has been filing patent applications since at least last August.
Agreed, this is the one time where I will say thinner is definitely better. Waiting for the thinner 2.0 on this thing!
Yeah, I'm on a rumor site waiting for rumors about the much thinner Apple Watch 2.
Fantastic
I think this is a great idea. I backed them. I actually switched to a more expensive thing. I mean, they wanted $30,000. They already have over that. Good for them. I am excited to get my two adapters. I believe in them. Why not?
I think this is a great idea. I backed them. I actually switched to a more expensive thing. I mean, they wanted $30,000. They already have over that. Good for them. I am excited to get my two adapters. I believe in them. Why not?
No they aren't. No more than they would stop 3rd party iPhone case makers.
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No, the watch band it patented. The adapters are fine, as well as all 3rd party bands as long as they done duplicate the Entire apple band.
Patents are public record, research it.
But Apple doesn't spend millions to manufacture their own cases that are going to sell for $200-500 like the watch straps, either. That's a big difference.