Apple Watch Has Now Surpassed Estimated 30 Million Shipments Since Launching in 2015

[spazzcat]

What we need is a longer battery life to compete with Fitbit and for once, i'm looking forward to Apple saying they have made a product thinner! If they can't do this, then we need an Apple Fitness band

Apple Watch is really not in the same class as a fitbit. I used both, AW wins by a mile.
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I'm interested how all these wearables in direct contact with skin will effect the body 10 years from now. Not just the AW, however the AW does seem to have the most I/O compared to others. I'd be curious on wrist bone changes after years of use.

Why would it be any different they any other watch?

 

[Ghost31]

After 2 years, 99% of consumers are still scratching their heads and trying to figure out what they are good for.

It isn't that they are useless, but they don't add anything practical to most people's lives or productivity. They are profligate kitsch-novelty.

Yeah cause like...watches with a few extra features are so hard to figure out man

 

[The Game 161]

Love Mine still and not sure could have an iPhone without an Apple Watch now.

Does exactly what is needed for a watch to do.

 

[bryan.cfii]

I don't get the smart watch thing... What is it supposed to do for me? They seem like the don't hold much data, don't have much battery, and need a phone as a relay for many of the bigger features. I'm ignorant to the whole watch thing so I guess I'd like to learn where one is supposed to fit into my life.

 

[Fatboy71]

Can't imagine leaving my phone at home even if the watch had LTE they just do different things. Similarities but barely.

I agree.

While I can see the benefit of a cellular Apple Watch for if you wanted to go on a run and didn't want your iPhone to be jumping around in the pocket of your shorts, but you wanted to be able to make or receive calls still.

But for anything else I can't see the point. Imagine thinking "I think I will leave my iPhone at home today, I won't need it". You might then be somewhere, where you want to take a photo, or watch a video on You Tube, go on Facebook, post a photo on Instagram, or even look on Twitter. Some are either not possible on the Apple Watch or the iPhone app version has more features or is just generally a better experience on the iPhone.

Personally I prefer to have both my iPhone and Apple Watch with me, because I wouldn't want to have to choose which I wanted to bring with me, I have them both with me and they both compliment each other. I can never see the Apple Watch been an iPhone replacement, its a companion/extension to it.
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FitBit wins on two main points: Price and battery life.

I would really like an Apple Watch, but one of the key health metrics I want to use it for is sleep tracking. The Apple Watch is useless for that, since its battery doesn't last a full day. I picked up a FitBit Charge 2 for $150, and I love it. Its battery lasts a week, and can charge fully in about an hour.

The Apple Watch packs an impressive amount of technology in a tiny package, but it needs better battery life and a lower price. That's why it's not a mainstream player just yet.

I can easily get two full days out of my Series 2. I have read that the original Apple Watch had battery life like you mentioned.

 

[Abazigal]

FitBit wins on two main points: Price and battery life.

I would really like an Apple Watch, but one of the key health metrics I want to use it for is sleep tracking. The Apple Watch is useless for that, since its battery doesn't last a full day. I picked up a FitBit Charge 2 for $150, and I love it. Its battery lasts a week, and can charge fully in about an hour.

The Apple Watch packs an impressive amount of technology in a tiny package, but it needs better battery life and a lower price. That's why it's not a mainstream player just yet.

Fitbit is increasingly striking me as the pebble of the smartwatch market (which is ironic given that they acquired Pebble). It's an okay product for the price you pay, but then you quickly run into limitations that leave you increasingly frustrated and wanting more.

I upgraded to an Apple Watch last year from my first gen pebble watch and it addressed all my major pain points. Such as not being able to act on notifications and having more fine-grained control over my music. And once you have gotten used to barking Siri commands at your wrist to get simple tasks done, you can't go back.

 

[EMT123]

The Garmin watches may be interesting for very active athletes but have basically zero mainstream appeal.

Then why bring Christy Turlington Burns on stage during the debut keynote to talk about training for a marathon?

 

[Mal_R]

This "Wearables" category could include a 'rubberband with a sensor'.

Wouldn't it make more sense to do this comparison in the "Smart Watch" category instead?

But then how would all the trolls attack apple for not being on top spot.

 

[Yojimbo007]

Definitely seeing a lot more people with one than in 2015.

With the number of people i see out there sporting one..
I tend to believe the numbers are much higher than 30 million ..

 

[groovyd]

I do believe this means they are certainly dooooomed

 

[jhfenton]

Had a gen 1, liked the concept but didn't think it was worth the price back then I'd like better battery life before I buy one again, maybe third times the charm?. I'd also like to be able to store podcasts and audio books so I wouldn't have to bring my phone with me to the gym, jogging or walking. Whilst it is unlikely that apple would do it, I would really like it if they had sim cards so I could go kayaking or skiing without the phone but still be able to make emergency calls if something goes wrong.

You can transfer and listen to podcasts on the Apple Watch. You just have to use a third-party podcast catcher. I use iCatcher.

You have to jump through some hoops for audiobooks, but if you get audiobooks in a standard format (e.g., m4a), you can upload them to iCatcher too, either through iTunes or from iCloud/OneDrive/DropBox/etc.

I don't get the smart watch thing... What is it supposed to do for me? They seem like the don't hold much data, don't have much battery, and need a phone as a relay for many of the bigger features. I'm ignorant to the whole watch thing so I guess I'd like to learn where one is supposed to fit into my life.

They have 8GB of storage. They're essentially impossible to fill up. I've had 40+ podcasts, an audiobook, and 2 GB of music on mine at once, and it wasn't half full. (And with WatchOS 4, you can transfer more music.)

I ran 8 miles tonight listening first to a podcast and then music on my AirPods with my phone in the car. That's what it does for me. I still have two old Garmins, but I haven't used them since I got my Series 2.

 

[Glideslope]

Why would it be any different they any other watch?

Clarification. A Quartz Movement Automatic Timepiece. No wi-fi, no bluetooth, no scanners penetrating your sub dermal layers, etc.......... Many unknowns in the future.

 

[Jakexb]

I assume the Xiaomi wearable is entirely based on China sales? What is it?

 

[TwoBytes]

Yes, Apple and Fitbit are different classes but if all you want is a fitness band, Fitbit has a great app and battery life at a competitive price. Apple is not meeting this need in technology or price.

 

[StevieD100]

H


Here you go...now head out an buy one!

https://www.bucardo.com/collections/pocket-watch

Boy is that ugly(IMHO). Sorry but no.
A classic smooth shelled half hunter case please.

 

[Fatboy71]

I thought the same. I had no interest in the first generation Apple Watch. However, I decided to take a punt on the series 2 watch in January and I can't live without it. I have watches worth around £20,000 just sitting in a draw almost redundant as I don't wear them anymore. Apple Watch is one of those gadgets you don't realise how much you need & use it until you buy one. It's essential to me.

Totally agree. I like yourself, have old watches lying around and don't wear them now, as I get more use and also find my Apple Watch far more useful to me than a traditional watch. I'm only pleased I didn't pay a fortune for my old watches, as I would be gutted I'd spent all that money and now not getting use out of them.

I can't see me ditching a Smartwatch in favour of a traditional watch again anytime soon. I find the Apple Watch does everything for me and these are some of the reasons why I like the Apple Watch so much.

1: Notifications are so useful on the wrist.

2: Been able to act upon notifications and dictate texts, make calls on the wrist.

3: Set up reminders on the wrist.

4: Ask Siri things on the wrist.

5: Music controls on the wrist.

6: Fitness tracking. Granted the Apple Watch may not give you as much information as a dedicated fitness tracker, but with the fitness side in mind it ticks all the boxes for me.

7: Apple Pay. This is becoming more and more useful as time goes on as pretty much every shop I go into now, accepts Apple Pay/Contactless payments.
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I use mine all day and when I put it on charge at night the battery has never been lower than around 87%.

Yeah I typically find I can get two full days out of my Series 2 Apple Watch, which is what I typically get out of my 7 Plus. Too be honest, two full days out of a device as small as the Apple Watch and with the usage I get out of it, I think is incredible.
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It's one of the most genuinely useful gadgets I've ever bought, Apple Pay alone is worth the entry ticket.

Totally agree, I never tire of using Apple Pay on the Apple Watch, it's so useful and convenient, especially when you are carrying loads of shopping bags.

 

[44267547]

Fitbit is increasingly striking me as the pebble of the smartwatch market (which is ironic given that they acquired Pebble).

I wouldn't classify Fitbit along with Pebble. Pebbles main issue wasn't necessarily they made a poor watch, they failed to advertise and market their product. You could go to any shopping mall and stop and ask one of 10 people, and they likely never heard of Pebble before they were bought out. When you factor in the smart watch era and how niche it is, Fitbit still has a wide array of options for the consumer with more affordable price points, and they have an excellent marketing scheme. I imagine in this next year, Pebble will have something more streamlined to the Apple Watch.

 

[recoil80]

Totally agree, I never tire of using Apple Pay on the Apple Watch, it's so useful and convenient, especially when you are carrying loads of shopping bags.

Paying via Apple Watch is so convenient, I love it. Cashiers are still surprised when I put my wrist close to the reader, they are used to people paying with smartphones but there are very few AW out there, at least in my country.

I always had watches, then I got tired of wearing them for about 5 years, I'd say from 2010. I'm an app developer so I bought AW to begin experimenting with apps, and it immediately got me.
I like being able to quickly see an incoming message while I'm commuting so I don't have to take my iPhone, I can control my podcast or music and even write a quick reply, scribble works like a charm.
When I'm at home I usually forget my iPhone on my bag or pocket and thanks to the Watch I can answer phone calls and get notified about messages.
My only complain is about Siri, I guess the mic included in AW is not good enough so I can't get stuff done unless I'm in a very quite room. But that's ok, I don't rely on Siri too much and if I need to write a long message I prefer doing it via the iPhone.

I wonder how they will improve it and what feature will be so compelling to make me consider an upgrade. I have a series 1 and is fast enough, maybe if they introduced smart bands with additional health and fitness capabilities I'd be tempted, while I'm not sure I'd need LTE on the Watch

 

[honglong1976]

Apple Watch is really not in the same class as a fitbit. I used both, AW wins by a mile.
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Why would it be any different they any other watch?

I have a Fitbit Flex 2 and Apple Watch. The watch is too big and heavy for sleep tracking. Apple really need to be a well designed sleep tracking band similar to the flex is functions and they will have a sale from me!
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Yes, Apple and Fitbit are different classes but if all you want is a fitness band, Fitbit has a great app and battery life at a competitive price. Apple is not meeting this need in technology or price.

Flex 2 - £42 from CEX (grade A) I have one because for sleep tracking, it's super light and also tracks my bike rides and runs automatically. Not as accurate as the AW but I don't have to do anything.

The AW is such a well made, HQ device, I have a Fitbit Blaze before and it's utter garbage compared to the AW. But the 7 day battery and 24/7 HR monitoring is awesome!

Apple, please make a super light, awesomely made Fitness band so I can dump the Flex 2?

 

[throAU]

Why does it have to be a loss leader? We know Apple's margins on everything they build is enormously high. Don't forget they stand to make a ton on bands and accessories as well. It's also a gateway into a higher margin Apple Watch 3. Especially if it has new diagnostics, or health related features.

And as I said in my earlier post, security. There are Fitbits and Garmins, but some may prefer their information remain with Apple.

apple's margins are high because that funds r&d and the war chest to be able to afford to take risks.

apple can afford to try things that may or may not work.

 

[the future]

Then why bring Christy Turlington Burns on stage during the debut keynote to talk about training for a marathon?

Why not?

I said the Garmin watches do not have mainstream appeal. I did not say the Apple Watch has no appeal for athletes. And training for a marathon is something that can easiliy be done with an AW.

 

[kdarling]

apple's margins are high because that funds r&d

No. Apple's R&D spending has historically been low in comparison to their revenue.

They have over a quarter trillion dollars sitting in offshore shell company owned accounts... and that's after spending for R&D.

They're long past the point of stashing away rainy day money. Now they're just charging their customers more than necessary, simply because they can... and because Cook is all about ever increasing profit.

and the war chest to be able to afford to take risks.

apple can afford to try things that may or may not work.

True, like the ill-fated GTAT sapphire factory and the Titan car project. Although even those were intended to become products.

Apple's not really known for just "trying" things, not like say Google X. Apple usually has a product in mind.

 

[pika2000]

Thi is quite amazing, considering the AW only works with iPhones, while the competitors work on both Android and iOS.
Still remember the early days when people made fun of the idea of an Apple watch.

 

[Urban Joe]

The coolest product I will absolutely under no circumstances never use.

 

[MozMan68]

Boy is that ugly(IMHO). Sorry but no.
A classic smooth shelled half hunter case please.

I'm sure it exists...that was just the first one that I came across...
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Thi is quite amazing, considering the AW only works with iPhones, while the competitors work on both Android and iOS.
Still remember the early days when people made fun of the idea of an Apple watch.

Yes...but when you say "work" it is extremely limited to basic notifications like mail or messages. People may not use them as much, but the individual app integration on AW is useful. Like flight updates, boarding passes, Apple Pay, etc. that other "general" smart watches just can't do.