Apple Watch Launching in 'Spring' According to Apple Retail Chief Angela Ahrendts

[01silver4]

Let me stop you right there. Let's look at traditional watches starting from $300 like Chronograph Seiko Kinetic or Citizen EcoDrive up to Bulova, Movado and Tag. I would say $349 Apple watch worths every penny for its functions and benefits.

Yes sir my CITIZEN Eco drive pro master Aqualand model. $506 that can be pick up now for$380. And it doesn't track my Health, doesn't do notification, text, or accept calls etc. I am a cyclist and I am putting money away at the moment for the Apple watch, it's a no brainer for me. Especially when I am out on 70mi rides away from my family.

 

[AdonisSMU]

I think it was a mistake to announce the AppleWatch TBQH. It may have been a way to stop people who were on the fence from committing to the other watches.

 

[icecoldart]

I definitely won't buy the frst gen apple watch. Same like first retina mac's they will have to hammer out the issues first and I bet that there will be some, but then the second gen could be like.. "We've made the thinnest watch on the planet" sooo I dunno yet

 

[Tycho24]

Might be just me, but am I the only one who thinks Apple has better hardware for their smart watch, but Google seems to have better UI & software for their's?

Yes.

That's preposterous.

 

[peterdevries]

I think it was a mistake to announce the AppleWatch TBQH. It may have been a way to stop people who were on the fence from committing to the other watches.

So why was it a mistake then?

 

[01silver4]

I definitely won't buy the frst gen apple watch. Same like first retina mac's they will have to hammer out the issues first and I bet that there will be some, but then the second gen could be like.. "We've made the thinnest watch on the planet" sooo I dunno yet

Well that's warrantys are for Apple care etc.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

We still don't have a date. Angela Ahrendts saying "spring" in a retail video is not a firm date. I doubt she sets the date anyway. I think Apple announced it early because they didn't want leaks and to give developers time to create apps for it. Remember the iPhone was announced 6 months before launch and that didn't even have an AppStore.

1) I don't need a firm date to understand "spring," is not in the "early" part of the year.

2) Ahrendts is a senior exec. Either she understands what she's saying because she vetted it w/ her senior staff cohorts to make sure she is on the same corporate page OR she's a loose cannon. You pick, but nothing about her or her past endeavors strikes me as her being the latter.

3) iPhone indeed launched 6 months later. But that time span is not really at isssue. The issue is a sliding release date. When Jobs got on stage to announce the original iPhone he firmly stated it would go on sale "in June." In contrast, Cook said "early next year," then his retail store lieutenant says "spring." I'd say that is a big gap and disconnect. Either the corporate line is still "early next year," or its at a time later than that, which seems to now be the case.

 

[doelcm82]

Yes sir my CITIZEN Eco drive pro master Aqualand model. $506 that can be pick up now for$380. And it doesn't track my Health, doesn't do notification, text, or accept calls etc. I am a cyclist and I am putting money away at the moment for the Apple watch, it's a no brainer for me.

The difference is that the CITIZEN watch will be expected to last years and years. There may be new versions released, but not ones that completely blow your current CITIZEN watch out of the water in terms of performance and features.

The Apple Watch will likely add new sensors, better batteries, and faster processes. So you'll be tempted to buy a new one every two years or so.

I'm still on the fence. Since I haven't worn a watch for a decade (for decoration or otherwise), it doesn't appeal to me as a watch. But the fitness and Apple pay aspects are appealing, and I'd use it for other convenient features. I'm inching toward the affirmative.

 

[01silver4]

I will be getting this model 42mm space grey, will go nicely with my 6+ 64gb space grey bring it on Apple can't wait.

 

[01silver4]

The difference is that the CITIZEN watch will be expected to last years and years. There may be new versions released, but not ones that completely blow your current CITIZEN watch out of the water in terms of performance and features.

The Apple Watch will likely add new sensors, better batteries, and faster processes. So you'll be tempted to buy a new one every two years or so.

I'm still on the fence. Since I haven't worn a watch for a decade (for decoration or otherwise), it doesn't appeal to me as a watch. But the fitness and Apple pay aspects are appealing, and I'd use it for other convenient features. I'm inching toward the affirmative.

True the CITIZEN is a beast I have mine now for 3 years, done a few squba dives with it and still going looks new as the day I bought it. It would be awesome if the Apple watch had something like the Eco drive technology. Would be no need to charge the battery. I would only hope the Apple watch durability will be pretty decent. Being I am getting the sport model, will be using it for the gym cycling etc.

 

[briankeith513]

LOL. What product do you think Samsung worked on for 4-5 years? They regularly whip crap together in a couple months depending on what their competitors make. Same thing with Xiaomi. The whole Android watch business has only been around the last three years as a laughable attempt to preempt the Apple Watch based on rumors.



You can bet that one of those companies will be making a Watch operated with a 'digital crown' that copies the Apple Watch right down to the color of the various icons, and they will probably get it out before the Apple Watch even makes the shelves. Of course it will suck and Samsung will continue to lose steam...

This

 

[Oletros]

What exactly are you denying?

1) That Android Wear has existed less than 3 years
2) That Android Wear is laughable, and has failed to produce a single successful product
3) That Android Wear lacks any vision of its own, and is little more than a piss poor pre-emptive strike against the iWatch rumors

Ah, you're still trying to write nonsensical claims passing them as a serious argument

 

[bmunge]

Sooooooo Spring in Apple world typically means June right? Maybe they are on the verge of a battery breakthrough that allows the watchface to stay on all day, you know like their competitors...





Where does this observation come from (honest question, you aren't the first to say it).

They already said battery life will last around a day, which is comparable to the Android varieties. I have no idea where you are getting June from... As for exact battery life we don't have enough information to know how it will compare exactly.

My observation on the Android Wear comes from working with them and using them. The interface on the Moto 360 is essentially Google Now cards shrunk down a bit. There's not much there in terms of new UX paradigms. Personally I think it looks like dog **** but that's just me.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Well, everything that's been released is nothing more than an uninspiring collection of Apple patents and what the Apple Watch has been rumored to have for the past 3 years; not to mention, the smartwatch craze really caught on when Apple added watch faces to the nano... So in a way, they did copy Apple.

Of course they did! Samsung has released 3 versions of their smartwatch, Apple none. But Samsung copied.

 

[JeffDM]

It still seems awfully thick, and I'm still not seeing the benefit yet. Yet another device that begs to be replaced every 2-4 years. Sure, the devices can function for some time longer than that, but they'll be out of date and unsupported.

 

[bwfilms]

This might be the first apple product I buy that is not in its third or forth iteration.

Same here. Actually, this will be the first-gen tech device (by any company) that I'll buy.

 

[diamond.g]

They already said battery life will last around a day, which is comparable to the Android varieties. I have no idea where you are getting June from... As for exact battery life we don't have enough information to know how it will compare exactly.

My observation on the Android Wear comes from working with them and using them. The interface on the Moto 360 is essentially Google Now cards shrunk down a bit. There's not much there in terms of new UX paradigms. Personally I think it looks like dog **** but that's just me.

All the other Apple watch competitors are quoting usage with the display always on. Only the Moto360 quotes usage differently (as a matter of fact only the Moto360 comes with always on off).

Spring ends June 20th. Apple has been known to say Spring and release/announce product in June.

Ah okay yeah the Google Now card paradigm is super meh. But for giving you bits of info quick it isn't horrible....

 

[Born Again]

Yes sir my CITIZEN Eco drive pro master Aqualand model. $506 that can be pick up now for$380. And it doesn't track my Health, doesn't do notification, text, or accept calls etc. I am a cyclist and I am putting money away at the moment for the Apple watch, it's a no brainer for me. Especially when I am out on 70mi rides away from my family.

I'm a cyclist too and that's utter garbage if you believe the iWatch will helpful on your rides

Any real cyclist will want a mounted computer

I ride with a Garmin edge 510

Good luck pairing your sensors to your iWatch

Lol power meter?! Let me guess you don't even know your FTP



Real athletes arent targeted for this watch

We have other tools.

 

[doelcm82]

It still seems awfully thick, and I'm still not seeing the benefit yet. Yet another device that begs to be replaced every 2-4 years. Sure, the devices can function for some time longer than that, but they'll be out of date and unsupported.

You definitely should not buy until you see the benefit. If you don't like the idea of being a beta tester, you probably shouldn't buy. If you shy away from first generation products, then this is probably no different.

One possible exception: The Apple I computer. If you get a chance to go back in time and buy the Apple I, don't hesitate. And pick up some stock while you're at it. Then head back to the future and cash in.

Don't worry. Plenty of us will buy the first gen.

----------

I'm a cyclist too and that's utter garbage if you believe the iWatch will helpful on your rides

Any real cyclist will want a mounted computer

I ride with a Garmin edge 510

Good luck pairing your sensors to your iWatch

Lol power meter?! Let me guess you don't even know your FTP



Real athletes arent targeted for this watch

We have other tools.

We real people who sometimes ride bikes for fun and exercise are the target. "Athletes" with their shiny shorts and composite frames and seventeen and a half-speed transmissions may sneer at us over the foam of their macro-psychotic protein shakes, but we don't really notice them, so that doesn't matter.

 

[bwfilms]

True the CITIZEN is a beast I have mine now for 3 years, done a few squba dives with it and still going looks new as the day I bought it. It would be awesome if the Apple watch had something like the Eco drive technology. Would be no need to charge the battery. I would only hope the Apple watch durability will be pretty decent. Being I am getting the sport model, will be using it for the gym cycling etc.

The difference is that the CITIZEN watch will be expected to last years and years. There may be new versions released, but not ones that completely blow your current CITIZEN watch out of the water in terms of performance and features.

The Apple Watch will likely add new sensors, better batteries, and faster processes. So you'll be tempted to buy a new one every two years or so.

I'm still on the fence. Since I haven't worn a watch for a decade (for decoration or otherwise), it doesn't appeal to me as a watch. But the fitness and Apple pay aspects are appealing, and I'd use it for other convenient features. I'm inching toward the affirmative.

I have a couple of traditional watches (including a CITIZEN Eco-Drive), and I agree that they will last (and look good) for years to come. However, I personally never compare the Apple watches (or smart watches for that matter) to traditional watches as I think smart watches are really computers worn on your wrists. Like all computers, technology progress moves at a much faster pace, and obsolescence is almost inevitable.

 

[briankeith513]

Well, I sold one of my iPhones to pay towards getting an Apple Watch in Jan/Feb. this was announced in September but may not be released until 6 months later at the earliest. Smh. I'll probably use the money I got from selling my iPhone 5s to get something else, and decide later, about getting the Watch. Kind of disappointing.

 

[Born Again]

You definitely should not buy until you see the benefit. If you don't like the idea of being a beta tester, you probably shouldn't buy. If you shy away from first generation products, then this is probably no different.

One possible exception: The Apple I computer. If you get a chance to go back in time and buy the Apple I, don't hesitate. And pick up some stock while you're at it. Then head back to the future and cash in.

Don't worry. Plenty of us will buy the first gen.

----------


We real people who sometimes ride bikes for fun and exercise are the target. "Athletes" with their shiny shorts and composite frames and seventeen and a half-speed transmissions may sneer at us over the foam of their macro-psychotic protein shakes, but we don't really notice them, so that doesn't matter.

He made a point to show off his bike and say he wants an iWatch

What does a cyclist like on their bike computers ?

Cadence, speed, heart rate, power, elevation, navigation, etc.

Apple can't do this nor does it ever want too.


Lol - we have fun on our rides. I'm just making a point and a cyclist and a triathlete Apple does not have us in mind.

I'm sure it will be nice to see your facebook status or a tweet.

Leave me with a 920xt or a garmin edge

 

[poppy10]

That thickness just looks worse every time I see it. Can't believe Jonny signed off on this, it looks so cludgy

 

[doelcm82]

He made a point to show off his bike and say he wants an iWatch

What does a cyclist like on their bike computers ?

Cadence, speed, heart rate, power, elevation, navigation, etc.

Apple can't do this nor does it ever want too.


Lol - we have fun on our rides. I'm just making a point and a cyclist and a triathlete Apple does not have us in mind.

I'm sure it will be nice to see your facebook status or a tweet.

Leave me with a 920xt or a garmin edge

All the metrics collected by the bike computer could be synched wirelessly to Apple's Health app. Heart Rate will be collected by the watch itself, or by the sensor on the bike.

I'm not a serious cyclist, so I don't know a lot about the computers athletes use on their bikes, but I'd be surprised if some of them don't have a way to sync their collected data to a computer for easy tracking of stats over time. This is a perfect use for the HealthKit platform, and some manufacturers will offer this to their cyclists who use iPhones and want to keep their data in the same place as all their other health data.

 

[astoxos]

I can not imagine what segment of users will buy this. For folks who wear watches as an accessory... they aren't going to move away from their Rolexes. For folks who want health related stuff tracked, there are cheaper options available. There simply can't be a value that the watch will provide being a part of an ecosystem that's worth 350 bucks.

Edit - But then hey... Apple knows what I want better than I do I guess

Yes, we are not.