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Apple Watch May Gain Additional Casing Material Options Later This Year
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Hahaha.
"Production issues"
"Supply constraints"
"Display shortages"
The safety net phrases used by analysts everywhere that allow them to spew out any release date they want. Can't wait for the 6S rumors to start speeding up.
"iPhone 6S could be released as early as April"
"...as early as May"
"...at the WWDC in June"
"...in mid-summer"
"September release date confirmed."
Well, we can expand your horizons. Go to any high end store on launch day and stand by the Apple Watch center. You will then get a chance to meet wealthy people buying the "disposable" Edition watch.
There are people in this world who run up $17,000 dinner bills. Did they get value? Was the food that tasty? It certainly is more "disposed" at the end of the meal than the Edition watch.
That screen full of little round icons already looks a little Playskool to me.
As for plastic and kids... well, the iPhone had the iPod. So why shouldn't the Watch have a limited no-phone-needed version, too?
Plastic, no pulse sensor, no Apple Pay. Just apps brought down via WiFi, either standalone, or more likely, linked to the family's iPad.
Apple's historical pattern is to establish price points with the first version of a product, and then maintain that price point by adding functionality, NOT to drop the price over time.
This is not an ABSOLUTE rule --- they slowly dropped the price of the MacBook Air for example --- but it is the usual pattern.
The only way they would do what is being suggested, I think, would be (IF they think that watch sales are worse than expected, AND that watch sales lead to more phone sales) would be to introduce something like the watch equivalent of the iPod Shuffle --- something (in plastic) that provides the functionality that they want to tie into and sell iPhones, but which is obviously a cut down version of the aWatch, not just a cheap version.
Call it something like the Apple Band, make it look and feel more like a health band than the jewelry aspect of the watch (very obviously plastic, though, of course, nice plastic) maybe lose the haptic feedback, much smaller selection of watch faces, but it does the basics --- count steps and activity, provide notifications, payments, and authentication, interacts with IoT devices. Sell it not as the cheap version of the Apple watch, but as the premium version of the health tracker space...
Well I think if Apple were going to go this route - they would include GPS and sensors and market a "cheaper" watch as the perfect "ID" bracelet for kids to wear for safety so that parents can locate them and/or police. "FindMyChild"
Whatever they do there will be complaints. Hell, we are complaining about complaints. But each thread here starts with several pages of cynical comments of some die-hard trolls and wannabe-comedians such as farewellwilliams (or something like that), who manages to be first commenter on each thread with a one-liner.
I'm optimistic ...
I'm optimistic on the Apple Watch. Here's why...
I really like the preview of the app interfaces:
. Surely I'm not the only one tired of constantly pulling my phone out of my pocket all day to check the time, email, weather, directions, reminders, calendar, etc.
The price for the Apple Watch Sport models ($349-399) seem fairly reasonable for what you're getting.
I will say the dressier (Apple Watch) options seem excessive ... for example the two I like are $649-699 depending on the size.
There's a lot of room for growth and improvement in the product and on the website ...
First, the online shopping experience is too complicated. I have to both pick a model (apple watch, apple watch sport, or apple watch edition), then a size (38mm or 42mm) then a band.
Why not just pick a size, then configure a band? It's not immediately clear what the difference is between the sport and watch models (different glass?). Things will be better when they simplify and standardize a bit. For example, why is there a 1mm and 2mm charger?
Also, everything is a bit too big and crowded on the website interface. Feels like they're trying to jam too much in now.
Most importantly, the product ... In the future when this thing becomes a fully functioning phone or can measure your blood sugar, it's going to be huge.
One final comment. Apple has always charged more for their products but delivered a high value in my opinion. Now with the high end ($10k-17k) watch products it's offering itself as a status symbol. I certainly understand why ... that's the nature of the beast when it comes to watches. I've never liked or related to that about watches. If they do in fact develop an Apple car, I'm sure it will be a similar case.
I'm optimistic on the Apple Watch. Here's why...
I really like the preview of the app interfaces:
The price for the Apple Watch Sport models ($349-399) seem fairly reasonable for what you're getting.
I will say the dressier (Apple Watch) options seem excessive ... for example the two I like are $649-699 depending on the size.
There's a lot of room for growth and improvement in the product and on the website ...
First, the online shopping experience is too complicated. I have to both pick a model (apple watch, apple watch sport, or apple watch edition), then a size (38mm or 42mm) then a band.
Why not just pick a size, then configure a band? It's not immediately clear what the difference is between the sport and watch models (different glass?). Things will be better when they simplify and standardize a bit. For example, why is there a 1mm and 2mm charger?
Also, everything is a bit too big and crowded on the website interface. Feels like they're trying to jam too much in now.
Most importantly, the product ... In the future when this thing becomes a fully functioning phone or can measure your blood sugar, it's going to be huge.
One final comment. Apple has always charged more for their products but delivered a high value in my opinion. Now with the high end ($10k-17k) watch products it's offering itself as a status symbol. I certainly understand why ... that's the nature of the beast when it comes to watches. I've never liked or related to that about watches. If they do in fact develop an Apple car, I'm sure it will be a similar case.
Well I think if Apple were going to go this route - they would include GPS and sensors and market a "cheaper" watch as the perfect "ID" bracelet for kids to wear for safety so that parents can locate them and/or police. "FindMyChild"
That would be cool.
There are already devices like that, but if Apple sold one, it'd be very popular.
Okay... No one needs an iPhone, iPod, iTunes, Apple TV, MacBook, iPad, or apple watch. They are just nice things to have.
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Or they let customers sell it on eBay and Craigslist like all their other products.
Exactly. I was in Dubai last year in the Panerai store, looking for a steel watch. They didn´t have them. The only ones they sold were encrusted with diamonds and looked ridiculous.
While I was looking for a "normal" watch an Arab guy walked in, pointed at two of the watches, smacked a credit card on the table and walked out 30 seconds later with about USD 50,000 in watches in a bag.
I didn´t see any joy on that guy´s face from the purchase. I later saw him in the valet parking queue (there is a separate luxury car valet parking service). He drove a Lamborghini and also didn´t seem to enjoy that a lot.
It´s a different culture. That USD 17,000 Apple Watch will mostly be sold there and to them it will be of the same value as a USD 450 Steel version is to us.
In what market? Cars are like that. They become obsolete very soon. Still usable, but obsolete when a new model comes out.
They have to have come up with something that captures the fact that big spenders are likely to want upgrades just like everyone else. Surely they aren't contemplating that a person at any income level would want to invest $100k in their watch over 5-6 generations of upgrades.
This gets to one of the problems in their pricing model: we are being asked to spend a ton of money without knowing what the future holds. That makes this a very different investment than one typically makes in a watch. Case in point, although I cannot begin to afford the gold model, the one I am most drawn to is the most expensive of the steel models -- the black one with the black metal band. But while I could drop $1000 for a nice watch (and have before), I would never do that for something that will feel like yesterday's news in a year or two. As a result, I am inclined to skip this altogether (or at the very least go way cheaper than I otherwise would) even though I very much like the idea of the product. I suspect many others will do the same.
If Apple want me to pay £13,500 for this watch in gold I want a lifetime guarantee like other, well know luxury watch brands offer. (Don't think I'm stupid enough to think they will though, will you)
I think it is absolutely insane to offer the gold as an option because these things will become obsolete. These, maybe not as often as the iPhone's do but still.
Sort of my point. I think if Apple offered a dumbed down version for children (which I don't think they will as it's not like they have a dumbed down version of their iPad or iPhone) - they would do it to push safety/health. It wouldn't be marketed as a toy for them (although it would have apps and tell time - but rather the appeal would be to parents.
Platinum sounds like a stretch to me, but given the Edition, who can say.
I don't understand the desire for platinum. It's indistinguishable from SS unless you hold them next to each other. A little bit whiter but that's it.
Rolex gets around this because you can easily tell a platinum version because they usually have a blue dial.
If Apple makes one, I expect they would want to differentiate the Platinum from the SS version somehow. Most likely with an exclusive type of band.
What other materials could be on the reasonable priced tier ? Maybe a titanium? I can't think of anything else right now.
Magnesium maybe.. those are popular with camera bodies. Titanium would be a good choice.
Actually, Richard Mille do a watch with a sapphire case. And as much as I love watches, that thing, IMO, is horrible...looks like plastic. Somewhere north of a million dollars too
Waterproof please
I've never paid $400 for a watch, but I'm an iNut. But it ain't happening until I see the word waterproof. Water resistant is not good enough. Hopefully they are working on a diver's version or something like that. But I'm even good with being able to use it in a swimming pool.
I've never paid $400 for a watch, but I'm an iNut. But it ain't happening until I see the word waterproof. Water resistant is not good enough. Hopefully they are working on a diver's version or something like that. But I'm even good with being able to use it in a swimming pool.
Probably wouldn't ever happen, but it would interesting if they made entirely out of Sapphire. I bet a plastic "C" model is on the way to drop the price to a "groundbreaking" $249
You're correct that people generally are resigned to continually upgrading (and continually paying for) their cars, but do you think many people want another product in that category? I think one of the main appeals of high-end watches (which for most people, includes $1000 watches) traditionally has been their timelessness -- they aren't like cars or computers, but rather like jewelry that we could pass down to our kids if we want to. This is just about the opposite of that.
How about a 4 inch watch with two bands to hold it on the forearm? A nice size for getting the missing sensors added and plenty of battery space. Even enough space for reading emails or surfing the web.
I agree. It would be unworkable for Apple to adopt the same product updates strategy for the Watch as it has with iPhones and iPads. They are heavily marketing the physical hardware of the Watch; the casings and the straps, as well as the tech (which is the same for the low end Sport as it is for the Edition). They cannot expect someone to really invest (even in the most expensive stainless steel versions) without inspiring some confidence in the consumer that the product wont be obsolete within 12-24 months.
I think the answer will be replaceable internal components.
1. A traditional high end wristwatch such as a Tag Heuer Grand Carrera would set me back around $10,000. An Apple Watch Edition would also cost around $10,000.
2. For my Tag, I would be expected to service it after 2 to 3 years. Such service costs, according to Tag Heuer's website, range from $95.00 to $200 for a "maintenance service" and between $170.00 to $650 for a "complete overhaul".
If Apple are marketing the Watch as a piece of jewellery and mimicking the traditional watch market, then it is reasonable to assume that their strategy may be to allow consumers to "service" their Watch.
A maintenance service could be a battery replacement - and the price point could easily match the $95.00 to $200.00 levels of the traditional watch.
A complete overhaul could be a replacement to the S1 - again, if the Watch Sport is selling at $350 (casing, strap and the S1), then it's reasonable to think that a S1 swap would easily fall between the $170 to $650 price points of the traditional overhaul.
This "servicing" strategy could easily lengthen the lifespan of the Watch to well beyond the 12-24 month cycles that we are expecting.
This is just one of the issues I have with the Apple watch. You drop a minimum of $350 on a watch that has a lifespan of at most 2 years before it is obsolete. If you were to drop the same $350 on a traditional watch, you could pass it down to the next generation. Granted the Apple watch is more than a timepiece.