Apple Watch: potential downsides

[Night Spring]

Whilst I'd love to be wrong. I can't see Apple struggling to make the watch last for days and days on a charge, they would rather make it thinner, faster, add more things to it, than add days of battery life.

For me, since the watch is something to be worn all day long, I'd rather have a thinner and lighter one that has to be charged every day, than a larger and heavier one that will have days-long battery life.

And I know you'd say Apple should then make both, so people can choose. But if you value choice, you are with the wrong company. Ever since Steve Jobs returned to Apple and pruned down Apple's product line to four basic computer models, Apple has been about simplified product lines. They don't make devices in one-inch size increments, and they aren't going to make watches in one-gram weight differences.

I respect that people don't agree with Apple's philosophy, that some people think the right thing to do is make phones in one-inch size increments so people can choose. But Apple thinks that it is their job to make that decision, so people don't have to choose. Just look at all the people trying and returning their iPhones 6 and 6+ not being able to decide which phone is the right one for them. Now imagine the amount of confusion if there were, say, five sizes to choose from!

Yes, in a way, it is arrogant of Apple to make the choice for other people. But on the other hand, they are the engineering and usability experts, they should know better than the average person what works best. So if you trust that experts usually know better, buy from Apple. If you think you can decide best what works for you -- well, Apple may not be the right company to buy from.

 

[crzdcolombian]

People don't need watches any more

Many people don't use watches any more. Day to day what's the percent of people you see wearing a watch?

You need a iphone or it's useless.

Price.... Rumored to start at $350 for the cheapest one. I don't need a smart computer on my wrist especially for $350. If they were just health monitors for 200 Id prob buy a couple:

People will want the kinks to be worked out and will wait for #2.

People are way to excited for a dead technology. Analyst think 1/3 iPhone users will buy one. Haha

 

[Piggie]

People don't need watches any more

Many people don't use watches any more. Day to day what's the percent of people you see wearing a watch?

You need a iphone or it's useless.

Price.... Rumored to start at $350 for the cheapest one. I don't need a smart computer on my wrist especially for $350. If they were just health monitors for 200 Id prob buy a couple:

People will want the kinks to be worked out and will wait for #2.

People are way to excited for a dead technology. Analyst think 1/3 iPhone users will buy one. Haha

I read some time ago, that the watch was not the one piece of jewellery? That a man can realistically wear.

Women can cover themselves with trinkets from almost every place on their body, but for a man, it's the Watch that is THE accepted item that allows him to make his statement, and display his personal style etc etc.

I think this is why watches have got larger and larger, as it's a "Man Thing" but also as it is, as I say a very visual statement for the man, that is accepted everywhere, from the beach or outback, way up to the highest boardroom.

The Apple watch kills that, and it's one reason why it can never replace the "Mans Watch"

It will be worm by millions I'm sure, All looking exactly the same as each other. in 3 or 4 colours, and a selection of straps.

It destroys the man's one item of personal jewellery that allows him to make that statement about himself.

All it says is, I have no idea or style so I'm just wearing the Apple watch like a few million others.

It will see well, to some people, of course it will, but it will never replace a real watch, as that is used for a different and more personal reason, than just a gadget on the wrist.

Carrying your iPhone (or other phone) and wearing the Quality watch YOU want will continue unaffected by this product.

I can even see some buying the Apple watch, wearing it for a while, then going back to the item they really want to wear, when they realise that, there is little point in it, as the phone does it all anyway.

That's why some do question it as a product in general.

Perhaps it's like 3D TV's. Some will love it, many will buy them, but in the end, it will always remain a niche item as the real need is just not there.

 

[crzdcolombian]

I am buying it on the marketplace here once one of you guys use it for 2 weeks and decided you don't like it and sell it for 100 off

 

[briankeith513]

People don't need watches any more



Many people don't use watches any more. Day to day what's the percent of people you see wearing a watch?



You need a iphone or it's useless.



Price.... Rumored to start at $350 for the cheapest one. I don't need a smart computer on my wrist especially for $350. If they were just health monitors for 200 Id prob buy a couple:



People will want the kinks to be worked out and will wait for #2.



People are way to excited for a dead technology. Analyst think 1/3 iPhone users will buy one. Haha

Yes, I question whether the amount of people who even care about watches, and couple that with a high price, that could hurt the success of the Apple Watch a lot. I for one, was never a big watch guy, and with all of the recent expensive electronics purchases, I will definitely be getting an Apple Watch, but not the one that I prefer, due to price. I can see many others not caring about it as much as me, then seeing the starting price, and scoffing at it, especially with cheaper options already available from numerous competitors.

 

[The Doctor11]

I really wish it was water proof. It would really suck to be scared to wash your hands because you don't want to get your watch wet

 

[ditzy]

I really wish it was water proof. It would really suck to be scared to wash your hands because you don't want to get your watch wet

It's water resistant, you don't need to worry about washing your hands. Don't swim with it though.

 

[Julien]

...It would really suck to be scared to wash your hands because you don't want to get your watch wet

Doesn't look like Apple is scared of hand washing since they show this on the Watch site.

 

[Vundu]

Just battery life for me. Would of liked a few days worth.

 

[iososx]

Never underestimate the power and influence of Apple. Just slap that logo on and people will go into debt for it.

 

[Tycho24]

Never underestimate the power and influence of Apple. Just slap that logo on and people will go into debt for it.

I will NEVER understand these weird kind of comments...

?????????????????????????

Where are all these "garbage" Apple products that are getting by on the Apple name alone??
Perhaps you can provide a SINGLE example??

I know that the iPhone 6 & 6+ have met with a LOT of critical acclaim. I know that the iPad Air 2 is widely recognized as the best tablet money can buy. iOS 8 is impressing people with unique features like handoff, continuity, and Apple Pay. The new iMac 5k has the highest resolution ever and is definitely on most graphic professional's wish lists. The Mac Pro is a flipping powerhouse... in an impressively small package. The MacBook Pro Retina is a staple of many a professional's toolbox.

Now... saying that iOS & OS X are not your cup of tea is valid. Saying that you are used to a Windows machine & wouldn't have it any other way is valid. Preferring to use an Android phablet with a stylus is valid.

However, pretending like Apple doesn't make very, very high quality, much sought after, useful consumer electronics devices is NOT valid. Honestly, it smacks of a deep seated "head buried in the sand" kind of denial if you genuinely feel that Apple makes no good products & somehow have become the most profitable tech company on the planet because people like the shape of the Apple logo.

I'd invite you to read some reviews or try some Apple products out for yourself. You will be in for a treat! =)

 

[tresmith]

the one downside of this watch that I see, is having it do too much.

notifications, health and being an extension to certain apps should be it's only functions. and apple pay

there are certain things just better left up to the phone.

 

[Night Spring]

the one downside of this watch that I see, is having it do too much.

notifications, health and being an extension to certain apps should be it's only functions. and apple pay

there are certain things just better left up to the phone.

I'm confused. Is the Watch going to do anything other than the things you listed? Well, I believe it is going to be able to play music over Bluetooth. But other than that, all the Watch functions I'm aware of seems to fall into one or more of the categories you listed.

 

[Julien]

I'm confused. Is the Watch going to do anything other than the things you listed? Well, I believe it is going to be able to play music over Bluetooth. But other than that, all the Watch functions I'm aware of seems to fall into one or more of the categories you listed.

You can answer phone calls and do Siri text replies. Also it can do (walking) turn by turn navigation. However in order to be useful to more people and be successful it needs to do more things and NOT less.

I guess tresmith is fine with it only doing a few things as long as those few things are what he/she wants.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

Here are some of the biggest barriers IMO to the AWatch success

1) Price: The starting price is nearly double the flagship iPhone price (people don't think about subsidies) which this is an "accessory" to.

2) Embarrassment/Geek Factor: Smartwatches are still kind of a geeky thing. Will people want to be displaying this fact all day every day? Especially at a time when Apple has been losing its "cool factor".

3) Lack of ruggidization: Are you comfortable running in the rain with it? Are you comfortable skiing with it? Are you comfortable rock climbing with it? What about rafting? What about playing football? What about wearing in extreme heat/cold? Washing hands? There are a large number of conceivable scenarios that would give a person pause (even if the watch could handle it).

4) Battery life: Another device to charge daily? Kind of a drag

 

[ackmondual]

If you look back over years on these very forums about iPad, and iPhone battery life.
there are postings upon posting from many many people almost pleading that Apple stops making the next product 1mm or 2mm thinner, but rather keep the same thickness and improve the battery life over the current model.

..........

Without ANY question whatsoever, if Apple DID add, say 2mm to the thickness of this years iPad or iPhone, and sold them both alongside the current models, as "Long Life" versions.

You can bet, a TON of people would buy the long life versions, with say twice the battery life.

I'm not a techie nor electronics guy, so I have to ask... would adding a mere 1 to 2mm onto an Iph6 and Ipad Air 2 have actually doubled their respective battery lives? If not, can someone quantify how much battery life increase there would've been? AFAIK, it seems like not enough for the most part.

I will NEVER understand these weird kind of comments...

?????????????????????????

Where are all these "garbage" Apple products that are getting by on the Apple name alone??
Perhaps you can provide a SINGLE example??

Apple does make some good quality stuff. The complaints I've heard were they're still too expensive given the price (concerning desktops, notebooks, and iOS devices). And yes, some of those folks have tried it, and ended up going to Android, WP, Windows, or Linux.

Also note the person you're quoting never used the word "garbage" nor implied it (AFAIK anyways). I believe he was referring to the hefty $350 price tag, even for something that may turn out to be good.

Also, as far as subar stuff, the Ipad Mini 3 comes to mind. $100 more than the Ipad Mini 2, with no processor upgrade. All you get is the option to get it in gold, Touch ID, and the option to get a 128 GB capacity (of which this will cost you an additional $100). For most people, the Ipad 2 Mini is the best bang for the buck (especially now it's $100 cheaper than the Ipad Mini 3). Various reviews, even users and editorials who claim to be fans of Apple products reluctantly state this.

 

[AsmaMohd]

No independent usage

The main disadvantage of the iWatch is that it has to be synchronised with the iPhone and cannot be used independent of it. So, if you want to own a iWatch you need to get yourself an iPhone.

Camera

The iPhone camera protrudes out at the rear so when you lay it down without a cover it will rest on the lens.

Battery

Not much was said about the iWatch battery and how long will it last as it is very crucial hardware.

Look

The iWatch is a bit chunky with the looks of it from the promotions nothing much was said about it.

Health app

Many other Smartwatches can monitor the heart beat so nothing special about this feature.

 

[ackmondual]

the ability too not use it as a stand alone phone will kill it for me. im so used to making phone calls on my gear solo. that anything eles would be like going back in time.

An Android developer introduced to me a smartwatch (by Samsung?) back in 2013 or so, saying he was already learning how to develop for it. He made it sound like that watch was an interface to your Android phone, implying the phone had to be nearby. If these watches have operated on their own, that truly is impressive, and hope the iWatch can match that!

 

[Julien]

...So, if you want to own a iWatch you need to get yourself an iPhone.

Camera

The iPhone camera protrudes out at the rear so when you lay it down without a cover it will rest on the lens.....

1) What is this mysterious iWatch you are talking about?

2) What does the iPhone's camera have to do with potential downsides to owning an Watch?

 

[tresmith]

I'm confused. Is the Watch going to do anything other than the things you listed? Well, I believe it is going to be able to play music over Bluetooth. But other than that, all the Watch functions I'm aware of seems to fall into one or more of the categories you listed.

All I'm saying is that certain functions are better left up to the phone. and having a watch do too much would only serve to confuse and frustrate the user.

for example why would I show my pictures on my watch on that tiny screen when I can use my phone with a new large screen that is right there in my pocket. just to save the millisecond it would take to pull out my phone? and alot of people like to hand over their phones so that people can scroll through the pics themselves. how would you do that with a watch? you would take it off every time?

it may not be apparent right now what features will and won't work on a watch, but once this thing comes out and people start using it, people will see what I'm talking.

 

[tresmith]

You can answer phone calls and do Siri text replies. Also it can do (walking) turn by turn navigation. However in order to be useful to more people and be successful it needs to do more things and NOT less.

I guess tresmith is fine with it only doing a few things as long as those few things are what he/she wants.

you totally missed the point.

and you just gave two examples of what won't work on a watch. answering phone calls a la dick tracey seemed cool in the comics but in the real world, everyone talking to their watches on speaker phone would be incredibly annoying. so would be siri text replies. we have siri text replies as a feature now, on the phone, and how many people use it over typing? very few.

you have to think a few steps ahead to what would be the end result and not just be enamored and not fall in love with just having gee wiz features.

it's the difference between the iphone and an android phone. the iphone does much less but what it does it does very well. and I want that philosophy in the apple watch.

 

[ackmondual]

All I'm saying is that certain functions are better left up to the phone. and having a watch do too much would only serve to confuse and frustrate the user.

for example why would I show my pictures on my watch on that tiny screen when I can use my phone with a new large screen that is right there in my pocket. just to save the millisecond it would take to pull out my phone? and alot of people like to hand over their phones so that people can scroll through the pics themselves. how would you do that with a watch? you would take it off every time?

it may not be apparent right now what features will and won't work on a watch, but once this thing comes out and people start using it, people will see what I'm talking.

So nothing's changed... most of us are better off with a phone and leaving the iWatch out of it.

 

[Night Spring]

All I'm saying is that certain functions are better left up to the phone. and having a watch do too much would only serve to confuse and frustrate the user.

for example why would I show my pictures on my watch on that tiny screen when I can use my phone with a new large screen that is right there in my pocket. just to save the millisecond it would take to pull out my phone? and alot of people like to hand over their phones so that people can scroll through the pics themselves. how would you do that with a watch? you would take it off every time?

Okay, I get you. I think you are right that for this generation of the Watch, which requires an iPhone, a lot of its functions, like the pictures, and making phone calls, seem superfluous. But I think Apple is designing the Watch software as if it was for an independent device. That way, when the hardware gets to the point where we can ditch our phones and just carry the Watch, they don't have to redo the software to make it a stand alone device.

 

[R.Perez]

Less than a full 24 hour charge and not being able to shower with it on at least. I understand that I can plug it in while in the shower and but I don't want something that can break simply because you forget to take it off before getting in.

 

[AsmaMohd]

1) What is this mysterious iWatch you are talking about?

2) What does the iPhone's camera have to do with potential downsides to owning an Watch?

The post is relevant to the thread i.e., Apple Watch downsides. iphone got be be synchronized with the iwatch/Apple watch that's why said so.