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Apple Watch Pro Likely to Have New Programmable Button for watchOS 9
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On my first Apple watch, I managed to chip the crown. So I wouldn't say never ...
Nobody seems to be pointing out that more screen area and another button may be a boon for older Apple Watch fans. I keep thinking how nice it would be to add a few pixels to the size of my favorite complications. The new button could activate a specially-blessed single app or macro.
3D renders of the upcoming "Apple Watch Pro" shared earlier today accurately depict the design of the device, including a new button on the left side of the case that can likely be programmed by the user, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Gurman said users will likely be able to customize the button to launch a specific app, feature, workout type, or so forth when pressed. He also confirmed that while the Apple Watch Pro will have a completely flat display, the device will still have a rounded casing, contrary to some lingering rumors about an Apple Watch with flat edges.
The renders also showed the Pro model with a more protruded Digital Crown and Side Button on the right side of the case, which could make these controls easier to access. Overall, the Pro model looks more rugged than standard Apple Watch models, in line with reports that it is designed for activities like hiking and extreme sports.
Previous rumors have claimed the Apple Watch Pro will have a larger display with at least a 47mm titanium case, a larger battery, an S8 chip, and more.
Apple is expected to announce the Apple Watch Pro alongside two standard Apple Watch Series 8 models and a second-generation Apple Watch SE at its special event on Wednesday.
Gurman has predicted that pricing for the Pro model could start at $900 or higher. Apple is also expected to announce iPhone 14 models and new AirPods Pro at the event.
Article Link: Apple Watch Pro Likely to Have New Programmable Button for watchOS 9
Correct, but a high end Garmin at this point today kicks Apple's ass when it comes to data utilization for workouts and recovery (and its always accessible on the watch), GPS, and battery life. The question is will the "Pro" Apple Watch close the gap enough in any of these areas to get people to steer clear from Garmin? We shall see.
He designed it. Jony Ive is, and always has been, the problem. He values form over function. Like most industrial designers he’s unable to separate himself from the influence of car and mechanical watch design.
Study industrial design. You will see the influence. A crown guard is a hallmark. One of Ive’s favorite watches is the Patek Nautilus. Google it.
The "tumor" on the side! And the iPhone's camera protuberance (not just a "bump" because "bump" implies something small and discreet, which the camera protrusion is NOT).
They don’t tend to have two paddle shaped buttons directly opposite each other.
A classic Casio for example will usually leave the middle sides free and put the buttons in the corners so you have something to rest your finger/thumb against. Not so here.
People keep talking about Apple trying to catch up to Garmin, or to move into their market. But what Garmin? If they’re shooting for something like the venu, the. I think that would be pretty easy. If they’re thinking the Fenix or other focused watch, then they have a long way to go. It’s a niche market, and I don’t know if they would do it. But a third button could definitely help for tracking laps. The big thing no one seems to know is the battery - if it’s not significantly improved - like 17-20 hours of gps tracking, then they won’t make much of a dent in the high end Garmin or Polar market.
They must have a bunch of gunk in the button receptacle, gotta use 10 newtons to press
I wish they would have a way to delete all those messages that seem to be stored in the watch for ever. We should be able to do a batch delete of them all
3D renders of the upcoming "Apple Watch Pro" shared earlier today accurately depict the design of the device, including a new button on the left side of the case that can likely be programmed by the user, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Gurman said users will likely be able to customize the button to launch a specific app, feature, workout type, or so forth when pressed. He also confirmed that while the Apple Watch Pro will have a completely flat display, the device will still have a rounded casing, contrary to some lingering rumors about an Apple Watch with flat edges.
The renders also showed the Pro model with a more protruded Digital Crown and Side Button on the right side of the case, which could make these controls easier to access. Overall, the Pro model looks more rugged than standard Apple Watch models, in line with reports that it is designed for activities like hiking and extreme sports.
Previous rumors have claimed the Apple Watch Pro will have a larger display with at least a 47mm titanium case, a larger battery, an S8 chip, and more.
Apple is expected to announce the Apple Watch Pro alongside two standard Apple Watch Series 8 models and a second-generation Apple Watch SE at its special event on Wednesday.
Gurman has predicted that pricing for the Pro model could start at $900 or higher. Apple is also expected to announce iPhone 14 models and new AirPods Pro at the event.
Article Link: Apple Watch Pro Likely to Have New Programmable Button for watchOS 9
I like the design. I will get one. But not this year.
Rumors suggest it will get the same chip and internals as the current watch. I'll wait for a new chip and internals.
And as an expensive first-gen obsolesce-prone tech gadget, I'll let you early adopters work out the kinks for me.
Rumors suggest it will get the same chip and internals as the current watch. I'll wait for a new chip and internals.
And as an expensive first-gen obsolesce-prone tech gadget, I'll let you early adopters work out the kinks for me.
The venu is easier to match but I don’t think Apple can even do that. On my Venu 1 (current 2+ is better) I get 4 days’ battery life that includes 1-2 runs with music and gps, plenty of metrics for a casual runner like me that aren’t on my Apple Watch, options for coaching programs, and more. Venu 2s is $400.
I’m not going to rise to the ‘study it’ bait. Needless to say I’ve probably got more design training than many on here but whatever. If you want an internet argument there are plenty of places you can find them.
What I want to reply about is that ‘he’s always been the problem’. It’s crazy. He isn’t infallible but is a design genius who was part of the team that turned apple around. I remember saving up for the original iMac. It was revolutionary. An iconic piece of design that changed the world. Likewise with many other things, like the first iPhone.
There were mistakes too, eg the hockey puck mouse. No one is perfect.
That’s not true at all. Most of the images on Apple’s website are CAD renders.
I’m specifically referring to the form. I’ve worked with CAD in a design industry for 20 years or so and am very used to reviewing designs like this. It’s not about the image quality or prettiness of the picture.
As much as I aesthetically enjoy the little matrix "grid view" that shows all the watch apps, I literally use it a couple of times a year. The Dock button shows me all I need. I wouldn't mind Apple just keeping "all apps" in the Dock carousel button and freeing up the crown click to be fully programmable.
Hope the button proves to be really useful and the 'Pro' watch can justify it's price.
I’m wondering if this sticky out bit is to aid or show the watch has satellite connectivity.
Can’t see it being necessary for the function, per se, but more to show it’s not the standard watch.
Someone in the industrial design team at Apple seemingly has fallen in love with extruded/emboss tooling. The shape of the "protrusion" for the display is akin to extruded hole/cutout tooling in manufacturing terms.
This style of geometry has been in EVERY single new Apple design since the new MacBook Pros. The round feet on the new MacBook Pro and Air are embossed on the bottom cover. The bottom cover on the Mac Studio is also one big embossing. Embossed rounds etc have a taper (like the MBP or Mac Studio foot), whereas extruded rounds are perpendicular and typically have a thru hole.
That's not how they're doing it on this new Watch casing, this is probably cast and milled. But it still has that general appearance of an extruded cutout. I guess the current industrial design team REALLY likes the look of it...
This style of geometry has been in EVERY single new Apple design since the new MacBook Pros. The round feet on the new MacBook Pro and Air are embossed on the bottom cover. The bottom cover on the Mac Studio is also one big embossing. Embossed rounds etc have a taper (like the MBP or Mac Studio foot), whereas extruded rounds are perpendicular and typically have a thru hole.
That's not how they're doing it on this new Watch casing, this is probably cast and milled. But it still has that general appearance of an extruded cutout. I guess the current industrial design team REALLY likes the look of it...