Apple Watch Review Roundup: The 'World's Best Smartwatch', But 'Not For Everyone'

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Being "tech savvy" != many weeks or months of daily use with NO agenda.

These are the ones APPLE picked to share the Watch with in advance of it launching. I have to believe Apple is smart enough to not share with those who have an "agenda" against them.

 

[MH01]

I wonder if the reviewers are hesitant about giving bad reviews because they fear Apple might not choose them for future product reviews...

As with other commenters - these reviews are tepid at best.

Apple is huge in the industry, you do not want to upset them, if you want to continue attending Keynotes, and receiving review samples, you do what is "right" to keep that relationship strong.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Here is my only concern about the Apple Watch that most people haven't spoken about. I WILL not pay a yearly or even every other year 350 dollars for a new watch. I wonder how long Apple will support the first Apple Watch. I want a watch that I can literally use for 10-20 years like my Citizens.

Buy another Citizen. I won't say "no way" but I'd almost guarantee it.

Name anything else that Apple sells for much more than $350 that Apple supports for even 10 years. Why would this be different? Apple greatly benefits from deprecating support for old hardware as part of selling "upgrades" to new hardware. The vast majority of their customer base have demonstrated a willingness to "upgrade" pretty regularly, even when old models still do pretty much everything a new model can do.

 

[MH01]

The interesting thing about comparing it to what's out there - is that for many other products out there - it's irrelevant.

Very few "smart watches" currently are cross-platform. Which means that right now - if you have an Android phone - it wouldn't matter how amazing an Apple watch is - it's never going to be your choice. Conversely - if you're an iPhone user - Android Wear is never going to be your choices. And that has nothing to do with aesthetics or functionality (features). It has to do with compatibility.

The question then is (one of them) is at some point will people choose their phone OS based on watch or will it "always" be the other way around. That consumers will be "forced" to use whatever works with their ecosystem.

Android Wear is said to be coming to iOS - but it won't be as highly functional as it's not ingrained into the OS like the Apple Watch.

This is, again, why I think Pebble and some others have a decent chance at survival. At least for several years.

Spot on.

I think Microsoft played it smart my developing a sports band, with notifications that works on all ecosystems. Well played I say.

 

[BlueMoon63]

The interesting thing about comparing it to what's out there - is that for many other products out there - it's irrelevant.

Very few "smart watches" currently are cross-platform. Which means that right now - if you have an Android phone - it wouldn't matter how amazing an Apple watch is - it's never going to be your choice. Conversely - if you're an iPhone user - Android Wear is never going to be your choice. And that has nothing to do with aesthetics or functionality (features). It has to do with compatibility.

The question then is (one of them) is at some point will people choose their phone OS based on watch or will it "always" be the other way around. That consumers will be "forced" to use whatever works with their ecosystem.

Android Wear is said to be coming to iOS - but it won't be as highly functional as it's not ingrained into the OS like the Apple Watch.

This is, again, why I think Pebble and some others have a decent chance at survival. At least for several years.

ok, thx

 

[MH01]

Here's why all these "reviews" and our "opinions" are almost worthless at this point:

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Apple know more about it than anyone; they made it. They have been through the learning curve and come out the other side a VERY VERY VERY long time ago. The journos have barely even begun their experience, and... well... everyone else... irrelevant.

Oh, and early firmware. I repeat: EARLY FIRMWARE

Was that graph done in like Microsoft paint? So professional, I "almost" believed it

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Yeah, clearly I'll need to see one up close and get sense of the fitment, but I don't believe a smooth, metal surface is going to "catch on things". My point being, I don't there's any "wearability" issues with long sleeve shirts

I looked at the mount point, and checked out some side views from Rolex, I'd say they're pretty close in some traditional designs (ex: Sea Dweller).


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Hey that's my watch! Hence struggling to jump on the Apple watch......

 

[randymac09]

My point was relative to selling on a big scale. Your response is mostly about what motivates you as an individual. As an individual, one can argue that no product is superior to this Watch OR that this Watch is the worst product ever made by anyone... and everything in between.

I was talking about it as a game-changer product on par with iPod, iPhone and iPad. To be that, sales is a commonly-applied metric. To sell on their levels, the masses (which are not people posting comments here at an Apple-centric site) have to be moved to buy. IMO, THEY are the ones that needs an iPod, iPhone, or iPad-like punch to make this Watch seem like some kind of must-have, obvious advantage.

No one should read that as putting down the watch, etc. I'm simply not imagining it up in the strata with the big 3. Instead, I imagine it as another TV-like success for Apple (and personally, I love the TV product very much myself). Granted, I could be completely wrong in this speculation and it could outsell every other Apple product combined (though I don't know how given it's dependency on iPhone).

Thank you for the clarification. I seem to have misinterpreted your intent. But, in line with my previous comments, and also agreeing with yours, I think Apple TV like numbers for the product would be considered a success when our expectations are reeled back to be in line with its purpose/usability.

I believe last year somewhere around 7 million smart watches were sold. If Apple themselves did that number, or even 6 million (to make it 500,000 a month), I think that would be a huge success on their end. To enter the market and immediately double the sales of the previous year would make it a successful product in its category. Can they do this? I don't know. But I don't think we can expect iDevice like numbers from the Watch.

I think our discussion has 2 different topics. And the other topic is that I don't think the Apple Watch will ever have the bullet point type, killer feature that makes someone "want" or "need" it. That could also be why the discussion for this product is so heated. It's a very personal product with a lot of input about design, fashion, and personal taste.

With products like an iMac, less interest, although it is there, is placed in the design. With the watch, it's so black and white. You either love the design or hate it (relatively speaking). A lot more talk I've seen is about the design rather than its functionality. And someones opinion on the design I think leads them to an either positive or negative view about the watch's functionality.

I guess to sum it all up:

--I don't expect huge numbers, but numbers that are great compared to the product (5 million a year)

--I don't think the Watch has, or will ever have, a list of killer features. It is what it is: a Watch that gives you notifications with minor interactions.

--I also don't think it will be a game changer in a technology sense, but I think it's a game changer (and I use that term very lightly) in the watch world in regards to its design and build quality.

 

[dgdosen]

Reviews mention skipping a generation... It might be three or four before this thing is killer. I have no doubt that in 5 years time, I'll be wearing some future version.

But for V1, my biggest concerns can be comparing it to my existing Suunto smart watch:
- Not Waterproof (I want to swim with a smart watch)
- Not durable enough for working out
- Need to charge it every day

Other issues:
- Needs to be used with a phone to do anything interesting
- Ugly (IMO)
- Fat (IMO) - everything from Apple is razor thin...

And based on reviews - new issues:
- Slow! (I wonder if they tweaked speed for battery life)
- Can't do enough with it

Hopefully it will humble Apple a bit...

With all these reviews, I can already write the Apple Watch 2 intro slide (and it will come sooner than you think):

- 5x more powerful
- 4x faster
- 1/2 the thickness
- amazing!

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I also don't rule out eyewear as a potential place for technology. The problem with Google Glass is that it completely failed the "look" test. It would have been fine as a medical or industrial device. It was too soon to make it an everyday wearable. The camera didn't help. If the technology improves such that a prescription lens can display notifications and still be transparent, and be completely invisible to someone looking at you, then it may work as a wearable. We're nowhere near that. A watch is different since it sits on your wrist and can be hidden from sight by a sleeve.

Who gets to be the "look test" judges such that a wearable like Google Glass can be judged "complete failure" while a wearable like Apple Watch can be a viewed as...

No one has quite solved the wearable riddle, but the reason Apple entered this category is clear. Lots of people still wear watches, and wearable technology will eventually take off.

Are you that judge?

 

[ninethirty]

I must have missed what you do for a living, and your age/experience. Do you mind repeating?

The reviews were mixed and many said you don't need it but I think most if not all (didn't read everyone) said it is beautiful and the best of the available options out there. Some said you don't need it, but you will buy it.

I've already stated what I do for a living and my age and experience. The design is flawless, the software needs work. But none of that matters.

If you like it, you like it, if you don't you don't. Buy it or wait or never buy it. All I said was that it depends on your point of view ...

 

[dexterbell]

So the AppleWatch reviews are out over two weeks ahead of its release but still no MacBook reviews two days before its release? Im thinking Apple is scared of people seeing the benchmarks, laughing and passing on buying one.

 

[Arran]

Yeah, clearly I'll need to see one up close and get sense of the fitment, but I don't believe a smooth, metal surface is going to "catch on things". My point being, I don't there's any "wearability" issues with long sleeve shirts

I looked at the mount point, and checked out some side views from Rolex, I'd say they're pretty close in some traditional designs (ex: Sea Dweller).


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Good pictures. You're right, the placement is the same. So maybe it's not the placement but more the way the band joins the watch? Other watches have a more faired-in or streamlined look. Maybe the watch case itself needs to be more oval than square?

You're right that the only way to be sure is to see one for real.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I wonder if the reviewers are hesitant about giving bad reviews because they fear Apple might not choose them for future product reviews...

Of course they are. That's why these posters being so critical of THESE particular reviewers... even implying they have an agenda... is so hilarious. These are the one's CHOSEN by Apple to review the Watch before it's release. For Apple to have chosen reviewers with an agenda against them suggests Apple really took the high road on reviewer selection, were so confident they just randomly selected reviewers or have lost their (PR) mind.

Personally, I'm shocked that any of these reviews said as much as they said to the negative. I expected pre-release review negatives to be something like: "I'd like to see even more variety of band choices" and similar (almost innocuous) "gripes" just to appear "fair & balanced".

 

[trip1ex]

Meh. It is about as expected. some promise. Some novelty. some useful now features. Not really needed.

I'm tempted to get one to try for myself and sell it after a month. And chalk up the loss to entertainment expenses.

But overall I just don't want to deal with another device. Maybe v2 or v3 will change my mind.

 

[spinedoc77]

I think the need aspect is hard to convey in a review because as you say not everyone's needs are the same. I couldn't live without Touch ID and yet I know people that are still using an iPhone 5 who think Touch ID is cool but not a reason to upgrade their phone.

Absolutely, functionality is in the eye of the beholder. I just don't get people who think their lack of need is universal.

 

[technosix]

Here is my only concern about the Apple Watch that most people haven't spoken about. I WILL not pay a yearly or even every other year 350 dollars for a new watch. I wonder how long Apple will support the first Apple Watch. I want a watch that I can literally use for 10-20 years like my Citizens.

You've brought up an excellent point.

I do believe buying into the "Apple Way" of doing a smartwatch will have to be viewed differently than a standalone conventional watch.

Liberally using the word fashion is in some ways Apple's tactic to convey an image of the watch being more mainstream than talking about what it really is... which is yet one more tech item you'll have to charge daily update regularly and upgrade at some interval, most likely every two years.

Or be stuck on old software and old security protocols. Many have down played it, yet this is an Apple we're talking about where people are insanely obsessed with "the latest" an obsession Apple's wealth is built on.

 

[teknikal90]

From this one review, I can tell he is NOT one of the best reviewers. He tried to make notifications look VERY difficult, had problems with slowness, acting like there won't be software updates in the future. Nothing about the digital crown. There were good parts, like discussing the fashion aspect. But overall, it looks like it comes from the point of view of someone with a bone to pick against Apple.

There are many reviews which are overly positive too, those are bad as well. But this one is just too negative and trying to hard to be negative.

The thing is, he has set the bar very high. He has to, otherwise there would be no utility for the watch. Notifications are already pretty damn easy on the phone. Hence, if notifications don't exceed that level of ease, it has to be showcased that it's not. That stuff is relevant. That's the whole point of the smartwatch.

 

[spinedoc77]

That's odd - got it right 'the first time'?

The Gear S is the THIRD Samsung smart watch. Gear, Gear 2 then Gear S. The fair comparison would be equating the Apple Watch 3 with the Gear S.

This doesn't look prettier than the Apple Watch. Looks like a monstrosity. Samsung still has a lot of work to do.

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First time is arguable since the Gear S is a completely different beast than the Gear 1/2, but for sake of argument I won't disagree with you. yeah it's ugly, but the Apple watch is just as ugly IMO, if not more. Of course that's a personal thing as we each judge beauty differently.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

He kind of annoyed me when he wrote: "Apple’s first smartphone was revolutionary not just because it did what few other phones could do, but also because it showed off the possibilities of a connected mobile computer."

Of course, Pocket PC's and devices like the Palm Treo were "showing the possibilities of a connected mobile computer" for at least 5 years before iPhone was a glimmer in Steve Job's eye. The iPhone was evolutionary, not revolutionary. They streamlined it and made smartphones look good enough that people wanted them. And their connectivity to Apple's own store, as well as devices around them (like now, with iOS 8), were great achievements in moving things forward. But they didn't invent the concept of the smartphone. My PocketPC phone in 2002 was running apps, playing media, had wifi and bluetooth, and had GPS well before iPhone. Apple just made a better PocketPC.

In total agreement. Plus, Microsoft VoiceCommand still exceeds Siri's capabilities, and you don't have to be connected to the Internet to use it. I was in more of an agreement with the "hmmm... this thing is ummm... cool, I guess..."
3 days later...
"I now see the vision of the smartwatch!"

 

[linkgx1]

Eh. These reviews are making me want the sport one....but my biggest issue is the bands. I want both the black sport and milanese loop. But the milanese loop doesn't match le sport.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Thank you for the clarification. I seem to have misinterpreted your intent. But, in line with my previous comments, and also agreeing with yours, I think Apple TV like numbers for the product would be considered a success when our expectations are reeled back to be in line with its purpose/usability.

I believe last year somewhere around 7 million smart watches were sold. If Apple themselves did that number, or even 6 million (to make it 500,000 a month), I think that would be a huge success on their end.

Definitely. Nobody should read my posts that I think this is an TV level of sales product as a negative. I think I read somewhere that TV has sold 18 million units. If total smart watch sales last year were 7 million, Apple would be King of the space by a long way. And again, I love TV (I think it's one of Apple's best products).

If we can "move the goalposts" on how we define success, we can imagine the Watch being HUGE or a FLOP. Relative to say- iPod Socks- I'd bet heavily on HUGE. Relative to iPhone, I'd bet heavily on FLOP.

My perception is that Apple and/or the press is generally trying to spin Apple Watch as next big thing. There was a recent article where an insider said that Apple saw this watch on the same "game changer" level as iPod, iPhone and iPad. If true, I (personally) just don't see it. But if I'm wrong, good for Apple and good for all those watch buyers.

If I was guessing, it is an automatic "success" just because it's something new from Apple that can be had for as little as $350. The fans that would buy anything new from Apple will probably buy enough to make it easy to claim "best-selling smart watch ever" and similar in the coming weeks. But after "we" own one, the question becomes will the masses beyond us open their wallets in a big way too? Either way, it will still be spinnable as a success relative to however one defines the success metric.

If I was betting today, relative to the sales volume of:
iPod Socks: a MASSIVE success
iPod hi-fi: a MASSIVE success
Any other single smart watch model: a MASSIVE success
All smart watches combined: a great success
car play: a similar success
TV: a similar success
one-year Mac unit sales: maybe in the ballpark
iPod, iPhone, iPad: not close

But that's pure speculation. I'm open to it outselling everything if the masses can be moved to want one or two for themselves and their families.

 

[BlueMoon63]

I must have missed what you do for a living, and your age/experience. Do you mind repeating?

I'm an electrical engineer with a MBA and I am very old (51). 25 years experience mostly with component design.

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So the AppleWatch reviews are out over two weeks ahead of its release but still no MacBook reviews two days before its release? Im thinking Apple is scared of people seeing the benchmarks, laughing and passing on buying one.

Pure speculation

 

[unobtainium]

One doesn't wear a fitness tracker to a "fancy" event. Or most wouldn't.

The selling point is
a) you don't have to remove it for work or a fancy event
b) you can continue to track your lifestyle habits all day
c) like any nice watch, you might just want to wear it because you like it
d) the whole smartphone hub aspect of it; avoid pulling out your phone

 

[OllyW]

I'm an electrical engineer with a MBA and I am very old (51).

That's not very old at all.

 

[BlueMoon63]

That's not very old at all.

Well, I am already a grandfather as well.