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Apple Watch: The GoPro Killer

k3ith

k3ith

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 1, 2007
178
149
New York, NY
I think I'm onto something.. I imagine they're going to put a camera on the next generation AW & I can very easily imagine in a world where third party developers create mounts for pets, cars, helmets, etc for the Apple Watch. You'll be able to control the camera from your iPhone, record, and upload.. all very easily. I don't know if you have tried using a GoPro before, but it's not the most intuitive design. And getting it to work with an iPhone is quite often a struggle.

So imagine a world where in 3 or 4 years and the sport model from last generation is selling for $199.. these things would go quick. Not only could it be a gopro when it needs to be, but also a fitness and communication device.. etc.

Just a thought! :D
 
k3ith said:
I think I'm onto something.. I imagine they're going to put a camera on the next generation AW & I can very easily imagine in a world where third party developers create mounts for pets, cars, helmets, etc for the Apple Watch. You'll be able to control the camera from your iPhone, record, and upload.. all very easily. I don't know if you have tried using a GoPro before, but it's not the most intuitive design. And getting it to work with an iPhone is quite often a struggle.

So imagine a world where in 3 or 4 years and the sport model from last generation is selling for $199.. these things would go quick. Not only could it be a gopro when it needs to be, but also a fitness and communication device.. etc.

Just a thought! :D
Click to expand...

or if the Apple watch pairs with an apple helmet cam (imaginary product)

I can see it would be great aiming the cam via the watch screen without taking the helmet off.
 
the go pro isn't the most intuitive design, but they've sold millions and it does exactly what it says on the tin.

I can't ever see the need for a camera on my watch...the angle at which I'd have to twist my arm to take a picture would hurt for one thing.

plus remember, the more stuff you start cramming into the watch, the bigger it'll get and the less battery life you'll get.
 
k3ith said:
And why is that?
Click to expand...

Apple is really going out of its way to market the AW as a "watch" or fashion accessory. There are not that many watches out there with cameras on them so that makes no sense for them to do that.

I don't think people will be comfortable with a camera on a watch. Google glass was banned from many bars and gyms so I can see the same reaction towards the AW if it had a camera. It's kind of creepy as well.
 
k3ith said:
And why is that?
Click to expand...

Because to get the tech that's in a gopro in the watch isn't going to happen for a very long time. The cost of an Apple watch will be more expensive - and people won't want to take the same risks with a device they also use for other purposes than just a sports camera.

I am all for converging devices - where it makes sense. I just don't see this as one of them.

The watch would also have to be water resistant for several meters - as would the iPhone that is paired with it to control it.

It's a lot to ask. I don't see it happening remotely in your timeframe - if at all. You can come back to this thread in 3-4 or even 10 years and laugh your ass off at my commentary if I am wrong - I will happily eat my words.
 
samcraig said:
Because to get the tech that's in a gopro in the watch isn't going to happen for a very long time. The cost of an Apple watch will be more expensive - and people won't want to take the same risks with a device they also use for other purposes than just a sports camera.

I am all for converging devices - where it makes sense. I just don't see this as one of them.

The watch would also have to be water resistant for several meters - as would the iPhone that is paired with it to control it.

It's a lot to ask. I don't see it happening remotely in your timeframe - if at all. You can come back to this thread in 3-4 or even 10 years and laugh your ass off at my commentary if I am wrong - I will happily eat my words.
Click to expand...

The tech doesn't have to be *equal* to the GoPro, it just hast to be good enough. Think DSLRs vs 2009 iPhone cameras and instagram. When you have the tools and a network, big things happen.

No, people with gold apple watches aren't going to do this, but I do think this is another great use case for the sport.
 
k3ith said:
The tech doesn't have to be *equal* to the GoPro, it just hast to be good enough. Think DSLRs vs 2009 iPhone cameras and instagram. When you have the tools and a network, big things happen.

No, people with gold apple watches aren't going to do this, but I do think this is another great use case for the sport.
Click to expand...

Battery life, and I disagree with you - people will want video they can show on their TVs. That means a very specific lens, enough memory and other factors - such as the waterproofing of both devices as mentioned before

Again - I don't see it. I see facetime and or other smaller applications with an onboard camera. I see people hacking around and floating their watches or mounting them to achieve some special video.

But a GoPro KILLER - no. Killer implies that it will not only be equal to - but make the gopro irrelevant or push it completely out of the market.

I don't see that happening.
 
It's never going to happen. Mostly because it doesn't make any sense to put a camera on the watch.

Maybe (big maybe) they will put a front camera for the occasional FaceTime call or something, but it will never be anywhere near the quality that a GoPro is capable of, plus recording video is a battery intensive process. The go pro has an 1180 mAh battery and can record 2.5 hours of video. How well do you the think the watches approx 310-420 mAh battery would do as a camera?

This will NEVER happen.
 
Knowimagination said:
It's never going to happen. Mostly because it doesn't make any sense to put a camera on the watch.

Maybe (big maybe) they will put a front camera for the occasional FaceTime call or something, but it will never be anywhere near the quality that a GoPro is capable of, plus recording video is a battery intensive process. The go pro has an 1180 mAh battery and can record 2.5 hours of video. How well do you the think the watches approx 310-420 mAh battery would do as a camera?

This will NEVER happen.
Click to expand...

All it takes is a camera and a mount. That's all I'm saying... sure it won't be the same, but could it be good enough? I'd wager a yes.
 
k3ith said:
All it takes is a camera and a mount. That's all I'm saying... sure it won't be the same, but could it be good enough? I'd wager a yes.
Click to expand...

You aren't addressing any of the factors brought to your attention.

Battery life
Waterproofing
Memory/Speed

Just a few.

You also referred to it as a "killer." Please explain your thoughts on how something that "might be good enough" would displace something far superior in every aspect than the solution you're suggesting.

----------
k3ith said:
DSLRs and digital camera have only gotten better over time, but how often do you see a family member or friend pull out one of those?
Click to expand...

You don't have children, do you? ;)

I see dSLRs everywhere. I see millions of people using phones too. But this is also not the same thing. dSLRs don't need to be any more/less rugged than an iPhone.

The watch/phone you're suggesting would need to be as rugged as an action camera. Again - I think you are reaching. Very very far.
 
k3ith said:
I think I'm onto something.. I imagine they're going to put a camera on the next generation AW & I can very easily imagine in a world where third party developers create mounts for pets, cars, helmets, etc for the Apple Watch. You'll be able to control the camera from your iPhone, record, and upload.. all very easily. I don't know if you have tried using a GoPro before, but it's not the most intuitive design. And getting it to work with an iPhone is quite often a struggle.

So imagine a world where in 3 or 4 years and the sport model from last generation is selling for $199.. these things would go quick. Not only could it be a gopro when it needs to be, but also a fitness and communication device.. etc.

Just a thought! :D
Click to expand...

I don't think many people are going to want to strap their luxury smart watch onto a helmet, dude.
 
k3ith said:
DSLRs and digital camera have only gotten better over time, but how often do you see a family member or friend pull out one of those?
Click to expand...

I'm a super active person.

They're everywhere when I'm Rock Climbing in Patagonia, Mountain Biking in Colorado, Kayaking the White waters of the American River, Sky diving and other fun activities.

GoPro is the camera of choice. So rugged and light I have several of them helmet mounted, fastened to my jump suit, mounted on my backpack, kayak, three on the bike, it's lots of fun.
 
k3ith said:
I think I'm onto something.. I imagine they're going to put a camera on the next generation AW & I can very easily imagine in a world where third party developers create mounts for pets, cars, helmets, etc for the Apple Watch. You'll be able to control the camera from your iPhone, record, and upload.. all very easily. I don't know if you have tried using a GoPro before, but it's not the most intuitive design. And getting it to work with an iPhone is quite often a struggle.

So imagine a world where in 3 or 4 years and the sport model from last generation is selling for $199.. these things would go quick. Not only could it be a gopro when it needs to be, but also a fitness and communication device.. etc.

Just a thought! :D
Click to expand...

It's a wearable and Apple want people to use it as such. They don't want you to take it off your wrist, apart from the times when is being charged.
 
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