Biggest Problem with Apple Watch. EASY Fix

[ThunderSkunk]

View attachment 2246246

WAT.
HOW ARE THERE FUTURAMAS I HAVEN'T SEEN

 

[Reggaenald]

Not a meaningful comparison IMO. They serve different needs.


In addition to the serious problems boss.king pointed out, this would make the bands much more expensive. We already complain about $50 and $100 bands.


Projection: 1) Assuming the projector had auto-focus, it could only focus on a point. The rest would be out of focus on anything other than a flat surface that you aligned the watch perfectly with. 2) You'd have color distortion on anything other than a white surface. 3) Compared to glancing at my wrist, glancing at my chest is awkward; finding a surface in front of me is not convenient or always possible... and for what? Not all of us squint to read our watch. 4) $$$

Glasses: Not everyone wants to wear glasses. They wouldn't be throwing them on just to see the time or check the latest text message.

Imaging you have to buy $200 bands straight from Apple because you fear the off brand bands might explode on your wrist.

This guy is something else.
You can’t charge your watch in the desert. How would you charge your watchband? Or have multiple? 4 100% charged bands in the heat. So you can project the time on a rock.

I think we have either all been tricked or this guy is just, wow.
The implications. Watch bands with USB C, a projector on a sports watch. I can’t.

 

[jagolden]

While I don’t support the nonsense of the first post, I look forward to the future where the wearable is wider and a bit taller, possibly with a slight curve to it. This would allow it to perform more function easier and possibly become a mini phone on its own.
This of course would be in the future I more than likely won’t see, but it’s nice to consider it.
Remember, Dick Tracy wrist communicators and Star Trek flip communicators were once the stuff of dreams.

 

[Night Spring]

While I don’t support the nonsense of the first post, I look forward to the future where the wearable is wider and a bit taller, possibly with a slight curve to it. This would allow it to perform more function easier and possibly become a mini phone on its own.
This of course would be in the future I more than likely won’t see, but it’s nice to consider it.
Remember, Dick Tracy wrist communicators and Star Trek flip communicators were once the stuff of dreams.

What functions do you want the watch to perform that would qualify it as a "mini phone" to you? Because I feel like the Ultra is already a mini phone. You can make phone calls on it, and send and receive texts. Reading news headlines on the Ultra was also quite pleasant. I think for those with better eyesight, the regular watch with cellular could also function as a mini-phone.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

WAT.
HOW ARE THERE FUTURAMAS I HAVEN'T SEEN

Eh? That was from the first season of the last time they started back up in 2010. Um. Are you aware they started back up yet again a few weeks ago?

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Eh? That was from the first season of the last time they started back up in 2010. Um. Are you aware they started back up yet again a few weeks ago?

Oh shman, I had no idea they started back up at all! Thx for the heads up though, time to abuse my internet connection…

 

[robgreene]

You are not getting it. The watch can be THINNER once you remove the battery and put it into the bands.

The watchface may be thinner, but the wrist band would be heavier (and presumably bulkier) with all those batteries. The end result would be a heavier watch, as @Lifeisabeach pointed out.

 

[HiVolt]

Sounds like you need a standard wristwatch, not a smartwatch.

There are many watches that are way thicker and heavier than the Apple Watch.

 

[Indianwin2001]

I disagree completely. I dumped the AW due to the bugs in the software. I also found the watch uncomfortable to wear and standard band “icky”.

1. Fix the bugs with notifications. The killer app is making sure you don’t have to take out your watch.
2. Make a round version that is more comfortable to wear.
3. Swap the “sport” band for a standard cloth or metal band.
4. Open up the watch faces in the SDK.
5. Make the app experience better on a small screen: big BIG buttons.

6. Find a way to have a great-Apple esk experience with a touch screen that is wet or under water.

IMO, all the heath stuff should be in the background and not primary.

Actually the health stuff needs MORE work. Apple needs to incorporate its OWN recovery metrics and account for rest days. Athlytic and Training Today don't cut it. The rings thing is not feasible for someone who trains seriously.

 

[BenGoren]

Actually the health stuff needs MORE work. Apple needs to incorporate its OWN recovery metrics and account for rest days. Athlytic and Training Today don't cut it. The rings thing is not feasible for someone who trains seriously.

Despite the marketing, I don’t think Apple is interested in direct support for “someone who trains seriously.” The rings are nigh-on perfect as a “one size fits all” solution for everybody who doesn’t train seriously. But … consider the radically different needs for a powerlifter, a sprinter, a gymnast, and a triathlete. Now consider the serious trouble a weekend warrior — even an accomplished one — would almost certainly get in trying to do half as much as what a medalist does. Consider how quickly a medalist would stop being competitive by doing what’s appropriate for a weekend warrior.

May I suggest?

Another forum here at MacRumors is the official support for WorkOutDoors, a superlative and extremely customizable replacement for Apple’s workout app. The author, Ian, is very responsive and helpful there. The app currently doesn’t do anything for recovery metrics and the like … but, if you ask him, he’ll add it to his list of future features. And if enough people ask him or otherwise convince him that it’s worth the effort, he’ll eventually add it. If he does, I guarantee you it’ll be everything you can think of and more.

The whole point of WorkOutDoors isn’t to be pretty-polished like the stock app. Indeed, it’s on the klunky / ugly side, to be honest. But it has every imaginable knob that you can fiddle with to support any type of activity you can imagine and dial in “just to” to be a perfect fit for whatever you need. You have to put a little bit of effort — not excessive, but more than zero — into configuring it. And then, when you do, it’s glorious.

b&

 

[thefourthpope]

2) Use a different display technology to offset the small real estate of the watch face. For example, make a small projector inside that can project onto a wall or your chest or hands, or ANYWHERE so that you actually see a larger image (at a minimum project light at least to the size of the iPhone clearly). For example, with the watch on, make a gesture or sound and the projector beams a display for 15 seconds (adjustable) that you can then project anywhere. Or even wirelessly send the image to your fashionable Rayband digital image enabled sunglasses (maybe apple's ar glasses if it is not too bulky).

I think this is where foldables can make a genuine impact. Using origami techniques, you unfold the watch into a 12.9" (or larger) iPad-style device that, when you connect a bluetooth keyboard and mouse, automatically runs a full MacOS. It will be strange, operating a keyboard and mouse with just one hand while balancing the 12.9" (or larger) screen on your wrist, but the more secure band will make sure you aren't holding it wrong.

 

[someoneoutthere]

I will tell you now the two main points of this post.

1) Short battery life is BAD BAD BAD.

2) Use a different display technology to offset the small real estate of the watch face. For example, make a small projector inside that can project onto a wall or your chest or hands, or ANYWHERE so that you actually see a larger image (at a minimum project light at least to the size of the iPhone clearly).

I placed the 9th generation iPad on my wrist and wrapped it around my arm with duct tape. Incredible battery life and amazing screen estate. I wear it to my local pool everyday. Not only I scare away everyone looking like a creature that just got summoned from the future (it clears out the lap pool in no time), I also get to watch my favorite shows, catch up on news & podcasts and hop on video calls while I get my laps in. 10/10 would recommend.

 

[noraa]

I’d nothing else, this gave me a really good laugh. And it’s been a long day, so thanks OP for that!

 

[h.gilbert]

OP is Thinking Different™, we should applaud them

 

[Ta_whirimatea]

I know that Apple Watch has been out for a long time. But have you noticed that it has almost no traction compared to the iPhone? Do you know why? The stupid screen is too small. Nobody enjoys squinting at a tiny screen when they have the Time on a big iPhone screen to appreciate. The other big problem is that the battery life is too short on a single charge. Can you imaging going on a weeks trips and the watch dies because you can't charge it? What do you do if you are in the desert hiking for a week? No more time keeping? It is not like you can easily connect a usb-c cable to it either. The proprietary power connections really hinders its acceptance as a "watch" because people do happen to travel all over the world with a watch (notice the different time zones on the turnable dial fixture for many popular non-digital brands). OK. Enough of this gripe. I will tell you now the two main points of this post.

1) Apple needs to take out the battery and put it in the bands. You can have 5 or six segments for the band and each segment is mini-battery. It can even be designed to match the rugged 2-tone steel/gold bands of Rolex and others. This would increase the battery life on a single charge to match that of iPhones. Short battery life is BAD BAD BAD.

2) Use a different display technology to offset the small real estate of the watch face. For example, make a small projector inside that can project onto a wall or your chest or hands, or ANYWHERE so that you actually see a larger image (at a minimum project light at least to the size of the iPhone clearly). For example, with the watch on, make a gesture or sound and the projector beams a display for 15 seconds (adjustable) that you can then project anywhere. Or even wirelessly send the image to your fashionable Rayband digital image enabled sunglasses (maybe apple's ar glasses if it is not too bulky).

Apple Watch needs a redesign now, looking forward to seeing what X version will look like. Hope it’s like current iPhone style, dislike round bevelled edges etc. Apple for the love of all things right in the world please double the battery life at least. one day is utter mince! UI is great but not when it’s sacrificing the battery life so much & ruining the experience.
I recently am starting to get back into fitness again (due to caring for someone) & am shocked by how short it’s battery life is when doing 3 hours exercise a day.
By the time I get back into my marathons/ trail runs I’ll likely switch back to garmin’s & just suck up with primitive UI experience.

 

[Night Spring]

Apple Watch needs a redesign now, looking forward to seeing what X version will look like. Hope it’s like current iPhone style, dislike round bevelled edges etc. Apple for the love of all things right in the world please double the battery life at least. one day is utter mince! UI is great but not when it’s sacrificing the battery life so much & ruining the experience.
I recently am starting to get back into fitness again (due to caring for someone) & am shocked by how short it’s battery life is when doing 3 hours exercise a day.
By the time I get back into my marathons/ trail runs I’ll likely switch back to garmin’s & just suck up with primitive UI experience.

Why not get the Ultra? It has the 2-day battery life you want.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Anyone else read the subject and immediately thought

Just me? oh… ok

 

[robertosh]

The problem of the battery in the desert can be overcomed with integrated solar panels in the watch

 

[bricktop_at]

The problem of the battery in the desert can be overcomed with integrated solar panels in the watch

I suggest ones that can be folded out, so they can power the integrated projector😜

 

[Lifeisabeach]

The problem of the battery in the desert can be overcomed with integrated solar panels in the watch

Just get a hand crank charger. It'll give you something to do while plodding along through the desert.

 

[WilliApple]

Battery life, I agree. Putting them in the bands is sure an interesting idea.

However, we already have Apple Watch mirroring and there seems to be no reason why you can’t AirPlay your watch to your AirPlay devices.

 

[cmcbhi]

I know that Apple Watch has been out for a long time. But have you noticed that it has almost no traction compared to the iPhone? Do you know why? The stupid screen is too small. Nobody enjoys squinting at a tiny screen when they have the Time on a big iPhone screen to appreciate. The other big problem is that the battery life is too short on a single charge. Can you imaging going on a weeks trips and the watch dies because you can't charge it? What do you do if you are in the desert hiking for a week? No more time keeping? It is not like you can easily connect a usb-c cable to it either. The proprietary power connections really hinders its acceptance as a "watch" because people do happen to travel all over the world with a watch (notice the different time zones on the turnable dial fixture for many popular non-digital brands). OK. Enough of this gripe. I will tell you now the two main points of this post.

1) Apple needs to take out the battery and put it in the bands. You can have 5 or six segments for the band and each segment is mini-battery. It can even be designed to match the rugged 2-tone steel/gold bands of Rolex and others. This would increase the battery life on a single charge to match that of iPhones. Short battery life is BAD BAD BAD.

2) Use a different display technology to offset the small real estate of the watch face. For example, make a small projector inside that can project onto a wall or your chest or hands, or ANYWHERE so that you actually see a larger image (at a minimum project light at least to the size of the iPhone clearly). For example, with the watch on, make a gesture or sound and the projector beams a display for 15 seconds (adjustable) that you can then project anywhere. Or even wirelessly send the image to your fashionable Rayband digital image enabled sunglasses (maybe apple's ar glasses if it is not too bulky).

Just get an elastic strap and attach a mini iPad and a 20,000 mah battery to your wrist.
Bing-Badda-Boom.
Problem Solved.

 

[xraydoc]

I definitely do not want a battery in the band. I change bands at least every day or two. Sometimes twice a day if I work out in the AM but want something metal or one of my old leather bands for the rest of the day. How do I keep 30+ Apple Watch bands charged at all times?

and OP — a week’s hike in the desert? Where are you charging your phone? Same place you charge your watch. Not bringing a phone? I’d rather carry the phone than a 1 pound metal band encircling my wrist.

 

[transmaster]

OK I am convinced batteries in the watch band are a bad idea. For the desert, or Wyoming's miles and miles of miles and miles solar power was mentioned. There are backpacks with solar panels, and folding solar chargers. In Amatuer Radio we have used solar power for many years, in fact using solar power in field station gets you extra points in a contest. I have a 30 watt Anker solar charger. in bright direct light it can actually power an iPad. This is something you want anyway to keep a smart phone charged it will work on an Apple Watch just as well.

 

[transmaster]

Now that I have an Apple Watch Ultra 2 I cannot understand people having problems with its size. The AWU2 in no worse and a lot lighter in weight than a 44mm $14,150 USD Rolex Deepsea "James Cameron". Wish I had the loot for this watch. Salt it away for 10 years or so and triple or more its value.