Features That Can Make New Apple Watch Generations Better?

[douglasf13]

I've been thinking the same thing. There are some tasks and situations which are just better on a phone, like adding someone's contact info or writing longer texts and emails. I would not want to dictate something personal while waiting for my beer.

Yeah. I don't see the Watch as being a phone replacement anytime soon, at least until screen tech changes, and we get holographic screens or something. It's just a convenience.

If I want to talk or text in public, send a long email, read something on the web, etc., I'm going to want a phone, with its larger screen, around.

 

[BarracksSi]

Yeah. I don't see the Watch as being a phone replacement anytime soon, at least until screen tech changes, and we get holographic screens or something. It's just a convenience.

If I want to talk or text in public, send a long email, read something on the web, etc., I'm going to want a phone, with its larger screen, around.

Agreed.

The funniest part is, I really, really enjoy being able to discreetly glance at notifications without having my phone out like everyone else.

 

[igrover]

Apple really really needs to allow a foot pod to be synched to the Watch for running. I'm surprised they did not already do this as they set up the APIs in iOS many years ago for the Nike branded foot pods. Adidas currently makes a smart bluetooth foot pod that connects to iOS and if Apple allowed this device to sync to the Watch then one would be able to have pace/distance info while running indoors or on a treadmill. This would substitute for the crappy accelerometer running stats the Watch provides. Again really surprised Apple did not already set this up - with a foot pod and a pair of bluetooth headphones the Watch would be a perfect running watch.

 

[vlinkz]

Hmm -- or maybe it's using Pay at the machine where you reload the Oyster card?

At first, I didn't read it thoroughly and thought that it was about using Pay at the gate to get on the train.

I read somewhere that you can move the watch close to the entrance/exit gates and use contactless payment like your normal credit card could support. Connecting this to the Oyster card directly would be better as it has/had lower fares.

 

[mcdj]

My wish list...

1. Faster. Just make it run faster, first and foremost. Tired of spinning balls.

2 . A tad thinner and a little weightier. It feels kinda fat and hollow, like a toy, and I have the steel model.

3. Custom faces. Let's see a face store! I'd pay $5 for a killer face. Or let me make my own, with an iPad/iPhone app.

4. Hinged flip-up case with a camera hiding underneath! Ok it's not really a wish. I just thought of it. Damn Scotch.

 

[douglasf13]

I think you will find Rolex has more than one design.

Good point, although, despite being around a long time, many of Rolex's designs are relatively similar, with the differences coming in materials, colors, dials, sizes and bezels...which isn't drastically different than what we already have now in the Watch.

 

[OllyW]

Good point, although, despite being around a long time, many of Rolex's designs are relatively similar, with the differences coming in materials, colors, dials, sizes and bezels...which isn't drastically different than what we already have now in the Watch.

They still have a range of distinct models which are noticeably different whereas Apple has just the one.

 

[douglasf13]

They still have a range of distinct models which are noticeably different whereas Apple has just the one.

Sort of. They're all still just Oyster cases with various dials, colors, bezels, materials, etc., which is why one knows when a Rolex is a Rolex. If you add up all of Apple Watch combinations of cases, materials, sizes, dials, bands and complications, the Apple Watch probably already has more variation than Rolex.

 

[Recognition]

I read somewhere that you can move the watch close to the entrance/exit gates and use contactless payment like your normal credit card could support. Connecting this to the Oyster card directly would be better as it has/had lower fares.

Contactless payment is the same cost as oyster.
https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/contactless?intcmp=8257

 

[andrewstirling]

GPS is a no brainier. Even if it's just available for workouts. I really don't want to take my phone on a run with me.

 

[OllyW]

Sort of. They're all still just Oyster cases with various dials, colors, bezels, materials, etc., which is why one knows when a Rolex is a Rolex. If you add up all of Apple Watch combinations of cases, materials, sizes, dials, bands and complications, the Apple Watch probably already has more variation than Rolex.

Sorry, we'll have to agree to disagree.

Look at the three Apple Watch models in black and white and you can barely tell the difference between them, it's exactly the same watch. Now imagine looking at B&W pictures of a Submariner, Explorer, Datejust and Daytona and you would easily be able to tell they are different watches.

My biggest complaint is I think the Apple Watch is bland looking. It doesn't matter what material the case or strap is made of, they all look just as bland to me, especially as the screen is blank most of the time. It might come to grow on me eventually but it's been a year since it was announced and I still feel the same as when I first saw it. I've even tried them on at the Apple Store and was very impressed with the build quality, straps and fit of the Watch but it still left me cold. Perhaps a different case design could change my mind?

At the end of the day it's probably my dislike of digital and rectangular watches that is putting me off.

 

[douglasf13]

Sorry, we'll have to agree to disagree.

Look at the three Apple Watch models in black and white and you can barely tell the difference between them, it's exactly the same watch. Now imagine looking at B&W pictures of a Submariner, Explorer, Datejust and Daytona and you would easily be able to tell they are different watches.

My biggest complaint is I think the Apple Watch is bland looking. It doesn't matter what material the case or strap is made of, they all look just as bland to me, especially as the screen is blank most of the time. It might come to grow on me eventually but it's been a year since it was announced and I still feel the same as when I first saw it. I've even tried them on at the Apple Store and was very impressed with the build quality, straps and fit of the Watch but it still left me cold. Perhaps a different case design could change my mind?

At the end of the day it's probably my dislike of digital and rectangular watches that is putting me off.

Yeah, I think it's just that you're not used to looking at the Watch like you are traditional analog watches. Rolex also uses the same basic case design, and even generally only uses a few different bracelets, but changes things up with dials, complications, bezels, and sizes.

One of the things that I think Apple got right is that the Watch looks good with the screen off. The round smartwatches that ape cheap mechanical watches look odd with an LCD screen, but the Watch looks great with the screen both on and off.

Either way, for some, it's like telling fans of classic cars to love a Tesla, which may never happen, while others welcome the new tech and design. I haven't driven my classic cars once since my "Tesla" arrived. I think it looks and functions great, and my mechanical watch days are numbered.

 

[OllyW]

One of the things that I think Apple got right is that the Watch looks good with the screen off. The round smartwatches that ape cheap mechanical watches look odd with an LCD screen, but the Watch looks great with the screen both on and off.

The thing you think looks great is the main thing I don't like because I think it looks bland. I guess I'm just not ready for smartwatches though I do agree the Apple Watch is the best looking one currently available.

By the way that's a nice Rolex but I do prefer the no-date without the cyclops. That's the great thing about having more options, perhaps Apple might give us some more one day.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

By the way that's a nice Rolex but I do prefer the no-date without the cyclops. That's the great thing about having more options, perhaps Apple might give us some more one day.

The thing is Apple doesn't believe in product fragmentation. Hence we have the iPhone, iPad, MacBooks, etc., in only one design but in varying sizes. They don't release multiple devices of different designs in the same product category. Perhaps they'll change this for the wearables but it doesn't fit their design philosophy.

 

[OllyW]

The thing is Apple doesn't believe in product fragmentation. Hence we have the iPhone, iPad, MacBooks, etc., in only one design but in varying sizes. They don't release multiple devices of different designs in the same product category. Perhaps they'll change this for the wearables but it doesn't fit their design philosophy.

If that's the case the contents of my wallet will be saved by the blandness.

 

[douglasf13]

The thing you think looks great is the main thing I don't like because I think it looks bland. I guess I'm just not ready for smartwatches though I do agree the Apple Watch is the best looking one currently available.

By the way that's a nice Rolex but I do prefer the no-date without the cyclops. That's the great thing about having more options, perhaps Apple might give us some more one day.

They already do. I can turn the date on or off on my Apple Watch at will. I also prefer the clean dial of a no-date Sub, but l, as I learned with my DateJust, I use the date complication too much to go that direction.

I think the big hang up with many is that they're not ready for modern design, and they want a smartwatch that looks like an analog watch from the 1960s. As a watch enthusiast, I can appreciate and wear anything from a Rolex Explorer to an Omega Speedmaster to an Ikepod Manatee to a Braun BN10, the latter two of which clearly influence the Apple Watch design. Newson managed to design the only smartwatch I'd consider wearing (so far.)

The problem is that I find the Apple Watch so darn useful that, even though I like a wide range of watch designs, aesthetically, I don't want to take the Apple Watch off, so the mechanicals are getting lonely.

 

[OllyW]

I think the big hang up with many is that they're not ready for modern design, and they want a smartwatch that looks like an analog watch from the 1960s.

Strange you think that because the first thing I though when I saw the Apple Watch was it reminded me of a LED watch design from the 1970's.

 

[douglasf13]

Strange you think that because the first thing I though when I saw the Apple Watch was it reminded me of a LED watch design from the 1970's.

Yeah, that, too. That Commodore design is fantastic, and I often use the red modular watch face on my Watch, because it reminds me so much of the LED watches from the 70s. I kind of wish the Braun BN10 had a red LED, too. The 70s ushered in some really great, modern watch designs for both digital and analog.

Quartz nearly ended the mechanical watch industry, but companies like Rolex wisely pivoted to becoming primarily jewelry companies. The difference is that, for the most part, mechanical and quartz watches primarily had the same function: telling the time. Smartwatches push the capabilities so much further that mechanical watches may have a harder time fighting it over the coming years.

 

[vlinkz]

Contactless payment is the same cost as oyster.
https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/contactless?intcmp=8257

Nice, thanks.