First Impressions of Apple Watch: Incredibly Comfortable, Unique and Easy Setup

[AEdouard]

My Tissot Swiss watch is very accurate as you would expect from the Swiss. It's automatic so the watch winds via moment. I keep it on all the time - no issues - no battery required and no charger required.

Not all Swiss made watches cost thousands of dollars - Tissot do not.

I have an automatic Tissot too. Love it. It doesn't cost an arm and it looks good. But of course nobody really buys a mechanical watch for its accuracy. Even the most precise ones aren't as good at keeping the time as cheap quartz watches or your iPhone.

Automatic mechanical watches are awesome for different reasons : the beauty and timelessness of the gears working together, the smooth (for a regular watch) movement, the lack of a need to change batteries, etc.

 

[mi7chy]

Did anyone at Apple not look at the leather band, like the blue one, and not think it looks significantly worse than Samsung's ugly plastic leather and fake stitching?

 

[ltzonda]

Apple should only do a U.S. launch of first batch, then roll out international orders like they use to do for the iphones. Japan always gives first dibs (6 months) to their citizens on their gizmos then gives us water down left-overs.

 

[kinokio23]

Apple should only do a U.S. launch of first batch, then roll out international orders like they use to do for the iphones. Japan always gives first dibs (6 months) to their citizens on their gizmos then gives us water down left-overs.

They should include Canada too as we are VERY close neighbours.

 

[ltzonda]

They should include Canada too as we are VERY close neighbours.

yeah Canada is cool too, go Maple Leafs

 

[ZCT]

I have an automatic Tissot too. Love it. It doesn't cost an arm and it looks good. But of course nobody really buys a mechanical watch for its accuracy. Even the most precise ones aren't as good at keeping the time as cheap quartz watches or your iPhone.

Automatic mechanical watches are awesome for different reasons : the beauty and timelessness of the gears working together, the smooth (for a regular watch) movement, the lack of a need to change batteries, etc.

I understand the joy of a mechanical watch, I attached a picture of mine.

Yes it's cool that they can make it tell time without modern technology. But as much as I travel, I'd like one that auto changes time zones, which is why I'm going to give the Apple Watch a tryout for my working life. I can wear my Omega at the weekend.

 

[macUser2007]

Siri and iMessage alone trump anything android wear has.

Doesn't matter is AndWr has a crappy camera or you have to purchase a seperate data plan...they don't have what many people seem to be important for THEIR use case. Stop being so self centered and thinking you know what's best for other people.

And please, by all means, enjoy your Android Wear...

I was asking a simple question.

For what it's worth, in my experience (I use both an iPhone 6+ and Android) Siri is slightly less accurate than Google's voice navigation/recognition.

I personally dislike iMessage, because it wrecks havoc on group chats with non-iOS users (this is a bug, not a feature).

I am not a proponent of Android Wear, or Tizen, or whatever, but trying to find out what exactly makes the Apple Watch better in the long run, other than the better design - which is of course very, very important, but doesn't answer my usability questions.

I am looking for a real answer, not something like "Android Wear is cr@p" from someone who has no clue about it.

 

[laurim]

I ike Apple, but I don't know why on earth you would put an Apple sticker somewhere..

I've saved all mine through the years. I even have the old rainbow-striped ones. I bought a tree silhouette wall decal and after I paint one wall in my office sky blue I going to put it up and add all my  stickers to it

 

[AEdouard]

I understand the joy of a mechanical watch, I attached a picture of mine.

Yes it's cool that they can make it tell time without modern technology. But as much as I travel, I'd like one that auto changes time zones, which is why I'm going to give the Apple Watch a tryout for my working life. I can wear my Omega at the weekend.

Sure, no problem with that. Nice watch btw.

 

[laurim]

One departure that's interesting is how unintuitive this watch is. Most women and loads of men hate reading an instruction manual.

Conversely I find manuals can be very interesting, but I'm a voracious reader. After reading the watch manual my prediction is this may be a very underutilized product. Lots of people will never know the full capabilities and use but a fraction of this products capability.

Yet that's just fine all Apple wants is their money...

As a woman, I object to your assertion that women are less likely to read a manual. In my 50 years, I've witnessed the opposite. Men tend to have an inflated sense of their ability to put things together without reading the instructions. I prefer to do it correctly the first time

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That is an incredibly dumb argument. Even Android Wear watches need to be paired. How on earth was this a surprise?!

His problem wouldn't be about having a jailbroken iPhone would it? I've never done it so don't know what jailbreaking ruins on an iPhone.

 

[ksuyen]

Do you have some speed tests to show us?

I'm curious how much faster the apps are on the Apple Watch.

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How is that more integrated than Android Wear?

Android Wear has native Google Now, Notifications, Hangouts, Photos, and music as well. What's different about Apple Watch?



Android watches have Google Now and Hangouts. Google Now easily matches Siri in functionality, if not surpasses it.

And, umm, you don't have to purchase a separate data plan to use one...

A lot of us have used Android watches before, so lying won't get you very far... we know if you are.

If Apple Watch is really all its cracked up to be, it should really be able to stand on it's own without people having to fabricate facts on forums to make it look better. Think about it...

Unlike Android Wear, everything is much smoother and fluid which gives a sense of faster operation. Obviously I am speaking from layman user experience not some lab scientist result that often does not compute in real life #

Also, unlike Android Wear, Apple Watch is more integrated physically and in software rather than just through Internet based Apps.

I would think it's more the case of Android User wanted their Gear to sound better by fabricating what they know about Apple Watch without actually using it

 

[pdqgp]

I'm not a Wear fan but I'm pretty sure the Android watch that needs a separate data plan is the Gear S, which isn't Android Wear.

Dude, I am not sure you get out much. Please be more specific on what do you mean in terms of "more integrated"?

It does less than many Android Wear phones (some of these have usable cameras or can make calls through the watch itself) and it has worse battery life than many of the latest generation Android Wear stuff.

I don't think any of the Android Wear watches are all that useful either, but am bewildered by why people think this is any better.

I think the points being made are that it's by Apple for Apple whereas the Android Wear watches are not designed for Apple.

I wear a Gear S and can say was very skeptical about a smart watch until the S came out. I do use it tethered a lot but the fact that the S can function without a phone nearby was key for me. Love the interface look and feel of Apple both in terms of phone and watch but both are limiting to a point that function trumps looks still. At least for me.

In the end, there are lots of choices out there and this seems to be the best one for iPhone users. Not surprising.

 

[pdqgp]

I was asking a simple question.

For what it's worth, in my experience (I use both an iPhone 6+ and Android) Siri is slightly less accurate than Google's voice navigation/recognition.

Agree. GNow is better and faster and offers more comprehensive answers in many cases. My wife and I often times will ask her Echo, iP6 and my Note 3 a question we may have to see who works faster and better.

I personally dislike iMessage, because it wrecks havoc on group chats with non-iOS users (this is a bug, not a feature).

I've not noticed any issues and many people send me group iMessages to my Note 3.

but trying to find out what exactly makes the Apple Watch better in the long run, other than the better design - which is of course very, very important, but doesn't answer my usability questions.

it's apple designed for apple phones. not much else to say really. there are more functional products on the market but not necessarily for iPhone.

 

[diegogaja]

Meh, I could be mistaken. I looked at a lot of watches...

I'm not a Wear fan but I'm pretty sure the Android watch that needs a separate data plan is the Gear S, which isn't Android Wear.

 

[diegogaja]

Your question was:"Please be more specific on what do you mean in terms of "more integrated"?"

I stated that Siri and iMessage alone are what trumps it for me. Note the phrase: FOR ME.

I use Siri like a work horse and it does way more than Google now will ever do on my iPhone. i never actually open my calendar app, reminders, notes, phone dialer, etc. I just tell Siri to do it all for me.

The other plus would be app integration. Do al the apps get it right? Nope, but there are enough of what I need to make it work a lot better than what else is out there. Especially in the fitness realm.

I've never owned an android wear or tine based watch. I did a lot of shopping for one last year to see if one would fill me need better than the pebble's i've owned. None did. Once the apple watch was announced i decided to wait.

You asked how is it more integrated. I told you how, in my use case scenario, how no other wearable is as integrated with the iPhone or apple ecosystem as a whole as the apple watch. If you don't plan on using the watch the same way I do then YMMV.....

I was asking a simple question.

For what it's worth, in my experience (I use both an iPhone 6+ and Android) Siri is slightly less accurate than Google's voice navigation/recognition.

I personally dislike iMessage, because it wrecks havoc on group chats with non-iOS users (this is a bug, not a feature).

I am not a proponent of Android Wear, or Tizen, or whatever, but trying to find out what exactly makes the Apple Watch better in the long run, other than the better design - which is of course very, very important, but doesn't answer my usability questions.

I am looking for a real answer, not something like "Android Wear is cr@p" from someone who has no clue about it.

 

[Leonard1818]

Yes, have fessed up that I did not consider that.
Do we know for a fact the watch can be paired up? This might be a reason for me to move to BT headphones.

Control the music on your iPhone. Or leave your iPhone at home and listen to your favorite synced playlist right from Apple Watch using wireless Bluetooth headphones.

http://www.apple.com/watch/built-in-apps/

According to Apple. I like how they spin it as "...your favorite synced playlist..." creative way to say "can't have all your songs, at least not yet!"

 

[jarrodg]

You're pushing it with your ''it looks tiny''. Men's dress watches are often even smaller, in the 38-40 mm range. You either have huge wrists or a very marked preference for big watches. I'm sure it looks fine on you. Of course if you don't like it, you don't like it.

I guess I do have fairly big wrists then, because every video or photo I have seen on other males wrists, the watch looks "bigger" seems to cover more area of the wrist.

I just am not used to this design I guess. I love Apple products & all. I guess I am also saying that this is the first time when I haven't been instantly blown away when seeing / using the device for the first time (like I was for previous iPhone launches & iPad)

 

[dsnows]

Got 1 of 2

Ordered two the day after pre-orders started (Saturday). Both orders said shipping in June. Got one today, 38mm blue sport. 42mm SG sport still says June. Bizarre.

 

[ozute]

Not the slightest bit interested in the watch myself, but I'm glad Apple have made another well selling product; keeps my apple shares chugging along nicely.

It's also very pleasing that one purchaser "...thinks its nice enough to wear regularly". I can't imagine purchasing a watch that I didn't consider wearing regularly, what a waste of money #

 

[doelcm82]

I guess I do have fairly big wrists then, because every video or photo I have seen on other males wrists, the watch looks "bigger" seems to cover more area of the wrist.

I just am not used to this design I guess. I love Apple products & all. I guess I am also saying that this is the first time when I haven't been instantly blown away when seeing / using the device for the first time (like I was for previous iPhone launches & iPad)

I was blown away by the iPhone, but not by the iPad. I still bought an iPad the first day, because I thought it was going to be very useful. But nothing on the iPad was really new. Just bigger than the iPhone (and that's what made it useful).

I was similarly not blown away by the iPad Mini. Or the iPod Touch. Or the first gen AppleTV. Or the Mac Mini. Apple has made many products that didn't rock my world. Maybe your experience is different, and each of those launches had you salivating, and this really IS the first Apple launch that underwhelmed you. I kind of doubt it, though.

 

[Keirasplace]

My mrs hates it & well I appreciate my good friends a lot haha, but not to the tune of $1100 watch tune. I will give it another day or two to fall in love with my watch

EVen if you return it, you'll get a good feel for it since the format for next year will be the same (though it will have performance boosts and maybe 1-2 other extra sensors)

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http://www.apple.com/watch/built-in-apps/

According to Apple. I like how they spin it as "...your favorite synced playlist..." creative way to say "can't have all your songs, at least not yet!"

Well, on a watch, they do have a point that a large storage does use battery power. Already they got 8G on that thing which is fantastic. Not sure why they're reserving 6G though? IOS itself takes what, nearly 3G. I think its because of the ways App are mirrored/transferred to the watch that they need to reserve this space.

 

[jagolden]

You're pushing it with your ''it looks tiny''. Men's dress watches are often even smaller, in the 38-40 mm range. You either have huge wrists or a very marked preference for big watches. I'm sure it looks fine on you. Of course if you don't like it, you don't like it.

He's not "pushing it". Relax, he's entitled to his opinion.
It is a little on the small side on a mans wrist. I do not have "huge" wrists and I think the trend of oversized watches looks ridiculous.
I have several watches with faces of many sizes and shapes. The Apple Watch falls in the middle.
And who has designated this is a dress watch?
What size did you get and how does it look on your wrist?

 

[JohnWick]

I think this will be more of a style thing. I do admit sometimes I miss having a watch. Is it a necessity? No, but I wouldn't mind having one at some point.

 

[NickUK69]

Closing Apps on Apple Watch

Hi

Quick question, as I can't find the answer on the online guide.

When using the iPhone, you can quickly double-click the home button to see all apps that are open/running and then swipe to close them?

Is there the same functionality (somewhere) on the watch, or do the apps automatically close when they are not being viewed?

Thanks.

 

[jagolden]

First Impressions

Sport
Plain aluminum
42mm
Green band

PACKAGING
Exterior is typical, high quality, maybe even higher than other items. Embossed Apple Watch logo.
Interior is a very weighty long, hinged plastic case with the watch laid out in it.
Underneath is a light cardboard sleeve containing the other size/half of the band.
Underneath that is a holder containing the charger and cable.
The included "documentation" is typical Apple minimalist. If you've glanced or read any of the material Apple has posted you can certainly skip this.

THE BAND
Very light and flexible. Almost with a leather feel to it. I was expecting something more stiff and rubber-like. Either is/would be OK with me.
Based on the Aple sizing chart I was concerned about it fitting my left wrist, thought I might have to move it over to my right. However, it fits fine with room to spare.
The color is just OK. It does not even come close to the clean yellow-green of he renders on the Apple site and Store. This dissapoints me a little. I would have thought that a company that built itself on products for creatives and graphic arts would do a better job. No acceptable excuse for such an extreme difference. I do have a black band on order.

THE WATCH
Super clean lines and high quality look and build. Being aluminum it's very lightweight.
The dislpay is very sharp and easy to read-even the small stuff with just a glance.
The size does look a tad small on my wrist, to me. It is not too small or out of proportion. I've been wearing a Seiko diver as my day-to-day so it's probably just impression. I do have dress watches with smaller faces.
Button and crown are easy to push or use, but not so easy that they will be operated accidentaly.

PAIRING
Absolute piece of cake!

INTERFACES
Very smooth and easy to use.
No problems moving through the watch of phone app.
More intuitive than I thought it would be after reading the online guide at Apple.com.
The crown spins smoothly to help you adjust settins and zoom photos.
Most of what I want to do can be done with installed apps and they work smoothly and launch in a reasonable time.
Swiping is fast without any hiccups.

BATTERY LIFE
To be determined.
I'm trying to turn off those things that I do not need.
Also, I'd like only haptic feedback, no audio. Any way to do that?
Being left-handed and wearing the watch on my left wrist is liable to make it activate more often than I need and could cause battery drain. I'll just have to wait and see.

Over all, I am very pleased initially. I'm not over-the-top gaga. For me, it is just an extension of my phone, an additional tool, not a toy.

I hope others are having or will soon have the same pleasing experience I am having! #