Gonna be a bust?

[scott99]

That was your option.

----------



Doesn't matter, because Apple took an already good LCD, and optimized the polarizer, the backlight, etc... to make it as good as it can be...

LG G2 screen was batter than the G3, the only thing the G3 is better is in the resolution, which is stupid.

Wow, you really know your stuff, Bravo ! i will definitely come to you with any phone questions in the future. Good stuff.

Also, you're helping me prove my point. Specs don't mean anything on paper, it's how they are implemented. It's why Apple got my money instead of LG.

 

[extricated]

The apple watch is not built primarily as a time keeping device, it is a smart watch not just a watch.

I largely agree with your sentiment, but Apple does say, "... first and foremost an incredibly accurate timepiece". "First and foremost" could also be considered "primarily".

From the marketing perspective, I think this is Apple distancing themselves from all the other smartwatch producers. Personally, I think it's brilliant branding. Kind of like they're saying, "Look. This is first and foremost an awesome timepiece; A serious, functional, fashionable watch. By the way, it also does some amazing things that no other watch can do and that's why you can't live without it."

I don't think it will be a bust.
My friend and I were discussing this the other day. We're both getting one, but wonder if it really will be the "game changer" they're hoping for. I hope so, but it could go either way.

 

[Lucifer666]

Let's face it.

We might as well strap them on.

 

[Linuxpro]

I can't help but feel that after the initial bask of glory sales boom, these are going to be sort of a bust.

Most of us willingly update/upgrade our phones and ipads etc coz newer ones offer more functionality, are designed better (or at least differently) etc, but one of my main wants when doing that is better battery life,

The fact remains that apparently the watch is going to need nightly recharging. That's a killer for me. Having to recharge it every night, otherwise the main function of a watch, to tell the time, after all, is lost? C'mon! That's rubbish.

And I still think the iPhone itself replicates most of what the Watch functionality gives me. SO why would I need the 2 devices? To do the same thing....

And then there is the tonka toy look of the homescreen with all those little round icons. From Apple? Seriously, this looks horrendous. Imagine buying a Gold Apple Watch, to have this monstrosity of a homescreen on it? It's just awful.

Ooooh, my wife just buzzed me her heart beat? A private 'message' just for me....Woopee....

No-one I know who has an i-anything is remotely interested in a Watch, me neither I am afraid.

I totally agree. Most of the users, I know prefer mechanical watches. I have a Rolex Submariner, but that is typical for someone my age (49). What does the Apple watch offer us? Nothing!

I am an American living in Asia. The fake Apple watches are already here for the wannabee tourists that buy fake stuff. They cost about $25, if you do not mind your wrist turning green, no functionality, and the braclet coming off after about three weeks. They are big time illegal here in Singapore.

Personally I think could sell more to the young American "vanity" crowd if they tripled the price.

 

[RodDavies]

Still don't get it. Especially the pricing of some of the bands. And the "functionality" of it, with its dependency on the phone. As a watch its hamstrung, as a device to use as anything but a monitor it appears a non entity. Don't know. Still think it will be a short term high flyer then a slow down to trickle in sales.

One thing...I have read that it, essentially, turns on sobyou can... Um...See the time, by raising your hand. Clever. With my present watch I can tell the time by just looking down at my wrist, or rolling my wrist a bit if the watch face is partially obscured. Even with this clever technology, Apple watch seems to be form over function.

One Apple product I won't be considering.

 

[Brian Y]

Still don't get it. Especially the pricing of some of the bands. And the "functionality" of it, with its dependency on the phone. As a watch its hamstrung, as a device to use as anything but a monitor it appears a non entity. Don't know. Still think it will be a short term high flyer then a slow down to trickle in sales.

One thing...I have read that it, essentially, turns on sobyou can... Um...See the time, by raising your hand. Clever. With my present watch I can tell the time by just looking down at my wrist, or rolling my wrist a bit if the watch face is partially obscured. Even with this clever technology, Apple watch seems to be form over function.

One Apple product I won't be considering.

It's just the next evolution of "smart watches". The sport model is a lot of tech (and by tech, I don't just mean hardware - I mean the R&D and software too) for the price.

The pebble steel sells for not much less, and the difference between the two is night and day. I don't really see the need for the edition - and I think that will be a flop (anyone who spends that much doesn't do so on something which will be out of date).

 

[BvizioN]

anyone who spends that much doesn't do so on something which will be out of date

I totally disagree. People who have that kind of money spend thousands on clothes or other stuff that they maybe only wear once. "Out of date" is only precived by people who live to use something as long as possible (for ever if they can) and not by those who get bored using the same luxury car everyday. They will buy it because they can, and they may use it only few times, while they will be judged for buying it by the rest of people (perhaps 99.99%) who can not effort it.

 

[Lucifer666]

I can't help but feel that after the initial bask of glory sales boom, these are going to be sort of a bust.

Most of us willingly update/upgrade our phones and ipads etc coz newer ones offer more functionality, are designed better (or at least differently) etc, but one of my main wants when doing that is better battery life,

The fact remains that apparently the watch is going to need nightly recharging. That's a killer for me. Having to recharge it every night, otherwise the main function of a watch, to tell the time, after all, is lost? C'mon! That's rubbish.

And I still think the iPhone itself replicates most of what the Watch functionality gives me. SO why would I need the 2 devices? To do the same thing....

And then there is the tonka toy look of the homescreen with all those little round icons. From Apple? Seriously, this looks horrendous. Imagine buying a Gold Apple Watch, to have this monstrosity of a homescreen on it? It's just awful.

Ooooh, my wife just buzzed me her heart beat? A private 'message' just for me....Woopee....

No-one I know who has an i-anything is remotely interested in a Watch, me neither I am afraid.

This actually is a well reasoned argument.

I sort of agree.

But then again, who the **** knows

 

[Armen]

This actually is a well reasoned argument.

I sort of agree.

But then again, who the **** knows

Remember the intial reaction to the iPad?

"It's just big iPhone hahaha! who needs that?"

What household doesn't have an iPad these days?

 

[Sparkeze]

Personally, I'm glad it's not a standalone device. I don't want to have to pay for service on a watch.

 

[ucantgetridofme]

Personally, I'm glad it's not a standalone device. I don't want to have to pay for service on a watch.

Service for what? Are you really going to surf the web on your watch when you have a phone on you? Wfi and bluetooth cover everything anyone will likely want from a smartwatch. These things bring nothing new to the table as far as funcionality. Smart watches are a desperate attempt at finding a new product people think they need. Unfortunately nobody really wants a giant apple billboard that lights up their wrists. I can't wait to see the first apple herd playing with their phone and watch at the same time in public. I hope it's a guy so I can punch them in the stomach.

 

[Linuxpro]

I do not see how this can be a sustained sell. I agree it will appeal to the vanity of many, but not much else.

A starting price in the $1200 would create more "want". Those who cannot afford one will buy a $30 knock off. They are already here in Singapore. I think they look 95% like the real thing w/o most functions. A typical American only cares to impress his friends.

 

[iPad Air]

I can't help but feel that after the initial bask of glory sales boom, these are going to be sort of a bust.

Most of us willingly update/upgrade our phones and ipads etc coz newer ones offer more functionality, are designed better (or at least differently) etc, but one of my main wants when doing that is better battery life,

The fact remains that apparently the watch is going to need nightly recharging. That's a killer for me. Having to recharge it every night, otherwise the main function of a watch, to tell the time, after all, is lost? C'mon! That's rubbish.

And I still think the iPhone itself replicates most of what the Watch functionality gives me. SO why would I need the 2 devices? To do the same thing....

And then there is the tonka toy look of the homescreen with all those little round icons. From Apple? Seriously, this looks horrendous. Imagine buying a Gold Apple Watch, to have this monstrosity of a homescreen on it? It's just awful.

Ooooh, my wife just buzzed me her heart beat? A private 'message' just for me....Woopee....

No-one I know who has an i-anything is remotely interested in a Watch, me neither I am afraid.

If Apple hadn't come up with a wonderfully easy way to charge it, it would be a pain.

----------

Remember the intial reaction to the iPad?

"It's just big iPhone hahaha! who needs that?"

What household doesn't have an iPad these days?

Wow yeah, I remember that. I can't tell you how many people - including friends - I had to correct about that.

 

[rjlawrencejr]

I do not see how this can be a sustained sell. I agree it will appeal to the vanity of many, but not much else.

A starting price in the $1200 would create more "want". Those who cannot afford one will buy a $30 knock off. They are already here in Singapore. I think they look 95% like the real thing w/o most functions. A typical American only cares to impress his friends.

I think you stereotyping Americans. I had a so-called smart watch long before (Fossil MS SPOT) unfortunately it died on me (well the proprietary charger did and eventually the phone) and I just moved on. I enjoyed what it could do despite its limitations. Once I heard Apple was rumored to be jumping into the wearables business I was excited because I have preferred digital watches over analog ones due to the greater number of features and I like the fact it will work in conjunction with my phone better than the current crop of watches on the market.

Believe me, it has little to do with impressing friends. If anything, the $30 knockoff is about impressing people because you're hoping to convince them you have the real thing.

 

[drew0020]

If Apple hadn't come up with a wonderfully easy way to charge it, it would be a pain.

----------



Wow yeah, I remember that. I can't tell you how many people - including friends - I had to correct about that.

I vote for Apple Watch being a bust if you consider 5M sales a bust.

iPad sales are falling quarter after quarter I believe for almost a year now. People finally realize that the iPad is just a big iPhone and with big iPhones people don't need the iPad. I'd guess iPad sales will continue to fall (and although a very successful product over its lifetimes) it's best sales are well in the past.

 

[Lloydbm41]

If Apple hadn't come up with a wonderfully easy way to charge it, it would be a pain.

----------



Wow yeah, I remember that. I can't tell you how many people - including friends - I had to correct about that.

The Apple Watch is more similar to what we see in the Apple TV in terms of neccesity than to the iPad. When the iPhone was a puny 3.5-4" in size, an iPad was a justifiable purchase to assist in media consumption and work. With the iPhone 6, 6+ and rise of quality Android tablets, iPad sales are suffering.
Apple TV has never had high sales and is now ranked 4th in sales compared to Fire TV, Chromecast and Roku and it continues to decline. (I think with the $69 pricetag now though, we will see a few more sold.) That said, what we see now are likely comparable to what we will see in the Apple Watch, i.e. less than 5 million in the first year and then a steady decline down to a plateau, with slight bumps every new generation of hardware as the old stuff goes down in price.

If Android Wear phones become compatible with iOS though... watch out!

 

[Linuxpro]

I think you stereotyping Americans.........
Believe me, it has little to do with impressing friends. If anything, the $30 knockoff is about impressing people because you're hoping to convince them you have the real thing.

Chinese will sell thier bodies, work two jobs, or seek a loan shark, for the money to own the real thing. American tourists line up to buy fake crap thinking they are fooling someone.

I remember the fake Google Glass. It looked like the real thing, w/o the logo. I am pretty sure all it did was beep if you pressed the button, and maybe it had an LED. That was a few years ago, so I do not recall. Lots of youg American tourists handed over $25 for them.

How do I know they are American? Nobody but young Americans wear a baseball cap indoors and backward.

 

[FrankySavvy]

I can't help but feel that after the initial bask of glory sales boom, these are going to be sort of a bust.

Most of us willingly update/upgrade our phones and ipads etc coz newer ones offer more functionality, are designed better (or at least differently) etc, but one of my main wants when doing that is better battery life,

The fact remains that apparently the watch is going to need nightly recharging. That's a killer for me. Having to recharge it every night, otherwise the main function of a watch, to tell the time, after all, is lost? C'mon! That's rubbish.

And I still think the iPhone itself replicates most of what the Watch functionality gives me. SO why would I need the 2 devices? To do the same thing....

And then there is the tonka toy look of the homescreen with all those little round icons. From Apple? Seriously, this looks horrendous. Imagine buying a Gold Apple Watch, to have this monstrosity of a homescreen on it? It's just awful.

Ooooh, my wife just buzzed me her heart beat? A private 'message' just for me....Woopee....

No-one I know who has an i-anything is remotely interested in a Watch, me neither I am afraid.

Okay, we get it, you don't like it, that is fine. If you are so convinced though, why ask the question?

----------

The Apple Watch is more similar to what we see in the Apple TV in terms of neccesity than to the iPad. When the iPhone was a puny 3.5-4" in size, an iPad was a justifiable purchase to assist in media consumption and work. With the iPhone 6, 6+ and rise of quality Android tablets, iPad sales are suffering.
Apple TV has never had high sales and is now ranked 4th in sales compared to Fire TV, Chromecast and Roku and it continues to decline. (I think with the $69 pricetag now though, we will see a few more sold.) That said, what we see now are likely comparable to what we will see in the Apple Watch, i.e. less than 5 million in the first year and then a steady decline down to a plateau, with slight bumps every new generation of hardware as the old stuff goes down in price.

If Android Wear phones become compatible with iOS though... watch out!

I do not agree. A watch is a bit different from the TV. It is the evolution of the personal computer. From the desk to the lap to the pocket to the wrist. Wearables are the future.

I definitely don't see a smartphone going away soon, but why do we need to hold up a phone to our head anyway? Isn't it so old fashioned?

With a Bluetooth headset and a watch on our wrist we can send and receive calls even easier. No need to take our phone out from our pocket.

How about in a few years when AT&T sells the wearable as a cellular device and you just carry around your iPad as a larger device when you need to be more productive.

Hell in the future we could just AirPlay what's on our wrist onto a bigger display. Who knows?

 

[FrankySavvy]

Yeah, the iPod was a flop.

----------



Incidentally, I do LOVE your playful graphic above. It's nice. But ON a watch I don't want a playful graphic, I want a functional elegance at the likely prices Apple will charge.

As another GRAPHIC DESIGNER in the room I concur with the other designer.

They didn't want to just take the iPhone ios and shrink it down. They needed to think of how it would work on your wrist.

Creating this constellation style menu system for a small screen is slot better then managing apps through multiple pages. Remember you are limited to the amount of space on a smaller screen, gesture/inputs are also limited.

If they went with the four tiles per screen like the iPod U.I, with the thosuands of apps more that the watch has, well that would be a nightmare. How many pages of apps would you have?

This is why I think the constellation U.I is so elegant. The center of the universe is the watch then each ring around the watch is equivelant to pages on your iPhone home screen. To maximize the amount of apps displayed on such a small screen the apps actually change size as you move around the constellation. This allows you to see the most apps on your screen without having to have pages upon pages of apps.

You also decide the importance of were each app is.

Swiping up gives you glances of apps you use the most. Swiping down shows your list of notifications, just in case you may have missed one and there is a dedicated coyntacts button. The digital crown is super intuitive considering its been on a watch for over a century. However, apple uses it digitally for more precise gestures that your fingers are just to big for on a small device.

Anyway, just my opinion. As a GRAPHIC DESIGNER, I get it! But to each his own, you might not like it, but I think it is brilliant software design.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Okay, we get it, you don't like it, that is fine. If you are so convinced though, why ask the question?

----------



I do not agree. A watch is a bit different from the TV. It is the evolution of the personal computer. From the desk to the lap to the pocket to the wrist. Wearables are the future.

I definitely don't see a smartphone going away soon, but why do we need to hold up a phone to our head anyway? Isn't it so old fashioned?

With a Bluetooth headset and a watch on our wrist we can send and receive calls even easier. No need to take our phone out from our pocket.

How about in a few years when AT&T sells the wearable as a cellular device and you just carry around your iPad as a larger device when you need to be more productive.

Hell in the future we could just AirPlay what's on our wrist onto a bigger display. Who knows?

With a BT headset, I don't have to take my phone out of my pocket to make or take a call. In my car, I don't need to activate the phone, turn it on or even touch it to take a call. Why would a watch make this particular use case any easier? Answer: It wouldn't.

Also, I wasn't comparing the Apple TV to the Apple Watch in terms of tech, but in terms of sales and neccesity.

P.S. The future of computing is not on the wrist, nor is it wearables. It is inbedded. And... resistance is futile. You will be assimilated. Your uniqueness will be added to our own.

 

[FrankySavvy]

With a BT headset, I don't have to take my phone out of my pocket to make or take a call. In my car, I don't need to activate the phone, turn it on or even touch it to take a call. Why would a watch make this particular use case any easier? Answer: It wouldn't.

Also, I wasn't comparing the Apple TV to the Apple Watch in terms of tech, but in terms of sales and neccesity.

P.S. The future of computing is not on the wrist, nor is it wearables. It is inbedded. And... resistance is futile. You will be assimilated. Your uniqueness will be added to our own.

Embedded. That's a tuff sell.

I still think - Desktop > Laptop > Phone > Wearable

 

[soya]

Well it's a first gen Apple product. People are always skeptical when it comes to new products. Remember the 1st iPhone or the 1st iPad People had to actually get them in their hands, test them and see how great devices they were before they jumped on the boat.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Embedded. That's a tuff sell.

I still think - Desktop > Laptop > Phone > Wearable

I was joking. Guess you aren't a Trekkie.

 

[iPad Air]

I vote for Apple Watch being a bust if you consider 5M sales a bust.

iPad sales are falling quarter after quarter I believe for almost a year now. People finally realize that the iPad is just a big iPhone and with big iPhones people don't need the iPad. I'd guess iPad sales will continue to fall (and although a very successful product over its lifetimes) it's best sales are well in the past.

iPad sales are falling because the tablet market is becoming saturated, IMO.

 

[cmChimera]

With a BT headset, I don't have to take my phone out of my pocket to make or take a call. In my car, I don't need to activate the phone, turn it on or even touch it to take a call. Why would a watch make this particular use case any easier? Answer: It wouldn't.

Does the bluetooth headset tell you who is calling? Serious question.