'Good Morning America' Goes Inside Apple's Secret Apple Watch Fitness Testing Lab

[freediverx]

Yet a no time did they think to include GPS in the watch or make it waterproof, i.e. make it a useful sports watch that you can use away from your iPhone. Ah...

The Apple Watch was designed to serve as both a wrist-mounted extension to your iPhone as well as a fitness tracker - all while looking good rather than like some dorky geek toy, and with battery power to last all day.

Adding GPS would have likely killed the all day battery life, or would have required a larger case to accommodate a larger battery.

Making it more water resistant would have required a case designed with gaskets and o-rings around the display, the digital crown, the friends button, the speaker and microphone, and perhaps also the case back containing biometric sensors. Again, this would have made the watch bigger.

A watch without a day's worth of battery power or so bulky that it resembled an Android product would have failed. Good design is all about focusing on the most important goals and making difficult choices.

 

[d0minick]

delete and added to original

 

[diegogaja]

Wow Professor X, you know that apple absolutely NEVER thought about making it waterproof or include a GPS....amazeballs...

Yet a no time did they think to include GPS in the watch or make it waterproof, i.e. make it a useful sports watch that you can use away from your iPhone. Ah...

 

[Rogifan]

Apple sure is spending quite a bit of PR resources for this watch. I cannot recall any other Apple product that has garnered this much *intentional* attention prior to launching.

This isn't Kaite Cotton's Apple anymore and that's good. It's good to see other executives at Apple getting some exposure. Especially Jeff Williams.

 

[WelshDog]

I am a freak. Gym never. Jog never, zero days a week.

Can't wait for my watch.

Same here. Exercise makes me tired.

 

[carrrrrlos]

Intentional? Do you think PR is ever accidental. Apple has always pushed it's products. It's up to media organizations to make the decision whether to cover them and to what depth. Clearly they are intrigued by the story on many levels. And also Apple products in 2015 get eyeballs in an era where not much does, so of course the media is all over this.

PR for sure can be unintentional pushing corporations, like Apple, into damage control - Do you recall the recent “bending iPhone 6+”? It was only after the youtube video that Apple invited cameras into their testing facility.

 

[louiek]

Garmin has been around for years. You see marathoners start there Gamin at the beginning of every race.

And apple has amassed more data than anyone. They are amazing!

I run marathons with a mechanical watch because I can do math in my head. If you've got distance markers you might as well save the money you'd spend on a Garmin and put a sun dial on your wrist. I think this watch will help get people off their couches, and that's a fantastic outcome.

 

[technosix]

Being a person that grew up with athletics as a normal part (actually a very large part) of daily life I'm already well equipped with various monitoring hear from SUUNTO and others. My basic daily routine is off to the gym at 4:30 AM to be sure and get that done before my day gets really busy. It's a wake-up and work out session that's great for jump starting a good mood and great energy to go forward with.

I think part of the challenge will be to get trained disciplined athletes like myself to be willing to set aside the great gear we have already and try Apple Watch fitness features. Talking about this with a few of the teams I'm on has been interesting. Most have decided to follow my wait and see approach. We'll see how others using Apple's system like it, use it, and if it has distinct benefits then Apple may do well in that buying demographic.

 

[RoelJuun]

Watching this (terribly edited) video is more stressing to me than running an hour on the treadmill.

 

[PhillyAnt]

I am a freak. Gym never. Jog never, zero days a week.

Can't wait for my watch.

You must have a dream body...

lol

 

[i5pro]

all of this and they couldn't make it more waterproof...

 

[samcraig]

Apple is known for "due diligence" when it comes to product development. I would be hard pressed to imagine any of its competitors being so involved, and that includes Google. Sure there is other equipment out there that does some or more than what the the Apple Watch does, and even at a higher level of accuracy, but as a singular and personal device, the Apple Watch will probably be the benchmark for consumers.

I somewhat agree with what you're saying (the watch doesn't do anything all that differently) but I think what makes it special is that it's all connected so it's not a one-off watch collecting data that goes nowhere.

The Apple Watch doesn't have to do more to be a success - the Apple Watch is just another way to do the same thing other equipment does, but making it more convenient.

For example, running with music - it's MUCH more convenient to use wireless earbuds and wear a watch than lugging an iPhone on your arm or in your pocket.

Looking at statistics during your run - much more convenient on a watch vs. pulling out a phone (which is difficult when running), or using a FitBit-type device where you can't see stats until you're connected to a computer when you're done.

It's up to the consumer if $350-$1000 is worth this convenience. There are many more.

To clarify - I wasn't directly referring to competition. I was referring to medical equipment in general and current capabilities.

I just re-read the guy's quote and agree somewhat. Clearly having statistical data easily collected by such of a device will make things easier. I just think that it's premature to make assumptions or such lofty statements. I expect it from Apple.

 

[rhoydotp]

I cringe listening to "Entertainment Tonight"-type talking heads in general, let alone when covering tech products and issues. Frankly, most of what's worth watching on television is on HBO and PBS. The rest is 99% garbage.

But, maybe 99% of people buying the product in North America regularly watch "Entertainment Tonight"-type show ... Apple will be laughing all the way to the bank while we cringe and post here

 

[arian19]

The Apple Watch doesn't have to do more to be a success - the Apple Watch is just another way to do the same thing other equipment does, but making it more convenient.

For example, running with music - it's MUCH more convenient to use wireless earbuds and wear a watch than lugging an iPhone on your arm or in your pocket.

Looking at statistics during your run - much more convenient on a watch vs. pulling out a phone (which is difficult when running), or using a FitBit-type device where you can't see stats until you're connected to a computer when you're done.

It's up to the consumer if $350-$1000 is worth this convenience. There are many more.

You know that with the Apple Watch, you must run while lugging your iPhone in your pocket, or on your arm... Right? It doesn't work unless paired with a iPhone.

 

[dugbug]

You know that with the Apple Watch, you must run while lugging your iPhone in your pocket, or on your arm... Right? It doesn't work unless paired with a iPhone.

no it does not require the phone for this

 

[Sodner]

You know that with the Apple Watch, you must run while lugging your iPhone in your pocket, or on your arm... Right? It doesn't work unless paired with a iPhone.

NOT TURE!

It will still tell time, record your steps, time spend running, calories burned, heart rate and play music.

 

[CaptainBlue]

And nobody else makes a smart watch that has both GPS and is waterproof either.

It's really not as important as you think. I don't care a lick for GPS. Waterproof would be nice, but I've been wearing watches for the past 20 years that haven't been waterproof - it's normal to me.

http://fenix3.garmin.com/en-GB/

It is if you want a proper sports watch. And that is half the price of a like for like Apple Watch. I was ready to buy an Apple Watch but then realised I'd be tied to having my iPhone with me all the time to use it, so instead I'll go for the Garmin and my iPod nano with BT skull phones for my running. Far less bulk and longer battery life too. I did a little blog entry about this here:
http://www.richardtherunner.com/2015/03/09/watch-out/

 

[McDaddio]

The ironic thing is that with all these health apps in the watch if we had this a while ago Steve Jobs would still be alive. Maybe even Leonard Nemoy.

 

[lchlch]

You know that with the Apple Watch, you must run while lugging your iPhone in your pocket, or on your arm... Right? It doesn't work unless paired with a iPhone.

This is not true. You are able to track your heartbeat, play music and use apple pay even without a phone.

 

[arian19]

NOT TURE!

It will still tell time, record your steps, time spend running, calories burned, heart rate and play music.

This is not true. You are able to track your heartbeat, play music and use apple pay even without a phone.

Where will this music be stored? How much memory will it have?

 

[samcraig]

The ironic thing is that with all these health apps in the watch if we had this a while ago Steve Jobs would still be alive. Maybe even Leonard Nemoy.

I really don't think so.

 

[Keirasplace]

Intentional? Do you think PR is ever accidental. Apple has always pushed it's products. It's up to media organizations to make the decision whether to cover them and to what depth. Clearly they are intrigued by the story on many levels. And also Apple products in 2015 get eyeballs in an era where not much does, so of course the media is all over this.

Yes, PR is never accidental, there is a lot of work behind the scene in a company to get "free" publicity.

Media these days are so understaffed that if you can offer them a compelling story on a platter, they'll latch on to it.

This isn't really new from companies, but the media side these days is more receptive to this than in the past.

I liken a proper PR as a kind inception on the public, media, etc. Apple has become a master at this.

 

[Max(IT)]

Every time I see someone on forums like this suggesting some brilliant solution to Apple I think: aren't they aware Apple is thoroughly testing every device before commercialization ?

 

[Keirasplace]

You know that with the Apple Watch, you must run while lugging your iPhone in your pocket, or on your arm... Right? It doesn't work unless paired with a iPhone.

Tha's only if you need GPS to run; are you lost? Otherwise it works by itself.

Go to the Apple web site and read it yourself because obviously your not going to listen to me saying it...

 

[freediverx]

But, maybe 99% of people buying the product in North America regularly watch "Entertainment Tonight"-type show ... Apple will be laughing all the way to the bank while we cringe and post here

Did I say at any point that it was a wrong move for Apple to get coverage from shows like this? I think it's smart PR and marketing - which is a completely separate topic from my disgust with mainstream media.