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

[Renzatic]

You didn't try it. You don't know it's functionalities. You don't know the quality of its apps. You don't know its user interface. You basically don't know anything about it. But you are judging it anyway.
Oh yes, there's something you surely know: it hasn't a Google operative system, and that's enough....

You sure are quick to make assumptions. I care about as much for the Apple watch as I do for any Google wearables. In other words, I kinda don't.

I'm looking at it from an entirely neutral perspective. Wearables aren't something I dislike on principal, but I'm not exactly head over heels excited about them, either. Back when the Apple Watch was still a rumor, I said that I thought the technology hasn't quite caught up with the form factor, which is currently too limited to be able to truly differentiate one smartwatch from another. And...what do you know? I ended up being right. I don't see much about a Google Watch that makes want to grab one, and the Apple Watch doesn't do anything better or different enough to suddenly make me want one. They're all pretty close in function and design, and none of them really offer me anything I haven't already got, or have a real need for.

So it's nothing about Google, or Apple, or Microsoft. It's about Smartwatches in general.

 

[Max(IT)]

You sure are quick to make assumptions. I care about as much for the Apple watch as I do for any Google wearables. In other words, I kinda don't.

I'm looking at it from an entirely neutral perspective. Wearables aren't something I dislike on principal, but I'm not exactly head over heels excited about them, either. Back when the Apple Watch was still a rumor, I said that I thought the technology hasn't quite caught up with the form factor, which is currently too limited to be able to truly differentiate one smartwatch from another. And...what do you know? I ended up being right. I don't see much about a Google Watch that makes want to grab one, and the Apple Watch doesn't do anything better or different enough to suddenly make me want one. They're all pretty close in function and design, and none of them really offer me anything I haven't already got, or have a real need for.

So it's nothing about Google, or Apple, or Microsoft. It's about Smartwatches in general.

Being a fitness freak (sort of it) and a tech enthusiast, I actually tried some smartwatches, and I know for sure I'm not interested. They are half baked and ugly as hell at best.
But the Apple Watch catch my attention, because as usual Apple doesn't invent anything, but just implements ideas in the right way. That doesn't mean I'm going to buy an Apple Watch, I actually don't think I'm going to buy one, but I'll surely give it a try before judge.

 

[Renzatic]

Being a fitness freak (sort of it) and a tech enthusiast, I actually tried some smartwatches, and I know for sure I'm not interested. They are half baked and ugly as hell at best.
But the Apple Watch catch my attention, because as usual Apple doesn't invent anything, but just implements ideas in the right way. That doesn't mean I'm going to buy an Apple Watch, I actually don't think I'm going to buy one, but I'll surely give it a try before judge.

I bike, hike, and occasionally run, though I'm mostly concerned with how much distance I've covered in a certain amount of time moreso than measuring my heartrate. For that, my iPhone covers my needs perfectly. I turn on Cyclemeter, pop my phone into my pocket, and head on. The only thing a Smartwatch would offer me would be the same information I'm already getting, condensed for a considerably smaller screen on my wrist. That's not worth the $350 entry price to me.

As for Apple Watch vs. The Rest? Since they all perform the same basic functions in much the same way, the only thing Apple could offer over the competition would be more stable apps, and/or more reliable hardware. Since those functions aren't something I feel I get more out of by having it all on my wrist, a more stable version of them isn't going to act as a point of temptation for me.

I'm honestly very meh about Smartwatches. If Apple were to entirely change the scene like they did with the iPhone, I might've taken notice. But a slightly more stylish, possibly more stable version of the exact same thing is what they've given me, which I just don't think it's that big of a deal.

 

[Max(IT)]

I bike, hike, and occasionally run, though I'm mostly concerned with how much distance I've covered in a certain amount of time moreso than measuring my heartrate. For that, my iPhone covers my needs perfectly. I turn on Cyclemeter, pop my phone into my pocket, and head on. The only thing a Smartwatch would offer me would be the same information I'm already getting, condensed for a considerably smaller screen on my wrist. That's not worth the $350 entry price to me.

As for Apple Watch vs. The Rest? Since they all perform the same basic functions in much the same way, the only thing Apple could offer over the competition would be more stable apps, and/or more reliable hardware. Since those functions aren't something I feel I get more out of by having it all on my wrist, a more stable version of them isn't going to act as a point of temptation for me.

I'm honestly very meh about Smartwatches. If Apple were to entirely change the scene like they did with the iPhone, I might've taken notice. But a slightly more stylish, possibly more stable version of the exact same thing is what they've given me, which I just don't think it's that big of a deal.

I can agree with most of your points, but my suspect is that Apple isn't going to do the same functions "the same way". So I'm just curious about it.

 

[Renzatic]

I can agree with most of your points, but my suspect is that Apple isn't going to do the same functions "the same way". So I'm just curious about it.

I don't blame for you being curious. Even I'm not dismissing it entirely. But there's only so much you can do with a screen that size.

When it comes to Smartwatches, their form limits their functionality pretty severely. It's for this reason you can't expect things to be too, TOO different among all the various manufacturers.

 

[Robert.Walter]

I don't blame this guy - but clearly it's great PR for anyone to get associated with Apple marketing engine and looked upon as an expert.

However, I am not convinced that the Apple watch really does anything more than other equipment that exists and/or that can be more accurate. Perhaps I am wrong. I just don't see it right now.

Because a Professor at Stanford Has no creds at all and needs a personal PR bump.

If a guy like this can't qualify for expert status, then who can?

Geeesh...

 

[Max(IT)]

Because a Professor at Stanford Has no creds at all and needs a personal PR bump.

If a guy like this can't qualify for expert status, then who can?

Geeesh...

Don't you know? If he said something in favor of Apple, he must be biased.

Err, at least according to someone here

 

[samcraig]

Because a Professor at Stanford Has no creds at all and needs a personal PR bump.

If a guy like this can't qualify for expert status, then who can?

Geeesh...

Don't you know? If he said something in favor of Apple, he must be biased.

Err, at least according to someone here

Once again, Max - you intentionally misinterpret what I wrote. I say intentionally since you've stated you UNDERSTAND what I have written.

I never said it was biased. Nor, Robert - did I say he wasn't an expert. Or didn't have great credentials. I said it's a great PR boost.

And actually, I am sure most professors - no matter where they are, would enjoy the attention. Publish or perish? Are you suggesting that his career wouldn't be augmented by being quoted - whether it's about the Apple Watch or something else?

My post was to indicate that those unfamiliar with him, would be able to now look upon him as an expert given that he's being quoted in pieces like this.

If you want to argue or disagree with that, it's your right. I just find the objection silly.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Once again, Max - you intentionally misinterpret what I wrote. I say intentionally since you've stated you UNDERSTAND what I have written.

I never said it was biased. Nor, Robert - did I say he wasn't an expert. Or didn't have great credentials. I said it's a great PR boost.

And actually, I am sure most professors - no matter where they are, would enjoy the attention. Publish or perish? Are you suggesting that his career wouldn't be augmented by being quoted - whether it's about the Apple Watch or something else?

My post was to indicate that those unfamiliar with him, would be able to now look upon him as an expert given that he's being quoted in pieces like this.

If you want to argue or disagree with that, it's your right. I just find the objection silly.

Maybe he did it to open the way to become the next New TV Droctor, maybe because he was involved in the development of the Research Kit Heart App. and truly believes in what he said. By the time you are what I assume is a tenured professor, the publish or perish imperative is gone.

I can tell you, as one that was interviewed by Leslie Stahl for 60 Minutes, the last thing I thought about was the career bump it would give me; I was geeked that my folks were going to see me on TVeee! (Unfortunately, I ended up on the cutting room floor!)

 

[samcraig]

Maybe he did it to open the way to become the next New TV Droctor, maybe because he was involved in the development of the Research Kit Heart App. and truly believes in what he said. By the time you are what I assume is a tenured professor, the publish or perish imperative is gone.

I can tell you, as one that was interviewed by Leslie Stahl for 60 Minutes, the last thing I thought about was the career bump it would give me; I was geeked that my folks were going to see me on TVeee! (Unfortunately, I ended up on the cutting room floor!)

Either way - there's really little downside to hitching onto Apple's PR wagon for the watch.

I never brought into question his motivation either. Whether he believes everything or not is pure conjecture. And I don't really care all that much.

I've been interviewed by the media as a SME on a few things and also content I've created has been used by various outlets. The first time is was "cool" to have friends and family say they saw me (or read my quotes). After that it became (ego aside) more of a "yeah..they asked, so I answered."

 

[Even Longer]

.


Looks like an army of "Sub-Zeroes" training hard ahead of an imminent new Mortal Combat launch


.

 

[manu chao]

I'm looking at it from an entirely neutral perspective. Wearables aren't something I dislike on principal, but I'm not exactly head over heels excited about them, either. Back when the Apple Watch was still a rumor, I said that I thought the technology hasn't quite caught up with the form factor, which is currently too limited to be able to truly differentiate one smartwatch from another.

There are two kinds of wearables, or at least two aspects which can be implemented in two separate devices. One is measuring things, the other is giving access to what is measured (and much more). In regard to the first kind, technology has caught up quite some time ago, it is in regard to the second kind, displaying information, that most people don't care for the looks, shape and functionality.

 

[manu chao]

And actually, I am sure most professors - no matter where they are, would enjoy the attention. Publish or perish? Are you suggesting that his career wouldn't be augmented by being quoted - whether it's about the Apple Watch or something else?

All attention is not created equal. Dealing with the media can often be quite tiring. The risk of being misquoted or out of context is always pretty high which means you would normally want to have a way to review what they want to publish and then fight with them to implement your corrections.

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I'm honestly very meh about Smartwatches. If Apple were to entirely change the scene like they did with the iPhone, I might've taken notice. But a slightly more stylish, possibly more stable version of the exact same thing is what they've given me, which I just don't think it's that big of a deal.

You seem to reduce smartwatches and thus the Apple Watch to being fitness trackers. I think it is pretty clear that Apple expects the watch to provide much more utility than that. It is not as if the iPhone convinced people because it was such a good mobile email system or such a good music player. It convinced people because if offered so many different features and functionality that people found value in it.

 

[samcraig]

It convinced people because if offered so many different features and functionality that people found value in it.

At launch - what did it offer exactly aside from a slick UI then? Nevermind - let's not go down this rabbit hole... it will take things way off topic.

 

[Trapezoid]

At launch - what did it offer exactly aside from a slick UI then? Nevermind - let's not go down this rabbit hole... it will take things way off topic.

It was more than just a slick UI...

It was a phone, PDA and internet browser all in one (sound familiar? lol) you could sync your calendar, your music, your videos. At the time that was pretty revolutionary for a phone to be able to do. It had very well implemented sensors like the accelerometer, proximity and ambient light sensors.

Battery life sucked, but it was a first-gen product. Extremely silly to reduce the first iphone to just a "slick UI"

 

[samcraig]

It was more than just a slick UI...

It was a phone, PDA and internet browser all in one (sound familiar? lol) you could sync your calendar, your music, your videos. At the time that was pretty revolutionary for a phone to be able to do. It had very well implemented sensors like the accelerometer, proximity and ambient light sensors.

Battery life sucked, but it was a first-gen product. Extremely silly to reduce the first iphone to just a "slick UI"

You're kidding right? You're going to tell me the iphone outperformed other smartphones on the market in terms of what it could do? Ok

 

[Trapezoid]

You're kidding right? You're going to tell me the iphone outperformed other smartphones on the market in terms of what it could do? Ok

What other smartphones on the market at the time "outperformed" the iphone "in terms of what it could do"?

 

[AppleScruff1]

You're kidding right? You're going to tell me the iphone outperformed other smartphones on the market in terms of what it could do? Ok

Something here reminds me of vooynx.

 

[samcraig]

What other smartphones on the market at the time "outperformed" the iphone "in terms of what it could do"?

Just about every one. Do you remember what the original iphone with the first is actually did. Other phones had mms, exchange email, copy/paste, worked on faster networks, longer battery life, apps, etc

I give credit to the iPhone for pushing the bounds of UI and UE, it made the phone fun to play with. It even did things better than the competition.. Just not a lot.

 

[Tech198]

Just about every one. Do you remember what the original iphone with the first is actually did. Other phones had mms, exchange email, copy/paste, worked on faster networks, longer battery life, apps, etc

I give credit to the iPhone for pushing the bounds of UI and UE, it made the phone fun to play with. It even did things better than the competition.. Just not a lot.

Lets not forget it took Apple a really long time to eventually go "PC free" which most smart-phones could easily activate over the air. You were e required a cable to iTunes. And it took Apple the best part of a few generations before that even happened.

The UI for sure is the best .... But that's all there really is to it. There just about late on everything else, while they prefer looks over anything.

 

[Trapezoid]

Just about every one. Do you remember what the original iphone with the first is actually did. Other phones had mms, exchange email, copy/paste, worked on faster networks, longer battery life, apps, etc

I give credit to the iPhone for pushing the bounds of UI and UE, it made the phone fun to play with. It even did things better than the competition.. Just not a lot.

I was asking because I didn't know which ones, can you name one?? I have no problem saying I was wrong unlike some here, but I'd like to look up the phone(s) you're talking about, for my own reference.

It sounds like there are several examples.

 

[samcraig]

Lets not forget it took Apple a really long time to eventually go "PC free" which most smart-phones could easily activate over the air. You were e required a cable to iTunes. And it took Apple the best part of a few generations before that even happened.

The UI for sure is the best .... But that's all there really is to it. There just about late on everything else, while they prefer looks over anything.

Indeed.

Some people either have short memories or would like to rewrite history.

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I was asking because I didn't know which ones, can you name one?? I have no problem saying I was wrong unlike some here, but I'd like to look up the phone(s) you're talking about, for my own reference.

It sounds like there are several examples.

In 2007? Well the Treo for one, Blackberry line, Samsung Blackjack, HP iPaq...

 

[Piggie]

I'm sorry, but why are Apple broadcasting to the entire world they must have the dumbest employees.
Or rather Apple THINKS they have the dumbest employees on the planet?

Why do I say this hard remark?
Well, let's read this:

“[The employees] knew they were testing something, but they didn't know it was for the Apple Watch,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s senior vice president of operations. “We hooked them up with all the masks and so forth, but we would put on an Apple Watch covered up.”

So just think about this for a moment, and it's not just one employee that may be a little slow on the uptake here. Think about yourself in this scenario.

You and others are working out in a fitness lab for Apple
Apple are naturally going to be bringing out something new, it's why you are there.
They place all the monitoring equipment onto you, and then (omg it's covered up) put a secret Apple watch on your wrist.

Just try and think about this for a second if this were you.

How many nanoseconds would it take you to lucky guess it's a watch on your wrist?
Worst case you got the look of the device wrong, and though it may be more a health tracker than a watch or round as opposed to square.

Why are Apple telling us publicly that their employees are so dumb as to not realize in seconds that what it on their wrist (but OMG it's covered up) is not a watch/fitness tracker?

I mean, someone says get busy exercising and we are just going to fit this secret thing on your wrist but it;s covered up so you will have no idea what it could ever be.

Really!

 

[Trapezoid]

Indeed.

Some people either have short memories or would like to rewrite history.

Or some people genuinely would like to know. Leave the snark out of it.

Incidentally, you do know your initial statement was "aside from a slick ui, what else did it offer" and now it's "you're telling me it outperformed other smartphones?"

I didn't mention the goalposts moving because I was interested in your answer but again, no need to be snarky. Please give me the name of a smartphone you're talking about. I'm sure you're well aware at this point I like evidence when people say things

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In 2007? Well the Treo for one, Blackberry line, Samsung Blackjack, HP iPaq...

Thank you. I can readily admit that I do have a short memory now lol

 

[samcraig]

Or some people genuinely would like to know. Leave the snark out of it.

Incidentally, you do know your initial statement was "aside from a slick ui, what else did it offer" and now it's "you're telling me it outperformed other smartphones?"

I didn't mention the goalposts moving because I was interested in your answer but again, no need to be snarky. Please give me the name of a smartphone you're talking about. I'm sure you're well aware at this point I like evidence when people say things

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Thank you. I can readily admit that I do have a short memory now lol

I didn't really change goalposts. Like I said - I just didn't want to go down this rabbit hole as now we are very off topic. And my comment about changing history, etc - although "timed" to look like it was addressed to you and specifically to you, was actually not (sincerely). It was a general comment because this is a conversation that has happened several times before.

I will not reduce the impact the iPhone had on the industry. But there seems to be some people on this forum that believe that "nothing" existed prior to 2007.