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Hands-On First Impressions of the New Apple Watch

Ok, so that user interface, I am totally stunned at how ridiculous it is! I mean with those apps and those contacts photos, it's a tiny screen yet Apple has designed a user interface around you being able to reduce all those icons and pictures into tiny eye wateringly straining dots! What is the point?

From what I've seen Androids Wear idea is a lot better, I don't see the point in these types of watches but giving the device the ability to zoom so far out, and have a grid layout of all those icons is ludicrous. And as for tap on the screen and your friend will feel it.... WTF? Has Apple lost all it's knowledge of consumer electronics design? :eek: from the stunning Mac Pro to this ridiculous interface!!

Please sack Jony Ive from ever touching a single Apple GUI design ever ever ever again!
 
From the beginning I have said I never understood why Apple was entering into this category, even though we all knew that they were. I also always said that if they were going to enter into this category, they would have to come up with something so groundbreaking that it would make the millions of people not wearing watches to suddenly start wearing them. I also said that the device must be so groundbreaking that it would get mainstream society to adopt a device that everyone will see, and would be able to cut through the societal perception everyone who wears one will ultimately feel by wearing Apple's next big thing.

On so many levels, I really have to say my worst fears were confirmed, and I am extremely disappointed. I thought we were getting a flexible LCD wrist band that would engulf the entire wrist. I thought we were getting something so much more advanced than anything else on the market that it would be the original Iphone launch all over again. Instead all I see is a pointless device, while having a strong build quality, is not overly innovative and, quite frankly, looks as dated as every other Smart Watch currently on the market. Lets be honest here folks, this device will not be as big as the iPhone or the iPad. In fact, I am more inclined to guess that this device turns into more of a flop, or "Accessory," which is how Apple will ultimately categorize it, than a huge hit. I cannot really think of anyone in my immediate social group that will rush out to buy this thing. Those are just the facts. Maybe the "fanboys" who buy everything Apple will rush out to buy this thing... But the mainstream, as of right now, will not. I REALLY REALLY hope that Apple has something far bigger in the works that will come to pass rather shortly here that will show it continues to lead the tech industry in innovation and foresight.

Even when the watch was introduced, everything felt forced. The video felt forced, Tim Cook's hands-up reaction felt forced, how happy he was to introduce the device felt forced. When Steve Jobs introduced iPhone, all he did was get into the specs of the device. The presentation pretty much wrote itself because it was such a giant leap in innovation. This was not. This new product introduction was average because the device itself is averaged. I do not think Apple will succeed in trying to force a square peg in a round hole. Sometimes you don't need to follow what every other tech company is doing. Sometimes you need to "think different."

Phew.. That was a long one.
 
Few things make me not jumping on the watch at first:

The need to have the iPhone. Not that is a big deal, I have one, but to use some of the fitness apps, do I have to carry the damn phone with me? What about if I go surfing and swimming?

That brings me the next issue. It seems this is water resistant due a photo of a guy taking a shower but it might not be waterproof. Fail IMO.

Not sure I love the design of it but this is a subjective matter.
Some of the UI features are not necessary, like the photo album.


The positives.
I love the tech and it is very impressive.
The finish and materials are top notch.
The UI looks impressive for such a small screen
Some of the features are great like the Maps giving you vibration to tell what direction to take.

Now I will wait and see this at the Apple Store to make my final judgment. But at this point I am looking at my Omega and loving it after more than 15 years.
__________________
 
apolloa said:
Ok, so that user interface, I am totally stunned at how ridiculous it is! I mean with those apps and those contacts photos, it's a tiny screen yet Apple has designed a user interface around you being able to reduce all those icons and pictures into tiny eye wateringly straining dots! What is the point?

From what I've seen Androids Wear idea is a lot better, I don't see the point in these types of watches but giving the device the ability to zoom so far out, and have a grid layout of all those icons is ludicrous. And as for tap on the screen and your friend will feel it.... WTF? Has Apple lost all it's knowledge of consumer electronics design? :eek: from the stunning Mac Pro to this ridiculous interface!!

Please sack Jony Ive from ever touching a single Apple GUI design ever ever ever again!
Click to expand...


.... I take it that you don't know what a grid is.
 
Apple lost me at battery life. I don't need another device that needs to be charged every day. I'll revisit the idea once they can produce a watch that you only have to charge once a week.
 
People are gonna be really excited when they realize that the cheap selection wheel that belongs to their 15 year old car stereo is actually a DIGITAL CROWN.

:eek: wow
 
Cheffy Dave said:
Crude, this is typical response to new Apple stuff, by those who don't want one. It will sell millions:cool:
Click to expand...

Will it though? I really don't see professionals in the business world buying this on a massive scale. I don't see students in college buying this on a massive scale, it is neither cool nor practical enough of a device to warrant widespread adoption..

So who is it really that is going to buy this thing? $350.00 for a device that does what exactly? Vibrates and sends smiley faces? Devices do not become mainstream just because Apple puts them out. They become mainstream because they are unbelievable devices that fit some specific purpose in our lives. The phone, obviously. The ipad, a way of browsing the web and watching video never experienced. I am still really trying to grasp my head around exactly what this device does that is more practical and beneficial than just using the device in your pocket the watch requires to actually operate.
 
It's an interesting looking device, much more capable than other smart watches I've seen with some fascinating features.

Looks and appearance is a judgement call; some prefer thin, but my Rolex Submariner is much thicker than my iPhone 5S, so I'm not put off by a thick watch per se

On the other hand, I have to wonder how much ugliness was baked in to make the second generation so easy to be 'vastly improved' in appearance. Early adopters that want the tech won't hesitate, and it will generate a lot of built in desire for a truly gorgeous next edition.

Before I saw the presentation I was leaning toward 'not interested' but I think it could have real possibilities.

It's inexpensive enough, and I'm intrigued enough to buy the first generation. I suppose I'll wear it on the other wrist, I'm not going to give up the Rolex.
 
I certainly won't get one until they're waterproof. It'll be worth waiting a few generations when they'll inevitably get slimmed down and made better looking.
 
Actually looks like a solid product but seems like such a gamble not to include something that's more of just a wearable activity tracker in the sub $200 range. The standalone watch seems like such a niche product. Not google glass niche but right above that. So few people wear electronic watches these days and this is not going to replace those people who do wear regular watches as a fashion accessory. No one is going to trade their Tag, Rolex or watch a love one gave them for this. Seems like you're left with such a small corp user group. My first reaction was this is the Mac Pro of watches. Going to be an awesome product for a small group of people.
 
It will take time but it will come out the benefits for the device.

The maps thing alone is fantastic, just being able to see where you are on walk or something is super nice.

The interesting thing about this category is for the last couple centuries all a watch did was show the time.

In that case its a very discrete device.

People gawking at their wrists all day will be the result of this, but if I bought one my intention would to use it discretely - alarms, reminders, timers, iTunes remote etc...
 
This is just the beginning. If Apple is to become a watch maker then watch this line fragment beyond anything they've done before.
 
Matt Leaf said:
It will take time but it will come out the benefits for the device.

The maps thing alone is fantastic, just being able to see where you are on walk or something is super nice.

The interesting thing about this category is for the last couple centuries all a watch did was show the time.

In that case its a very discrete device.

People gawking at their wrists all day will be the result of this, but if I bought one my intention would to use it discretely - alarms, reminders, timers, iTunes remote etc...
Click to expand...
All things your iphone can't do...
 
triptolemus said:
Wait, what? They're not waterproof?! wtf?
Click to expand...

David Pogue reported that Apple says it is water resistant, so rain, washing hands and that kind of thing are fine, but no showering or swimming.

----------
tcm1975 said:
No one is going to trade their Tag, Rolex or watch a love one gave them for this.
Click to expand...

That's the interesting question. You have two relatively unrelated things vying for space on the wrist. A low functioning piece of jewelry/status symbol vs. a high functioning gadget. I'm not sure if the function of the Apple Watch is quite compelling enough for luxury watch owners to switch, although watch use in general has been on a dramatic decline, so Apple may be more interested in catching the people that don't wear a watch at all anymore.

Personally, I'm a bit ready to give up my status-y jewelry for something more functional, since the business that I own keeps my constantly connected with clients via email, phone and text. Swiss mechanicals are a fun hobby, but I'm good with change.
 
douglasf13 said:
David Pogue reported that Apple says it is water resistant, so rain, washing hands and that kind of thing are fine, but no showering or swimming.

----------



That's the interesting question. You have two relatively unrelated things vying for space on the wrist. A low functioning piece of jewelry/status symbol vs. a high functioning gadget. I'm not sure if the function of the Apple Watch is quite compelling enough for luxury watch owners to switch, although watch use in general has been on a dramatic decline, so Apple may be more interested in catching the people that don't wear a watch at all anymore.

Personally, I'm a bit ready to give up my status-y jewelry for something more functional, since the business that I own keeps my constantly connected with clients via email, phone and text. Swiss mechanicals are a fun hobby, but I'm good with change.
Click to expand...

You make it seem like this watch performs the functions you listed better than a phone, it doesn't... And you need a phone for this device to work. Perhaps, because you seem to be implying that you will actually purchase the product, explain how and why buying this device would be more practical than just using the phone that is in your pocket?
 
MNealBarrett said:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/09/us-markets-stocks-idUSKBN0H410J20140909

Anybody ever remember Apple stock FALLING on a major product announcement?
Click to expand...

Actually, if memory serves me correctly it's happened with damn near every new product announcement. I remember that happening when some of the first iMac's came out, same deal with iPods and even iPhones. It's not at all atypical though I haven't kept up with that for quite some time (since I sold the stock I had).

As for this Apple Watch. It looks nice enough but I'd rather have a nice Oris or TAG, an actual watch. There's also a certain creepiness factor to this in that it is tracking so much biometric data on the wearer. I'll stick with my iPhone/iPad/iPod and macs and leave it at that for now. I'd guess this will at least be mildly successful, but who knows. I don't feel compelled to buy it especially with the bio crap on it. Sometimes, I just want to look at the watch on my wrist to see what time it is....LOL
 
Reds622 said:
Will it though? I really don't see professionals in the business world buying this on a massive scale. I don't see students in college buying this on a massive scale, it is neither cool nor practical enough of a device to warrant widespread adoption..

So who is it really that is going to buy this thing? $350.00 for a device that does what exactly? Vibrates and sends smiley faces? Devices do not become mainstream just because Apple puts them out. They become mainstream because they are unbelievable devices that fit some specific purpose in our lives. The phone, obviously. The ipad, a way of browsing the web and watching video never experienced. I am still really trying to grasp my head around exactly what this device does that is more practical and beneficial than just using the device in your pocket the watch requires to actually operate.
Click to expand...

Well, apps are going to play a huge role, thats what makes the other iOS devices so popular compared to the competition.

Oooh ooh how about

1. Drink Alerter. An app that counts how many times you have made the gesture motion of drinking from a glass and warns you when you exceed a limit. In fact this could be changed into a drinking game app.

2. Virtual Boxing, it's like a wii controller. Maybe disputes could be humoured with a virtual scrap where the person that can air punch the most in 10 seconds wins

3. Virtual table tennis (with sound and a little vibration when the virtual ball bounces of your virtual bat)

4. Darts / Golf etc score card, networked to your buddies. It could even rate your swing.

5. Air drummer, networked again so you could have a group of people jamming away with diff air instruments.

6. Sleeping alert apps, silent vibration alerts direct to your skin. The casinos might not like that one!

The interface doesn't require you to hold anything which is the obvious strength, it really is hands free. It will get some great ideas and *cough* some daft ones but I think it needs time to be out awhile before we really know how it will do. Sports and health care are the obvious big ones due to the sensors so will see.

Anim
 
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