Hands-On With the Apple Watch: A Developer's Experience at Apple's WatchKit Labs

[MH01]

Who says a purchase has to be for the buyer? May make a perfect gift for a son or daughter. There could be any number of reasons why this purchase would make sense to them. Marking it as ignorant is naiive.

Ahhhh "a fool and his money are soon parted"

Yes yes.... Some people People will buy it. Though as I answered, people who have watches in that price range , will not be fools if they don't buy this 349 watched dressed up in a nicer case and strap.

 

[HenryDJP]

A top of the line Mac Pro with 4K display is $13K. Can 99% of Apple's customers afford that?

Sure they can. Apple's customers buy $2500 Macs on the norm. Not only that, since when is $13k a boat load of cash? Maybe it seems that way for a computer but people on average buy $20k cars. Sure you might say, "Well that's a CAR", but you simply asked if Apple's customers could afford a $13k computer. Sure they can.

 

[houstonche]

Ahhhh "a fool and his money are soon parted"

Yes yes.... Some people People will buy it. Though as I answered, people who have watches in that price range , will not be fools if they don't buy this 349 watched dressed up in a nicer case and strap.

If you can afford something, you want it, and are happy with it, there's nothing foolish about it. Don't let it bother you so much.

 

[MH01]

A top of the line Mac Pro with 4K display is $13K. Can 99% of Apple's customers afford that? With Watch Apple is offering something for everyone. The only difference is in this case is price differences aren't based on functionality. I think your last sentence gets to the heart of the matter. Some people think it's ridiculous to spend more on something just because of the material it's made out of and they don't think Apple should be playing in that space. But using the "Apple no longer designs products for everyone" argument is ridiculous. The Sport Watch is cheaper than the original iPod (and in today's $ the original iPod would be over $500). Was the original iPod not for everyone?

I thought you would bring up the Mac pro. Though how would you feel if that same machine was priced some 2700% more cause It came in a gold case 🙂

I never said "apple no longer designs products for everyone" I said I understand what this "could" mean for future products depending how the edition version plays out.

Not going to use most peopple or everyone, cause some people cannot afford Apple products . For the target audience that is apple fans, most would have been able to afford an iPod, your average apple fan could afford the exact same ipod that a multi millionare would have. As Apple fans we could have for Same item and enjoy it.

So....... Here we are for the first time in history of Apple that I recall, that Apple fans get a product to show other apple fans that they are better 😉 based on income. Do you understand?

Your arguement is that there is a version for the plebs at 349 so everyone is happy. Your missing the point that unlike the iPod , most of us cannot afford a product for the first time, cause it's only for the privileged fans. Many of us love apple cause it made the same products for everyone, with price increase being to so spec bumps.

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Sure they can. Apple's customers buy $2500 Macs on the norm. Not only that, since when is $13k a boat load of cash? Maybe it seems that way for a computer but people on average buy $20k cars. Sure you might say, "Well that's a CAR", but you simply asked if Apple's customers could afford a $13k computer. Sure they can.

He actually made a good point, using a apple product most apple fans cannot afford.

Most Apple fans cannot afford a 13k computer .

Most Apple fans own an i device.

 

[houstonche]

I thought you would bring up the Mac pro. Though how would you feel if that same machine was priced some 2700% more cause It came in a gold case 🙂

I never said "apple no longer designs products for everyone" I said I understand what this "could" mean for future products depending how the edition version plays out.

Not going to use most peopple or everyone, cause some people cannot afford Apple products . For the target audience that is apple fans, most would have been able to afford an iPod, your average apple fan could afford the exact same ipod that a multi millionare would have. As Apple fans we could have for Same item and enjoy it.

So....... Here we are for the first time in history of Apple that I recall, that Apple fans get a product to show other apple fans that they are better 😉 based on income. Do you understand?

Your arguement is that there is a version for the plebs at 349 so everyone is happy. Your missing the point that unlike the iPod , most of us cannot afford a product for the first time, cause it's only for the privileged fans. Many of us love apple cause it made the same products for everyone, with price increase being to so spec bumps.

Sounds like your upset because you can't afford the gold one. Is that what you were interested in purchasing when they first introduced them last fall?

The issue here is that suddenly Apple's pricing has to cater to your wallet. What if Apple had only raised the gold option to cover cost of materials, say... $4,000 (guess). That's still out of the price range of many apple fans, but does it suddenly make it acceptable to sell? Gold was likely used because its commonly found in nicer wrist watches. Are you suggesting that Apple ignores that particular market because the bulk of their consumers can't afford it? Is apple not allowed to use 18K gold at all? Seems a bit unfair to me.

Apple wants the smart watch industry to explode in their favor. And they are competing with watches of all classes, as it shares the same real estate as any casio or rolex. The best chance of success is to persuade a public with variety of tastes to consider an apple watch.

I think its perception. In your case you view it as class warfare. I view it as a logical business model. We can debate their choice of pricing vs. costs, but that will be answered by how well it sells. Do you think that anyone who purchases the edtion watch is doing it solely to show how they are better than someone else based on income? it isn't possible that they simply like the look of it more? Is that any different than someone buying a steel vs. a sport?

 

[sjinsjca]

$349 isnt very expensive relative to apple devices.

It isn't very expensive compared to watches either. Compare with Seiko, Citizen, many Casios, etc etc.

Of course, there's always the netbooks of the watch world: Timex, Armitron, etc. The Apple Watch is expensive compared to those just as a Macbook Air is expensive relative to the shiny plastic crapbooks on the shelves of Walmart.

 

[Rogifan]

Sounds like your upset because you can't afford the gold one. Is that what you were interested in purchasing when they first introduced them last fall?

The issue here is that suddenly Apple's pricing has to cater to your wallet. What if Apple had only raised the gold option to cover cost of materials, say... $4,000 (guess). That's still out of the price range of many apple fans, but does it suddenly make it acceptable to sell? Gold was likely used because its commonly found in nicer wrist watches. Are you suggesting that Apple ignores that particular market because the bulk of their consumers can't afford it? Is apple not allowed to use 18K gold at all? Seems a bit unfair to me.

Apple wants the smart watch industry to explode in their favor. And they are competing with watches of all classes, as it shares the same real estate as any casio or rolex. The best chance of success is to persuade a public with variety of tastes to consider an apple watch.

I think its perception. In your case you view it as class warfare. I view it as a logical business model. We can debate their choice of pricing vs. costs, but that will be answered by how well it sells. Do you think that anyone who purchases the edtion watch is doing it solely to show how they are better than someone else based on income? it isn't possible that they simply like the look of it more? Is that any different than someone buying a steel vs. a sport?

Thank you. You've expressed exactly how I feel.

 

[diegogaja]

Yes there are several things I learned about the iPad AFTER it was released that weren't presented in the keynote. The iPad is basically the same as an iPhone in functionality, however it's use case is different. If the iPad is basically the same as an iPhone then why do people USE them so differently. Yes, the real estate is a major factor but it's also about the UE. I don't know if the watch will have the same affect, nobody does. But to prejudge something that you've never used is ignorant or shortsighted.

Thats not an answer--its an evasion. What did you learn about the ipad or phone that you didn't know from seeing those devices introduced? I my case --nothing. The iphone and ipad are great products and performed exactly as advertised. So I ask again, do you really think you will discover a new benefit or functionality that us not covered in the keynote discussions and video of this product? If not, why do people think it is unfair to judge this product before its release?

 

[bchreng]

If you can afford something, you want it, and are happy with it, there's nothing foolish about it. Don't let it bother you so much.

That kind of stuff only tends to bother people who can't easily afford it.

 

[Avatar74]

That kind of stuff only tends to bother people who can't easily afford it.

True story: There's a line of about twenty cars waiting to get valet parking at a club in an upscale district in Dallas. I come around the other end, skip ALL the traffic, including the Maseratis, Ferraris, Teslas, Lamborghinis, Fiskars, McLarens, etc., and they immediately park my beat up Honda Civic in the VIP section.*

Being able to "afford" something and being financially shrewd are two different things. Here's a neat thing... do a search around your zip code to see what the average credit score is, then you'll understand what "afford" really means.

******

* A little social investment goes much farther than being stuck in traffic in a half million dollar car.

 

[Batman89]

If the 6+ is too big for you, don't buy it.
If the Gold Watch seems pointless to you, don't buy it.

 

[Avatar74]

If the 6+ is too big for you, don't buy it.
If the Gold Watch seems pointless to you, don't buy it.

But people can't get into internet arguments to win internet points if they did that!

 

[bbeagle]

The big word missing in these comparisons is craftmanship, the Apple watch does not have it, it's just a tiny computer. Look inside a Swiss watch. wow!!

I could give two hoots about the 'craftsmanship' of a Swiss watch. It just doesn't impress me. Just like high heels on a woman - completely unimpressed, and actually turned off.

I'm more impressed about the software aspects of a smart watch working. Before computers, maybe I'd be impressed by a Swiss watch, but not now. Maybe it makes you feel disgusted /dismayed that I feel this way, but it's the truth.

 

[rowspaxe]

Yes there are several things I learned about the iPad AFTER it was released that weren't presented in the keynote. The iPad is basically the same as an iPhone in functionality, however it's use case is different. If the iPad is basically the same as an iPhone then why do people USE them so differently. Yes, the real estate is a major factor but it's also about the UE. I don't know if the watch will have the same affect, nobody does. But to prejudge something that you've never used is ignorant or shortsighted.

I saw the Jobs ipad keynote and knew this would be a great product for browsing the web, reading and watching videos on a sofa or in bed. It was obvious the scale of the product would make this better on the ipad than the phone. To my understanding--the benefits and limitations of the watch are also obvious--right now. All I am saying is that it is valid to form an opinion of the product before it is released based on keynote presentations. Nothing new is forthcoming.

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What is this "killer app" some people are searching for? For many people, it's instant notifications. For others (like me) it's the communication features. For some its the health/fitness functionality, or maybe the fashion appeal. There is plenty of functionality to sell millions of people on the watch

My point was that watch is now a known quantity--and no developer magic will be changing our understanding of the product--as had elsewhere been asserted

 

[MH01]

I could give two hoots about the 'craftsmanship' of a Swiss watch. It just doesn't impress me. Just like high heels on a woman - completely unimpressed, and actually turned off.

I'm more impressed about the software aspects of a smart watch working. Before computers, maybe I'd be impressed by a Swiss watch, but not now. Maybe it makes you feel disgusted /dismayed that I feel this way, but it's the truth.

Not at all. Sounds like the Apple watch is perfect for you. Enjoy it when it comes out.

 

[houstonche]

Yeah I'm a bitter individual cause it's out of my price range, that's my problem with the edition watch ha ha ha ha . My everyday driver is the Rolex deepsea, I have a few more expansive ones. Do you actually know anything about watches ?

Fascinating, because earlier in another post you wrote:

Your missing the point that unlike the iPod , most of us cannot afford a product for the first time, cause it's only for the privileged fans.

Seems odd for someone who owns expensive time pieces is concerned that the average apple consumer might not be able afford a higher end model watch. Unless of course, that same person considers each of his watches investments, and the apple watch an overpriced piece of tech that will lose its value.

in that case it makes perfect sense. Purchasing it would be foolish, because you simply can't afford to put so much money down on something that could be outdated in a year. But there are plenty of people in this world who can.

 

[Vagabondx]

I attended this lab with my wife (designer). She had no interest in buying one before this, but she wants one now. 🙂

BTW about the watch size differences, the bands are sized proportionally with the watch size. For example, my wife has thinner wrists and when she tried out the 42mm watch, even the tightest notch was too loose to wear. Conversely, my slightly thicker wrists could not get the 38mm band to clasp even on the loosest notch.

So you don't get to 'choose' which face size you prefer so much as you're practically forced to buy the one that comes with the band that would fit you. This is why the Apple Stores are making such a big deal about having you come in before you order.

 

[NYCkid]

they are so sweet.Think it will be a literal 5 years or so before i get one though

 

[Pilgrim1099]

I could give two hoots about the 'craftsmanship' of a Swiss watch. It just doesn't impress me. Just like high heels on a woman - completely unimpressed, and actually turned off.

I'm more impressed about the software aspects of a smart watch working. Before computers, maybe I'd be impressed by a Swiss watch, but not now. Maybe it makes you feel disgusted /dismayed that I feel this way, but it's the truth.

Even if you're not impressed by the Swiss made watches, you certainly won't be able to hand down your smart watches to your children or grand children as heirlooms.

There's no point in turning smart watches into fashion items that become digitally obsolete in less than a couple years which is what Apple is doing. Once a product becomes a piece of electronic technology, it deprecates in value.

 

[rowspaxe]

There's no point in turning smart watches into fashion items that become digitally obsolete in less than a couple years which is what Apple is doing.

apropos of nothing-- a large chunk of blank reflective black glass with finger smudges is going to make a fashion statement? The display will be active only a fraction of the time

 

[houstonche]

apropos of nothing-- a large chunk of blank reflective black glass with finger smudges is going to make a fashion statement? The display will be active only a fraction of the time

That's my largest complaint to date. All their photos show the watch with the watch face illuminated, but truth is 90% of the day it will look like a black box on your wrist.

 

[bobob]

That's my largest complaint to date. All their photos show the watch with the watch face illuminated, but truth is 90% of the day it will look like a black box on your wrist.

I prefer to think of it as my personal mini 2001 monolith.

 

[Lictor]

So you don't get to 'choose' which face size you prefer so much as you're practically forced to buy the one that comes with the band that would fit you. This is why the Apple Stores are making such a big deal about having you come in before you order.

Yes, that's the real problem with watches, you can't really mail order them... I'm concerned that the 42mm will be too small for my wrist. Right now, I think only the sport watch with the plastic band might think, but that's certainly something to check at the store... Especially since I haven't used a watch for 20 years, so the idea of having something constricting my wrist because it's too small would be untolerable...

 

[Juan007]

I can't imagine the 349 one being anything but the least successful of the least successful. That garbage plastic band and the easily damaged aluminum body sort of screams Cheap watch = loser at the top of one's lungs.

Yes, even homeless people in the Bay Area wouldn't be caught dead wearing the $349 Apple watch. The product is intended for only the least successful homeless, such as those living in third world countries or Fresno.

 

[goobot]

The first iPod sold very well for the market it was available too -- Mac owners, which at the time was 2% of the PC market. To even further reduce the market, you had to have a Mac with a firewire port. But even at launch PC owners were begging for a Windows version. For the iPod's tiny market it received a tremendous amount of media coverage and became as well known as the Mac itself.

The iPhone sold 300K it's first weekend. That was for a $500 unsubsidized phone. No other unsubsidized phone that expensive ever sold as many in that short span. Ultimately, the high price did put a damper on sales which is when Apple changed the pricing model with ATT to a traditional subsidized model.

Regardless though, your point has nothing to do with the complaints people made of each of these products prior to release. The point is they laughed at the Gen 1 model and yet each of these products went on to become industry legends.

My point is that Gen one of each product was flawed and if they would have stayed the same course they wouldn't be the products they are today. Same will most likely go for watch. It is overpriced and lacks features. That's not to say future gens won't be super popular for fixing these flaws.