Honest Opinions on the Apple Watch?

[DeusInvictus7]

The Apple Watch isn't any thicker than any normal watch, so I doubt they would make it much thinner. I'd rather them keep it the same thickness and just keep improving battery life. It's the same thickness as my Pebble Steel and even thinner than a couple of my other watches, so I think I'm ok with that.

As for an honest opinion, like someone said above, I may not need one or think it's particularly worth it just yet (flip flopped back and forth about ordering or not) but heck, do I ever want one anyway!

 

[zmunkz]

To be honest, I don't think its worth it yet.

To be more honest, I want it anyway.

Exactly, well put. It will probably be useless but I can't wait for mine to get here so I can show all my friends, and then play with it alone all night after all my friends abandon me in disgust. Its weird I am seriously pumped, but I can't actually explain how I expect this to improve my life. Ah well, enough critical thinking for one day... I have to go refresh my order status page

 

[cactus3]

We'll start getting much more real opinions after tomorrow once the first wave of people receive it and try it over the weekend.

Why don't we actually use it before we give "honest opinions"? Lol.

Because then they'd be biased! If you have it, of course you'll find reason to love it.

Watching the launch keynote I had the same thoughts I had when Steve first unveiled the iPad. I thought "what's the point of that? It doesn't do anything my other devices don't do already. I don't need one of those. Nobody does". I was proven utterly wrong about the iPad, and since then I've come to trust that Apple know what's good for me and if watches are next I will go along for the ride. White sport models for me and the Mrs being delivered tomorrow

I was the same way about the iPad. And they're handy for a lot of people, but after 2 or 3 years of having one I still feel like I just haven't gotten as much use out of it as I could, but I don't find myself needing in my daily life!

I wasn't getting defensive, I was getting sarcastic with the original poster. With you, I was engaging in light-hearted humour. Clearly something that was lost on you. Don't worry, I won't make the mistake of being friendly to you again. Enjoy your discussions with the OP. You seen perfectly matched. I'll refrain from saying how.

Woah there buddy, this thread was supposed to be light hearted but take it as you see fit LOL.

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The Apple Watch isn't any thicker than any normal watch, so I doubt they would make it much thinner. I'd rather them keep it the same thickness and just keep improving battery life. It's the same thickness as my Pebble Steel and even thinner than a couple of my other watches, so I think I'm ok with that.

As for an honest opinion, like someone said above, I may not need one or think it's particularly worth it just yet (flip flopped back and forth about ordering or not) but heck, do I ever want one anyway!

Most people I've met had to flip flop before ordering.

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Exactly, well put. It will probably be useless but I can't wait for mine to get here so I can show all my friends, and then play with it alone all night after all my friends abandon me in disgust. Its weird I am seriously pumped, but I can't actually explain how I expect this to improve my life. Ah well, enough critical thinking for one day... I have to go refresh my order status page

It's like being a kid in a candy shop!

 

[hippo206]

There will be a variety of different opinions on the watch. Some will love it, some will hate it, some will find it useful and can't live without it, etc...

Easy choice for me. I wear a watch, I wear a fitbit, I generally like Apple products, price isn't an issue for me. Makes sense and should be generally useful for me.

Willing to try it out, if I dislike it I will return it or sell it. I believe it will be a mildly successful product (for Apple) but not a game-changer.

 

[cactus3]

There will be a variety of different opinions on the watch. Some will love it, some will hate it, some will find it useful and can't live without it, etc...

Easy choice for me. I wear a watch, I wear a fitbit, I generally like Apple products, price isn't an issue for me. Makes sense and should be generally useful for me.

Willing to try it out, if I dislike it I will return it or sell it. I believe it will be a mildly successful product (for Apple) but not a game-changer.

It sounds perfect for you then - since you are a watch wearer and what not.

But real talk here if you do change your mind on it, selling is probably the way to go. People who didn't pre order will go nuts over that. I wonder what sort of Ebay wars await these next few weeks...

 

[Marshall73]

I ordered mine on the way to the store to try on the straps. I went for the stainless model over the aluminium as I prefer a heavier watch. I thought I would order it with a sport band to get a quicker delivery. I had read all of the available reviews and was in two minds over even getting one so I was fully prepared to cancel the order should my hands on with it match up to some of the reviews. Quite the opposite happened, I loved it, it's much smaller than it looks in photos and it is super slick and incredibly easy to use. I was zipping through the apps and options without having to think about it. This seemed to be far from how some reviewers described their experiences (fat drunk at the verge being a prime example).

So glad it is coming tomorrow and I have a Milanese loop and stainless link coming in the next few weeks.

 

[tkermit]

Why don't we actually use it before we give "honest opinions"? Lol.

Because then they'd be biased! If you have it, of course you'll find reason to love it.

Is that a general rule or something?

 

[hippo206]

It sounds perfect for you then - since you are a watch wearer and what not.

But real talk here if you do change your mind on it, selling is probably the way to go. People who didn't pre order will go nuts over that. I wonder what sort of Ebay wars await these next few weeks...

I agree, sometime selling is just such a pain. I'm not one that would try to sell it for more than I purchased it.

 

[cactus3]

I ordered mine on the way to the store to try on the straps. I went for the stainless model over the aluminium as I prefer a heavier watch. I thought I would order it with a sport band to get a quicker delivery. I had read all of the available reviews and was in two minds over even getting one so I was fully prepared to cancel the order should my hands on with it match up to some of the reviews. Quite the opposite happened, I loved it, it's much smaller than it looks in photos and it is super slick and incredibly easy to use. I was zipping through the apps and options without having to think about it. This seemed to be far from how some reviewers described their experiences (fat drunk at the verge being a prime example).

So glad it is coming tomorrow and I have a Milanese loop and stainless link coming in the next few weeks.

When I had first checked them out, I was considering buying the lighter watch and then just buying the strap that I wanted but was later advised that if you're going to spend money on the strap anyways, you might as well just buy another Apple Watch! Before I'd know it, I'd probably be OOZING Apple Watches.
So my question is, are they really around the same price (the strap and the watch itself)? I just ignorantly accepted what an employee told me and I'm not too familiar with the ins and outs of the price

Is that a general rule or something?

No, but it's pretty true - just think about it.

I agree, sometime selling is just such a pain. I'm not one that would try to sell it for more than I purchased it.

That'd be like pulling a Kim Kardashian (back when she was the Ebay girl). Which isn't very fair so good for you and your moral ethics.

 

[redman042]

Got an SG Sport on order for 5/24-5/27 delivery (wish it was sooner). Tried a number of models in store. My honest opinions:

Mini-review:

• Very nice build quality, looks classy.
• All the bands are worth a look. Every one of them is well made.
• Display looks terrific. I wish it stayed on all the time (without battery compromise). Maybe in a future update.
• OS appears to be very nice and based on early reviews and Apple's promise to keep optimizing, I have high hopes. But I'm not expecting perfection out of the gate.

Is it "worth it"?

• I think it's much nicer than competing smartwatches. Better designed, nicer looking, far more functions.
• It enhances the iPhone in your pocket, particularly with respect to handling notifications and, instead of beeps or buzzes, giving you a light tap on the wrist.
• A nice mechanical watch costs about as much or more, so if you are willing to pay the same for a watch that is much more than a watch, and if you love the iPhone and want to enhance it, why not?

Of course there is room for improvement and technological advancement, but for a first go by Apple, it's a nice device. And clearly, Apple is "all-in" on the watch and will not stop working on improving it. This is by no means a "let's try four things and see what sticks" attempt like Samsung does.

 

[gloomcookie1]

I think needing and wanting are not always synonymous with each other. I don't think the watch or the iPad are needed - but they're going to be awesome devices that make certain things convenient - and I think that's really the word that describes both the watch and iPad. There are things that can be done on just a phone or laptop but it's so much more convenient to do them on an iPad and soon the watch.

Just some things that I do on the iPad is game, Skype, work/personal email, calendar, magazines (Zinio is the best), books, Microsoft Remote Desktop (indispensable for work calls especially when I'm out and about on the weekend), safari, etc. Every one of those things I can do on a laptop but it's just so much more convenient on the iPad.

I think the watch is just going to make things even more convenient and I think in a way from what I've read have a lot of people really look at determining which notifications are really notifications they want and not something that is setting their phone off every couple of minutes.

And I've gone on way too long but I think that's ultimately is where the watch will end up - not as a "need" (to each his/her own of course) but as a "it's really cool to have and it's made this or that so much easier".

Looking forward to tomorrow!!

 

[dmcgoy]

Situations where Apple Watch will be very useful for me:
1. Riding my bike. I ride to work a few times a week. It's a 12.5 mile 40+ minute ride. I keep my iPhone deep inside my backpack so it won't get ruined if it rains or I crash. I use a bluetooth headset in case my wife or daycare needs to contact me. Problem is, if I get a text, I don't know who it's from. Also, the text chime noise often gets missed due to the wind. Replying to texts with the headset via Siri is very inaccurate. With the Apple Watch it should be much more obvious when a text comes in with the Taptic Engine. Also, I can just glance at the watch to tell whether my wife is texting that she is taking my daughter to the playground or if she's asking me to pick up some milk on the ride home.
2. Whenever I'm walking around, I seem to miss texts and calls. The vibration is really easy for me to miss. I'm assuming the Taptic Engine will be more obvious.
3. It's annoying to pull the phone out of my pocket several (dozen?) times a day to check little things like: is it going to rain soon? what's next on my calendar? who just texted me?
4. Activity tracking. I like to have my step and activity tracked, so I always have to have my phone in my pocket. Won't need to do this with the Apple Watch. Plus now I can track my bike rides, since my iPhone 5s can't detect this automatically and there's no easy way to track this manually since my iPhone is always wedged deep away for its safety.

 

[cactus3]

Got an SG Sport on order for 5/24-5/27 delivery (wish it was sooner). Tried a number of models in store. My honest opinions:

Mini-review:

• Very nice build quality, looks classy.
• All the bands are worth a look. Every one of them is well made.
• Display looks terrific. I wish it stayed on all the time (without battery compromise). Maybe in a future update.
• OS appears to be very nice and based on early reviews and Apple's promise to keep optimizing, I have high hopes. But I'm not expecting perfection out of the gate.

Is it "worth it"?

• I think it's much nicer than competing smartwatches. Better designed, nicer looking, far more functions.
• It enhances the iPhone in your pocket, particularly with respect to handling notifications and, instead of beeps or buzzes, giving you a light tap on the wrist.
• A nice mechanical watch costs about as much or more, so if you are willing to pay the same for a watch that is much more than a watch, and if you love the iPhone and want to enhance it, why not?

Of course there is room for improvement and technological advancement, but for a first go by Apple, it's a nice device. And clearly, Apple is "all-in" on the watch and will not stop working on improving it. This is by no means a "let's try four things and see what sticks" attempt like Samsung does.

It's better than other watches I agree with you there, and thanks for the review!

I think needing and wanting are not always synonymous with each other. I don't think the watch or the iPad are needed - but they're going to be awesome devices that make certain things convenient - and I think that's really the word that describes both the watch and iPad. There are things that can be done on just a phone or laptop but it's so much more convenient to do them on an iPad and soon the watch.

Just some things that I do on the iPad is game, Skype, work/personal email, calendar, magazines (Zinio is the best), books, Microsoft Remote Desktop (indispensable for work calls especially when I'm out and about on the weekend), safari, etc. Every one of those things I can do on a laptop but it's just so much more convenient on the iPad.

I think the watch is just going to make things even more convenient and I think in a way from what I've read have a lot of people really look at determining which notifications are really notifications they want and not something that is setting their phone off every couple of minutes.

And I've gone on way too long but I think that's ultimately is where the watch will end up - not as a "need" (to each his/her own of course) but as a "it's really cool to have and it's made this or that so much easier".

Looking forward to tomorrow!!

I know many people who solely use an iPad (they have no use for a computer and find them incredibly pointless) so it can be needed. The watch can replace your regular watch, but can it replace your phone? It sort of reminds me of those Blue tooth ear pieces - everyone thought they'd be revolutionary, but the only person I've ever seen use one was a character in a TV show (Saul from BrBa)

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Situations where Apple Watch will be very useful for me:
1. Riding my bike. I ride to work a few times a week. It's a 12.5 mile 40+ minute ride. I keep my iPhone deep inside my backpack so it won't get ruined if it rains or I crash. I use a bluetooth headset in case my wife or daycare needs to contact me. Problem is, if I get a text, I don't know who it's from. Also, the text chime noise often gets missed due to the wind. Replying to texts with the headset via Siri is very inaccurate. With the Apple Watch it should be much more obvious when a text comes in with the Taptic Engine. Also, I can just glance at the watch to tell whether my wife is texting that she is taking my daughter to the playground or if she's asking me to pick up some milk on the ride home.
2. Whenever I'm walking around, I seem to miss texts and calls. The vibration is really easy for me to miss. I'm assuming the Taptic Engine will be more obvious.
3. It's annoying to pull the phone out of my pocket several (dozen?) times a day to check little things like: is it going to rain soon? what's next on my calendar? who just texted me?
4. Activity tracking. I like to have my step and activity tracked, so I always have to have my phone in my pocket. Won't need to do this with the Apple Watch. Plus now I can track my bike rides, since my iPhone 5s can't detect this automatically and there's no easy way to track this manually since my iPhone is always wedged deep away for its safety.

I can't believe you mentioned the blue tooth - I had mentioned it in my last post before I had even gotten the chance to read your reply. Talk about an amazing coincidence.

 

[harrisupstate]

I also didn't think the watch offered anything truly new or valuable, until I realized:

1) Apple Pay works without having to use your thumbprint... my thumb must be weird or have a vague print or something, cuz my iPhone 6 doesn't read the print very well... for this reason I haven't been using Apple Pay! But I'll definitely use it with the watch...

2) When I'm at home doing things around the apartment, the phone is sitting somewhere either charging or not... and if I get texts, calls or notifications for other things, I don't know it until I go and check the phone. With the watch (as it'll always be on my wrist, even at home) I'll constantly know what's going on with my phone, and of course be able to reply to those texts and calls! Even while in the middle of things involving the kitchen or bathroom ;-)

 

[nkawal]

Well, Mines will be here tomorrow and i haven't decided if I am taking it straight to the apple store for a refund or list it on Ebay Immediately. I made 3 appointments for a try on and playing with it as much as I could. I just can't see myself using it. I am a huge watch person with a collection of over 15 watches Ranging from Armani to Burberry to Gucci with my most expensive being a Mont Blanc, Tag Heuer Monza and a Omega Planet Ocean. I love my watches and just don't think a Smartwatch is ready for mainstream as yet, I also have a Pebble Time Steel on order and that will be going too. Sorry, just my thoughts.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

I look forward to your opinion!

As for being thinner - that thing was so bulky I don't think it'll stay on top of my (or any) wrist at all. It slips and slides around! Plus the thicker it is the more you have to estimate extra space when walking around to make sure you don't bang it into walls or other people... And the more that estimate becomes less precise. BE SURE TO GET YOUR APPLE CARE

Thanks for your advise. So far all my watches are thick which I love and I hope I can as well handle this one. Time will tell.

 

[cactus3]

I also didn't think the watch offered anything truly new or valuable, until I realized:

1) Apple Pay works without having to use your thumbprint... my thumb must be weird or have a vague print or something, cuz my iPhone 6 doesn't read the print very well... for this reason I haven't been using Apple Pay! But I'll definitely use it with the watch...

2) When I'm at home doing things around the apartment, the phone is sitting somewhere either charging or not... and if I get texts, calls or notifications for other things, I don't know it until I go and check the phone. With the watch (as it'll always be on my wrist, even at home) I'll constantly know what's going on with my phone, and of course be able to reply to those texts and calls! Even while in the middle of things involving the kitchen or bathroom ;-)

The finger scanner's a joke. For more accurate results, wipe it down before you use it.

Well, Mines will be here tomorrow and i haven't decided if I am taking it straight to the apple store for a refund or list it on Ebay Immediately. I made 3 appointments for a try on and playing with it as much as I could. I just can't see myself using it. I am a huge watch person with a collection of over 15 watches Ranging from Armani to Burberry to Gucci with my most expensive being a Mont Blanc, Tag Heuer Monza and a Omega Planet Ocean. I love my watches and just don't think a Smartwatch is ready for mainstream as yet, I also have a Pebble Time Steel on order and that will be going too. Sorry, just my thoughts.

Sell it on Ebay. That bid war will be wayy too fun to watch.

Thanks for your advise. So far all my watches are thick which I love and I hope I can as well handle this one. Time will tell.

Indeed. Time will tell.

 

[sracer]

What do you guys think of it, honestly? It's good for people who need to sneakily text under their desk at work or school, but other than that I'm not so sure what purpose it serves...?

Edit: I'm waiting for it to become thinner, lighter, and gain a camera.

I'm currently using an iPod Nano 6G w/iWatchz stainless steel band. I like the looks and the price (less than $100 total for both).

I was hoping that the aWatch would be able to do everything that this combo could do and then a few more things.... the iPod Nano can go 5-6 days without charging, has minimum of 8GB storage for music, a way to listen to music/podcasts directly, FM radio, Nike+, display photos, and show the time.

I like the looks of the SS aWatch, but not crazy about the price ($1000). I need to wait this gen out to see if Apple will add a few of the things that I'm looking for.

 

[cactus3]

I'm currently using an iPod Nano 6G w/iWatchz stainless steel band. I like the looks and the price (less than $100 total for both).

I was hoping that the aWatch would be able to do everything that this combo could do and then a few more things.... the iPod Nano can go 5-6 days without charging, has minimum of 8GB storage for music, a way to listen to music/podcasts directly, FM radio, Nike+, display photos, and show the time.

I like the looks of the SS aWatch, but not crazy about the price ($1000). I need to wait this gen out to see if Apple will add a few of the things that I'm looking for.

Your iPod Nano + Band sounds really cool.

I'm hoping they add more to the Watch too.

 

[sracer]

Your iPod Nano + Band sounds really cool.

I'm hoping they add more to the Watch too.

I think it is a pretty neat combo.

I like the iWatchz (dorky name) band because it is extremely easy to remove (simply unclip it) to use it as an iPod.

 

[brett_l]

Avoid the link bracelet. The most expensive band (almost the same value of the watch) and the least suitable for a watch you intend to wear

 

[telefono]

Avoid the link bracelet. The most expensive band (almost the same value of the watch) and the least suitable for a watch you intend to wear

I read the thread you started about the problem you have with the Stainless Steel band you own. I hope you get it all sorted out and continue enjoying Apple products as you mentioned you do. I can totally understand the anger you have with your faulty Link Bracelet, this doesn't mean every Link Bracelet has a problem and is of low quality. It's actually priced well and the quality great for what you pay.

 

[Paulk]

Thank you. I personally really love Apple, and I hope they continue releasing more products (like an actual TV). I'm a huge fan of hearing the news and other opinions. I didn't mean to press anyone's buttons.

I agree. I don't even have a mobile phone...

 

[Newtons Apple]

Old thread here.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

Old thread here.

TRUE. But after a year maybe interesting? In any case - on my watch the notifications are the killer feature but they are not reliable enough. I miss messages, I need 100% reliability.