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I took off a TAG when I received my Apple Watch, both watches are stainless steel with a sapphire crystal. Both sell for around the same price. I'd say those are good indicators that they are competing in the same space.



It remains to be seen how timeless an Apple Watch will be, but while most of the features do require an iPhone, the watch does as much, if not more, than most watches even without an iPhone (alarms, timers, stop watch).







I do expect the Apple Watch to do more without an iPhone (either through updates, or future versions), but I do not see them cutting the price. They may build value by offering an upgrade path by at least supporting bands for multiple generations or by offering an upgrade program (pay $500 to have your gold edition watch updated to the latest screen/chip/battery).



I'm interested in what you deem a huge success. I love my Apple Watch and already couldn't imagine going back to a time without it, so that is a huge success in my book. I noticed the same interest in the watch the last time I went to the Apple store and assume it's because you can't even buy them in the store yet. To me, the only way that Apple Watch will be a failure, is if Apple stops making it. Because then I'll eventually have to go without as a future phone won't support it.


IMHO, the success of the Apple Watch will be decided by the second or third generation model. At the end of the day, Apple faces the same issues the original iPhone had, but we'll see if they can figure out the Watch's big feature.
 
This made me lol. Didn't know you and Steve were buddies?!?!

If that's the case, wasn't an iPad just a bigger version of the iPhone (when it was released) but you couldn't use it as a phone. "It's a product for the sake of a product, rather than offering something new" ;)

One of the reasons for the iPad allegedly was because Steve wanted the ability to read email while sitting on the toilet. It seems to me some people look at stuff they don't like/don't get and project that on to Steve. So if they don't like something Steve wouldn't have either. Almost a way for them to reaffirm their opinion.

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I disagree that this is a product for products' sake. In fact, I sort of applaud Apple for taking a leap of faith in a somewhat new direction.

I truly believe that this is a product that is really in its infancy, but is going to become a very important product as innovation pushes it forward from both a developer standpoint and a hardware standpoint (such as the many sensors that were rumored to be a part of the watch and couldn't make it in either because of technology or some rumored FDA issues).

As someone who is studying development and is working towards iOS and Mac development, I am very excited about the things that this thing may be able to do in the future.

I don't totally disagree with you though. Aside from this thing seeming like a modern miracle being as small, functional, and long-lasting (over a day is incredible for such a device to me), a part of me believes far more in the potential of such a device rather than what the device actually is right now.

My big point though, when the iphone came out, it was very cool to me, but it didn't necessarily have any one thing that absolutely couldn't be done elsewhere either. It just did everything much better than anyone else. Then, along came the app store and developer support. Then things changed drastically.......

Ben Bajarin says Apple has health experts and sensor tech for blood sugar, potassium, body temp, respiratory rate, sleep stages, posture and fall impact. The health potential of this product has barely scratched the surface. Just wait until Apple ties the Watch into ResearchKit. Apple would not spend 3+ years and billions of dollars on a product just for the sake of it.
 
IMHO, the success of the Apple Watch will be decided by the second or third generation model. At the end of the day, Apple faces the same issues the original iPhone had, but we'll see if they can figure out the Watch's big feature.

The watch's big feature is telling time and other glance-able information like notifications. If the watch makes it to a 2nd or 3rd gen, then it is a success.
 
I got my watch on 4/29, 42mm space grey sport.

Initially I loved it, but my infatuation has waned over the last two weeks. My favorite part of it now is the activity tracker and fitness aspects of it.

The notifications are great...Sometimes. When I'm at work I like being able to know if my wife has reached out right away, but so many of the notifications are emails, etc. that it lost some of the interest for me. I turned off email notifications, but that defeats the purpose a bit. I don't use Apple's mail app, so I can't fully customize that experience.

My biggest issue is the fact that anytime I get a notification, if I want to act on it, I am forced to pull out my phone. I wouldn't want a keyboard or anything on the watch, but unless I can answer with "OK", or I'm in an area quiet and private enough to talk into the watch, it's gotta be done on my phone. I've ended up using my phone less, but not as little as I'd hoped.

I'm going to return mine (I have until 5/19), and if I end up missing it severely I'll buy it again. Seems like the best option at this point for me. I really, really wanted to love it.
 
I got my watch on 4/29, 42mm space grey sport.

I'm going to return mine (I have until 5/19), and if I end up missing it severely I'll buy it again. Seems like the best option at this point for me. I really, really wanted to love it.

Exactly the same as me. I have mine returning on Tuesday and *if* I miss it over the subsequent weeks I'll order again. It's worth it to just try and live without it again. I'm not convinced I'll wish I had kept it. But only time (!) will tell.
 
For me, half the benefit of the Apple watch is the ability to triage incoming texts, emails and event notifications to see what I need to deal with there and then, and what can wait. It hasn't stopped me having to pull my iPhone from it's holster, but it has allowed me to focus on what I need to rather than the otherwise frequent distractions.

But then I work in a busy environment where the ability to filter the important from the non-important is very helpful. I can see that for others it may be rather less so.
 
I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. Make it an iPhone or your wrist or not.

I don't want an iPhone on my wrist at all. I don't want a firehose of info going to my wrist. I want it to tell me important stuff only. What I deem important you may not. That means we decide what is important.

So far I've been able to set up the watch to my satisfaction. Can more be streamlined, yes there is room to improve and grow. But I clearly don't see anyone from Apple advocating or making games and activities like that as tentpoles of the watch experience.

I love my watch but I would like it more if it was a phone and had the option to be completely separate from the phone and there were bluetooth headphones specifically designed for the watch experience that sounded at least as good as my Apple EarPods now. That's just me though. I can be picky. I personally like not having to pull out my phone to respond to texts especially if it's going to be a short quick text. I also like knowing when other apps I'm using send me messages that I may want to respond to on my phone or not respond to on my phone. I quickly glance at my watch so quickly that most times no one even knows I'm doing it. I dunno... I really like my watch. It's glued to my wrist. Plus I LOVE the way it looks with the clothes I like to wear. I like being able to tailor the display to fit the outfit that I'm wearing that day.

I know most people won't agree with me but I feel like a watch and an iPad is all I need. The stand alone iPhone is just extra. I think the watch could replace the phone if you already have an iPad TBQH. I like to keep my pockets as empty as possible. If I'm going to use a phone I prefer it to be the 6+.

I realize that Apple may have tied it to the phone as a first step but this is how I would improve the watch:

Make the Apple Watch a choice between the phone or the watch and an additional add on to the iPhone if people want that. I think that's the way to get people to respect it as a category in its own right. Also I think it was a mistake not to add a way to email people back through the AW mail app. I can tweet people and text via the slack watch app. Why not the Apple Mail app?

These are my thoughts on how to improve this product going forward.
 
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After using mine for almost a week. I think it does some good things. Nothing great. I don't really see it as a game changer. At least not as of yet.

I am in the camp where I may sell mine. And if Apple ever figures out how to fix the bugs. While adding a more compelling reason for me to get one. I will buy it again at that time.

I just cannot justify the price vs what I end up getting. I don't really get a ton of notifications. And I am not a fitness nut. So that leaves me just staring at it thinking, am I going to really find this useful to me? And the answer for me at least is no. I basically got it, to play with it. And see if I could find a reason to keep it. But regretfully I haven't. Hopefully the person I sell mine to will find more day to day use of it.
 
I find these "returning my watch" stories interesting, but I wish everyone would also share if they normally wear a watch. I feel like the Apple Watch is the best watch ever made, but no watch is good enough to convince some to wear one at all.
 
I find these "returning my watch" stories interesting, but I wish everyone would also share if they normally wear a watch. I feel like the Apple Watch is the best watch ever made, but no watch is good enough to convince some to wear one at all.

The people returning the watch are everyday watch wearers. An issue is that the AW is not better than the Tag, Rolex, (insert designer) watches that the average watch wearer would own. Does it have more tech sure, but it's just a gadget on your wrist. It's like saying Google Glass is the best pair of glasses out... rarely does infusing tech with fashion design works well. The AW is okay design wise compared to other wearable techs, but put up against a normal fashion watch the AW is just blah.

My opinion the AW is a new "fitness watch" and a tech wearable... you can dress it up with bands and finishes but it's not nicer than fashionable watches. It'll take about 3-4gens before AW truly looks elegant, right now the AW is comparable to the first gen iPhone. Which if you compare the iPhone 1st gen to the 5s or 6 the design is laughable.
 
The people returning the watch are everyday watch wearers. An issue is that the AW is not better than the Tag, Rolex, (insert designer) watches that the average watch wearer would own. Does it have more tech sure, but it's just a gadget on your wrist. It's like saying Google Glass is the best pair of glasses out... rarely does infusing tech with fashion design works well. The AW is okay design wise compared to other wearable techs, but put up against a normal fashion watch the AW is just blah.

My opinion the AW is a new "fitness watch" and a tech wearable... you can dress it up with bands and finishes but it's not nicer than fashionable watches. It'll take about 3-4gens before AW truly looks elegant, right now the AW is comparable to the first gen iPhone. Which if you compare the iPhone 1st gen to the 5s or 6 the design is laughable.

Are you seriously suggesting that the Apple Watch is the Google glasses of wrist wearables? While I agree it will evolve significantly over the next few years it's hardly Pavlov's Dog out of the gate.
 
The people returning the watch are everyday watch wearers. An issue is that the AW is not better than the Tag, Rolex, (insert designer) watches that the average watch wearer would own.

I'm not sure that's true and I know at least one watch wearer who doesn't agree that "the AW is not better than a Tag" (me).
 
Are you seriously suggesting that the Apple Watch is the Google glasses of wrist wearables? While I agree it will evolve significantly over the next few years it's hardly Pavlov's Dog out of the gate.

as the watch stands now yes it is the Google glasses of wrist wearables. It's just a popular "geek/tech" gadget. It's shown in fashion mags/celebrities only because 1. Apple is good a marketing 2. made a $17k gold watch to capture the attention of the elite (same effect as the gold iPhone had)... people are fascinated by the color gold and material. Its a symbol of wealth / power. By gen 3-4 the AW will have a better sleeker design that can rival a real elegant watch.

the potential for something better is present, great start but as harsh as this may sound the AW is just a glorified fitness watch. Apple dressed up a fitness watch, its clear as day. But I use and wear my watch daily (replaced my fitbit)
 
I love my watch but I would like it more if it was a phone and had the option to be completely separate from the phone and there were bluetooth headphones specifically designed for the watch experience that sounded at least as good as my Apple EarPods now. That's just me though. I can be picky. I personally like not having to pull out my phone to respond to texts especially if it's going to be a short quick text. I also like knowing when other apps I'm using send me messages that I may want to respond to on my phone or not respond to on my phone. I quickly glance at my watch so quickly that most times no one even knows I'm doing it. I dunno... I really like my watch. It's glued to my wrist. Plus I LOVE the way it looks with the clothes I like to wear. I like being able to tailor the display to fit the outfit that I'm wearing that day.

I know most people won't agree with me but I feel like a watch and an iPad is all I need. The stand alone iPhone is just extra. I think the watch could replace the phone if you already have an iPad TBQH. I like to keep my pockets as empty as possible. If I'm going to use a phone I prefer it to be the 6+.

I realize that Apple may have tied it to the phone as a first step but this is how I would improve the watch:

Make the Apple Watch a choice between the phone or the watch and an additional add on to the iPhone if people want that. I think that's the way to get people to respect it as a category in its own right. Also I think it was a mistake not to add a way to email people back through the AW mail app. I can tweet people and text via the slack watch app. Why not the Apple Mail app?

These are my thoughts on how to improve this product going forward.


I agree with you. I currently carry an iPhone 5S and Mini along with my watch. I plan to eliminate my mini when I upgrade my phone to the latest either year end or early next year. I want the ability to wear my watch and leave the phablet at home during minimalist times.
A watch with a camera, gps, and LTE is what I hope happens eventually.
 
I agree with you. I currently carry an iPhone 5S and Mini along with my watch. I plan to eliminate my mini when I upgrade my phone to the latest either year end or early next year. I want the ability to wear my watch and leave the phablet at home during minimalist times.
A watch with a camera, gps, and LTE is what I hope happens eventually.

The iPhone 6 has a 1800 mAh battery and struggles to last a day even under normal usage

The iPhone 6 Plus has a 2900 mAh battery and has good battery life.

The Apple Watch has a 200 mAh battery. It's one ninth the capacity of the iPhone 6!!!! GPS, LTE, no way.
 
My point is this product feels like something Steve wouldn't have launched in its current state. It's a product for the sake of a product, rather than offering something new.

You've been BBQ'd enough for this comment. I agree with most of what people said while roasting you. :rolleyes:

Steve's gone, let's all get over it.

I do agree though that the Apple watch is not for every one.

For me personally I like it. At home I can put my phone down, my phone has been a leash even at home. It's wonderful to be able to peak at my wrist and ack/dismiss/reply to all the one-up noise in my life and not have to run to my phone. This for me is a life +.

I'm a busy fellow and many times I'm on the go and pulling my phone out and pecking away at it while walking was a common thing for Me. Sad, yes, but truth. Once I pulled my phone out I'd end up checking other stuff too, "while its out".
Now I don't. I seldome pull out my phone unless I need a screed bigger than the watch. Also when I'm on the watch I don't get sucked into doing more than checking on what buzzed. (Yes I thinned out the notifications, it's perfect now)

Anyhow, I over embellished my point. The watch isn't for everyone. For me it's a wonderful convenience that has to some degree pulled me back into real life.
 
So I got my Watch.

I am an Apple zealot in many ways. That annoying guy that up-sells Apple stuff to friends and family, border line religiously. Ever since I bought my first Powerbook G4 in 2001 - I have been a convert. So I unquestioningly looked forward to the Apple Watch from the moment I saw it.

But now its here - and this Watch just doesn't add up for me. It feels superficial and pointless. It adds nothing to the apple experience except another layer of abstraction. I mean how hard is it really to check a message on your phone, as opposed to your wrist? And the other stuff feels limited and limiting.

The concept looks like a classic Apple product. Its has all the hallmarks of great design, style and simplicity. but then you look closer and its like something vital is missing.

I knew why I wanted an iPod. It was going to change how I listened to my music. I knew why I wanted an iPhone. It was going to change and expand the way I used my phone. I didn't know why I wanted an iPad - until I got one and then it all made sense. But with this it feels like its been designed the wrong way around - its a product looking for an idea.

This is the first new Apple product without Steve Jobs input and boy can I sense that. He would have asked much harder questions than anyone else on the team seems to have done.

were you a watch wearer before the apple watch? and don't say yeah if you wore watch only on special occasions or always wanted a watch and thought the apple watch would be a good opportunity to finally get a watch. as a daily watch wearer, i find myself no longer wearing my regular watches and always preferring the apple watch. the only downfall of the watch is when i go swimming. i have to take it off and replace with a dive watch.
 
lol product for product's sake?

This thread is more like complaining for complaining's sake. :roll eyes:

Why does everyone read the Jobs Biography and think they're now evangelists of some kind?

How is that even a role? That wasn't Jobs' title after all.

I LOVE my watch. :) :apple:
 
One of the reasons for the iPad allegedly was because Steve wanted the ability to read email while sitting on the toilet. It seems to me some people look at stuff they don't like/don't get and project that on to Steve. So if they don't like something Steve wouldn't have either. Almost a way for them to reaffirm their opinion.

----------



Ben Bajarin says Apple has health experts and sensor tech for blood sugar, potassium, body temp, respiratory rate, sleep stages, posture and fall impact. The health potential of this product has barely scratched the surface. Just wait until Apple ties the Watch into ResearchKit. Apple would not spend 3+ years and billions of dollars on a product just for the sake of it.

The truth is, the watch was rushed. I don't think anyone can disagree with me here. It's obvious by the timeline of announcement to ACTUALLY having them in customers hands. They previewed it last year and they knew they were putting out a half baked product. The watch is not going to be truly game changing for another 2 years, IMO... Apple is notoriously known for being last to add anything. So all those experts they added, nothing will come of it now. I know someone fairly high up in Apples, or well, one of Apples leadership teams, and he tells me its very common to see them hire experts in VARIOUS fields, just for the research and knowledge.

the product right now is a watch, with an OK fitness tracker and gives you the chance to send/receive texts and calls. Thats its TRUE bread and butter. Nothing more... I think in the long run, the grand scheme of things will be the health aspect of the watch. Be able to have a pulse on everything. But for apple to add all those sensors and data points. Lets be honest. Its Apple we are talking about. How long have we waited for even the most basic iOS features?

I got my watch on 4/29, 42mm space grey sport.

Initially I loved it, but my infatuation has waned over the last two weeks. My favorite part of it now is the activity tracker and fitness aspects of it.

The notifications are great...Sometimes. When I'm at work I like being able to know if my wife has reached out right away, but so many of the notifications are emails, etc. that it lost some of the interest for me. I turned off email notifications, but that defeats the purpose a bit. I don't use Apple's mail app, so I can't fully customize that experience.

My biggest issue is the fact that anytime I get a notification, if I want to act on it, I am forced to pull out my phone. I wouldn't want a keyboard or anything on the watch, but unless I can answer with "OK", or I'm in an area quiet and private enough to talk into the watch, it's gotta be done on my phone. I've ended up using my phone less, but not as little as I'd hoped.

I'm going to return mine (I have until 5/19), and if I end up missing it severely I'll buy it again. Seems like the best option at this point for me. I really, really wanted to love it.
I bought 5 and sold 5. I wanted one, but I knew I would be let down after a few weeks. I still want one, but the toy aspect of it. I think what we need to start thinking the watch as is just that. a WATCH. So you are paying 500 dollars for a time piece. Something to tell you the time. Everything else, is just a bonus. Thats how I'm looking at it. I'm paying 500 for a watch to tell me the time.

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Did you read my 1st post here? Steve Jobs already addressed that viewpoint.

https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/21255078/

Apple isn't about making some niche product. And without killer apps the watch won't make the transition to mainstream.

I'm trying to figure out what a "killer" app means... I honestly can't think of a killer app idea..... Sleep tracker? Not killer....Control your TV? I don't think thats killer...
 
I think a lot of ppl defend the watch cause it is made by Apple. But if Samsung made a watch just like this. With so many issues out of the gate, with little functionality. Most of you would have grilled them. It's ok to say that not everything Apple does is perfect. Sometimes they come out with a dud every once in a while.
 
I knew this a long time ago. In fact mine is being collected today for a refund because I just don't need it right now. I'd much rather wait for future models and changed design etc. but for me right now it was just a big waste of money
 
Understandable

How long have you had the watch? A friend of mine just go it and loves it, but I feel I would run into the same issue you have. Is it really THAT great that I can turn a want into a need?
 
Is it really THAT great that I can turn a want into a need?

Very few people will ever truly need the Apple Watch – or any device/gadget/toy they buy with their disposable income. When people say they cannot live without their phone/car/deep fryer/industrial strength hair dryer what they really mean is that they don't want to live without them.

The question really is, does it make you feel good enough, or enrich your life enough to warrant the price tag? For me the answer is yes, and whenever I have a doubt for a fraction of a second and feel selfish for spoiling myself I think of all those people that have to live with themselves every day trying to justify their $15k+ Rolex purchase... ;)
 
Very few people will ever truly need the Apple Watch – or any device/gadget/toy they buy with their disposable income. When people say they cannot live without their phone/car/deep fryer/industrial strength hair dryer what they really mean is that they don't want to live without them.

The question really is, does it make you feel good enough, or enrich your life enough to warrant the price tag? For me the answer is yes, and whenever I have a doubt for a fraction of a second and feel selfish for spoiling myself I think of all those people that have to live with themselves every day trying to justify their $15k+ Rolex purchase... ;)

Couldn't have said it better myself, dotnet! May I ask which Apple Watch you purchased?

I am still trying to convince myself to pull the trigger. The main drain on my disposable income is my car (and the modifications), but every once in a while I will like to splurge on a new gadget. Sometimes I feel that I wouldn't utilize all the features the Apple Watch has to offer. I know the fitness application would be on my priority list, but everything else is just a phone swipe away. :-/
 
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