I Apple, but not my Apple Watch

[ZombiePete]

I love how people keep mentioning Steve Jobs like he hasn't released duds before

Everything released under Steve Jobs was the final build of that product. No iterations or improvements of any device ever occurred while he was alive because it wasn't possible; his perfectionism ensured that every product was the best it ever could be. Apple today releases products that it sees will need an update in a year or so because they've lost that visionary, perfectionist leadership.

It's a sad state of affairs when you buy an Apple product nowadays knowing that in a better version of that product will be released a year later. Steve must be rolling in his grave, knowing that Tim Cook has let Apple sink so low as to release "first gen" products.

Makes me sick.

 

[BlueMoon63]

It feels more and more that (at this point) the Apple Watch is a niche product.

That's different than most of Apple's 'big item' releases. The iPod, iPhone and iPad were all marketed as revolutionary devices that would change the way we consume music, think of a phone and consume content. They absolutely did. They sold a ton of product to everyone from tech geeks to casual consumers - from kids to senior citizens all over the world.

Smarter people than you (and me) have been very very wrong aboud the market for the iPhone, iPad

Anssi Vanjoki, Nokia's chief strategist

"The development of mobile phones will be similar in PCs. Even with the Mac, Apple has attracted much attention at first, but they have still remained a niche manufacturer. That will be in mobile phones as well."

Jim Balsillie

"There may be 300,000 apps for the iPhone and iPad, but the only app you really need is the browser. You don't need an app for the web ... You don't need to go through some kind of SDK ... You can use your web tools ... And you can publish your apps to the BlackBerry without writing any native code."-Jim Balsillie, November 2010.

Mike Lazardis

"So the question you have to ask yourself is when it comes to tablet, what market or what opportunities, still, it's solving, what problem is it solving, and is it just a replacement laptop? I think that's a difficult one to judge." Mike Lazaridis, April 2010.

This one is a classic from a tech guy

"Apple should pull the plug on the iPhone… What Apple risks here is its reputation as a hot company that can do no wrong. If it's smart it will call the iPhone a ‘reference design' and pass it to some suckers to build with someone else's marketing budget. Then it can wash its hands of any marketplace failures… Otherwise I'd advise people to cover their eyes. You are not going to like what you'll see." - John C. Dvorak, tech columnist

or Steve Ballmer... (My Favorite Quote)

"There's no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance. It's a $500 subsidized item. They may make a lot of money. But if you actually take a look at the 1.3 billion phones that get sold, I'd prefer to have our software in 60% or 70% or 80% of them, than I would to have 2% or 3%, which is what Apple might get."

Cockiest quote comes from Motorola when they thought Apple couldn't take them one...

Ed Zander - CEO of Motorola

"How do they deal with us?"

The point is that many people thought the same products you are calling obvious new innovations (iPhone, IPad, etc) were looked at as if they were a waste of money or niche. So your point is not true... just a big guess/assumption.

Not meant as anything you said wrong...

http://gizmodo.com/5416781/top-5-assclown-iphone-quotes-in-2007

 

[ATS]

Watch Person

All of the above... precisely. I'm going to wear a watch regardless so why not this one. I think future form factors will provide for improved aesthetics but they did a nice job with the SS. $500 would have been a better pricepoint with a nice band but so far no regrets. It's not for everyone but it's an individual choice. I'm keeping mine. I love the functional access of the modular watchface. It would be cool if you could swipe left or right to change faces on the fly or to have access to the modular quickly so I could use a more traditional face for general use.

I'm older and a watch person as well. I probably own over 50 watches but only wear a handful. I love Apple products, but my Apple Watch first and foremost will be used as a watch. The other features will be added bonuses. My expectations of the watch are realistic and I fully realize it's simply an extension of my iPhone device.

 

[ToroidalZeus]

Orientation lock and a grippy case. I use mine with one hand and I'm a girl with tiny fingers.

Jobs didn't hold back the first iPhone OR the iPhone 4.

try taking a focusing on an image while walking with one-hand and take a picture; it's a hella awkard and an accident waiting to happen with the 6 plus.

----------

I think that technology has hit a peak. The watch isn't a revolutionary product. It's nice and has potential. But the days of Apple inventing pardon the phrase, "the next best thing" are over. They had a hell of a run between the computers, iPod, iTunes, iPhone, iPad. We are seeing a lull at this point.

I don't foresee any company coming out with anything that's a game changer anytime soon. Don't be to hard on Apple. No one right now is reinventing the wheel. Take the watch for what it is. A nice compliment to all your other products. And leave it at that.

VR / AR could completely reinvent the way we interact with PCs/games.
Self-driving cars will revolutionize transportation in the next decade.
Cloud storage, etc.

There is a lot of legit stuff to work on.

----------

Smarter people than you (and me) have been very very wrong...

Anssi Vanjoki, Nokia's chief strategist

"The development of mobile phones will be similar in PCs. Even with the Mac, Apple has attracted much attention at first, but they have still remained a niche manufacturer. That will be in mobile phones as well."

Jim Balsillie

"There may be 300,000 apps for the iPhone and iPad, but the only app you really need is the browser. You don't need an app for the web ... You don't need to go through some kind of SDK ... You can use your web tools ... And you can publish your apps to the BlackBerry without writing any native code."-Jim Balsillie, November 2010.

Mike Lazardis

"So the question you have to ask yourself is when it comes to tablet, what market or what opportunities, still, it's solving, what problem is it solving, and is it just a replacement laptop? I think that's a difficult one to judge." Mike Lazaridis, April 2010.

This one is a classic from a tech guy

"Apple should pull the plug on the iPhone… What Apple risks here is its reputation as a hot company that can do no wrong. If it's smart it will call the iPhone a ‘reference design' and pass it to some suckers to build with someone else's marketing budget. Then it can wash its hands of any marketplace failures… Otherwise I'd advise people to cover their eyes. You are not going to like what you'll see." - John C. Dvorak, tech columnist

or Steve Ballmer... (My Favorite Quote)

"There's no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance. It's a $500 subsidized item. They may make a lot of money. But if you actually take a look at the 1.3 billion phones that get sold, I'd prefer to have our software in 60% or 70% or 80% of them, than I would to have 2% or 3%, which is what Apple might get."

Cockiest quote comes from Motorola when they thought Apple couldn't take them one...

Ed Zander - CEO of Motorola

"How do they deal with us?"

http://gizmodo.com/5416781/top-5-assclown-iphone-quotes-in-2007

is this serious? those people were all stupid.

The first two people and the last person let Apple (and Google) destroy their marketshare. The iPad filled the cheaper laptop that didn't suck alternative. And Ballmer ran MS in the ground and it's only now with the new CEO that MS's products are improving.

 

[bking10]

Everything released under Steve Jobs was the final build of that product. No iterations or improvements of any device ever occurred while he was alive because it wasn't possible; his perfectionism ensured that every product was the best it ever could be. Apple today releases products that it sees will need an update in a year or so because they've lost that visionary, perfectionist leadership.

It's a sad state of affairs when you buy an Apple product nowadays knowing that in a better version of that product will be released a year later. Steve must be rolling in his grave, knowing that Tim Cook has let Apple sink so low as to release "first gen" products.

Makes me sick.

lol. I assume this is sarcasm since Apple is known to use the "hold features back to pimp gen 2" strategy. But I believe the issue with the watch is it was made to make $$ as the primary goal. It doesn't do anything other than that. Jobs would have fought that approach. Not that he wouldn't have released this product.

 

[BlueMoon63]

try taking a focusing on an image while walking with one-hand and take a picture; it's a hella awkard and an accident waiting to happen with the 6 plus.

----------


VR / AR could completely reinvent the way we interact with PCs/games.
Self-driving cars will revolutionize transportation in the next decade.
Cloud storage, etc.

There is a lot of legit stuff to work on.

----------



is this serious? those people were all stupid.

The first two people and the last person let Apple (and Google) destroy their marketshare. The iPad filled the cheaper laptop that didn't suck alternative. And Ballmer ran MS in the ground and it's only now with the new CEO that MS's products are improving.

I made sure and supply the link to many of them and the other were quick searches... Can you believe the cockiness of Ballmer and Zander?

I only posted because the poster said the watch is a niche (might be) and the iPhone and iPad were never thought of as a niche - they were widely needed.

 

[86939]

So feel free to bring up dud products that were launched under jobs.

Apple Hifi, Ping, Mobile.me, and .mac right off the top of my head.

 

[wingsabr]

Funny,
I really enjoy the friends button. I guess I could use siri to pick the person but i like having that direct access to a group of people. Perhaps in the future they can make it a soft button to use for your favorite app but as of now I would keep mine as friends.

Agree here...would like some way to change for different user needs

 

[CalMin]

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.

I agree with a lot of the points here. Invoking the memory of Steve Jobs is just going to upset everyone, so I will leave that for others to comment on.

I'm on Day 4 with my Watch. I have to admit that the thing that I dig most about it, is the way it looks and feels. I'm using the Solar watch face and it's just so pretty. It's beautiful hardware, the screen is stunning and the haptics feel lovely. But then I do like nice watches - I have two Tag Heuers and enjoy the Apple watch in much the same way. It's jewelry.

Functionally speaking, I'm on the fence. I can't say that I'm blown away by anything. I enjoyed receiving a phone call on it - it worked great. I also dig being able to triage messages and make the determination as to whether not to dig out my phone from my pocket. My wife and I send taps and sketches to each other. Sending the heartbeat is pointless.

But it's all so ho-hum. I like it but were it not for the stunning hardware it pretty much demonstrates why no other Smart Watch has gained traction. It's a thing of beauty, but distinctly ordinary.

 

[lsutigerfan1976]

I think the biggest issue with the watch is whether someone can come up with more useful functionality to it before it gains in popularity. Much like the appletv when it first came out. Everyone viewed it as a failure. Now that you can stream Netflix, ESPN, HBO etc. it has taken off. So we wait, till someone finds a more practical use for the watch. If no one does, it will go away. They will move on, and invent something else.

Also no matter what Apple does with the watch, it will only sell so many anyhow. I would say that 80-90 percent of the population may not have any desire for a watch. So even if the watch spit out $100 bills every day. Only a certain segment of the population will actually buy it. Which is a small percentage to begin with.

 

[Glideslope]

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.

Yes he would have.

That is the problem with todays Apple. It's only about squeezing every last dime out of a product for the shareholder. Apple was something when it was Apple Computer. Now as Apple Inc we have started down the slippery slope of gadget maker.

Kudos for having the balls (gender assumption) to post this. Don't feel anything toward the hordes of Hipster Watchaphobes in here. Most carry a mirror to watch themselves taking selfies of their AW, being stimulated at others staring at them while they hold their AW up to a Coke Machine, and wearing sleeveless shirts.

Those who hoped it would actually be something to increase their productivity, quality of life, or worth the money have either returned it or are waiting for V2. Something that can run without having to own another Apple product.

Of course with the current race back to proprietary everything, we know how that will go.

There are tens of millions who have been dreading this point after Steve passed. Be strong. Everything eventually comes full circle.

 

[mightyjabba]

I made sure and supply the link to many of them and the other were quick searches... Can you believe the cockiness of Ballmer and Zander?

To be fair, I don't entirely buy the idea that all of these guys were completely blindsided by the iPhone. You always have to take into account that these corporate leaders have an image to maintain, and need to make it sound like their company is in a good position. Put another way, even if they did realize the potiential of the iPhone, they probably would've said the same things.

And of course Dvorak is basically a troll masquerading as a pundit.

 

[ZombiePete]

Kudos for having there balls (gender assumption) tp post this. Don't feel anything toward the hordes of Hipster Watchaphobes in here. Most carry a mirror to watch themselves taking selfies of their AW, being stimulated at others staring at them while they hold their AW up to a Coke Machine, and wearing sleeveless shirts.

Yes, that's the way to win over hearts and minds: ad hominem attacks against those who like the Watch. They're just a bunch of narcissist hipster...watchaphobes? I don't get that one; do I like the Watch or am I afraid of it?

Those who hoped it would actually be something to increase their productivity, quality of life, or worth the money have either returned it or are waiting for V2. Something that can run without having to own another Apple product.

So it didn't do anything for you...sorry to hear that. Why do you feel that means that no one else could have possibly seen an increase in productivity, an improvement in their quality of life, or been worth the money? That you feel your experience is the definitive one is a true symptom of narcissism, my friend. Maybe looking in a mirror every once in a while can be a good thing.

There are tens of millions who have been dreading this point after Steve passed. Be strong. Everything eventually comes full circle.

Invoke Steve Jobs...it makes every criticism seem more valid!

 

[Glideslope]

Yes, that's the way to win over hearts and minds: ad hominem attacks against those who like the Watch. They're just a bunch of narcissist hipster...watchaphobes? I don't get that one; do I like the Watch or am I afraid of it?



So it didn't do anything for you...sorry to hear that. Why do you feel that means that no one else could have possibly seen an increase in productivity, an improvement in their quality of life, or been worth the money? That you feel your experience is the definitive one is a true symptom of narcissism, my friend. Maybe looking in a mirror every once in a while can be a good thing.



Invoke Steve Jobs...it makes every criticism seem more valid!

Keep drinking the Marketing Kool Aid. You are the target market, and you're in.

I'm only expressing my opinion. I'm not in the minority my friend. I'll bring up Steve anytime I feel like it. You don't grow by dismissing your past. You grow by remembering and moving forward.

Apple is stopped at a Red Light currently, at best. Tim had better increase the R&D budget by 10%, and do it Monday. The AW and MackBook are half assed exercises in Jony Ives's Design Karma without any thought to WTF they are designed to do.

I'm willing to go along with $399 for the 42mm Sport. But that's it. Everything else is spitting in the face of Apple's Base.

Tell me when you get your $1599 Netbook (MacBook.) I'm sure it will be Magical with that Core M blazing in there. It sure is cool with no fans though.

 

[ZombiePete]

Keep drinking the Marketing Kool Aid. You are the target market, and you're in.

Awesome; all you have left is to call me some variation of a sheep (iSheep is my favorite) and you will have hit all the anti-Apple fanboy talking points.

I'm only expressing my opinion. I'm not in the minority my friend. I'll bring up Steve anytime I feel like it. You don't grow by dismissing your past. You grow by remembering and moving forward.

You're not just expressing your opinion, though; if you were, I would never have replied to you. You're taking a hard stance (or at least coming across like you are) that the Watch is an unpopular mistake and that Apple is heading towards ruin, and anyone who doesn't agree with you is a Kool-Aid drinking, narcissistic hipster "watchaphobe" (again, not sure what the implication was supposed to be with that last one).

Apple is stopped at a Red Light currently, at best. Tim had better increase the R&D budget by 10%, and do it Monday. The AW and MackBook are half assed exercises in Jony Ives's Design Karma without any thought to WTF they are designed to do.

A lot of analysts have taken the same stance you are, and years later their quotes get pulled so their near-sightedness can be laughed at.

I'm willing to go along with $399 for the 42mm Sport. But that's it. Everything else is spitting in the face of Apple's Base.

A thousand to you and your anger. Get over it.

Tell me when you get your $1599 Netbook (MacBook.) I'm sure it will be Magical with that Core M blazing in there. It sure is cool with no fans though.

Wow, I thought you wanted us to learn from the past? Do you not remember the first MBA? A ton of folks really dig their MacBooks, BTW; who are you to judge whether it's worth the cost or not?

Learn to speak for yourself; you're the only person you represent.

 

[TEBnewyork]

I'm willing to go along with $399 for the 42mm Sport. But that's it. Everything else is spitting in the face of Apple's Base.

Tell me when you get your $1599 Netbook (MacBook.) I'm sure it will be Magical with that Core M blazing in there. It sure is cool with no fans though.

Typing this on my MacBook right now as it sits very nicely on my lap. For my use case the MacBook is exactly what I was looking for. Ultra portable with a great screen. Would I like to pay less, sure but I'm very happy replacing an i7 13" MBA for it. It's not my only laptop but it keeps me from unhooking a MBP from dual monitors everyday. Oh and by the way....I'm not scorching my legs. My MBA and MBP actually with a fan give off more heat.

The product that right now has no reason to exist is the 13" MBA which is larger in dimension to an 13"MBP and inferior in every other way for the 1/2 lb savings in weight.

I also have a stainless steel watch and just preferred the finish to the aluminum sport watch. But that is why the watch is personal. You wear it everyday.

I don't have a need for a MacPro and plenty of other Apple products but I don't go around saying they are all bad decisions by Apple. This is the part I don't get. If the product doesn't work for you and doesn't excite you but again that doesn't automatically make it a bad product.

 

[jjlannoo]

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.

Steve is dead, let him go man.

 

[ZombiePete]

I don't have a need for a MacPro and plenty of other Apple products but I don't go around saying they are all bad decisions by Apple. This is the part I don't get. If the product doesn't work for you and doesn't excite you but again that doesn't automatically make it a bad product.

No, you don't understand; it doesn't meet his expectations, so it's garbage. That you do like it only proves that you've swallowed Apple's marketing Kool Aid and are a sheep, unlike him and his better comprehension of the universe.

 

[MVallee]

I mean how hard is it really to check a message on your phone, as opposed to your wrist?

The same could be said for bluetooth headsets, how hard is it to hold you phone to your ear? Or even smartphones in general, can't you just open up your laptop?

The Apple Watch is definitely more of a convenience thing than a necessity but so are many other modern day electronics. If I'm busy and get an alert I can quickly check it on my Watch and reply if I need to and it makes my life a bit easier. A smartphone also makes my life easier even though it replicates many functions of my laptop, some of which the laptop does better. There are different devices for different situations.

 

[rjlawrencejr]

It annoys me when people think SJ wouldn't have done this or that. SJ is dead. Leave him there.

I agree. And as a quick reminder: Steve Jobs did not always oversee greatness. Let's not forget the Lisa, Mac Cube, or iPod Hi Fi.

And I loved my original iPhone, but it took a few software iterations before it was truly great.

 

[TEBnewyork]

The same could be said for bluetooth headsets, how hard is it to hold you phone to your ear? Or even smartphones in general, can't you just open up your laptop?

The Apple Watch is definitely more of a convenience thing than a necessity but so are many other modern day electronics. If I'm busy and get an alert I can quickly check it on my Watch and reply if I need to and it makes my life a bit easier. A smartphone also makes my life easier even though it replicates many functions of my laptop, some of which the laptop does better. There are different devices for different situations.

There are many people who need to keep their phone silent at work. The watch is a great way to not miss calls and important texts. So while I agree it is convenience to have a watch there are some use cases that make it more than simply convenience.

My mother never seems to have her iPhone handy and can't hear when it rings or would never check it for alerts. I would love a device like an Watch on her wrist to remind her to take meds. etc. I do think there are going to be a lot of medical uses for the watch....and initial reports on accessibility functions have been quite promising.

So, convenience for some are important features for others.

 

[Tsuchiya]

Apple Watch is like a regular watch.

Its useful.

But it's really boring.

I still don't regret buying it, I wanted a daily watch and this'll do just fine. But I feel ambivalent towards it.

"The most personal device we have ever released."

Debatable.

 

[Glideslope]

I love it. It's like dangling Honey in front of Bears in here.

 

[MVallee]

There are many people who need to keep their phone silent at work. The watch is a great way to not miss calls and important texts. So while I agree it is convenience to have a watch there are some use cases that make it more than simply convenience.

My mother never seems to have her iPhone handy and can't hear when it rings or would never check it for alerts. I would love a device like an Watch on her wrist to remind her to take meds. etc. I do think there are going to be a lot of medical uses for the watch....and initial reports on accessibility functions have been quite promising.

So, convenience for some are important features for others.

Things like this start out as conveniences but after you start relying on them more and more it eventually becomes something you can't live without.

Before I had my iPhone I could take pictures on my digital camera, play games on my Nintendo DS, and e-mail from my MacBook. I could still do all of those things today but after using an iPhone for so long I couldn't go back, it's a convenience I can't live without, just like the Watch will be once people get used to relying on it.

 

[Glideslope]

Learn to speak for yourself; you're the only person you represent.

Ok Pete. You win.