I’m sorry, Apple Watch

[bbeagle]

Even though people doubted the iPad when it was announced, those doubts vanished as soon as people got their hands on one. That's not happening with the Apple Watch, in fact it's almost the opposite. People are giving it a try believing that its going to be some kind of revolutionary device and they are underwhelmed when they finally get one.

I LOVE my Apple Watch and can't live without it.

It's not underwhelming to me at all. To many people it is, but to say 'everyone' thinks it is underwhelming is absurd.

There are people who do 'everything' on their digital devices and those who need their devices, but don't want to use them all the time. These are two completely different camps of people. Which is why there is such a division of pro-Watch and anti-Watch people.

I wouldn't be caught dead out at a theme park playing games on my phone. While others, it's what they 'have to' do while standing in line.

My watch is there to help me 'avoid' my phone. A call comes in, I see who is calling, I dismiss it. I feel a vibration, look down when I get a chance to see a text message. Ok. Got the information. Good. 90% of the time I don't need to respond to any phone calls or text messages on the go, but I want that information. The Apple Watch is DEFINITELY worth it for these types of interactions.

For example, I was on a spinning ride at a theme park, and I felt a text message come in. There is no way possible for me to take out my phone and see the message without my phone flinging out of my hand. And, I'd never feel the vibration on the ride anyways. The message told me where to meet after I got off the ride. Without the text alert, and reading it with a quick glance of my watch on the ride, I'd probably get off the ride, look for everyone, not find them anywhere, then maybe think about taking my phone out of my pocket to look for a text message. Maybe not - maybe I'd just wander around to find them. It's so much more convenient to have the watch - and worth it to me.

 

[Blujelly]

To be fair if everyone returned first gen products companies would crumble and wouldn't be able to go further, I guess its your tolerance level to the small glitches of a product....

 

[za9ra22]

Yes and the Mac is STILL a toy! The Mac has LESS THAN 6% market share.

A rather silly argument. The world is awash with products occupying a fraction of a 6% market share but which are highly regarded, aspirational and much sought after. The Mac is in good company.

 

[iPhysicist]

My god, internet forums. Thread went well for about 4 replies. Then the name-callers come.

My OP still stands, and many people have the same concerns.

Take care.

No, please don't do that. Its not the others fault. Many of your points are discussed here - and some of them are beaten to death already so maybe a quick search would have helped you to find a thread where you can post your thoughts. I won't speak for other people but I don't have problems with my watch at all and it lasts all day with more than one hour workout daily.

 

[oghowie]

I agree. Apple still makes excellent products, but there are many small details that feel unpolished. I can't help feeling that Steve would have demanded everyone stay and work until these details were fixed just right, but now they tend to stop just before that final little push.

I guess people forget about the original iPhone and iPad. There were compromises when Jobs was around too.

I returned the 42mm Sport, but I definitely see the potential in the watch. Maybe I'll get it again when watchOS 2 comes out or wait next year for the 2nd gen, but as of today it definitely feels half baked to me.

 

[Night Spring]

I guess people forget about the original iPhone and iPad. There were compromises when Jobs was around too.

I know Jobs made compromises. In fact I think part of his genius was knowing which compromises to make. But there is a difference between deliberate, considered compromise, and lack of attention to detail. I mean, for example not a product issue, but in the last keynote, the section on Apple Music just was rambly and overlong and not very focused. I think Jobs would have demanded that all the presenters tighten up their presentations before going onstage.

As far as the watch goes, there is no single detail I can pick and say "Jobs wouldn't have done this," because nobody can know. I just know that, say there are 10 small details that could have been tightened up a bit more, Jobs would have insisted on fixing at least half of them. That might have meant that the watch didn't feel half baked, even though it's first gen.

 

[rockyromero]

My watch is there to help me 'avoid' my phone. A call comes in, I see who is calling, I dismiss it. I feel a vibration, look down when I get a chance to see a text message. Ok. Got the information. Good. 90% of the time I don't need to respond to any phone calls or text messages on the go, but I want that information. The Apple Watch is DEFINITELY worth it for these types of interactions.

I'm having a similar experience.

The Apple Watch has a significant role outside of my office for me to access information that is inconvenient or cumbersome with a smart phone.

It's subtle, yet much more elegant, to be in digital contact with the AW when in a group setting that is intended to interact with other people. Some call it social digital dieting.

People appreciate this regardless of age or culture.

➰

 

[Dub1ous]

I LOVE my Apple Watch and can't live without it.

It's not underwhelming to me at all. To many people it is, but to say 'everyone' thinks it is underwhelming is absurd.

There are people who do 'everything' on their digital devices and those who need their devices, but don't want to use them all the time. These are two completely different camps of people. Which is why there is such a division of pro-Watch and anti-Watch people.

I wouldn't be caught dead out at a theme park playing games on my phone. While others, it's what they 'have to' do while standing in line.

My watch is there to help me 'avoid' my phone. A call comes in, I see who is calling, I dismiss it. I feel a vibration, look down when I get a chance to see a text message. Ok. Got the information. Good. 90% of the time I don't need to respond to any phone calls or text messages on the go, but I want that information. The Apple Watch is DEFINITELY worth it for these types of interactions.

For example, I was on a spinning ride at a theme park, and I felt a text message come in. There is no way possible for me to take out my phone and see the message without my phone flinging out of my hand. And, I'd never feel the vibration on the ride anyways. The message told me where to meet after I got off the ride. Without the text alert, and reading it with a quick glance of my watch on the ride, I'd probably get off the ride, look for everyone, not find them anywhere, then maybe think about taking my phone out of my pocket to look for a text message. Maybe not - maybe I'd just wander around to find them. It's so much more convenient to have the watch - and worth it to me.

Great explanation. I am definitely firmly in the don't want to use it all the time camp, and thus also love my watch.

 

[perezr10]

I totally disagree with your assessment of the haptics. For me, that is one of the Apple Watch's biggest strengths. It's strong enough to alert me discreetly without attracting attention from those nearby. I don't see how you could confuse the distinct pattern of the haptic with the errant brush of a sleeve.

 

[sflomenb]

Well, I set the watch up with the standard settings. The first time I ask Siri on my phone to drive me to location X, at a crossing, suddenly the watch starts tapping on my wrist like crazy (6 times apparently, but with prominent haptic it's more)

Pretty scary the first time. And of course it taps at at really bad spot too, since it's always at an intersection. I parked on the side of the road, took my phone, and disabled the tap directions immediately.

And of course it's my responsibility. That's why it matters so much.

That's how it's supposed to function. It taps you like that when you are supposed to turn. That way you can keep your eyes on the road. What exactly is the problem? I don't understand.

 

[roadbloc]

Surely the biggest con on the Apple Watch is the pathetic day long battery life.

 

[Night Spring]

Surely the biggest con on the Apple Watch is the pathetic day long battery life.

And here I was, thinking that the watch has an excellent day long battery life.

 

[oghowie]

For example, I was on a spinning ride at a theme park, and I felt a text message come in. There is no way possible for me to take out my phone and see the message without my phone flinging out of my hand. And, I'd never feel the vibration on the ride anyways. The message told me where to meet after I got off the ride. Without the text alert, and reading it with a quick glance of my watch on the ride, I'd probably get off the ride, look for everyone, not find them anywhere, then maybe think about taking my phone out of my pocket to look for a text message. Maybe not - maybe I'd just wander around to find them. It's so much more convenient to have the watch - and worth it to me.

I think you're trying too hard with this example.

 

[Benjamin Frost]

And here I was, thinking that the watch has an excellent day long battery life.

My watch has five-year long battery life.

All those seconds you save a day with the Apple Watch? Now, take off the seconds you lose by charging it every day and multiply by five years; you've now lost several hours with a one-day battery life.

 

[MH01]

I tired two SS, lovely finish and design, very apple like, just myself doing everything on my iPhone, as it was much easier. Could not justify such an expansive notification device

 

[Night Spring]

My watch has five-year long battery life.

All those seconds you save a day with the Apple Watch? Now, take off the seconds you lose by charging it every day and multiply by five years; you've now lost several hours with a one-day battery life.

Well, it takes a second to place the watch on the charger, and another second to take it off. So if you "save" ten seconds every day with the watch, then lose two seconds placing it on and off the charger, you are still ahead by 8 seconds a day.

But I'm not using the Apple watch because it saves me time, I'm using it because it does things that can't be measured by time, like remind me to stand every hour so I can stay more healthy. And getting notifications via the watch doesn't really save me time, because my eyesight is not good, so if I want to read what the notification says, I have to take out my phone. But having the watch means I don't miss my notifications even if the phone is on my desk or buried in my purse. The convenience of not having to have my phone in my hand all the time can't be measured in seconds saved.

And while I need to top off my phone battery in the middle of the day from time to time, I've never had the watch run out of battery on me. So from that perspective, the watch has an excellent day-long battery life. You, on the other hand, is comparing it to a five-year battery. Everything is relative, lol.

 

[Trius]

Well, I set the watch up with the standard settings. The first time I ask Siri on my phone to drive me to location X, at a crossing, suddenly the watch starts tapping on my wrist like crazy (6 times apparently, but with prominent haptic it's more)

Pretty scary the first time. And of course it taps at at really bad spot too, since it's always at an intersection. I parked on the side of the road, took my phone, and disabled the tap directions immediately.

And of course it's my responsibility. That's why it matters so much.

Ok, so I think you're real complaint here is that you were not informed of this function and were not ready for it. It took you by surprise. Knowing it's purpose, it's actually very useful and much safer than looking at your phone trying to see where the next turn is.

 

[roadbloc]

And here I was, thinking that the watch has an excellent day long battery life.

Whatever descriptive is used, it just doesn't cut it for me regretfully.

 

[mooninite]

Can anyone explain to me the appeal of having basically a crippled iPhone attached to your wrist?

All the things the watch does are things my iPhone does better. I just have to reach into my pocket and there it is.

I don't wear a watch in the first place. I used to, until I bought a device that keeps the time that I keep in my pocket (iPhone).

 

[throAU]

Cut the price in half. Get it to work at least one week on one charge.

It's a new product and pushing the envelope of what you can fit in a device that small. Your request is not currently realistic. Buying a version 1 product you regularly get issues like this: cost, size, battery life.

But the biggest mistake Apple made here was hyping it beyond proportions. Making these watches appear as super tools, while really only being an accessory to the iPhone. You should have waited a year, and sell it in bundles with the purchase of a new phone.

Maybe the biggest mistake you made was buying into the hype? I personally think the Apple watch is the best smartwatch currently on the market in terms of what it actually does, but the market is still extremely immature and there's not really a killer application for it yet. Hence, i didn't buy one yet.

 

[throAU]

Can anyone explain to me the appeal of having basically a crippled iPhone attached to your wrist?

All the things the watch does are things my iPhone does better. I just have to reach into my pocket and there it is.

I don't wear a watch in the first place. I used to, until I bought a device that keeps the time that I keep in my pocket (iPhone).

It isn't a phone replacement - which is the big mistake people always seem to be making about the smartwatch market in general, including samsung by trying to include everything a phone does in their watch (why put crappier versions of a camera, etc. on the watch when i have a phone for that?).

It's for using for very brief glances at stuff when pulling out your phone is inconvenient (e.g., driving) or rude (in a meeting). Most people probably don't need or want something for that, but for me (for example), the killer app is probably the haptic feedback GPS.

Riding a motorcycle, i don't want to be pulling my phone out, or mounting my phone to my bike and looking at it to use the GPS (i have plenty of other stuff to look out for). Haptic feed back for left and right would be awesome.

YMMV.

 

[mooninite]

It isn't a phone replacement - which is the big mistake people always seem to be making about the smartwatch market in general, including samsung by trying to include everything a phone does in their watch (why put crappier versions of a camera, etc. on the watch when i have a phone for that?).

It's for using for very brief glances at stuff when pulling out your phone is inconvenient (e.g., driving) or rude (in a meeting). Most people probably don't need or want something for that, but for me (for example), the killer app is probably the haptic feedback GPS.

Riding a motorcycle, i don't want to be pulling my phone out, or mounting my phone to my bike and looking at it to use the GPS (i have plenty of other stuff to look out for). Haptic feed back for left and right would be awesome.

YMMV.

I'm glad you find it useful. I'm not in any way trying to criticize you or anyone that has/wants one. I'm just trying to figure out the appeal.

I'm pretty old school so when I'm holding a meeting at work and someone checks the time or has the audacity to start messing with their phone I take note and that person loses a couple points in my book.

The haptic feedback with GPS does sound pretty neat but not $500+ neat. When I ride I usually know where I'm going so it's not an issue for me but I can see how if you are on a trek to somewhere unknown how the GPS would come in handy.

What are some real world uses for the apple watch? What I mean is, what can the watch do that my already expensive iPhone 6+ can't do? Besides quick peek type stuff.

 

[throAU]

I'm glad you find it useful. I'm not in any way trying to criticize you or anyone that has/wants one. I'm just trying to figure out the appeal.

Well as I said... YMMV, but it has a purpose. Most people probably don't require or want it and that's fine though.

I'm pretty old school so when I'm holding a meeting at work and someone checks the time or has the audacity to start messing with their phone I take note and that person loses a couple points in my book.

Yup, and this is why having say, a calendar reminder pop up on your watch and tap you is a less disruptive way of remaining informed. Tap tap, quick glance - you now know that you may need to excuse yourself promptly at the end of the scheduled meeting or exit the room briefly to take care of something (if it is more urgent). Or you can ignore it.

Rather than playing with your phone before discovering that, or missing your next appointment. Or playing with your phone to discover that it was irrelevant.

The haptic feedback with GPS does sound pretty neat but not $500+ neat. When I ride I usually know where I'm going so it's not an issue for me but I can see how if you are on a trek to somewhere unknown how the GPS would come in handy.

What are some real world uses for the apple watch? What I mean is, what can the watch do that my already expensive iPhone 6+ can't do? Besides quick peek type stuff.

I don't currently own one because I agree, for 500 plus dollars, i can live without it personally. Maybe i'll look more seriously at version 2.

But yes, quick peek type stuff is the ENTIRE POINT. That's it. If you don't feel you need that functionality, you don't need the Apple Watch - and yes, if you're not needing quick peek stuff, currently the iPhone is a far more functional and comprehensive device.

I think the biggest problems with the Apple watch are the mindless Apple Fanboys who need to buy every single product the company makes without thinking as to whether or not it serves a purpose (for them), and the media, who hang onto the words of every apple product release like it's the announcement of the coming of the messiah, and are inevitably disappointed when it's not.

Not every single product apple produces is or has to be a revolution.

 

[mooninite]

Well as I said... YMMV, but it has a purpose. Most people probably don't require or want it and that's fine though.



Yup, and this is why having say, a calendar reminder pop up on your watch and tap you is a less disruptive way of remaining informed. Tap tap, quick glance - you now know that you may need to excuse yourself promptly at the end of the scheduled meeting or exit the room briefly to take care of something.

Rather than playing with your phone before discovering that, or missing your next appointment.



I don't currently own one because I agree, for 500 plus dollars, i can live without it personally. Maybe i'll look more seriously at version 2.

But yes, quick peek type stuff is the ENTIRE POINT. That's it. If you don't feel you need that functionality, you don't need the Apple Watch - and yes, if you're not needing quick peek stuff, currently the iPhone is a far more functional and comprehensive device.

I think the biggest problems with the Apple watch are the mindless Apple Fanboys who need to buy every single product the company makes without thinking as to whether or not it serves a purpose, and the media, who hang onto the words of every apple product release like it's the announcement of the coming of the messiah, and are inevitably disappointed when it's not.

Not every single product apple produces is or has to be a revolution.

I appreciate the time you took to answer my questions. Based on what you've explained, it sounds to me like the apple watch is kind of gimmicky unless for some reason, unbeknownst to me, someone has such a busy life that they actually need to be constantly connected with the ability to quick peek.

I am very grateful my life is much simpler than that.

 

[ProjectManager101]

Return the Watch. I didn't like it when it came out, I got one and returned it after a week. Keeping my Tissot.