iWatch Reportedly Launching in October with iOS 8 and Curved OLED Touchscreen

[joshdammit]

Ok maybe it is a bit of a stretch and i probably should of explained what i meant. Watches are becoming a thing of the past, at least here in the UK and at my university i don't see many people wearing watches, they are using their phones to tell the time. So watches are fading out, yes some people do still use them and that tends to be the older generation.

What i also meant was that Apple needs to bring some good functionality to the iWatch, they need to make people want to wear it. Wearing something is a lot different from a phone or an iPad that you carry around, it needs to be fashionable and there needs to be a reason why people would want to wear it. Don't get me wrong i'm not having a go at Apple, i'm just saying my opinion on what the iWatch needs to be. I think if any company has a shot at making a good smart watch or wearable device, i think its Apple. I'm just questioning what they will put into it and what the device itself will do

Oh okay. In that case I agree. I think the "nobody has a watch anymore" thing is a perfect opportunity for Apple to do Steve's tried and true method of telling the public what they need. There are already smart watches, as well as a growing number of people who buy them, although the market certainly isn't where it could be.

Similarly, look at the setting for other products:
iPod - There were portable, hard drive-based MP3 players, but they were too pricey and unwieldy for what they did.
iPhone - I used smart phones pre-iPhone. Aside from the sidekick, they didn't really perform too well, and were limited to the business and tech crowd. Now pretty much everybody has an iPhone or Android equivalent.
iPad - Tablet computers were all but nonexistent, and net books were more or less dead on arrival. Now people are buying iPads for their toddlers (No joke.)

Apple will certainly need to make this a product that is both practical and enjoyable to use both as a stand alone, entry-level product, as well as an extension of their other iOS device(s).

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Well then as nobody here knows actually something about a new product that might or might not be called iWatch it would be better to use no picture at all.

100% agree.

 

[Tech198]

a touchscreen eh ?

It look just like a nano that, but a bit bigger screen ...People liked that ... why didn't they keep the nano on a wrist, and just improve its product instead if starting from scratch on an ugly looking watch face ?

I'd rather a watch which is not a "Macyver type" watch would be..

I don't want my watch to unlock my car door or lock the front door (rumored, probably not)

But i reckon, this is probably where Apple is headed..

Just like the "smart house" and your iOS device is the key to the kingdom, so will your watch, if Apple has anything to do with it.

If there is room, i'd also like to see a portable kitchen sink...

 

[Mactendo]

Do you really see non-dorks having a phone conversation w/ the watch? I can see using the watch to relay Caller ID to see if you want to take the call or send to VM or respond w/ cookie cutter SMS, but who is going to go all Dick Tracy and talk to their watch? It's more ridiculous than people who use BT headsets and look like they are talking to themselves.

But it actually can be a cool idea! For example a scenario: you're at home and your phone rings in another room, you can use your iWatch to accept the call! No need to go get your phone, just another convenient little thing. As to use it to speak on the streets, that's up to you, but it's certainly a fun thing ) Future is coming )

----------

I cannot see what the big deal is about this. Yes, it's another new market that Apple will probably dominate if they get the Burberry exec to market it correctly with splashy ads in all the glossy fashion magazines, famous athletes seen posing with them, Jay-Z and Beyonce, Rhianna and all the other 'cool' style icons shown wearing them.

Gimmicky nonsense - what's wrong with conventional watches? What's wrong with conventional books?

Folks, Just ignore me, I'm getting old and crabby. When you get to my age, you're not so easily impressed with some things.

No ) It's like saying before the first iPhone "what the big deal is about this? what's wrong with exisiting phones?". Apple will redefine the watches.

 

[Tech198]

i can already see this being another problem while where driving...

More people pulled over because their too busy looking at their watch...

Just something else the police will have to try and police...

They can't do it with smart phones, at least the feasibility effort to intercept is not wide spread yet, so are we gonna see something for the iWatch too ?

Its like parents taking candy from a baby.... "No, you can't do this" Apple gives us gizmos and good tech, and we get it taken away from us, because since its now possible, i'd ather take a call while we're driving, and risk my neck, then wait.

These days, people just can't do that.... How far we've come

 

[SHNXX]

If it can accurately read blood sugar levels, my diabetic dad would buy one for $500 if he doesn't have to keep sticking his fingers.

I don't think technology is there yet for that.

----------

Sorry I was being sarcastic, badly. Not trying to offend at all.

The thing about watches they are a strange thing. The fact that people spend many spend thousands of dollars on a watch that has EXACTLY the same functionality as 5 dollar watch is insane to me. I would and have spent say up $500 on a nice watch ( ebay oakley Timebomb ) purely because it would likely be well made and hold it's value.

The iPhone is probably going to have magnitudes of functionality of a normal watch and probably things we've not even thought about.

But everyone having the same phone has not hurt iPhone sales has it. Apple has only ever made 1 design of things with small changes, like colour / materials etc - this may well happen with the watch. 2 design many colours etc.

Many people spend 10K or more on watches.
Apple executives and board members are most likely in that group...

I seriously doubt anyone making decisions higher up in Apple thinks that trying to replace those watches with a 100 dollar device is a good idea.

 

[macs4nw]

Don't know who this Balogh fellow is, or what his credentials are, but I seriously doubt a rumored 'iWatch' device is even remotely going to have such a form factor, if it is to have any measure of mass appeal. Maybe it's lack of imagination on my part, but I just can't see devices of that general look to be on millions of wrists.

Additionally, a color palette something along the lines of the iPod Nano 'Chrome' to appeal to all ages, would be a nice individual touch. Blow us away once more, Jony!

 

[Chupa Chupa]

But it actually can be a cool idea! For example a scenario: you're at home and your phone rings in another room, you can use your iWatch to accept the call! No need to go get your phone, just another convenient little thing. As to use it to speak on the streets, that's up to you, but it's certainly a fun thing ) Future is coming )

Maybe but seems like a solution in search of a problem and so many other useful new technologies can be packed into an iWatch that would be very low ranking to me. Plus it would likely be a battery killer. If someone really has a problem consistently getting to their phone from another room (can't be that far away if they can hear it ring) then they can increase the # of rings before it goes to VM. Problem solved.

To rebut your example, although highly anecdotal, I live in a 4 story TH. Not a whole lot of sq footage but a hike top to bottom. Winding stairs make it even more tedious. So really a "worst case" in your scenario.

If my phone is in the LL and I'm in the top level I can get to it before it goes into VM with a decent pace. But typically I don't bother. I'll just check the Caller ID later and call back if nec. If I'm expecting a call I keep my phone nearby. Actually my phone is usually nearby.

 

[iBreatheApple]

Oh I see, maybe in America. In the UK, 'Joe Bloggs' is often used.
I didn't say Apple created it, I'm not sure where you got that from.

It just seemed that you insinuated that by saying 'John Doe is the name given to an unidentified corpse! Is this watch dead on arrival then?' Anyone can say anything about it, doesn't mean it's going to reflect the actual product. But it's not a big deal, I was just saying.

 

[rowspaxe]

minority report--i still see this whole product catogory as a non starter. there may be a fitness niche. women wont buy it because who want to look at baby pictures on a watch.

 

[erasr]

I would have a secondary screen device if I made an iWatch. Something ultra thin that acts as a touchscreen like a phone, but syncs and works in addition to the watch.

I doubt there will be a watch. However, there's nothing wrong with paying £300+ for a watch. You pay for build quality and style. If there's a watch then I reckon £250.

 

[AstronomyiPhone]

If it runs iOS 8, I wonder if it will work without an iPhone.

Most smartwatches do, but they need a cellular connection (i.e. extra bulk) if you want them to truly function on their own.

 

[Flight Plan]

...I don't really read books, but my mum who is a heavy book reader has gone kindle because conventional books take over your house to the point where you cannot move for books. So she went digital, also she loves being able to get the 2rd or 3rd book in a series immediately after reading the previous.

I am a Nook owner; still have the original one. I've been reducing my book collection in my house for several years now and yes, you're 100% right, they do take over if you let them!

 

[thelookingglass]

I am a Nook owner; still have the original one. I've been reducing my book collection in my house for several years now and yes, you're 100% right, they do take over if you let them!

Isn't that the truth! I limit physical books nowadays to books I've already read and that I feel would have enough value to be lent to others in the future.

 

[Tech198]

lol ... This is Apple all-over :-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nmm0ofA15k

 

[bmt134]

What took Apple so long to copy Samsung?

 

[SHNXX]

iWatch Reportedly Launching in October with iOS 8 and Curved OLED Touchscreen

What took Apple so long to copy Samsung?

Lol. Are you serious?

What took Samsung so long to copy pebble?
What took pebble so long to copy casio?
What took casio so long to copy swatch?
What took swatch so long to copy Rolex?
What took Rolex so long to copy Cartier? (First men's production wristwatch)
What took Cartier so long to copy Breguet? (First wristwatch)

 

[JoEw]

What took Apple so long to copy Samsung?

Apple wants a successful smartwatch silly

 

[mikerudolph22]

read books on iWatch

Load the watch with something like the Spritz app, and you could be reading faster than you do on your iPhone, despite the smaller screen...this could change the way we consume information. Excited to see what comes out. Hoping it's not too expensive...

 

[Mactendo]

Maybe but seems like a solution in search of a problem and so many other useful new technologies can be packed into an iWatch that would be very low ranking to me. Plus it would likely be a battery killer. If someone really has a problem consistently getting to their phone from another room (can't be that far away if they can hear it ring) then they can increase the # of rings before it goes to VM. Problem solved.

To rebut your example, although highly anecdotal, I live in a 4 story TH. Not a whole lot of sq footage but a hike top to bottom. Winding stairs make it even more tedious. So really a "worst case" in your scenario.

If my phone is in the LL and I'm in the top level I can get to it before it goes into VM with a decent pace. But typically I don't bother. I'll just check the Caller ID later and call back if nec. If I'm expecting a call I keep my phone nearby. Actually my phone is usually nearby.

But Apple just added this feature to Yosemite. Your phone rings and you can accept the call on your Mac. I see it as a little convenient thing and not a "solution in search of a problem". And such small things build the most user friendly OS and devices on the market.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

But Apple just added this feature to Yosemite. Your phone rings and you can accept the call on your Mac. I see it as a little convenient thing and not a "solution in search of a problem". And such small things build the most user friendly OS and devices on the market.

Right, but a computer is different than a watch.

1) Battery consumption is less of a factor, if any, such as in instance of a desktop)

2) If you are at your desk (or whatever you call your desk) it's natural to push a button and answer the phone. The computer has been an extension of the residential phone since Skype. What Apple is doing w/ Yosemite is catch up to make all its devices more connected w/ each other where practical.

3) A watch, by its size, can only hold a small speaker/mic set. Do you really want to have a battery draining conversation with your arm held up to your ear? Seems awkward and dorky to me -- like Google Glasses. But given Apple's penchant for thinness my guess is the iWatch will not have a speaker or mic. It will vibrate like a Fitbit to notify the wearer of an alert.

 

[Mactendo]

Right, but a computer is different than a watch.

1) Battery consumption is less of a factor, if any, such as in instance of a desktop)

2) If you are at your desk (or whatever you call your desk) it's natural to push a button and answer the phone. The computer has been an extension of the residential phone since Skype. What Apple is doing w/ Yosemite is catch up to make all its devices more connected w/ each other where practical.

3) A watch, by its size, can only hold a small speaker/mic set. Do you really want to have a battery draining conversation with your arm held up to your ear? Seems awkward and dorky to me -- like Google Glasses. But given Apple's penchant for thinness my guess is the iWatch will not have a speaker or mic. It will vibrate like a Fitbit to notify the wearer of an alert.

I don't see a lot of difference in those two cases. Bluetooth is a low power tech and occasional usage of mic and speaker won't eat so much energy. You could always turn this feature off anyway if you don't like it. If your watches are on your hand and iPhone is somewhere else, it's also natural and convenient to push a button and answer the call. Speakers and mics are pretty small these days just like most other components of mobile devices. For a short talk it won't be a problem to raise your hand a bit (not to your face, but just to see the watches in front of you). But you can still don't use this and turn it off )

I'm absolutely sure that if not in the first generation of iWatch then in the following ones this feature will arrive and way sooner then we expect.

If there's really a vision for this product then in 5 years iWatch will be much more powerful than we can imagine now. Just like iPhone 5S with all its features was unimaginable (or at least we couldn't expect it in such a close future) when we saw the first iPhone.

 

[Mattsasa]

for a while I was wondering if Apple was going to allow Developers to create third party apps for the iWatch, and if there would be an iWatch app store But I guess iOS 8's extensibility answers that... I guess you would buy an app on your iPhone that would extend features/widgets/info over to the iWatch.

I am curious for 3rd Party Keyboards, and widgets in notification center, and iWatch Apps..... for any kind of these will there have to be an iPhone app icon? even if the iOS app has no function. Seems that will take up a lot of clutter. I am sure apple has some kind of solution.


Also this report says there will be a curved Display? I heard sapphire cannot be curved... so if this is true does that mean there will not be a sapphire display on the iWatch??