J.J. Abrams Wears Apple Watch During Star Wars Panel in Anaheim

[bradl]

I'll crosspost it here as well.

Forget the watch. I want the plane.

http://flightaware.com/squawks/view...launches_Star_Wars_inspired_Boeing_Dreamliner

http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/blog/2015/04/all-nippon-airways-launches-star-wars-inspired.html

All Nippon Airways launches Star Wars-inspired Boeing Dreamliner
Apr 16, 2015, 4:45pm CDT Updated Apr 16, 2015, 4:47pm CDT
Daniel McCoy
Wichita Business Journal

The force is strong with this airline.

All Nippon Airways this fall will roll out a 787-9 Dreamliner from the Boeing Co. with the paint scheme patterned after the popular Star Wars character R2-D2.

That will be just before the planned Christmas release of the latest film in the Star Wars series, “The Force Awakens,” which made waves Thursday with the release of the film’s second trailer.

The Japanese carrier has a special website that offers a look at the new plane.

ANA is the largest operator of 787s in the world. It was the Boeing’s (NYSE:BA) launch customer on the 787 program, and recently became the first Asian carrier to have all three models on its books following an order for the largest version, the coming 787-10.

Each of those planes, including the R2-D2 jet, have ties to Wichita.

The city’s largest employer, Spirit AeroSystems Inc. (NYSE: SPR), builds the forward fuselage and other components on the 787.

Those portions of the plane are flown from Wichita to Boeing assembly sites in either Washington state or South Carolina.

The 787 is one of Boeing’s and Spirit’s most important programs.

Production has been ramped up to the rate of 10 per month and Boeing’s delivery of 30 of advanced passenger jets in the first quarter put it on track to meet its annual delivery goal of 120 for 2015.

BL.

 

[Tompkinson]

What I meant was, it's for a person more interested in what it does than what it says about us. Therefore, we don't care if people can see a fancy watch face all the time with an expensive brand name. Notice that there is ZERO branding visible on it? People have to know what an Apple watch looks like to know it's an Apple watch. Unlike other luxury items with prominent logos. That's confidence on Apple's part. And understatement I appreciate. Most luxury items look tacky covered in logos, IMO.

Understood.
It's just a funny phrase to me "The thinking person's watch"

Perhaps if it randomly displayed quotes by Sartre and Socrates...

 

[laurim]

I don't know that there is obvious intent. Most people I know who mention the watch in conversation call it the iWatch - mainly because they are used to everything from apple being I-this and I-that.

That's an excuse for casual live conversation. Not on a board about the APPLE WATCH where people have already said APPLE WATCH a thousand times and in many other threads. But I'll stop before I get another private message from an admin telling me correcting someone about this is somehow the same as correcting someone's grammar (which kind of mystifies me but whatever).

 

[Tompkinson]

I'll crosspost it here as well.

Forget the watch. I want the plane.

I can't believe Nippon Airways will get their hands on this 787-9 Dreamliner from the Boeing Co. before us - the common people and normal customers.

 

[ginkobiloba]

Never said I don't care about how it looks, I have my preferences like anyone else. But if you tell me buying a luxury watch for thousands of dollars that only does one or two things isn't pretty much ALL about how it looks and what the person hopes it tells people about them, I would say you were lying.

Why not ? Appreciating beauty and beautiful things is a personal experience. Some people will pay a fortune to travel to beautiful places. They are not travelling there to impress other people. Some people will pay a fortune for great bottle of wine, a great restaurant to enjoy a great meal. Not impress other people. Same thing for a beautiful watch, a painting, or a nice piece of furniture for your house, if you can afford it.

I'm not saying that there are no people that buys expensive things or experiences just for impressing others, but one does not imply the other.
I don't know, maybe it's a cultural thing. I live in France where people spend a sizable part of their income on good food without blinking. They' re not doing it to impress anyone, they do it because they have a genuine appreciation for food in general and think it's worth the money for,the experience. They could spend a less lot for food, after all one just needs enough calories and minerals per day, no matter what it tastes like..

 

[Tompkinson]

I'm not saying that there are no people that buys expensive things or experiences just for impressing others, but one does not imply the other.

That is true, but I think it is not unreasonable to claim that many people who spend large sums of money on expensive watches are hoping to impress by implying they are successful and have enough surplus money that they can buy an expensive device which provides quite limited functionality.

I traveled to Hong Kong many years ago, 2 colleagues asked me to buy them fake rolex watches. It was obvious they were hoping to impress. Girls, neighbours, etc. I expect they were not intending to sit at home enjoying the beauty of the devices.
Both bought real Rolex watches as soon as they could afford them.

 

[laurim]

Why not ? Appreciating beauty and beautiful things is a personal experience. Some people will pay a fortune to travel to beautiful places. They are not travelling there to impress other people. Some people will pay a fortune for great bottle of wine, a great restaurant to enjoy a great meal. Not impress other people. Same thing for a beautiful watch, a painting, or a niçce furniture peice for your house, if you can afford it.

I'm not saying that there are no people that buys expensive things or experiences just for impressing others, but one does not imply the other.
I don't know, maybe it's a cultural thing. I live in France where people spend a sizable part of their income on good food without blinking. They' re not doing it to impress anyone, they do it because they have a genuine appreciation for food in general and think it's worth the money for,the experience. They could spend a less lot for food, after all one just needs enough calories and minerals per day, no matter what it tastes like..

I'm totally with you on paying lots of money for good experiences. I certainly have paid more than my fair share on trips to europe and the $600 I spent on a down quilt in Munich back in the '80s that is on my bed to this day was a great purchase. And other than some pictures and a few souvenirs I can tell stories about, no one knows I did them. I'm showing my prejudice for people who buy fancy watches, shoes and handbags. A shoe with a red bottom costs way more than one without and there's little true reason why other than so people know you have it. Same goes for Louis Vitton bags with logos plastered all over them. I can appreciate owning a fine watch but I feel an Apple Watch has at least as much care and detail inside as any expensive swiss made watch. It just doesn't scream LOOK AT ME. I COST A LOT OF MONEY! And I think that's why some people here don't want it or appreciate it.

 

[ginkobiloba]

That is true, but I think it is not unreasonable to claim that many people who spend large sums of money on expensive watches are hoping to impress by implying they are successful and have enough surplus money that they can buy an expensive device which provides quite limited functionality.

I traveled to Hong Kong many years ago, 2 colleagues asked me to buy them fake rolex watches. It was obvious they were hoping to impress. Girls, neighbours, etc. I expect they were not intending to sit at home enjoying the beauty of the devices.
Both bought real Rolex watches as soon as they could afford them.

Sure, but i think you'll find plenty of people who buy Apple stuff because they see it as a status symbol, not because of a genuine appreciation for the functionality/aesthetics of Apple products... So it's not much different..

 

[topmounter]

And I also don't get why some people won't call the Apple Watch by its proper name... Do you think it's clever when you do that? The old "I'm too cool to call it the right name" thing most people outgrow after high school?

Brevity.

 

[Tompkinson]

Sure, but i think you'll find plenty of people who buy Apple stuff because they see it as a status symbol, not because of a genuine appreciation for the functionality/aesthetics of Apple products... So it's not much different..

I agree. Both motivations exist when people spend money.

 

[laurim]

A little off topic but here's the watch for the person who wanted a surfing watch, $300:

http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/gadgets/ultratide-smart-watch-lets-you-know-when-surfs-n343091

 

[Swordylove]

Around the world, we strive to treat every customer the same -- regardless of where they come from, how they worship or who they love. - Tim Cook

How about social status, Tim?

 

[Bruce Oksol]

Beta testing

In addition to all the other reasons mentioned, these watches were heavily beta tested. Who better to beta test these watches than folks in the entertainment business? This has less to do with rich people getting watches before anyone else and more with really, really good beta testing.

Something tells me my wife's Apple Watch will be a better product because it was beta tested by the right folks.

 

[macbeta]

If you haven't seen it its worth a watch

The People Versus George Lucas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TToLeOe0bPM

 

[Judas1]

hmmm, I have an engineering degree, a Mensa membership card, jailbroke my ATV 2 and installed XBMC before selling it on eBay (for $236 baby!), hung my own projector in my living room, have it and all my LR lights on X10 remotes and replaced the hard drives in my two MBPs with ssds by myself, not to mention replacing mother boards, video cards, ram, etc. in the past. Am I geeky enough? At least for a woman? Am I dick-riding a trend, whatever that means. I like dick riding but I don't think we mean the same things.

And you like the watch? Might want to check your geek card at the door. The Apple watch has nothing new a tech geek would want.

 

[jimbobb24]

The last paragraph of this story is gross nausea inducing crap culminating in an affront to good taste and English with the...I hesitate to say... Word ..."influencers".

This is all I need to know about the watch. If you need an influencer to attract you, the watch probably sucks and please for the rest of us stop voting. Sure, it's fashion. Pretty bland fashion. Apple used to be a balance between form and function, now form alone. It's the Tim Cook Apple and its sad. Influencers. The worst thing about this is we are told influencers are going to influence us then we are supposed to let them influence us not with ideas but the power of their trendiness.

If Apple was smart they would put one on Obama. Now THAT would be a serious influencer for those open to influencing.

 

[Ryan T.]

If Apple was smart they would put one on Obama. Now THAT would be a serious influencer for those open to influencing.

Apple is smart, which is why they wouldn't want to align themselves politically. Not that Obama would accept anyway, I'm sure.

 

[jimbobb24]

I agree. Both motivations exist when people spend money.

Incorrect. Both motivations CAN exist when people spend money (social status and for functionality). There are lots of other reasons people spend money as well.

 

[Judas1]

The last paragraph of this story is gross nausea inducing crap culminating in an affront to good taste and English with the...I hesitate to say... Word ..."influencers".

This is all I need to know about the watch. If you need an influencer to attract you, the watch probably sucks and please for the rest of us stop voting. Sure, it's fashion. Pretty bland fashion. Apple used to be a balance between form and function, now form alone. It's the Tim Cook Apple and its sad. Influencers. The worst thing about this is we are told influencers are going to influence us then we are supposed to let them influence us not with ideas but the power of their trendiness.

If Apple was smart they would put one on Obama. Now THAT would be a serious influencer for those open to influencing.

You had me before mentioning Obama. Unless you're a super millionaire, and we all hate you if you are, Obama actually helped you out. You make me sad for America.

 

[jimbobb24]

Apple is smart, which is why they wouldn't want to align themselves politically. Not that Obama would accept anyway, I'm sure.

Well, I would agree with you 4 years ago but Tim Cook is doing everything he can to make Apple a political company. But I digress (or Cook does...)

----------

You had me before mentioning Obama. Unless you're a super millionaire, and we all hate you if you are, Obama actually helped you out. You make me sad for America.

I don't want to make you sad but don't know what you mean. Your sad when people want to boost their Apple stock by having someone with super influencing powers influence?

 

[Judas1]

Well, I would agree with you 4 years ago but Tim Cook is doing everything he can to make Apple a political company. But I digress (or Cook does...)

Um... Cook is gay, but he's running the most successful company. Maybe being gay and being accepted and beneficial to society isn't mutually exclusive?

----------

Well, I would agree with you 4 years ago but Tim Cook is doing everything he can to make Apple a political company. But I digress (or Cook does...)

----------



I don't want to make you sad but don't know what you mean. Your sad when people want to boost their Apple stock by having someone with super influencing powers influence?

Its sad when you spout Fox news talking points against Obama, and Obama probably helped you out . So blind, so blind, yeah that makes me sad.

 

[SchneiderMan]

Why does Apple keep giving multi million celebs expensive watches while the common folk struggle to pay for their low end sport edition.

They're famous. It's called advertising.

 

[coltman75]

The reason I liked the iPhone launches is because celebrity's were treated just like everyone else in the sense that they weren't being given special treatment over the general consumer base.

Then you're not remembering correctly. Celebrities had iPads and iPhones sometimes a month before everyone else did.

 

[AdonisSMU]

They're famous. It's called advertising.

It's Apple. They don't need to spend the money on that. People will use it regardless. Celebrity's will join in or risk being caught out there light the public has moved on without them. Years ago the celebrity would've helped Apple but now they are the biggest company in the world. They don't need to beg celebrities to use their products to get people to use them.

 

[OoOOOOOOoooOOOO]

it all boils down to evolutionary biology. men have millions of sperm to spread so that's why we try to impregnate as many females as possible.

women, on the other hand, require nurturing and a sense of security, for protection during the 9 months of pregnancy.

over the millenia, woman's attraction for security and protection has morphed somewhat from hunter/fighter dude to wealthy provider/powerful dude. hence why so many women are 'gold diggers' and attracted to $$$.

that's why people want the bling and will pay out the nose for it. so guys can get the girls and girls can show off.