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

[laurim]

The iWatch was widely considered a disaster when the world got its first peek, derided by fashion experts and regular folks alike. Seem like Apple's marketing muscle has convinced the world the Emperor's New Clothes is dandy indeed.



Only if they go for the Sports version. Even then, one could argue that they're trying impress. A $20 Timex/Casio is for someone who values function (telling accurate time) over trying to impress people. I prefer a Seiko 5--the least expensive, reliably automatic watch. No one has been impressed by its looks, but when I tell them it's over 20 years old and still keeps accurate (for a mechanical watch) time. Day-um. That's impressive.

At $10K for the Apple Edition is deep, deep in the trying to impress people territory.

A $10 Casio that only tells the time is not the kind of function I'm talking about. A $10 Casio is for people who want a watch they don't care about losing or destroying. I bought a cheap watch for using while I'm at the beach or snorkeling. I wouldn't wear a $10 watch to go out to dinner in nice clothes.

 

[handsome pete]

I'm gonna say something that most of you don't want to hear. Apple isn't just giving out these watches to celebrities. Most likely, they are paying celebrities to wear it, because otherwise why would they wear it? The watch is not that known or popular outside of the tech world. And lets be frank, its kinda fugly in gold. So Apple is paying for popularity now. Yeah i said it.

I don't think they're necessarily paying them to wear it. It's a brand new piece of tech that they get their hands on way before the general public. Why wouldn't anyone want to show that off? Now if they're all still wearing them daily 6 months from now, then you might be on to something. That, or they just end up liking the watch.

 

[CoMoMacUser]

The new Star Wars trailer rocks.

 

[JackANSI]

I'd bet your right...however the fly in the ointment is that the iPhone 6s will (if history is any guide) look identical to the 6 and placement will be almost worthless beyond being an iPhone. The iPhone 7 though...

You could be right, but I don't think it will happen with iPhones. The iPhone 6S will look so much like the iPhone 6 that no one will notice. And Apple didn't need any help like this with the iPhone 6 sales.

If Apple makes a car in five or ten years, I think you'll see celebrities (both popular and automotive) invited to become early adopters.

What better way to spruce up the old design than a bunch of fake exclusivity? If there is even one feature that "no one else" has, you know they will want it just as bad as a new design.

 

[Dezryth]

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

Wow stop whining.

It's called advertising.

 

[asiga]

Ugh, this watch is turning Macrumors into a bad celebrity gossip website. Only missing the commentary about which type of soup they're enjoying while utilizing the accessory.

Not to mention that all these photos are showing mockups or hoaxes, as we all know they're selling 2M watches per day so Apple cannot meet demand because of the market overwhelming interest in the watch.

 

[laurim]

I'm gonna say something that most of you don't want to hear. Apple isn't just giving out these watches to celebrities. Most likely, they are paying celebrities to wear it, because otherwise why would they wear it? The watch is not that known or popular outside of the tech world. And lets be frank, its kinda fugly in gold. So Apple is paying for popularity now. Yeah i said it.

Nope. But if you can prove it I'll be glad to apologize. I watch plenty of those reality shows where people are preparing for a big event and they are being handed things to wear for free left and right. Not to mention the huge gift bags people get for presenting awards or getting Oscars. Getting products into the hands of celebrities is expected and they are free. Celebrities DO get paid to make formal commercials but not for simply using something. They aren't obligated to wear it and that's why they aren't paid to do it. If someone was being forced to wear it under contract they would be paid to do it. Don't forget, having the newest thing from Apple gives the celebrity a coolness boost, too. It's mutual.

 

[Andrei90]

I doubt you'll have any takers on this.

But a big part of this is new for Apple, this is giving away/pay product for high visibility placement prior to 1st deliveries to the peons who have to order the product and wait for weeks/months...

This is not new at all, they did the same with the iPad and with the iPhone.

 

[Judas1]

I think you may be wrong.

Afraid not. Its how advertisement works for a unpopular new product.

I don't think they're necessarily paying them to wear it. It's a brand new piece of tech that they get their hands on way before the general public. Why wouldn't anyone want to show that off? Now if they're all still wearing them daily 6 months from now, then you might be on to something. That, or they just end up liking the watch.

No way. All smart watches, including the Apple watch is geek wear. It takes momentum to move it to geek chic, and celebrities aren't gonna do that for free. You may think that celebrities are fashion forward, but actually they are the worse bandwagon riders.

 

[fallenapple99]

Another celeb wearing a watch that they didn't have to pay for. Makes me want to run out and spend $$$ on a product that's not even available, NOT!

 

[Andrei90]

i was wondering the same thing. maybe they will start showing pictures of everyone ever seen wearing an apple watch. "joe nobody was seen wearing an apple watch during his shift as a bank teller at the local wells fargo branch in scranton, PA. he received his apple watch as a gift from apple in the mail 6 weeks after it was available on April 24 in exchange for $399 - it is unknown if he paid cash or credit"..

I know this has nothing to do with it but will I need to take my watch off while I'm in the bank?

----------

Another celeb wearing a watch that they didn't have to pay for. Makes me want to run out and spend $$$ on a product that's not even available, NOT!

Maybe not you but lots of others will. Or do you think those millions of followers on twitter aren't real people?

 

[whatos]

So is Macrumors going to make a post every time a celebrity is seen wearing an iWatch?

Of course it's the nature of all those who's business and those who's lives are Apple Centric. Those who care a lot about what others think of them use a product like Apple to help define who they are. It's rather commonplace and helps increase sales and profits of designer brands.

Originally Apple was about functionality and the experience.

Now Apple has completed their migration into the mainstream of consumer products. Gadgets and Entertainment delivered with the Apple logo have in some quarters become a status symbol of sorts. With a big push into the fashion industry Apple wants all the money.

So far the signs are pointing in Apple's direction

 

[nutjob]

So... some is... wearing a watch. Exciting stuff.

 

[Andrei90]

Afraid not. Its how advertisement works for a unpopular new product.


No way. All smart watches, including the Apple watch is geek wear. It takes momentum to move it to geek chic, and celebrities aren't gonna do that for free. You may think that celebrities are fashion forward, but actually they are the worse bandwagon riders.

You must be old, must people I know want an Apple Watch and these are just normal teens. Apple is cool so it is really normal for them to want an Apple Watch. I mean, teens show off on facebook their iPhone everytime there's a new iOS update! "I have the new iOS 8.3 wink wink" 400 Likes.

 

[laurim]

Afraid not. Its how advertisement works for a unpopular new product.


No way. All smart watches, including the Apple watch is geek wear. It takes momentum to move it to geek chic, and celebrities aren't gonna do that for free. You may think that celebrities are fashion forward, but actually they are the worse bandwagon riders.

If you think an Apple Watch looks like geek wear your bias is showing. It doesn't look like geek wear to me at all. Is an iPhone geeky?

 

[Soccertess]

Not to be that guy but I'm going to be that guy.

Why is it that rich people get the watch early for free and yet customers have to purchase it and then wait?

Apple has always done product placement, but this is the first time it has done so when a product is unavailable to the public.

From the number of negative reactions, not sure it's a good thing. Some crazy people say this type of exposure is good, I don't believe that. Especially before the shipping date to the public (their customers).

Personally, it does nothing for me seeing Drake and katey parry flaunt there special access to Apple, especially ostentatiously. Looks to be the new fashion staff getting there way with this new celebrity advertising campaign (yuck)

 

[Judas1]

You must be old, must people I know want an Apple Watch and these are just normal teens. Apple is cool so it is really normal for them to want an Apple Watch. I mean, teens show off on facebook their iPhone everytime there's a new iOS update! "I have the new iOS 8.3 wink wink" 400 Likes.

LOL. There was just an article here saying teens have little interest in the Apple watch. The product isn't that good, Apple has to use other means to drum up interest. Its so obvious to me and any that isn't blinded by brand loyalty.

 

[laurim]

Of course it's the nature of all those who's business and those who's lives are Apple Centric. Those who care a lot about what others think of them use a product like Apple to help define who they are. It's rather commonplace and helps increase sales and profits of designer brands.

Originally Apple was about functionality and the experience.

Now Apple has completed their migration into the mainstream of consumer products. Gadgets and Entertainment delivered with the Apple logo have in some quarters become a status symbol of sorts. With a big push into the fashion industry Apple wants all the money.

So far the signs are pointing in Apple's direction

Please, ever since the "Think Different" campaign Apple has defined its products as ones for people who aren't afraid to buck the trend and use something that the masses aren't. You know, the OPPOSITE of being a sheep.

 

[Judas1]

If you think an Apple Watch looks like geek wear your bias is showing. It doesn't look like geek wear to me at all. Is an iPhone geeky?

Tech that isn't sexy so that its popular on its own or really functional so that everyone and their mom has it is geek wear. The Apple watch is geek wear. Sorry buddy.

 

[2457282]

A shortage because of giving them to celebrities? I hope you're not serious, because given away hundreds or even a few thousand Apple Watches is pretty much an irrelevant drop in the bucket compared to the hundreds of thousands or millions they have available for people to buy at launch.

yes it was a joke, and I hope so is your "thousand or millions they will have for people to buy at launch."

On April 24, they will have exactly ZERO to buy.

Please order on-line, go home and wait for the mail man.

In June.

 

[laurim]

Tech that isn't sexy so that its popular on its own or really functional so that everyone and their mom has it is geek wear. The Apple watch is geek wear. Sorry buddy.

Lol, ok, girl. I'll proudly let my geek flag fly.

 

[Andrei90]

LOL. There was just an article here saying teens have little interest in the Apple watch. The product isn't that good, Apple has to use other means to drum up interest. Its so obvious to me and any that isn't blinded by brand loyalty.

Is not about the product not being good, is about marketing, this is a new product we're talking about. First iPhone sold 1 millon after 70 days, the first iPad sold 1 million after 28 days. The Apple Watch is selling 2.3 million in its first weekend... So there you go, numbers speak for themselves.

----------

Tech that isn't sexy so that its popular on its own or really functional so that everyone and their mom has it is geek wear. The Apple watch is geek wear. Sorry buddy.

LMAO, so now Katy Perry, Rihanna and Pharrel are geeks.

 

[69Mustang]

Nope. But if you can prove it I'll be glad to apologize. I watch plenty of those reality shows where people are preparing for a big event and they are being handed things to wear for free left and right. Not to mention the huge gift bags people get for presenting awards or getting Oscars. Getting products into the hands of celebrities is expected and they are free. Celebrities DO get paid to make formal commercials but not for simply using something. They aren't obligated to wear it and that's why they aren't paid to do it. If someone was being forced to wear it under contract they would be paid to do it. Don't forget, having the newest thing from Apple gives the celebrity a coolness boost, too. It's mutual.

You're right. They aren't paying people to wear the Apple watch. They are doing what all smart companies do, using their network. All the celebs and fashion people with the Apple watch are far less than 6 degrees from Apple.

Lagerfeld - probably 1 degree from Angela Ahrendts
JJ Abrams - maybe 2 degrees with the Disney relationship. Someone said he was friends with Ive (I don't know that to be true though)
Pharrell, Katy Perry, Drake, and Sam Smith - 1 to 2 degrees. All have Beats relationships

They don't need to pay for product placement. Between the Ahrendts fashion connections and Beats celebrity connections Apple has a ready made guerrilla marketing. If we see celebs in traditional commercial advertising then one could rightly assume a contractual relationship exists. Until then, it's just friend helping friend. One benefits from the product placement and the other benefits from the exclusivity.

 

[Judas1]

Lol, ok, girl. I'll proudly let my geek flag fly.

Lol. Dude, at this point, Google glasses are less geeky than this watch. Get your wear on, but if you want to let your geek flag fly, get something that geeks would actually want, and not this wannabe.

 

[dec.]

...and of course product placement done by Apple now is "they are desperate!!!" - what a (predictable in most cases) joke. On the other hand, considering the abysmal sales of Android and Pebble Watches - especially when you take into account that they technically are open to a far larger potential non-iOS-using customer base, I can see why Apple is focusing on marketing a product category that most people just are absolutely ignoring so far.