Jony Ive Discusses Steve Jobs and Apple Watch in Vogue Interview

[Millah]

I was actually very disappointed with the Apple watch. I had expected that they would "Think Different" and give us a wrist worn computing device that did things that we hadn't even though of.

And isn't that exactly what they did? It's a wrist worn computer that does things none of us thought of doing. Judging by the reactions here over sending your heartbeat, I'm guessing most of you didn't think of that before you saw it. You can judge the merits of the ideas Apple has, but you can't say Apple didn't create a wrist worn computer that does things we never thought of.

For the record, for those of you who are too young to remember 2001, the reactions here in this thread are IDENTICAL to the reactions to the iPod. "Steve Jobs has finally lost it, I was expecting magic and all he delivered is a stupid overpriced music player? Meh, Steve has finally lost it, his hubris has taken over. He no longer cares about technology, he's all about worthless gimmicks now." Now you're all saying the same thing, except BECAUSE of his absence, when previously you were saying HE was the problem. Lol.

Don't believe me? Go back in Macrumors archives. It's actually quite entertaining to laugh at. These Apple Watch threads will be equally as entertaining to look back at in 5 years.

 

[Thunderhawks]

I still think the heartbeat thing is weird and kinda creepy...

Wait until they can take blood samples!

Between that and heart and pulse you don't even need to go to a doctor.

Apple Health Check with Apple Pay.

Another goldmine!

 

[Jimrod]

I am highly interested in what Watch will do, and I'm definitely getting one.

Time found it's place on the wrist. It definitely belongs there. Sure it's great to have it on your phone, but during the majority of the day that's unreasonable.

So you could just buy, you know, a "watch", you don't need Apple for that.

 

[LostMyiPhone]

Was he ever not?

touché

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Despite their efforts, I don't see the fashion world becoming enamored with the Apple Watch. Watch enthusiasts are very particular and loyal, and I don't see them giving up their expensive watches for a new, untested gadget.

But the Vogue and Watch Collector readers are not necessarily one in the same. In fact Vogue caters to high fashion that is expensive and ephemeral, much like Apple products. To someone who buys $5K dresses like grapes, a $2000 watch is an inexpensive accessory.

 

[Neepman]

I just can't see this device being successful. I hope I'm wrong because if it fails , it will be apples epic fail and be a stinky dead albatross around their neck for the life of the company.

 

[MentalFloss]

Not only is he not wearing an Apple watch.

...which is because this is a stock photo from before the Apple Watch was announced.

His watch face is round.....which he would have picked out.....due to his personal taste......ummmmm.

Or it might have been.... ummmmm... a gift.

Or he is actually able to like more than one watch shape (apparently unlike 90% of the Macrumors readers).

 

[DomC]

Someone needs to tell Vogue that the blog they mention of things Ives might re-design is probably the one that's a sarcastic take on his iOS 7 graphics.

http://jonyiveredesignsthings.tumblr.com/

 

[jlake02]

I'm not a watch user but I can see myself buying the 2nd or 3rd generation of the Watch once they hammer out the bugs and get better battery life.

 

[Jakexb]

They're really trying to force this on the fashion crowd.

That's marketing.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

If it's not waterproof (which indications claim it is not), it's a very big misstep.

I won't buy on that alone.
You can't please everyone on a watch, that is why there are millions of variety's to choose from. (2) sizes cannot and will not fit all.

Misstep? How so? My running watch cost me $350, it's only water resistant. It suits me fine. I don't swim with my watch on. I don't think most people shower with a watch on. Apple has never once touted it as a swimmer's or triathlon watch.

 

[OllyW]

Well, the photo MR has chosen to illustrate this article is from June 2014, three months before the Apple watch was announced. So it's not really surprising.

Edit: It does look like a Marc Newson watch though.

It's a Marc Newson & Jony Ive watch.

http://timeandtidewatches.com/insta...gned-watch-friend-jony-ive-bono-red-themed-c/

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

Apple can keep its watch and Google can keep its glasses. I don't want either one of those hindrances anywhere close to my body. What a bunch of utter nonsense!

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I just can't see this device being successful. I hope I'm wrong because if it fails , it will be apples epic fail and be a stinky dead albatross around their neck for the life of the company.

We'll don't tease us. Give us facts why you think its a fail. Curious.

 

[nope7308]

And isn't that exactly what they did? It's a wrist worn computer that does things none of us thought of doing. Judging by the reactions here over sending your heartbeat, I'm guessing most of you didn't think of that before you saw it. You can judge the merits of the ideas Apple has, but you can't say Apple didn't create a wrist worn computer that does things we never thought of.

For the record, for those of you who are too young to remember 2001, the reactions here in this thread are IDENTICAL to the reactions to the iPod. "Steve Jobs has finally lost it, I was expecting magic and all he delivered is a stupid overpriced music player? Meh, Steve has finally lost it, his hubris has taken over. He no longer cares about technology, he's all about worthless gimmicks now." Now you're all saying the same thing, except BECAUSE of his absence, when previously you were saying HE was the problem. Lol.

Don't believe me? Go back in Macrumors archives. It's actually quite entertaining to laugh at. These Apple Watch threads will be equally as entertaining to look back at in 5 years.

Except that the iPod actually made a big difference in how people consume music. For instance, you no longer had to lug around a portable CD player, and 'skipping' was no longer an issue.

The Apple Watch does nothing to change the way people interact with their immediate environment. Everything that it does can be done better and faster using a cell phone. I mean, what can it do that a cell phone and a traditional wristwatch can't?

 

[2457282]

I still think the heartbeat thing is weird and kinda creepy...

Yes I was going to say the same thing. If I get a watch, please do not send me your heart beat. this just seems wierd.

 

[drewyboy]

I'm just going to say that the majority of you can't comprehend how this is going to change things. Neither do I. But just because "I don't see the point" =/ it's worthless.

As many have mentioned, iPod "another music player", iPhone "yeah it's got a touch screen, but no native apps, too expensive, no 3G, etc...", iPad "just a big ipod touch", and now the apple watch.

Huge things I see, Apple pay and health kit. Being able to have your wallet with you on your wrist, check... and no need to have my phone on me either. Health kit, tie in to your medical records and diagnosing and warning you on possible issues w/o having to see your Dr. Think about that, always tracking your health to give you a heads up when something isn't right? Talk about preventive health care! Wouldn't be surprise if w/in 5 years we see premium discounts for those that have one and wear it majority of the day, every day. Kind of like, work out x times a month and here's money for your gym membership.

Lets be honest, the apple watch will only get better, more features, smaller size, etc.

Many of you need to use your brains more often.

 

[JustinePaula]

Jony Ive is not the hot shot designer he thinks he is, the macbook pro range is a joke, take a really great design of the pre-unibody, with changeable parts and then hard solder everything, was a really low blow.

The ipad with vertical video stereo audio, only a really really great reason can justify that decision. I still cannot understand or begin to comprehend the decision to have stereo on one side of the ipad.

Whether Jony alone is to blame or his sidekick Tim is too blame, I think to a degree both are guilty of bad decision making.

Then there was the farce around FCP X 10.0.0, then 10.1.0 a complete re-think after everyone got used to one way, suddenly it all changes a 3rd time..Now iOS8.0-8.0.1-8.1--8.3 already on it's way..

Where is the problem? The problem is the very very top of the tree, not the roots, Apple has for a very long time been in trouble, and find confusing solutions to simple problems..

Where is the bash update for ShellShock? 3 days and nothing in the US App Store..

We are told the name and linkedin profile of some high up senior manager that stuffed up iOS8/Maps, then this is redacted later, too late..

Confused and lost is the best way to think of Apple in late 2014, to miss out on the busy festive buying period for the Apple-Watch, which is a part device, needing the iphone to be of any use, then with only a few minutes battery life, that is the watch, although I suspect the watch+phone will be a real battery abuser.

This concept was conceived and promoted with very little thought, there is so many problems going forward, yet Tim/Jony seem hell bent on proceeding.

It seems to me that there is a collective "madness" within the walls of Apple, a sort of hysteria that they cannot diagnose or observe, yet from the public it is clear there is a problem.

 

[brendu]

The balance in the watch world has never changed for me with the popularity of the smartphone.

I will never give up my stainless Daytona, Big Pilot or my Black Seal. Switzerland still has the lock on timepieces. IMO

I agree about Switzerland not having to worry. For now. In 20 years smart watches will be so good and so feature rich everyone will wear one. I imagine these Swiss watch makers are going to have to embrace things like android wear in order to maintain their market share in the lower and middle tier watch markets. When it comes to high end luxury watches, smart watches don't compete with them any more than a Prius competes with a Lamborghini.

 

[Nunyabinez]

And isn't that exactly what they did? It's a wrist worn computer that does things none of us thought of doing. Judging by the reactions here over sending your heartbeat, I'm guessing most of you didn't think of that before you saw it. You can judge the merits of the ideas Apple has, but you can't say Apple didn't create a wrist worn computer that does things we never thought of.

If what they presented at the keynote surprised and amazed you (in a positive way) then you must be the kind of person that is impressed when they say "the new iPhone has a faster processor and is thinner and lighter!"

This was not thinking different, this was so predicable and un-revolutionary that I was shocked and amazed, but not in a positive way.

Jony once said that when they are working on new products, they are careful about what they call them. This is because your design can be biased by old paradigms when you reference something that already exist. I guarantee you that from day 1 they were calling this the Apple watch because that's what we got, a variation on watches. It's not revolutionary and at least to me, not compelling. It could have been so much more. If I was on the team and spent three years coming up with this, I would be embarrassed.

 

[drewyboy]

Except that the iPod actually made a big difference in how people consume music. For instance, you no longer had to lug around a portable CD player, and 'skipping' was no longer an issue.

WRONG! There were so many mp3 players already on the market before the iPod came out. What made it a success? Vertically integrated environment.

The Apple Watch does nothing to change the way people interact with their immediate environment. Everything that it does can be done better and faster using a cell phone. I mean, what can it do that a cell phone and a traditional wristwatch can't?

Oh boy, I'm not going to even entertain this woefully wrong conclusion except for this, you can say that about almost ANYTHING. F that electric drill, I'm going to use my wrist! Screw you Model T, Shanky has been just a fine horse! Up yours Wright brothers, my boat keeps me on the ground!

 

[brendu]

Where is the bash update for ShellShock? 3 days and nothing in the US App Store..

Came out yesterday if I'm not mistaken.

 

[JustinePaula]

Vertically integrated environment.

Jony took that literally..designed the tablet to be that, vertically integrated...

 

[Traverse]

But you're fine with your $1000 smartphone being obsolete and having 50% battery capacity in 18 months?

True, although my 4S lasted 34 months!

The rumors point to already unsatisfactory battery life in the Apple Watch. "About a day," I believe. In 12-18 months that could be "half a day." I don't need to worry about my watch dying before 2pm.

 

[amirite]

I think one of the things that will hinder adoption is that an iPhone is good enough. The iPhone will fit most users needs just fine.

You can spend $350 to enhance your tech capabilities, but in the end, I see the watch taking the path of another Apple hobby device. In a few years we will have the sales numbers and can make the call as to whether this is a revolutionary market changing device or just a niche item.

I see most people just saying meh, I have an iPhone, I'd rather take the $350 and get a new Xbox or something.

Wearable tech is the future. Standalone smartwatches aren't currently viable, but they'll soon be just as important as smartphones are today.

Version 1 won't be everything we wanted it to be—compare the first gen iPhone with the 6, for example. People complained about the price. People complained about the lack of features. It was still a success. The 1G Watch is just the beginning.

Apple is currently trying to market this watch as a fashion item because that's what watches are for most people in 2014. Further, Apple has always had a huge following of people who see their products as a fashion accessory rather than great hardware and software like many of us do (whether we like to admit it or not). Those people, along with people like me, and others, who think it's going to be a pretty convenient device, will make the first gen Watch a success.

I was recently walking through a busy street while trying to follow a text conversation. As petty and "first world problems" as it may sound, putting your phone in and taking it out of your pocket over and over again is a huge inconvenience. In fact, it can be pretty dangerous looking down at your phone so frequently while walking (and much more so while driving). As I was walking I thought to myself "having an Apple Watch would be pretty damn handy right now". Pocket watches moved to the wrist. I have no doubt the same will happen to pocket computers.