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Jony Ive Reveals Exclusive Apple Watch Sport Bands at Milan Design Week

Keirasplace said:
So, wearing a $350 device (no more expensive than any decent watch), which is in fact a computer on your wrist, is a social status thing... Your right... In a way... Just like anything you buy, or wear.

Just like if the clothes you buy are from the Gap and not Walmart, that Iphone that cost 3 times what that other guy next to you has, or the fact you're buying a Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Audi or Acura and not a Focus.

Wealth and what you buy (what you wear is just part of that) is closely associated.

Apple has always projected social standing and at least a certain level of wealth. You think poor schlubbo was buying that Ipod and holding it in their hand while they ran? If you look at their early 2000s publicities, it is obvious who they were targeting initially : urban and relatively affluent.

That you think this has all started just now is plain adorable. How do you think they can charge higher margins for their products? From people that don't have money to spare?

Why do you think Apple has a such a large group of haters on the net already? It already has the reputation amongst a certain group of people as elitist. I always had that.

IF you think buying $4-7K products from Apple (in 2015 money) in the 1970s to 1990s somehow didn't make you part of the more fortunate, you're just being funny. If anything, Apple products have never been more democratic than now. Maybe you just embarrassed to show your own socio-economic status this openly by wearing an Apple Watch (instead of it being hidden at home).
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I think it can easily come across as a status thing.

I don't buy Apple for stautus. I've been buying it since 1988 because it was the best and most useful for graphic design at the time (and I still feel that way).

A good, competent watch can be had for $100, a great watch for $200. Above that, it's about conspicuous consumption.

Wife and I have very healthy incomes, no children, but still buy my jeans at WalMart, shop at Market Basket instead of Whole Foods, and prefer my Kia SUV above the other (perceived) higher end brands.

Not everyone buys expensive just because they could. I'm very happy to be able to tell the difference between the value of something as opposed to the cost.

As to the Apple Watch, it's not so much the cost as the "perceived" eletistness (is that even a word?) that it presents.

On the other hand, it's odd to think of it as eletist, especially if you get use out of it and wear it every day. Just think how many people have expensive jewelry that doesn't even do anything but look pretty. And frequently is only worn a few times a year.
 
neonart said:
No matter what has been said positive about the watch, the "haters gonna hate, hate, hate". I've been an Apple user since 1993 and have seen the pattern so many times.
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I don't hate Apple.

I wanted an Apple II, but I ended up getting an Atari 800 instead :)

My only gripe, or thing that makes me sad is that Apple has left a groups of people and I will include myself in the group, out in the cold deliberately.

And they have done this, simply because they know if they did not, the products they WANTED to sell would not of sold so well.

What am I talking about?
A reasonably priced Desktop Mac Computer.

One that, just like a PC, you can upgrade with new graphics cards, more memory, SSD's upgrade just like a PC, till you decide you wish to get a new one and start again.

Instead they only wanted to offer, and still do a Laptop with a large screen on a stand. A mac mini that's restricted and an over priced Mac Pro. Priced at such a point where it would never threaten their MacPro or ever stand a chance of becoming popular.

This is not a mistake, it's deliberate. And that makes me sad.
 
elgrecomac said:
If I were the buyer of this device, which, in this beta version I am not, I'd be worried that Apple is drawing your eyes and attention AWAY from the device. Why is that? is there so little there in a $350-$17,000 device that they and their incredibly effect marketing dept (the best in the world), got you all talking about 2 pieces of plastic. I am the only one seeing the silliness factor here?
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I am a buyer, and I'm not worried. This is a side show.

Your subjunctive worrying doesn't concern me either. If I had a nickel, I could buy a cup of coffee at Starbucks if I had an additional $2.70 (and if I even liked coffee, which I don't).

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Piggie said:
I don't hate Apple.

I wanted an Apple II, but I ended up getting an Atari 800 instead :)

My only gripe, or thing that makes me sad is that Apple has left a groups of people and I will include myself in the group, out in the cold deliberately.

And they have done this, simply because they know if they did not, the products they WANTED to sell would not of sold so well.

What am I talking about?
A reasonably priced Desktop Mac Computer.

One that, just like a PC, you can upgrade with new graphics cards, more memory, SSD's upgrade just like a PC, till you decide you wish to get a new one and start again.

Instead they only wanted to offer, and still do a Laptop with a large screen on a stand. A mac mini that's restricted and an over priced Mac Pro. Priced at such a point where it would never threaten their MacPro or ever stand a chance of becoming popular.

This is not a mistake, it's deliberate. And that makes me sad.
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Your sadness doesn't signify. Apparently you've been at odds with Apple for a very long time. Nothing in your post or in the list of products in your signature shows you even close to owning Apple products. Perhaps Apple will someday change into a company that could do business with you, but I think it would be by losing the qualities that make it Apple.
 
Gameboy70 said:
It's only dismissive if you abstract the criticisms leveled against the Watch as mere "naysaying". The rebuttals to the actual criticisms have more often than not been more specific: that the iPad was criticized for being "just" a big iPod Touch or didn't do anything people couldn't already do with their laptops; that the iPod had less space than a [Creative] Nomad or was overpriced compared to portable CD players.

The one and only case for a smartwatch is that it's more convenient than a device that sits in your pocket—the same reason wristwatches overtook pocket watches. Look at how many people keep their phone out (in their hands or on the table) when seated just to avoid having to pull it out and put it back constantly. This behavior is almost entirely unconscious. If you asked them if the find pulling out their phone repeatedly to be onerous, most of them would say no. This is no different than the pre-iPad era when users were so inured to PC boot-up times that they scoffed at the need for instant-on devices.

I've been using smartphones for over 10 years, but I've never stopped using a wristwatch despite the timepiece in my pocket. Checking the time with a glance is just more convenient. It's not a question of whether I "need" a watch. The same principle applies to notifications, reminders, etc.
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You've hit the nail right on the head.

I get a kick out of people who have to pull out their phone to check the time, or funnier still, always have a hand full with a phone in it. Yes, that's so much more convenient than wearing a watch <sarcasm there>.
Those who can't/wont/don't see any possible use for this device can't see beyond their personal feelings.

My wife and I both have extremely busy work and personal schedules. Our calendar, which is cloud synched to all our devices and desktops, is overwhelming on some days.
Having time, notifications, schedules conveniently on my wrist will be very useful to me instead of checking the phone.
Add in the fitness tracking and it's even better.

I understand some people don't feel the need to own one, but they need to know the world doesn't revolve around them.

Even knowing this is first generation (I love how the nay-sayers call it Beta) technology, I'm very happy to have climbed on board. When the third gen comes out, I'll upgrade.

Apple is making wearable tech acceptable and sexy. This will benefit all the companies that manufacture it. Who knows what this tech will look like in the future?
People say the Newton and other PDAs were flops. Were they? Personally I think they were the clear forerunners of smartphones and tablets. In 5 or 10 years, who knows what we'll be wearing on our wrists (or IN our bodies).
 
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jagolden said:
C'mon, live a little! Show some color!
Those are great for the boardroom, but...;)

Can't wait to 'sport' the lime green version! Could be a little off-putting to some...natures way of saying "do not touch".
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it's also the color of vomit, but i guess it takes all kinds....:D
 
neonart said:
No matter what has been said positive about the watch, the "haters gonna hate, hate, hate". I've been an Apple user since 1993 and have seen the pattern so many times.

In 1998 when the iMac came out it was the same thing. It was dissed as just a pretty computer that was limited and did nothing any other computer couldn't do. A flop. $1299! Crazy. There was nothing compelling you could say in 1998 about an iMac that would change the views of the haters. I'm glad to say I had a first gen iMac and loved it. The iMac changed how computers where viewed industrywide. Apple has sold millions and millions of iMacs, including to those who bashed them in the beginning.

In 2001 the iPod was BASHED for not having anything new or great. See thread 500. $399! Crazy. There was nothing compelling you could say in 2001 to change the view of the haters. I'm glad to say I enjoyed my first gen iPod, and all the ones after that until today. The iPod, needless to say, became one of the most influential tech products of our generation. Apple has sold millions and millions of iPods, including to those who bashed them at the beginning.

In 2007 the iPhone was said to be too expensive, people dissed the lack of a keyboard. Many said the iPhone did nothing their old phone and iPod could't do. They didn't want to get online with a tiny screen that didn't even do Flash. It wasn't Windows CE, it wasn't Palm. $599 out of pocket! No way! I'm glad to have been 3rd in line at ATT on release day for the iPhone back then, a 4s in 2011, and a 6 last year. Apple has sold a few iPhones since the first one and completely changed the industry.

In 2010 the iPad was also hated by the haters. Who needed that!? That's what a laptop is for. Thats what the iPhone is for said the naysayers who had previously said they wouldn't use the iPhone to surf the web. $499! Crazy. Netbooks are better and cheaper. My wife loved her 1st Gen iPad and we love our iPad Airs. There was nothing you could tell a detractor then that would have made it compelling. Apple has also sold a few of those. Netbooks are gone, and all manufactures make an iPad clone.

And here we are. 2015. The Apple Watch starts at $349. Less than any of those previous products, including the iPod back in 2001. It's a fashionable watch. A portable music player. It can make calls & send text messages from your wrist even if your phone is in your pants in the dirty laundry upstairs. It can give you directions, pay for stuff, open doors, control your TV, check you in at hotels and airports, start you car, measure your heart rate, track your exercise, and thats just before the App ecosystem really takes off. (Have some foresight here.)

But to the haters, it's too expensive, it needs an iPhone, it just another smart watch, it's ugly, the battery doesn't last long enough, it's just a fashion accessory, only the apple faithful will buy it, etcetera.

Well, here we go again.
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This is what's so frustrating with the naysayers. Point out flaws, or criticisms by all means, but they're not humble at all. They refuse to accept the counterintuitive success of Apple's previous products, and don't realise the same thing might happen again.

One person on here has said multiple times that the Watch will go down as one of the biggest failures in business history, and will be discontinued within 3 months.
 
thekeyring said:
They've broken down how you use it, and reviewers have confirmed that Apple was spot on.

In your example, it would be like saying 'You'll refuel every week, if you drive the car 2 hours a day on your commute to and from work'.

Apple Watch will last 90 time checks and 90 notifications (one of each *every* 12 minutes in an 18 hour day).

PLUS 45 minutes of app use. (Again, that's 2 and a half minutes of app use *every* hour in this phantom day where you're awake for 18 hours.)

All this and a 30 minute workout (with music playback).

This actually isn't bad: And much better than your original comment implied.
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The other thing you're ignoring is the fact that battery's degrade. Fast. Good luck scrambling for a charger mid-day after a year or two when the battery only holds 70% of the charge. Just ask any past iphone owner.
 
Piggie said:
I don't hate Apple.

I wanted an Apple II, but I ended up getting an Atari 800 instead :)

My only gripe, or thing that makes me sad is that Apple has left a groups of people and I will include myself in the group, out in the cold deliberately.

And they have done this, simply because they know if they did not, the products they WANTED to sell would not of sold so well.

What am I talking about?
A reasonably priced Desktop Mac Computer.

One that, just like a PC, you can upgrade with new graphics cards, more memory, SSD's upgrade just like a PC, till you decide you wish to get a new one and start again.

Instead they only wanted to offer, and still do a Laptop with a large screen on a stand. A mac mini that's restricted and an over priced Mac Pro. Priced at such a point where it would never threaten their MacPro or ever stand a chance of becoming popular.

This is not a mistake, it's deliberate. And that makes me sad.
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As stated, "haters gonna hate".

Has Apple really 'left you out'? From the list of <stuff> you put in your signature line, you clearly can afford to purchase a Mac.

If you think the iMac is a laptop on a stand you don't know or want to know Macs. I specify for corporate graphics needs. I and my two artist are responsible for approx 4,500 packages plus all the supporting sales and marketing material. The iMacs easily handle the loads.

How often do you need to upgrade your computer? Just buy a new one every 4 or 5 years. Maybe if you bought a worthwhile Mac, you wouldn't have to upgrade so often. If you want a POS $400 box that needs constant troubleshooting and upgrading, stick with a PC, I'll stick with my Mac that's going to run 24/7, trouble free for all the years I keep it.

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daftpunker909 said:
The other thing you're ignoring is the fact that battery's degrade. Fast. Good luck scrambling for a charger mid-day after a year or two when the battery only holds 70% of the charge. Just ask any past iphone owner.
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Not sure what planet you're on, my 3GS and 5 are still running top notch charges.

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OoOOOOOOoooOOOO said:
it's also the color of vomit, but i guess it takes all kinds....:D
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Man, if you vomit lime green you better see a doc, quickly! ;)

Well the white would get dirty too fast.
The pinky/gum colored one 'seemed' a little girly for a guy (but I thought about it).

Liked the space gray/black combo but on my wrist I can see that space gray anodizing getting scratched up very quick.

Did order a black band for 'dress' ocassions
 
jagolden said:
As stated, "haters gonna hate".

Has Apple really 'left you out'? From the list of <stuff> you put in your signature line, you clearly can afford to purchase a Mac.

If you think the iMac is a laptop on a stand you don't know or want to know Macs. I specify for corporate graphics needs. I and my two artist are responsible for approx 4,500 packages plus all the supporting sales and marketing material. The iMacs easily handle the loads.

How often do you need to upgrade your computer? Just buy a new one every 4 or 5 years. Maybe if you bought a worthwhile Mac, you wouldn't have to upgrade so often. If you want a POS $400 box that needs constant troubleshooting and upgrading, stick with a PC, I'll stick with my Mac that's going to run 24/7, trouble free for all the years I keep it.
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Oh yes, I can go out tomorrow and buy the top of the line iMac if I wanted, but I'd sit there, knowing what a rotten graphics card it had inside it, and I'd be unhappy with my purchase.

My current PC has three SSD's inside it, that I use specifically for individual reasons, so I want the ability to have that in my iMac also.

I may wish to have my own sound card as even on high end PC's built in sound is not as good as a dedicated card.

I may wish, and I'm thinking of a ultra widescreen monitor, but again the iMac will fail me on that.

I could look at a Mac Pro, but then that's got a CPU I don't want, and graphics cards that are unsuitable for much other than Video editing.

As I said, where is the Mac for me and others like me?

Apple won't make it, as they know if they do, they will lose sales from iMacs and Mac Pro's as they will instantly make something people would want to buy instead.

Putting all things aside, Apples weak graphics for years upon years is the biggest thing that's stopped me buying one.
 
daftpunker909 said:
The other thing you're ignoring is the fact that battery's degrade. Fast. Good luck scrambling for a charger mid-day after a year or two when the battery only holds 70% of the charge. Just ask any past iphone owner.
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Thats an interesting point but don't Apple service the battery for you (for a fee)?
 
CFreymarc said:
I know one guy that bought TWO $17K highest end Apple Watch Editions with expectations of it appreciating to a quarter million each in the next ten years. He's calling them his twin daughter's college fund.
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Quite an investment gamble. I wish him the best of luck.
 
400th post on an article about watch bands! :D

But seriously... I like that they will offer more colors. I don't see how this is a bad idea.
 
Piggie said:
Oh yes, I can go out tomorrow and buy the top of the line iMac if I wanted, but I'd sit there, knowing what a rotten graphics card it had inside it, and I'd be unhappy with my purchase.

My current PC has three SSD's inside it, that I use specifically for individual reasons, so I want the ability to have that in my iMac also.

I may wish to have my own sound card as even on high end PC's built in sound is not as good as a dedicated card.

I may wish, and I'm thinking of a ultra widescreen monitor, but again the iMac will fail me on that.

I could look at a Mac Pro, but then that's got a CPU I don't want, and graphics cards that are unsuitable for much other than Video editing.

As I said, where is the Mac for me and others like me?

Apple won't make it, as they know if they do, they will lose sales from iMacs and Mac Pro's as they will instantly make something people would want to buy instead.

Putting all things aside, Apples weak graphics for years upon years is the biggest thing that's stopped me buying one.
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Then it seems that you are the problem, not Apple. You want what Apple does not offer. Just get the hardware that you need and stop complaining already.

Apple cannot and will not cater to every market segment out there.
 
Piggie said:
Oh yes, I can go out tomorrow and buy the top of the line iMac if I wanted, but I'd sit there, knowing what a rotten graphics card it had inside it, and I'd be unhappy with my purchase.

My current PC has three SSD's inside it, that I use specifically for individual reasons, so I want the ability to have that in my iMac also.

I may wish to have my own sound card as even on high end PC's built in sound is not as good as a dedicated card.

I may wish, and I'm thinking of a ultra widescreen monitor, but again the iMac will fail me on that.

I could look at a Mac Pro, but then that's got a CPU I don't want, and graphics cards that are unsuitable for much other than Video editing.

As I said, where is the Mac for me and others like me?

Apple won't make it, as they know if they do, they will lose sales from iMacs and Mac Pro's as they will instantly make something people would want to buy instead.

Putting all things aside, Apples weak graphics for years upon years is the biggest thing that's stopped me buying one.
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So this begs the question: why do bother coming to MacRumors. You clearly have no need for Macs since they are massively inferior for your purposes. You must know that what you suggest will NEVER be Apple's business model. You have absolutely no reason to have interest in this forum.
 
jagolden said:
You've hit the nail right on the head.

Even knowing this is first generation (I love how the nay-sayers call it Beta) technology, I'm very happy to have climbed on board. When the third gen comes out, I'll upgrade.
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This is a beta. Reviews written by the biggest of Apple fanbois say it'll take 3 days for a tech-savvy person to really figure out the UI and device. 3 days? Wow! The original Mac OS didn't need 3 days to figure out, nor did iOS. My iPhone 3 was amazing because the OS was amazing. It was intuitive and made difficult things simple.

3 days is not a lot of time for a techie, but I'm willing to bet the average Joe or Josephina is going to get frustrated with the device.
 
Abazigal said:
Then it seems that you are the problem, not Apple. You want what Apple does not offer. Just get the hardware that you need and stop complaining already.

Apple cannot and will not cater to every market segment out there.
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But he's sad because the Apple we once knew, is running away from that market segment. You know, the one it occupied for almost 3 DECADES!. They always managed to offer a level of upgradability and value to their pc's and other products, and with awesome build quality.
I just got a 2012 non-retina macbook pro off Apple's refurb store, fitted it with TWO 1TB SSDs, and 16 gigs of ram I added myself, for $900 total. $2000 total for a machine that's almost as fast as the current offering, with the same amount of ram and twice the SSD space, and it was more than $1000 less than buying the top end retina macbook pro.
And yes, I would have bought that same form factor Apple laptop with a retina display in a heartbeat, but always these days, with Apple, when they give they taketh away. And I do think that's sad.
 
It is hard to understand why there are so many posts complaining about Apple's focus on the style and fashion aspects of the watch in addition to technology and functionality.

Apple has correctly identified this as an important element in attracting buyers and convincing folks (particularly younger buyers) to wear a watch. Watches are jewelry and fashion accessories to many. Perhaps you don't like the looks but Apple hired folks from the watch, jewelry and fashion sectors to contribute to its design.

In essence, Apple appeared to not overlook the fashion piece which apparently was not given as much weight by its competitors from what I have seen.
 
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