My day with an Apple Watch

[beanbaguk]

Whilst you're completely entitled to come on here & post what you have I really do not & never will understand the need to post such negativity about a product you never wanted or didn't really give much of a chance to at the start, you can disagree with me all you like but it just comes across as someone else who wants to bash the watch because they don't like it. Some of your reasons for disliking it are incredibly poor in my eyes. What purpose this thread has served I don't know, you'll say it's to give people who are undecided your take on the watch but one persons opinion cannot reflect how someone else may feel about it until if & when they decide to give it a go themselves, it's really that sort of product...

You can and never will please everyone. As you stated we're all entitled to our opinions and that's what being critical and fair is all about. You're just taking this too personally.

I didn't like the watch. In a nutshell, I think it's useless to the majority of us and rather ugly. The one instance where I do believe it works well is for a user who stated they use it to remind them of their medication. In those applications, I think it could be rather good but everything is is very gimmicky.

However, this is my view and giving my view is my right and has a rightful place in this forum.

If I were researching on an Apple Watch, I'd find both good and bad reviews useful to me. I always worry a tad when I find nothing negative on a gadget. There's ALWAYS something.

I'll look forward to reviewing the next version of the Apple Watch when it arrives. Perhaps that version will be better.

In the meantime, don't be so narrow-minded and accept just because this is an Apple forum, we're not ALL going to love what we see.

ETA. I'm still waiting for my 6s It doesn't arrive in Spain until next Friday.....(killing me softly - and I've heard about the switch off issues. Yes it concerns me but I'm hoping it's to do with the software)

 

[manincognito]

In the meantime, don't be so narrow-minded and accept just because this is an Apple forum, we're not ALL going to love what we see

Sorry but maybe you should accept that when you post your views on a public forum people may strongly disagree with you, if you don't wish for that to happen then maybe you should think before you post, you just seem to want to post your overly negative opinions about things whilst saying stuff like the majority find it ugly & useless as fact & then get in a strop if others contest that...

 

[beanbaguk]

Sorry but maybe you should accept that when you post your views on a public forum people may strongly disagree with you, if you don't wish for that to happen then maybe you should think before you post, you just seem to want to post your overly negative opinions about things whilst saying stuff like the majority find it ugly & useless as fact & then get in a strop if others contest that...

You're right. It is a public forum, but I suggest you don't speak for others in a place where the chances are you've not met a single human in person here. Give your own views but don't pretend you speak for others. That's just plain rude and presumptuous.

You are the only person who's taken my personal view personally. Many have disagreed with my review which is fine, but they haven't made it personal as you have.

Ultimately, I get you don't like that I don't like this item but lets face it; We're talking about a meaningless gadget just like my MacBook Pro, iPhone, ATV, TimeCapsule, iPad's, etc.....point is at the end of the day, we don't need this stuff and I'm not digging at the things that genuinely matter in life.

Get over it. It was just my honest opinion for others to read and discuss. Don't take it personally. Just offer your view and discuss as everyone else has and we can all live in peace and harmony.

 

[barjam]

My solution was to wear one on each wrist.

View attachment 584560

I just don't get owning expensive mechanicals. I saw yours and noticed it looked almost exactly like my 60 dollar Casio dive watch (that I only use for scuba diving) then looked up the price of yours. Wow. I have plenty of expensive interests that most people wouldn't understand though so I get that part of it.

 

[barjam]

Work also gifted me one and my experience has been quite the opposite. I went from someone who long ago gave up on wearing watches to someone who plans to wear a smart watch forever. Apple Watch is a 1.0 and isn't perfect. This segment is just getting started.

In 5-10 years I predict a significant percentage of smartphone users will also use a smart watch or watch (or other wearables) with smart features.

Aesthetics is a personal thing. I own dive style watches for actual scuba diving (Casio) but I think they look rediculous. Zenith watches that you mention to me are more often than not gaudy dive style. The ones with all the mechanicals exposed are so over the top I can't imagine why someone would own one. The Rolex linked earlier was a gaudy dive style watch. Don't get me wrong there are some watches from Zenith (and others) that are classy, subtle affairs but these are more rare in their respective collections. I will say for high end watches the emperor has no clothes. People gravitate to these things as they are a status symbol and it makes the wearer feel good that they are wearing a status symbol (nothing wrong with that of course). If I handed you a watch that was atom-for-atom identical to a Rolex/Zenith other than the logo would you wear it?

Aesthetically I like the Apple Watch better than a dive style (stainless for me please). It has subtle lines, good build, and the crown is a call back to mechanical watches. I think it works. For watch purists I think it a shock to see a subtle watch without all the numbers, dials and other random accoutrements. A simple stainless case with a jet black sapphire face is nice.

 

[manincognito]

You're right. It is a public forum, but I suggest you don't speak for others in a place where the chances are you've not met a single human in person here. Give your own views but don't pretend you speak for others. That's just plain rude and presumptuous.

You are the only person who's taken my personal view personally. Many have disagreed with my review which is fine, but they haven't made it personal as you have.

Ultimately, I get you don't like that I don't like this item but lets face it; We're talking about a meaningless gadget just like my MacBook Pro, iPhone, ATV, TimeCapsule, iPad's, etc.....point is at the end of the day, we don't need this stuff and I'm not digging at the things that genuinely matter in life.

Get over it. It was just my honest opinion for others to read and discuss. Don't take it personally. Just offer your view and discuss as everyone else has and we can all live in peace and harmony.

Just so you don't get too excited about the prospect of making someone take something personally I'll let you know I couldn't give a monkeys whether I've upset someone or vice-versa online, I just see it as a debate, sometimes it's less friendly then others that's all. You accuse me of speaking for others yet claim for the majority they find the watch useless & ugly or that you think Steve Jobs wouldn't of allowed this product, kinda smacks of talking for others wouldn't you agree? Anyway I think both of us have wasted our time discussing this so I'll leave you to it...

 

[BlueMoon63]

Just so you don't get too excited about the prospect of making someone take something personally I'll let you know I couldn't give a monkeys whether I've upset someone or vice-versa online, I just see it as a debate, sometimes it's less friendly then others that's all. You accuse me of speaking for others yet claim for the majority they find the watch useless & ugly or that you think Steve Jobs wouldn't of allowed this product, kinda smacks of talking for others wouldn't you agree? Anyway I think both of us have wasted our time discussing this so I'll leave you to it...

I noticed that comment as well. Speaking for others and then he spoke for others including the dead. It's all speculation.

Bottom line is he got the watch knowing he wasn't going to like it/coming in with a very negative frame of mind. He approached his review from that frame of mind. Whether we like it or not.

It would be the same if I was given a Samsung Phone. I would approach the review going after everything I didn't like and I would fully expect Samsung lovers to attack my review especially with some of the weak review items. I lost all interest when he said he couldn't read the text messages when that is the easiest thing to do. Same size font as phone and faster and easier to read or at least the same and you can change the font.

Anyway, his review reminds me of anyone who comes into a review knowing you won't like it or expecting to not like it and then posting on a place where others normally and naturally know more and have reviewed/used much longer.

With all that... Everyone has an opinion and there is a lot to dislike about the Apple Watch but don't pretend you can post and then think your words are gospel. It isn't fanboys replying, it is how it goes when a review is weak and based on a perceived frame of mind going into it.

 

[manincognito]

I noticed that comment as well. Speaking for others and then he spoke for others including the dead. It's all speculation.

Bottom line is he got the watch knowing he wasn't going to like it/coming in with a very negative frame of mind. He approached his review from that frame of mind. Whether we like it or not.

It would be the same if I was given a Samsung Phone. I would approach the review going after everything I didn't like and I would fully expect Samsung lovers to attack my review especially with some of the weak review items. I lost all interest when he said he couldn't read the text messages when that is the easiest thing to do. Same size font as phone and faster and easier to read or at least the same and you can change the font.

Anyway, his review reminds me of anyone who comes into a review knowing you won't like it or expecting to not like it and then posting on a place where others normally and naturally know more and have reviewed/used much longer.

With all that... Everyone has an opinion and there is a lot to dislike about the Apple Watch but don't pretend you can post and then think your words are gospel. It isn't fanboys replying, it is how it goes when a review is weak and based on a perceived frame of mind going into it.

Thank you, I really wasn't looking to get into a strong online debate over a watch, I genuinely have no problem with people who don't feel the watch is for them but when someone comes out with such seemingly very fussy & in my view very flawed arguments against it I do have to doubt whether they really had any interest at all to give the watch a fair try or whether it was just another thread bashing something they had no plans on liking anyway...

 

[beanbaguk]

Thank you, I really wasn't looking to get into a strong online debate over a watch, I genuinely have no problem with people who don't feel the watch is for them but when someone comes out with such seemingly very fussy & in my view very flawed arguments against it I do have to doubt whether they really had any interest at all to give the watch a fair try or whether it was just another thread bashing something they had no plans on liking anyway...

But you were; Otherwise you wouldn't have expressed your views in the way you did.

I suggest you go back and read everything I wrote. I made it abundantly clear the views expressed were my own. This is the part I feel offended by, but like you said; you don't care, but then that facade only exists because we are separated by this forum. At the end of the day, yes I am fussy. My career is about being fussy and making sure what I do is not just good, but f***ing awesome. I make a lot of money from this.

When it comes to this item, it's seriously flawed, but Apple has a cult following (I am victim to this, as are you clearly. Being a member of this forum is a good indication of this), and they also have an insanely amazing marketing engine that drives their products into hearts and minds of everyone. But, clear that mist and you see a lot of flaws in their products. iPhone included; which I love.

My arguments are only flawed because you don't agree with them and judging by your comments, you lead me to believe you are a very obtuse person when it comes to this topic, so not matter how careful I am with my critique, you will always be offended.

Anyway. Once again, as I have repeated on more than one occasion, enjoy your watch. I've never said once you shouldn't. I (still), think it's a useless product that still needs a lot of work.

 

[manincognito]

When it comes to this item, it's seriously flawed, but Apple has a cult following (I am victim to this, as are you clearly. Being a member of this forum is a good indication of this), and they also have an insanely amazing marketing engine that drives their products into hearts and minds of everyone. But, clear that mist and you see a lot of flaws in their products. iPhone included; which I love.

Obtuse?! If that's the way you're going to be I really don't think much of yourself if I'm honest, the way you come across is extremely arrogant & desperate for attention in the way you can't stay away from your own "look at me, I'm not keeping the watch I was gifted although I fully deserved it, you don't know what a zenith is?!" thread. I also think it's rather offensive to say that people that buy apple products are somehow brainwashed into buying their products, like somehow they can't think for themselves & buy something purely because they like it or feel it to be a good product. If that's how you make your purchases then maybe you should get some help with that but some of us make our purchases with a bit more thought. I am extremely happy with what I own & that is why I continue to buy from Apple, nothing 'cult like' about it over here...

 

[BlueMoon63]

Obtuse?! If that's the way you're going to be I really don't think much of yourself if I'm honest, the way you come across is extremely arrogant & desperate for attention in the way you can't stay away from your own "look at me, I'm not keeping the watch I was gifted although I fully deserved it, you don't know what a zenith is?!" thread. I also think it's rather offensive to say that people that buy apple products are somehow brainwashed into buying their products, like somehow they can't think for themselves & buy something purely because they like it or feel it to be a good product. If that's how you make your purchases then maybe you should get some help with that but some of us make our purchases with a bit more thought. I am extremely happy with what I own & that is why I continue to buy from Apple, nothing 'cult like' about it over here...

The longer this drags out, the more the true colors show for his true meaning. But anyway, I cannot stand the fanboy or cult following or brainwashed or any other logic put fourth if you love a company and their products. It isn't as much fanboy as it is jealousy and anger. Just look at the commercials by Samsung as an example. They spend more time trying to mock people who own apple products than they do anything else. The add some new feature and mock apple for not having the feature.

I would like someone to post the equivalent review of some Samsung gear smartwatch on a Samsung forum and not have them question the review. It's normal when the review is very flawed and borders on biased. It's also normal to give a true review without exaggerating that doesn't cause 3 pages of responses.

His review was 50% accurate and true and 50% exaggerated. That's the only reason someone would defend. Not fanboy or cult. Though that happens as well. I would expect a forum for apple would have fans of apple and more defenders than opponents. That's normal.

The Apple Watch is flawed, we all know it has flaws. It might be overpriced. Only thing that is certainly true is it has fans and haters and hatred think no one should question their reviews.

 

[beanbaguk]

The longer this drags out, the more the true colors show for his true meaning. But anyway, I cannot stand the fanboy or cult following or brainwashed or any other logic put fourth if you love a company and their products. It isn't as much fanboy as it is jealousy and anger. Just look at the commercials by Samsung as an example. They spend more time trying to mock people who own apple products than they do anything else. The add some new feature and mock apple for not having the feature.

I would like someone to post the equivalent review of some Samsung gear smartwatch on a Samsung forum and not have them question the review. It's normal when the review is very flawed and borders on biased. It's also normal to give a true review without exaggerating that doesn't cause 3 pages of responses.

His review was 50% accurate and true and 50% exaggerated. That's the only reason someone would defend. Not fanboy or cult. Though that happens as well. I would expect a forum for apple would have fans of apple and more defenders than opponents. That's normal.

The Apple Watch is flawed, we all know it has flaws. It might be overpriced. Only thing that is certainly true is it has fans and haters and hatred think no one should question their reviews.

I just want to really put it out there. I don't hate the Apple Watch. Hate is an ugly word and very extreme. At the essence of it all, it really is a marvel of technology. I can't question that.

Reiterating my point again and again....I simply don't see the point of it. I don't see genuine need for this device. It's simply not there yet in the short time I wore it, I found it overcomplicated, rather than simplified my life. It's interesting because some of the guys in my office had a chat about it and we agreed it added complexity to our lives where things were ok as they were. It's just not needed.

I am however still open to a newer version of the Apple Watch. I hope they bring out a circular design or an option for that. I've just seen the Moto 360 and on paper, I think design-wise it's far more elegant than the Apple Watch but incredibly chunky. Either way, I'm sure if somebody gave me one of these, it would get a similar review to the Apple Watch.....

At this point in my life, I will never go out and buy another smart watch, however if somebody would like to review one of the Moto 360's, I'd be happy to do so and return it safely to you once I'm done.

However, let me iterate once again for those who don't like to read lengthy posts:

- I don't hate the Apple Watch
- I think it's a great bit of technology
- I do however think it's pretty useless (in my world)
- I found it overcomplicated existing tasks in my life adding unneeded complexity.
- I don't think it's ready for the wider audience

Peace and good night!

 

[Night Spring]

I've just seen the Moto 360 and on paper, I think design-wise it's far more elegant than the Apple Watch but incredibly chunky.

Sorry, did something go wrong while you were typing this sentence? Did you mean to say the Moto360 is elegant, or chunky?

 

[haruhiko]

My company gave me an Apple Watch today. Nice little gift to find on my desk I thought.

So I spent the morning setting it up, updating it to Watch OS 2 and getting my apps on there.

That took just under 3 hours (2 hours to download Watch OS 2!!!), but nevertheless, it was fairly straightforward.

So my first impressions. Very fiddly. I was given the 38mm bezel which I found a bit small with a white sports strap. Hey it's free! I found the touch screen next to impossible to interact with. For example, the pass-code is almost impossible to enter with my big chunky fingers. I managed it but only after 2 or 3 failed attempts.

I also found the digital crown very sensitive to use and quite frustrating. Again, chunky finger syndrome perhaps but it was not a great experience rolling past my selections and having to be ever-so-delicate with my choices!

Using the apps was interesting. I liked my Barclays banking app. Having my balance at a glance was helpful but not exactly necessary.

Messaging was useless. Getting short messages was frustrating as I couldn't reply. Selecting a smiley was a tedious process thanks to chunky fingers again, and while the functionality of Siri was excellent, I felt like Dick Tracey (the latter part more-so), talking into my wrist while walking about the office and into town at lunch.

I then tried TuneIn Radio. I use this app all day long and it's my favourite thing since sliced bread. I launched the app and....oh, I have to launch it from my phone too. Well that's a bit pointless. I might as well just pick up my phone. Hmmmm.....

And this was the case with most apps. Perhaps this will change with OS 2....

Another mega flaw is the ability to not be able to simply glance at my wrist to check the time. Weirdly, I do this with a watch. It tends to be the core feature in these devices! But not, I couldn't do this with the Apple Watch. A very positive flick of the wrist was needed to bring up the time and I found this annoying.

So it's not been a great start with Apple Watch, but it's not over yet....

I like running so the next test will be while running and using the watch as a sports device. Pretty expensive for this but lets see how well that works. The heart-rate monitor was great but I'll also pair up my Garmin chest strap to see how they compare.

But there are already downsides in sight. I still need my iPhone for my music, so if I need that, what's wrong with my HR strap? If it measures my heart-rate, my iPhone will do the rest. Steps, music, GPS, etc....

Put simply, there is still no "wow" factor yet with the Apple Watch.

In the meantime, I'll put my mechanical watch back on my wrist. I know it doesn't read my message, have Siri, or give me my bank balance, but it does give me the time. When I want, however I want. And as an added bonus, it'll also measure time and it'll never run out of juice with it's very clever mechanical gibbons.

For the rest of my stuff, I'll just pick up my iPhone....

You don't need to enter passcode every time you wear it. Just wear it and unlock your iPhone and the watch is unlocked.

 

[AFEPPL]

Sorry, did something go wrong while you were typing this sentence? Did you mean to say the Moto360 is elegant, or chunky?

Is he not entitled to his view too?
Seems those that are pro AW are very closed to others views, but very quick throw stones when its not a view they share about the AW..

 

[beanbaguk]

Sorry, did something go wrong while you were typing this sentence? Did you mean to say the Moto360 is elegant, or chunky?

It's not hard to understand. I think the 360 has a much more elegant look to it, but from the photos (and I've only seen photos), it looks quite thick. I could however be very wrong.

Keep digging away if you wish.

 

[beanbaguk]

You don't need to enter passcode every time you wear it. Just wear it and unlock your iPhone and the watch is unlocked.

Yup, somebody already mentioned this to me and it of course works.

 

[haruhiko]

Yup, somebody already mentioned this to me and it of course works.

Sorry I was not reading the whole thread.

 

[haruhiko]

It's not hard to understand. I think the 360 has a much more elegant look to it, but from the photos (and I've only seen photos), it looks quite thick. I could however be very wrong.

Keep digging away if you wish.

I found the 360 very large and thick in the few times I saw it in person.

 

[Night Spring]

Is he not entitled to his view too?
Seems those that are pro AW are very closed to others views, but very quick throw stones when its not a view they share about the AW..

It's not hard to understand. I think the 360 has a much more elegant look to it, but from the photos (and I've only seen photos), it looks quite thick. I could however be very wrong.

Keep digging away if you wish.

No need to get defensive. I just had a hard time understanding how something could be elegant and chunky at the same time, is all.

 

[Mr.C]

My relationship with the Apple Watch has finally come to an end.

After 7 days of keeping it on my wrist, the frustration has worn through and I simply don't get the point of it and the watch is back in the box, reset back to factory settings, ready to be given away....

I'll go through it point by point:

• It's slow. OMG it's SLOW! It's not silky smooth, reboots take so long and updates took hours. Even installing a basic app is painful.
• The only useful app I found was my banking app, but it took so long to open and retrieve my balance, it was quicker to grab my phone and open the app on my iPhone.
• The simple act of looking at the watch for the time requires a tap or movement. There's no simple glance at my wrist for the date and time which I do often with my traditional watches.
• The apps are incredibly fiddly to use. The digital crown is not easy to use (perhaps I'm cack-handed), but in my office (full of developers), I'm not alone in these thoughts.
• I found the strap very grim. It didn't allow my skin to breathe so it became sweaty which I hate. A leather strap or steel strap would be miles better but unless I was going to keep it, I don't plan to invest €100's in a strap.
• Following on nicely from this is fitness. This I thought was going to be the winning formula for an Apple Watch, but no. Both Runkeeper and Strava (which I pay for), require me to have my iPhone with me along with the watch. What's the point?! I don't like running with a watch but I figured if I could wear it without carrying my phone, great. I might as well just wear my HR chest strap. It's just as accurate and pairs with my phone beautifully. The iPhone also gives me GPS, steps and everything the AW gives me.
• Additionally, music. Spotify don't have an app for it and I see why. Even if I could use the watch as a standalone item, I still need a pair of bluetooth headphones. Utterly horrific to run with as they weight a lot and are usually quite bulky. Fine for sitting down but again, I've spent a small fortune (over $500 on a pair of Shure earbuds), so why would I want to buy a pair of bluetooth headphones is another reason to avoid the Apple watch.
• Notifications are the next point. I appreciate the tips given to me, but if I remove the notifications, what's the point it? I can't really read message on the Watch and I certainly can't reply. I might as well just pick up my phone.
• Taking calls next. I felt like a complete berk talking into the phone like Dick Tracey. It worked reasonably well in the car but it was definitely hard to listen in. Plus, I have a fully integrated bluetooth system with my car so I don't see the point. Why listen through a tinny speaker when I have a 5.1 surround system built into my car? I don't get it. I suppose it works if you don't have this, but isn't that illegal?
• Next there's the battery. I found myself having to charge the watch at work all the time. Twice a day was the norm which got annoying. Constantly having to carry the charger around and if it's not on my wrist, again, what's the point? It becomes like my phone on the table, albeit with a longer battery life and much more powerful.
• I guess this leads me to my final point. I don't actually see why we need this. Steve Jobs always said Apple should dictate what we need, but the Apple Watch doesn't actually do anything new and frankly, I don't think Steve Jobs would have ever endorsed it. (JMHO).

I won't lie and say I was that keen on the Apple Watch from the start, but this has really set my views in stone and the Apple Watch receives a personal thumbs down from me.

I know this is my own personal opinion and others love it, which is great; But ask yourself, why do you really need an Apple Watch? What does it bring to your life that you never had before and how does it make life easier for you?

Once the hype ends, I don't see Apple Watch sticking around for wrong. I may probably end up eating my own words but in its current incarnation, its nothing more than a status symbol and gadget.

On the upside, my bro-in-law is going to love his Christmas present and he's going to think I'm in insanely generous.

Now I just need to wait until October 9th for my iPhone 6S.....I can't wait!

I've read this thread all the way through and my only conclusion is the following.

No offence but I can only conclude four things from your comments in this whole thread.

1) You went into this with a negative view and weren't even prepared to give the watch a proper chance.

2) You have no understanding of the concept of a smart watch and what it's supposed to do and that it is not an independent device but a complimentary one to the phone.

3) Your expectations are way too high especially for a first generation product which is barely 6 months old.

4) You're not willing to modify options and set up the watch so it works for you in your day to day activities.

 

[Night Spring]

You have no understanding of the concept of a smart watch and what it's supposed to do and that it is not an independent device but a complimentary one to the phone.

Personally, I think a smart watch could be independent of a phone. There is nothing inherent in the concept of a smart watch that says it has to be a complementary device. It just so happens that the Apple Watch is an accessory device that is dependent on the iPhone.

 

[Mr.C]

Personally, I think a smart watch could be independent of a phone. There is nothing inherent in the concept of a smart watch that says it has to be a complementary device. It just so happens that the Apple Watch is an accessory device that is dependent on the iPhone.

In concept yes. But we are not there yet with the technology. With todays technology the best we can hope for is an extension of another device in particular a phone. There are too many people out there who have high expectations and expect something like the Apple watch to be an independent device. It's not and those people need to realise that.

 

[douglasf13]

In concept yes. But we are not there yet with the technology. With todays technology the best we can hope for is an extension of another device in particular a phone. There are too many people out there who have high expectations and expect something like the Apple watch to be an independent device. It's not and those people need to realise that.

Exactly. Until we have something like holographic displays, or whatever new display tech comes, screen real estate will be a factor. It's why many of us have iPhones, iPads and computers. Different screens and sizes for different applications.

The Apple Watch is no different. If I need more, I go to my phone, if I need more from there, I go to the iPad, if I need more from there, I go to my laptop, etc.

 

[barjam]

It's not hard to understand. I think the 360 has a much more elegant look to it, but from the photos (and I've only seen photos), it looks quite thick. I could however be very wrong.

Keep digging away if you wish.

You should see it in person. Not good at all.