Original Apple Watch Health Features Were Dropped Due to Consistency Issues

[lordofthereef]

Just what they've shown on the website is quite a bit more than any android or pebble watch offers currently.

Do you mind giving s Couooe bullet points in what more it does then these other watches? My reasoning for having very littler interest is I can't find how it does anything more or better, honestly. It looks nicer (ohysicslly) than any other smart watch I've seen, hands down. Functionally speaking I just can't see it. Even Macworld is comparing other smart watches to apple watch and points out the differences between the iphone and other smart phones back in 2007 were much greater than the differences between smart watches and Apple watch today.

 

[MH01]

I don't really follow Amarth watch news. Do you know, for a fact, that development on other smart watches began after the Apple watch rumors started? Serious question by the way. I truly don't know. I ask because a timeline can seem one way but be totally different. I highly doubt that these companies "throwing mud" had virtually no development time.

You have a valid point, There are a lot of assumptions, some that might be good ones , though no one on here would have any facts supported by evidence.

 

[doelcm82]

But it was ambitious because it crated a browsing and touch screen experience never seen before. Gen 1 apple watch really isn't doing anything we haven't seen before. Literally every feature in the thing has been done. That was not at all the case with gen 1 iphone. Far from it.

And that still isn't to say this product won't donwell. I just don't find it ambitious in the slightest. Future releases? Well sure. There is a possibility, as with anything, right?

I agree with you. The Apple Watch has a lot more in common with the iMac, iPod, and iPad than the iPhone.

When the iPad came out, it wasn't revolutionary. It really was a big iPhone (without the phone). Apple correctly gambled that there were tasks people wanted to do on their iPhones, but the screen was too small to do them.

What's ambitious is Apple's idea that iPhone users will in large numbers buy a smart watch that is designed to work seamlessly with their iPhone.

 

[lordofthereef]

What's ambitious is Apple's idea that iPhone users will in large numbers buy a smart watch that is designed to work seamlessly with their iPhone.

I can fully get behind that statement.

 

[MH01]

I'm a bit skeptical that this product morphed from a fitness tracker deluxe into a general purpose device. Plus most of the fitness/medical related hires appear to have started in 2013. Way to early for that stuff to be ready for gen 1 device.

If you base a companies product on the job vacancies that see advertised, sure. Though do you a think a company as secretive as Apple is going to work on a product and give a huge heads up on the functionality via job vacancies?? No.

 

[ghettochris]

I've never been huge on the Apple Watch, it has always seemed like Apple is just trying to enter a market because others are doing so. During their demos they touted things like sending emoticons and basic things like a strap to keep the band flush to the wrist.

Apple doesn't seem to understand this product themselves, the fact that it is described internally as a black hole is not a good sign.

I think this will be apples first major product to be a flop in a long time.

I think it will be iPod huge. One of us is totally wrong, can't wait to find out who. I think it is real simple and real obvious and that most people just don't get it yet.

 

[k995]

I think it will be iPod huge.

3 or 4 generations of low sales followed by tackling most problems and lower prices to get sales up? Yes I can see that.

----------

I agree with you. The Apple Watch has a lot more in common with the iMac, iPod, and iPad than the iPhone.

When the iPad came out, it wasn't revolutionary. It really was a big iPhone (without the phone). Apple correctly gambled that there were tasks people wanted to do on their iPhones, but the screen was too small to do them.

What's ambitious is Apple's idea that iPhone users will in large numbers buy a smart watch that is designed to work seamlessly with their iPhone.

Yes it is, problem of course is that the apple watch has (for as far as I can see) no unqie selling point.

Iphone was easy basicly guided the market for smartphones to what it is now , ipad was great for surfing/movies and all rund laptop replacement . Even ipod was a much better alternative then what was already there .

Yet for apple watch I am having hard seeing why you would use it.

To tell time? The rest seems gimmicky and if apple truly took out the more usefull features (for some marckets) its a shame. I gues they got a suprise about the other smartwatches already on market and were taken in speed .

 

[BvizioN]

. Do you know, for a fact, that development on other smart watches began after the Apple watch rumors started? Serious question by the way. I truly don't know. I ask because a timeline can seem one way but be totally different. I highly doubt that these companies "throwing mud" had virtually no development time.

I don't know for a fact but I have used this one (photo attached) and I have played with some others. Except for the Motorola watch which I think is really nice (apart from few minor things) the rest just looks plainly rushed out. They look nothing like a product that have been on a work for years. And when a company tries several models on a very short period of time, doesn't it give you the impression of mud throwing to see what sticks?

By the way, the gear fit did look cool on the wrist and had almost 3 days battery life. It was more of a fitness tracking band then a smart watch. But so inaccurate!! Ended up using it only for notification, and sold it after 3 months.

 

[kdarling]

And when a company tries several models on a very short period of time, doesn't it give you the impression of mud throwing to see what sticks?

I'd rather a company came out with several models than to give only one choice.

For example, some people like rectangular watches. Others like round. Some like sporty, some like elegant.

Heck, one could accuse Apple of throwing everything against the wall with their "millions of watch variations", hoping that one look, or price range, or software feature would attract a buyer. And guess what? There's nothing wrong with that.

Likewise, there's nothing wrong with other companies offering different shapes, OSes, features (e.g. camera or not, standalone cell comms or not) in order to satisfy different buyers.

 

[christian_k]

Yeah, 'cos that extra 150 grams has such an impact on your performance. Also, if you want gps for your run you're probably doing distance running, in which case you'll probably take your phone with you anyway.

For some time I used Runtastic on some (non Apple, but upper range) phone. Battery life was a problem. After 60 minutes running in the evening the battery was very low. I do a much longer run (2hr +) every week. I don't know if an iPhone 5 or 6 is so much better in battery life w/ GPS, but I don't think iPhone+Apple watch have enough "juice" to track a Marathon (4hr for me). I also want the display of the watch visible all the time during the run. So I better stick with my dedicated triathlon watch.

Christian

 

[pdaholic]

Why do you need GPS for running? Do you use an app that requires GPS data? You do know that Apple Watch tracks steps so it will measure distances as well as calories, heart rate, etc., don't you? And you can load music onto it so a pair of wireless headphones should work too. I haven't figured out people's disappointment with be lack of GPS in the Apple Watch yet and haven't heard a good reason. Except they don't want to carry the phone they were already carrying anyway.

The Apple Watch has only an accelerometer. We'll see how accurate that is at "measuring" distance.

I often do 10-15 mile runs at a time, and I do enjoy using GPS to know where I am in case I get lost on a trail. It's also nice to see where I've gone after I'm done, in case I want to do that same run again.

You ask why we want a watch with built-in GPS? Run a marathon with a phone in your hand, or even strapped to your side in a belt that is chaffing your skin as it bounces up and down. Then you'll know why.

I haven't figured out how so many people are experts on the Apple Watch when it hasn't been released yet.

 

[BvizioN]

Heck, one could accuse Apple of throwing everything against the wall with their "millions of watch variations", hoping that one look or feature would attract a buyer.

It's called customisation. Apple usually is accused for not doing it.

By the way, some people may like circular shaped iPhone's to, would you suggest Apple make one to satisfy them?

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Wrong... I don't know exactly the specific of what Watch capable of

So I'm wrong, and you back it up by saying you don't have any idea of what you're talking about. ok. Perhaps you have some new and unique meaning of the word "wrong" I'm unfamiliar with.

 

[kdarling]

By the way, some people may like circular shaped iPhone's to, would you suggest Apple make one to satisfy them?

The topic you raised was the idea that making multiple models available is akin to throwing everything against the wall to see what sticks.

My response is that there's nothing wrong with that, no matter who does it.

Most industries do make multiple models, to fit price and feature ranges. That's usually how you get more customers.

Heck, Apple came out with TWO iPhone Sixes, with different sizes and even internal specs, because they knew that they could sell more that way. (And many people feel like that they should've had a new 4" as well. Apple's profit-oriented solution is to just keep selling older models instead.)

So putting your question in the right context, yes sir, I think it would've been good for both customers and Apple sales, if Apple had offered both a square and round watch. Matter of fact, I've been thinking it would be cool if someone came out with a replacement round case to transfer the 38mm parts into. Now THEN you'd have a unique Apple Watch to show off

 

[dilbert99]

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple will make five to six million units for the first quarter, with half of those units being the entry Apple Watch Sport and one-third being the mid-tier stainless-steel Apple Watch.

Wow, so WSJ reckons that Apple will make almost a million Gold watches for the first quarter...

 

[vmachiel]

Well good. Apple needs to get back into the only ship when ready attitude which this seems to indicate. Now let's hope for some stable software this June.

 

[Rogifan]

Does anyone have links to all these stories about sensors? I remember seeing one story that the device was going to have 10 sensors but at the time most people were skeptical, mostly because a lot of these sensors weren't/aren't very accurate yet.

 

[cdm283813]

Apple still has nothing to worry about. Never under estimate the power of the Apple logo. They could sell a door stop for $350 and all it needs is good design and most importantly the Apple logo. The reviewers would call it the best door stop in human history.
Us Apple fans are the most gullible around.

----------

Wow, so WSJ reckons that Apple will make almost a million Gold watches for the first quarter...

People will buy these things as fashion pieces and will have no problems paying that type of money. There's a lot of rich people with Apple products that want something to buy. It's us normal folks that hate the $350 price tag.

 

[kdarling]

Wow, so WSJ reckons that Apple will make almost a million Gold watches for the first quarter...

Yeah, you noticed that, too? Hmm. How many people live in Dubai and other oil-rich places?

Does anyone have links to all these stories about sensors? I remember seeing one story that the device was going to have 10 sensors but at the time most people were skeptical, mostly because a lot of these sensors weren't/aren't very accurate yet.

The first post has this MacRumors story link, which quotes a WSJ article with the claim.

PS for newbies: if a story is behind a paywall, just take the article title and put it in Google. For example, in this case, Google "Can Apple Crack the Smartwatch Code" and you'll get a direct link with no wall. Thanks, Google!

 

[MacrumoursUser]

With 10 sensors it wouldn't last half a day.

 

[firewood]

All I wanted was stand alone GPS for running and tracking miles, routes, etc. Nope. I have to carry an iPhone 6 AND my new watch.

Nope. One could always wear a Garmin et.al. GPS watch and leave the iPhone at home. Then wear the Apple Watch to work, Edition Watch to evening social, etc.

I have a lot more than one watch, and wear the one appropriate for the activity.

 

[Keirasplace]

For some time I used Runtastic on some (non Apple, but upper range) phone. Battery life was a problem. After 60 minutes running in the evening the battery was very low. I do a much longer run (2hr +) every week. I don't know if an iPhone 5 or 6 is so much better in battery life w/ GPS, but I don't think iPhone+Apple watch have enough "juice" to track a Marathon (4hr for me). I also want the display of the watch visible all the time during the run. So I better stick with my dedicated triathlon watch.

Christian

Its visible everytime you look at it, that's the whole point... So, not sure what you're saying. That you want it visible when you arms are by your side? Or

----------

With 10 sensors it wouldn't last half a day.

Collecting sensor data uses very little power, is not even done by the main processor, so you are wrong.

 

[iMcLovin]

I still struggle to see any purpose of this watch and a reason to buy it.
The only reason for me I see why I want to replace a regular watch would be if it brought something profound to to the table. The battery issue is too big for for it to buy for the coolfactor alone.
ANd, since the health stuff isnt anything revolutionary at all, I really dont see any benefits, just annoyance. ALl the other stuff the watch does have NO appeal to me. Im surprised Apple even decided to go on with this product without any revolutionary health features.

 

[louiek]

For some time I used Runtastic on some (non Apple, but upper range) phone. Battery life was a problem. After 60 minutes running in the evening the battery was very low. I do a much longer run (2hr +) every week. I don't know if an iPhone 5 or 6 is so much better in battery life w/ GPS, but I don't think iPhone+Apple watch have enough "juice" to track a Marathon (4hr for me). I also want the display of the watch visible all the time during the run. So I better stick with my dedicated triathlon watch.

Christian

I've run marathons with my iPhone 5 using runkeeper and playing music and it's still had about 10% at the end of 4 hrs. If this low energy Bluetooth 4 is all its cracked up to be I think the watch will be fine.

 

[G4DP]

good call by them. You can Imagine the out cry from the fans if for certain people some of these features were inconsistent. You see people already complaining about touch iD and I personally think that works really well in the current iPhone .

Has nothing to do with being a good call. It comes from covering there backsides legally. If Apple knew about accuracy issues with the products and included them, they would be leaving themselves up to all sorts of trouble. Even with a box covered in disclaimers.