Pedometer++ Developer Shares Data on Apple Watch Adoption Rates Across All Models

[iReality85]

I think Apple have to be careful here. It’s still a watch after all. All watches should be able to tell the time, whether you bought one in 1980 or last year.

They should guarantee that they will support all these units until there isn’t any being used (which they can tell from usage data).

I think it will create a bad precedent if they stop supporting a watch that could have cost someone over a $1000 in just 3 yrs.

Also, the Swiss companies will have a field day if Apple did this. Just imagine the marketing angle.. “Rolex for life, Apple for 3 yrs.. are you crazy?”

I’m still using my series 0. Don’t really feel the need to upgrade because I just use it as a watch that gives me notifications and tracks my training. I have yet to hear of any apps that are must haves that mean I really need the latest version. Anyone got an app on the watch that’s transformed their lives???

I struggle to get through the day with my S0 battery life. It has degraded significantly with os4. Apple confirmed the battery is healthy but after 12-13h it’s dead. What is your experience ? I had it for 2 1/2yrs

I can understand the concern here. Although despite Apple ending support for any particular watchOS version, there wouldn't be anything to prevent AW from functioning as just a timepiece, with the exception of battery life. And even that can be replaced, albeit at a hefty price. If anything, Apple needs to drop their price for servicing AW batteries, since it's common to have to replace batteries for any digital watch every few years.

They could also add to watchOS some sort of optional low power, timekeeping-only mode for very old models like the 0. That means the watch wouldn't totally be useless, and it would still carry out its main function- being a watch.

 

[manu chao]

I think Apple have to be careful here. It’s still a watch after all. All watches should be able to tell the time, whether you bought one in 1980 or last year.

And Series 0 watches running watchOS 4.x will stop telling the time when watchOS 5 comes out?

They should guarantee that they will support all these units until there isn’t any being used (which they can tell from usage data).

I think it will create a bad precedent if they stop supporting a watch that could have cost someone over a $1000 in just 3 yrs.

Also, the Swiss companies will have a field day if Apple did this. Just imagine the marketing angle.. “Rolex for life, Apple for 3 yrs.. are you crazy?”

You mean all these Rolex watches that got zero software updates after people bought them? So, Series 0 watches might stop getting new features (and performance and bug fixes) after three years, while Rolex watches never got any new features or performance and bug fixes after you've bought them?

When you compare an Apple Watch to non-smart watches on the issue of longevity, you need to apply the same criteria. Which for a non-smartwatch is: Does it still perform the same as it did the day you purchased it? Applied to an Apple Watch this means, when does the fact that it isn't supported anymore by the latest watch OS version cause it to loose features it had at the date of purchase (or if you want to be demanding, the date it received its last software update).

Thus, when do certain features that rely on the Apple Watch interacting with the iPhone (or more generally the outer world) stop working? For example, when do notifications stop working, when does syncing of activity data stop working, when do third-party apps stop working?

Take the most extreme example (ie, the oldest Apple smart device), the original iPhone. What features it had at launch don't work anymore? At the top of my head, I cannot name any (though there probably are some). If we go a little bit more modern and include third-party apps (which means we look what the original iPhone could do in, eg, 2009), then certainly many third-party apps that rely on an online service component might not work anymore. But then third-party apps make up a much smaller part of the user experience on Apple Watches compared to iPhones, and in particular on the Series 0, third-party app experience has never been great, meaning its owners are even less likely to rely much on third-party apps.

 

[threesixty360]

Tend to agree with that. Had to fall back to my series 0 for two days due to broken screen and what a pain.
Series 0 feels now like a product that should not have launched but it was necessary at the time. Without the experience gained, S3 and watchOS wouldn’t where they are now.
[doublepost=1521104901][/doublepost]

I struggle to get through the day with my S0 battery life. It has degraded significantly with os4. Apple confirmed the battery is healthy but after 12-13h it’s dead. What is your experience ? I had it for 2 1/2yrs

Mine will last all day as long as I don't use any apps (which isn't hard because I dont think there are any worth using!). Probably finishes with about 45/50% at the end of the day (10/11pm).

 

[manu chao]

Doesn't this just show older watches breaking down and being replaced by newer model? They aren't Swiss made.

These numbers are percentages of [Pedometer] users, not absolute numbers. A line going down could mean those watches getting retired or it could simply mean the overall pool (of Apple Watches using Pedometer) is increasing meaning the percentages of those not sold anymore will go down even if none of them are getting retired. The reality is naturally something between those extremes.

 

[threesixty360]

And Series 0 watches running watchOS 4.x will stop telling the time when watchOS 5 comes out?

You mean all these Rolex watches that got zero software updates after people bought them? So, Series 0 watches might stop getting new features (and performance and bug fixes) after three years, while Rolex watches never got any new features or performance and bug fixes after you've bought them?

When you compare an Apple Watch to non-smart watches on the issue of longevity, you need to apply the same criteria. Which for a non-smartwatch is: Does it still perform the same as it did the day you purchased it? Applied to an Apple Watch this means, when does the fact that it isn't supported anymore by the latest watch OS version cause it to loose features it had at the date of purchase (or if you want to be demanding, the date it received its last software update).

Thus, when do certain features that rely on the Apple Watch interacting with the iPhone (or more generally the outer world) stop working? For example, when do notifications stop working, when does syncing of activity data stop working, when do third-party apps stop working?

Take the most extreme example (ie, the oldest Apple smart device), the original iPhone. What features it had at launch don't work anymore? At the top of my head, I cannot name any (though there probably are some). If we go a little bit more modern and include third-party apps (which means we look what the original iPhone could do in, eg, 2009), then certainly many third-party apps that rely on an online service component might not work anymore. But then third-party apps make up a much smaller part of the user experience on Apple Watches compared to iPhones, and in particular on the Series 0, third-party app experience has never been great, meaning its owners are even less likely to rely much on third-party apps.

Not talking about new features. I'm talking about being able to sync the thing with whatever is the current phone OS. By support I'm just saying in 5/10 yrs time can you plug in this device and use it as you would have when you bought it?

For example, can you even plug in the first ipod to a new mac with high sierra? (I dont know if thats possible). If you cant then that product is dead unless you have the last OS it paired with. Will Apple do that with the watch? If so, that I feel is problematic.

 

[manu chao]

Haven’t been following the watch lately...
I have the original watch (non sport with sapphire glass)
Is sapphire glass not an option anymore??
That’s a deal breaker for me. I originally had the watch sport and got the glass all scratched up. So upgraded when Best Buy had a deal.
I can’t find on the Apple site the specs where it says if is regular glass or sapphire glass.
[doublepost=1521080483][/doublepost]Never mind. Found it. So sapphire is only available to to edition. That’s a bummer

The specs are pretty hidden. You have to go right through the selection process until you see the price, then you'll also see all the technical specs for that model. In short, all stainless steel models (and the ceramic edition model) have a sapphire 'glass', all the aluminium models have ion-strengthened glass. For example:
https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-watc...hite-sport-band?product=MQK82LL/A&step=detail
[doublepost=1521119790][/doublepost]

Someone humor me since I haven’t really followed up on Watch all that much.

Why does Apple continue to sell Series 1 but not Series 2 (I get why they don’t sell 0 anymore)? Granted, I didn’t even realize that there was an original and three series. I thought Series 3 was actually the third watch... oops.

The Series 1 is the Series 2 innards (minus GPS) inside the Series 0 case. There are three generations of processors. When the Series 2 came out, Apple sold the second generation processor in the original case (less bright screen, less protection against water) instead of keeping the previous (ie, original) model around as the original model (Series 0) was simply too slow (and Apple wanted to offer two different price levels). When the Series 3 came out, Apple kept the cheaper model with the second generation processor around instead of the more expensive one to have a greater differentiation between the most current and the cheaper, older model (both in terms of features and price).

 

[BSG75]

How much actual gold is in that $17k watch? I'm sure it has a reasonable scrap value.

Frankly if you spend $17k on an Apple Watch you probably don't care about the value anyway.

I've always felt that Apple should have offered to upgrade the original gold Edition models. Basically just keep the case and replace the ceramic back, upgrade to S3 processor and replace the screen. This would be the the smartwatch equivalent of servicing a mechanical watch. If Apple charged around $500-$700, Edition owners wouldn't blink at the price, since some brand's mechanical servicing can run much higher. I don't think this would be feasible for the steel and sport models.

 

[iReality85]

The Series 1 is the Series 2 innards (minus GPS) inside the Series 0 case. There are three generations of processors. When the Series 2 came out, Apple sold the second generation processor in the original case (less bright screen, less protection against water) instead of keeping the previous (ie, original) model around as the original model (Series 0) was simply too slow (and Apple wanted to offer two different price levels). When the Series 3 came out, Apple kept the cheaper model with the second generation processor around instead of the more expensive one to have a greater differentiation between the most current and the cheaper, older model (both in terms of features and price).

That makes my head spin, but thank you for the indepth technical explanation, that was more what I was looking for. I think I'll just keep my eyes set on Series 3, and compare it to Series 4 when that comes out (if they keep Series 3...).

My bf loves his, and I found out that he's using a 0. Sounds like he needs an upgrade! Maybe if he's good...

 

[manu chao]

Not talking about new features. I'm talking about being able to sync the thing with whatever is the current phone OS. By support I'm just saying in 5/10 yrs time can you plug in this device and use it as you would have when you bought it?

And can you still sync the original iPhone (running iOS 3) and the original iPad (running iOS 5) with (in this case) iTunes? As far as I know, you still can.

For example, can you even plug in the first ipod to a new mac with high sierra? (I dont know if thats possible).

You still can, though you'll need a TB3 to FW400 adaptor (or rather a TB3 to FW800 adaptor + a FW800 to FW400 cable). Here is an article from 2015 about this (note that this was with iTunes 12.1, while the current version is 12.7.3, meaning the same 'major' version).

If you cant then that product is dead unless you have the last OS it paired with. Will Apple do that with the watch? If so, that I feel is problematic.

Do you see any reason the watch should be treated much differently than iPods, iPhones, or iPads? What iTunes is to iPods, iPhones and iPads (at least to the earlier versions of the latter two), is the Apple Watch app running on your iPhone. It is possible that, since iOS moves faster than macOS, legacy support might not run for 16+ years and maybe gets capped at maybe 10 years. But that probably will still cover 95+% of Series 0 users as after 10 years an overwhelming majority of them will have moved on to newer and faster and better Apple Watch models anyway.

 

[Abazigal]

I think Apple have to be careful here. It’s still a watch after all. All watches should be able to tell the time, whether you bought one in 1980 or last year.

They should guarantee that they will support all these units until there isn’t any being used (which they can tell from usage data).

I think it will create a bad precedent if they stop supporting a watch that could have cost someone over a $1000 in just 3 yrs.

Also, the Swiss companies will have a field day if Apple did this. Just imagine the marketing angle.. “Rolex for life, Apple for 3 yrs.. are you crazy?”

I’m still using my series 0. Don’t really feel the need to upgrade because I just use it as a watch that gives me notifications and tracks my training. I have yet to hear of any apps that are must haves that mean I really need the latest version. Anyone got an app on the watch that’s transformed their lives???

I see an Apple Watch more as a mini computer I wear on my wrist, rather than a watch. Just as an iPhone is really more a computer in your pocket, rather than a handphone.

And in the 3 years I own an Apple Watch, I will have gotten more utility out of it than I ever will from a Rolex watch. Mainly use it for notifications, Apple Pay, Siri, music playback, tracking workouts and the odd utility here and there (eg: unlocking my Mac, 1password and authy).

Though I am curious as to how long Apple can realistically keep supporting them with software updates. My gut tells me 3-4 years. We will see.

 

[iReality85]

I've always felt that Apple should have offered to upgrade the original gold Edition models. Basically just keep the case and replace the ceramic back, upgrade to S3 processor and replace the screen. This would be the the smartwatch equivalent of servicing a mechanical watch. If Apple charged around $500-$700, Edition owners wouldn't blink at the price, since some brand's mechanical servicing can run much higher. I don't think this would be feasible for the steel and sport models.

For all we know, they might do that. Aren't the cases the same between all the generations? I don't personally know of anyone who owns a $17K AW, nor I'm sure does anyone here. I think some celebrities do, but it might be a quiet 'cadillac' service that Apple provides to these owners.

But yeah, you would think that with such a case, you'd be allowed to send it in to have it 'upgraded' with new internals and screen every X years.

 

[Bigsk8r]

I think Apple have to be careful here. It’s still a watch after all. All watches should be able to tell the time, whether you bought one in 1980 or last year.

They should guarantee that they will support all these units until there isn’t any being used (which they can tell from usage data).

I think it will create a bad precedent if they stop supporting a watch that could have cost someone over a $1000 in just 3 yrs.

Also, the Swiss companies will have a field day if Apple did this. Just imagine the marketing angle.. “Rolex for life, Apple for 3 yrs.. are you crazy?”

I’m still using my series 0. Don’t really feel the need to upgrade because I just use it as a watch that gives me notifications and tracks my training. I have yet to hear of any apps that are must haves that mean I really need the latest version. Anyone got an app on the watch that’s transformed their lives???

I think your initial comparison is slightly unfair. After all, when you buy a Rolex, Tag, Seiko, etc.. do you get ongoing support after the 1-3 year warranty? At best, you get a lifetime warranty that states (for non-battery models) that they will guarantee that it will accurately function as a watch as long as you own it and have not physically compromised it.

As long as Apple offers a way to replace the battery, or authorizes others to do so, they are not obligated to keep upgrading the watch for the user. In fact, with iDevices and watches we are getting a bit spoiled...

I don't own any other product that I have spent hundreds or thousands of dollars on that gets features added at no cost for a number of years. I'm happy my S0 runs as well as it does on the current OS. If it never got another upgrade, it's still well worth the investment.

Agree wholeheartedly with your last paragraph. Same here. Cheers!

 

[DeepIn2U]

Which was why it was always stupid for Apple to originally push the device as a fashion statement. Everyone knew that its hardware would be left behind making its software unbearable and thus turning it into an expensive paperweight.

I was thinking the exact same thing at this point reading the article. I wouldn’t be surprised if AppleCare+ offered this exclusively for the lifetime of the Gold Watch edition owners for as long as components and design remains the same. I’d personally say those users earned that level of service.

 

[alwaysbeincontact]

love this app!

 

[redscull]

speed/stability improvements added in watchOS 4

LOL. What?? watchOS 4 absolutely ruined the performance and stability of my Series 2. And from mulitple replies in here about the slowless of the workout app on watchOS 4, I am not alone in this assessment. My Series 2 was a great device on watchOS 3 that I recommended to others whole-heartedly. But that only lasted a year; now I am seriously questioning ever buying another Apple Watch. They need to reach a point where a generation remains frustration-free for 3-4 years, not 1 year. Because presently a Series 2 is a definite no-buy, and Series 3 is pretty questionable considering watchOS 5, likely out this year, will make it junky if the past is any indicator.

 

[Sandstorm]

I like my S2, but I'm also VERY often pissed off how slow and unreliable it is. Even the simplest built in Apple apps (like activity tracking) takes ages to open and become responsive. And then all the crashes - 3rd party apps are basically completely unusable. Pathetic! My Apple Watch is less than year old!
[doublepost=1521133389][/doublepost]

LOL. What?? watchOS 4 absolutely ruined the performance and stability of my Series 2. And from mulitple replies in here about the slowless of the workout app on watchOS 4, I am not alone in this assessment. My Series 2 was a great device on watchOS 3 that I recommended to others whole-heartedly. But that only lasted a year; now I am seriously questioning ever buying another Apple Watch. They need to reach a point where a generation remains frustration-free for 3-4 years, not 1 year. Because presently a Series 2 is a definite no-buy, and Series 3 is pretty questionable considering watchOS 5, likely out this year, will make it junky if the past is any indicator.

Wholeheartedly agree with you!!!

 

[usarioclave]

Don't forget, if your watch seems really slow unpair and re-pair it...just like with your iPhone.

My S2 works great, and is a whole lot faster than the S0 it replaced.

 

[AFDoc]

watchOS 4.3 betas have really made some speed improvements to the software, even series 0. Check out the watchOS beta thread.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[threesixty360]

And can you still sync the original iPhone (running iOS 3) and the original iPad (running iOS 5) with (in this case) iTunes? As far as I know, you still can.

You still can, though you'll need a TB3 to FW400 adaptor (or rather a TB3 to FW800 adaptor + a FW800 to FW400 cable). Here is an article from 2015 about this (note that this was with iTunes 12.1, while the current version is 12.7.3, meaning the same 'major' version).

Do you see any reason the watch should be treated much differently than iPods, iPhones, or iPads? What iTunes is to iPods, iPhones and iPads (at least to the earlier versions of the latter two), is the Apple Watch app running on your iPhone. It is possible that, since iOS moves faster than macOS, legacy support might not run for 16+ years and maybe gets capped at maybe 10 years. But that probably will still cover 95+% of Series 0 users as after 10 years an overwhelming majority of them will have moved on to newer and faster and better Apple Watch models anyway.

The Apple Watch was originally marketed as a watch with extra stuff on it. Not a mini computer. To the point where we had a gold version and now we have a ceramic version.

Why do we have those two versions? Because watches are marketed as jewellery in the real world. Not by functionality. Whereas consumer electronic devices are marketed mostly by functionality. So when it’s function is over or lacking it becomes useless, therefore we have no problem throwing them away.

Watches at 2/300 dollars up to proper 5k and 10k watches are collectors items, airlooms etc.. and are about looks and basic functionality. That’s how Apple entered this game and how they managed to compete.

I even bought the stainless steel version precisely because it could go with more type of clothing (I know it sounds mad to some!).

So Apple can’t go down that line and then turn it into another throw away consumer electronic device. They can’t even change the design radically because that’s not what classic watch makers do.

The big thing about the Apple Watch is that they managed to make it look like a respectable device amongst all those classic watch makers. Given the task they had I bet Ive and Co. Are probably more proud of this design than anything they’ve done at Apple. The task was so hard to pull off.

All the other smart watches look like trash and no one wants to wear them. Yet we have millionaires with omega’s and Rolexes willing to take them off to put an Apple Watch on their wrists. That’s a major achievement.

 

[manu chao]

The Apple Watch was originally marketed as a watch with extra stuff on it. Not a mini computer. To the point where we had a gold version and now we have a ceramic version.

Why do we have those two versions? Because watches are marketed as jewellery in the real world. Not by functionality.

To be honest, people bought the gold version because it was a combination of (expensive) jewellery and smart functionality. Very, very few people would have bought the gold version just because they thought it was a very good looking device to only tell them the time.

 

[rikscha]

Mine will last all day as long as I don't use any apps (which isn't hard because I dont think there are any worth using!). Probably finishes with about 45/50% at the end of the day (10/11pm).

This is what it used to be with my watch. I will reset it and see if that makes a difference. I am not using any apps, it will though bring up the music app automatically when I am listening to music using AirPods.

 

[chucker23n1]

PedoMeter is such an unfortunate name.

It’s literally “foot measure”.

It’s only confusing because you geniuses “simplified” paedo to pedo, even though that one was already taken.

And even so, paedo means child. What were you thinking of?

 

[nicho]

PedoMeter is such an unfortunate name.

PedOmeter, actually.

Like a Speedometer is a SpeedOmeter (measurer of speed) not a SpeedoMeter (measurer of Speedos?)

 

[chucker23n1]

PedOmeter, actually.

Like a Speedometer is a SpeedOmeter (measurer of speed) not a SpeedoMeter (measurer of Speedos?)

No. Pedo- is the prefix for foot.

 

[nicho]

No. Pedo- is the prefix for foot.

Hit the brake pedoals, get off your pedoestal, and stop being so pedoestrian with your arguments.

I think you'll find ped- is the prefix for foot, when followed by a vowel. Ometer is the suffix for a measuring device (thermOMETER, barOMETER, pedOMETER).