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Quick Takes: Fitbit Executive Says He Hasn't Met Anyone Passionate About Owning an Apple Watch

MacRumors said:



In addition to our standalone articles covering the latest Apple news and rumors at MacRumors, this Quick Takes column provides a bite-sized recap of other headlines about Apple and its competitors on weekdays.

Thursday, March 15

1. Fitbit's financial chief knocks the Apple Watch: "I have yet to meet anyone who owns an Apple Watch who's passionate about the product," said Fitbit's chief financial officer Bill Zerella. "If you don't have an Apple phone, you're not buying an Apple Watch... 80% of the world is Android, not Apple."

apple-watch-vs-fitbit-800x438.jpg

Apple Watch Series 3 and Fitbit's new Versa smartwatch​

Commentary: Not only is the Apple Watch the world's most popular smartwatch, but it's the best-selling wearable, ahead of Fitbit. Apple Watch also has a customer satisfaction rate well above 90 percent.

2. iHeartMedia has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection: The company operates Apple Music rival iHeartRadio, which provides free streaming of thousands of live radio stations in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The move will allow the company to restructure more than $20 billion in debt.

Commentary: iHeartMedia's day-to-day operations of its businesses are not expected to be dramatically affected, according to reports, so iHeartRadio should remain available for at least the foreseeable future.

3. What the HomePod should become: MacStories' Ryan Christoffel argues that the HomePod isn't a bad product today, but could evolve into a great one by becoming a true hub for all Apple-centric needs.Commentary: While the HomePod has received rave reviews about how it sounds, the consensus is that the speaker isn't as smart as the Amazon Echo or Google Home. Being able to complete these tasks would be a huge step forward.

4. Siri co-founder Dag Kittlaus responds to claim that Siri was a "disaster" when it first launched on iPhone 4s: "This statement, wholly false, was made by the architect and head of the biggest launch disaster in Apple history, Apple Maps. In reality Siri worked great at launch but, like any new platform under unexpectedly massive load, required scaling adjustments and 24 hour workdays."

Commentary: "After launch, Siri was a disaster," said former Apple executive Richard Williamson, who was reportedly fired in 2012 following the botched launch of Apple Maps. "It was slow, when it worked at all. The software was riddled with serious bugs. Those problems lie entirely with the original Siri team, certainly not me."

For more Apple news and rumors coverage, visit our Front Page, Mac Blog, and iOS Blog. Also visit our forums to join in the discussion.

Article Link: Quick Takes: Fitbit Executive Says He Hasn't Met Anyone Passionate About Owning an Apple Watch
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[doublepost=1521206002][/doublepost]I won't buy any product that demands I buy a I phone! As bad as I would like an Apple watch for its cardiac abilities and apps, I am not switching phones to do it. Bad for sakes to not make a wifi stand alone version for non I phone users... lost sales! And after I buy a fitbit, I will not turn around and buy a Apple! Stupid move by Apple!
 
I don't think I'm passionate about any of my devices, and I'm a nerd so I am passionate about tech in general.
I like my iPhone, but I'm not "passionate" about it.
Apple Watch is a good product, not as good as an iPhone or a Mac, but I like it.

What does it mean to be passionate about a gadget?
Ehi man look at my Apple Watch, it is so cool, I love it! Wanna try it? Come on!
It that what he means?
 
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cliffster82 said:
Is that right? If so that's nuts. Sitting here I can think of like, 3 people(?) I know who use Android. Like total. Everyone else has an iPhone. This is crazy.
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I love my Galaxy...not switching...
[doublepost=1521206281][/doublepost]I love my Galaxy, not switching , not even for an Apple watch...
 
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cliffster82 said:
Is that right? If so that's nuts. Sitting here I can think of like, 3 people(?) I know who use Android. Like total. Everyone else has an iPhone. This is crazy.
Click to expand...

I don’t know if the numbers are right but outside the US, especially in less affluent countries, one hardly sees an iPhone anywhere.
 
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Reactions: cliffster82
"unexpectedly massive load"

Well they even have a calculator built in to their devices so anybody could easily work out how many people owned a device fit to use Siri on at that time and planned accordingly. If the system was massively underpowered then that simple calculation simply was not made. I agree with the former Apple executive Richard Williamson, even if he did botch Maps and get the sack.
 
MacRumors said:



In addition to our standalone articles covering the latest Apple news and rumors at MacRumors, this Quick Takes column provides a bite-sized recap of other headlines about Apple and its competitors on weekdays.

Thursday, March 15

1. Fitbit's financial chief knocks the Apple Watch: "I have yet to meet anyone who owns an Apple Watch who's passionate about the product," said Fitbit's chief financial officer Bill Zerella. "If you don't have an Apple phone, you're not buying an Apple Watch... 80% of the world is Android, not Apple."

apple-watch-vs-fitbit-800x438.jpg

Apple Watch Series 3 and Fitbit's new Versa smartwatch​

Commentary: Not only is the Apple Watch the world's most popular smartwatch, but it's the best-selling wearable, ahead of Fitbit. Apple Watch also has a customer satisfaction rate well above 90 percent.

2. iHeartMedia has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection: The company operates Apple Music rival iHeartRadio, which provides free streaming of thousands of live radio stations in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The move will allow the company to restructure more than $20 billion in debt.

Commentary: iHeartMedia's day-to-day operations of its businesses are not expected to be dramatically affected, according to reports, so iHeartRadio should remain available for at least the foreseeable future.

3. What the HomePod should become: MacStories' Ryan Christoffel argues that the HomePod isn't a bad product today, but could evolve into a great one by becoming a true hub for all Apple-centric needs.Commentary: While the HomePod has received rave reviews about how it sounds, the consensus is that the speaker isn't as smart as the Amazon Echo or Google Home. Being able to complete these tasks would be a huge step forward.

4. Siri co-founder Dag Kittlaus responds to claim that Siri was a "disaster" when it first launched on iPhone 4s: "This statement, wholly false, was made by the architect and head of the biggest launch disaster in Apple history, Apple Maps. In reality Siri worked great at launch but, like any new platform under unexpectedly massive load, required scaling adjustments and 24 hour workdays."

Commentary: "After launch, Siri was a disaster," said former Apple executive Richard Williamson, who was reportedly fired in 2012 following the botched launch of Apple Maps. "It was slow, when it worked at all. The software was riddled with serious bugs. Those problems lie entirely with the original Siri team, certainly not me."

For more Apple news and rumors coverage, visit our Front Page, Mac Blog, and iOS Blog. Also visit our forums to join in the discussion.

Article Link: Quick Takes: Fitbit Executive Says He Hasn't Met Anyone Passionate About Owning an Apple Watch
Click to expand...
Tell him to subscribe to Macrumors
 
I wonder if Fitbit's CFO, Bill Zerella has met anyone who owns a FitBit who's passionate about the product," said Fitbit's chief financial officer Bill Zerella.

HobeSoundDarryl said:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/266136/global-market-share-held-by-smartphone-operating-systems/

The problem with the "people I know" stats is that people we know are generally people like us, maybe family (much like us), and friends (probably more like us than not), etc. For instance, almost all people I know are white Americans who live in Florida, but that doesn't mean that ALL people are white, all are Americans, and all people only live in Florida. It can certainly look like that if I "poll" only "people I know" but that's the common mistake many of us make when we're slinging around our "99.9%" claims and so on... often based on a survey of as little as just the lone person writing the post.

Android:ios is rapidly becoming Windows:macOS. That's not putting down iOS, macOS or Apple, just pointing out that this is basically a repeat of decisions made from when Apple had THE mouse & windows-oriented OS and a challenger came along years later... who then proceeded to make decisions to catch up and then take over the dominant share of that market.

Deja Vu?
Click to expand...

I agree with the first part - "people I know" is never great. Especially in the US, where the split is a lot more even I think.

But I've read a few decent articles about why iOS / Android isn't really like Mac / PC. Just did a quick Google, not sire how good this one is, but its on that subject:

http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-android-apple-windows-2014-3?IR=T
 
Merode said:
I wouldn't say I'm passionate about my AW3. Is anyone really? Last time I was passionate about Apple product, it was my iPhone 4S and rMBP Late 2013.

The thing about AW3 is that it'ss lacking in so many departments. Yes, it might be the best smartwatch on the market (mind you, not sports tracker!) but it still kind of sucks. If Apple fixed these issues:
  1. No custom watch faces. I just cannot believe in that, after three revisions and three watchOS'es, still only limited to stock watch faces. Just look at some cool concepts online, or even better old, custom Pebble designs.
  2. Inconsistent HR sensor - I had way to many running workouts with red HR diagram saying there weren't enough readings. Just to point out, during workouts I tighten my AW so it's snug on my wrist.
  3. Inconsistent barometer - same bicycle route on one day gives elevation of 10m, the other day 40m. How can I trust it?
  4. Not even one really useful app.
Click to expand...

I agree - and would like to see a more thorough workout app, at least for running (and I'm not even that serious a runner):
- Heart Rate alarms
- Pace alarms
- Segments
- Equipment tracking (mileage tracking for my shoes)
- A better way to start/stop an activity (instead of a tiny button, how about at using force-touch?)
 
CrzyP said:
When was the last time a Fitbit on a wrist ever looked nice? Oh. Never.
Click to expand...

I can't remember a time where an Apple watch looked nice on a wrist either.

Jokingly aside, I don't think I've yet met or seen a person wearing a Fitbit. I've probably seen more people wearing Garmin than the Fitbit.
 
"I have yet to meet anyone who owns an Apple Watch who's passionate about the product."

I must have glazed over this yesterday... That is HILARIOUS.

My close group grew by 3 apple watches in the past 3 months, one of those was me, replacing my Series 0 with a Series 3. Sold the Series 0 on eBay and netted about $125, not bad for 14 months use and an original price of $190.
 
"I have yet to meet anyone who owns an Apple Watch who's passionate about the product," empty-suit says to a roomful of sycophants.

Yeah, hard to hear that when the only people you're talking to are either your employees or family members.

I love my Apple Watch, had the first version and now have the 3rd, and have a high-dollar Tag Heuer watch sitting in my lockbox, unused for years now.
 
For fitness it's tolerable but for daily wear I'm reluctant to be passionate about something that looks like it came out of a bubble gum machine and is made to be disposable. Maybe the next Apple Watch redesign will be better.
 
The Fitbit CEO has a point. I would love to use some of the features of the Apple Watch (Health and fitness tracking). But I quit using iPhones a few years ago. Every year or so I upgrade to a new Android phone and ever 3 years to a new mac. But I have never considered an Apple Watch because it is tied to an iPhone.
 
Man who was an Apple exec at the time calls Apple Maps "the biggest launch disaster in Apple's history" and there are still people who defend it and think the product should have been shipped.

Ultimately Tim Cook was in charge and took the decision, and it was his fault.
 
HobeSoundDarryl said:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/266136/global-market-share-held-by-smartphone-operating-systems/

The problem with the "people I know" stats is that people we know are generally people like us, maybe family (much like us), and friends (probably more like us than not), etc. For instance, almost all people I know are white Americans who live in Florida, but that doesn't mean that ALL people are white, all are Americans, and all people only live in Florida. It can certainly look like that if I "poll" only "people I know" but that's the common mistake many of us make when we're slinging around our "99.9%" claims and so on... often based on a survey of as little as just the lone person writing the post.

Android:ios is rapidly becoming Windows:macOS. That's not putting down iOS, macOS or Apple, just pointing out that this is basically a repeat of decisions made from when Apple had THE mouse & windows-oriented OS and a challenger came along years later... who then proceeded to make decisions to catch up and then take over the dominant share of that market.

Deja Vu?
Click to expand...
Clicked your link. Wow. Color me ignorant. At least Apple can say they maintain some consistency. I wonder what the US rates are?
[doublepost=1521487141][/doublepost]
dampfnudel said:
I wouldn’t call people buying what they can actually afford crazy. Looks like there’s not much diversity in the group of people you know.
Click to expand...
Thanks? Actually there is, that kinda plays in to my original comment. The disconnect is obviously most of the world, especially outside the US, is on Android. I've just never seen the numbers.
 
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