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Rare Original Apple Watch Prototypes Surface

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Apple released the first Apple Watch in 2015, but prior to when the original model was released, Apple worked on the design for several years. With every new device, Apple makes multiple prototypes, and today, a few Apple Watch prototypes surfaced on the internet.

applewatchprototype2.jpg

As highlighted by Vice's Motherboard, prototype collector Giulio Zompetti has shared images of a handful of Apple Watch prototypes that he's collected, all of which look similar to the first Apple Watch that Apple debuted, but with some unique differences in design and sensor placement.

applewatchprototype1.jpg

Zompetti said that the Apple Watch prototypes were sourced from e-waste facilities, and while they're all broken, key components are intact and it is possible to repair them. His plan is to fix them and then sell them for thousands.

applewatchprototype3.jpg

Some of the Apple Watches have a unique logo that's previously been seen on iPhone prototypes, and there are markings that suggest they are authentic, such as QR codes and serial numbers seen on other Apple prototypes.


Zompetti originally shared the images on Twitter earlier this month, and while no real interesting information can be gleaned from the prototypes, it's always fun to see Apple's early work on popular devices.

Article Link: Rare Original Apple Watch Prototypes Surface
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/04/14/original-apple-watch-prototypes/
Interesting to see. I think one day we are all going to reflect back five years from now and remember how the Apple Watch first looked In 2015 compared to the changes that are coming in the future. It really is interesting to see the ‘evolution of technology’ moving forward.
 
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I remember when all the haters were saying what a failure the Apple Watch was going to be and how terrible the design was...now look at the Apple Watch! It's got a heavy majority of the market share and it's without a doubt the best smartwatch on the planet. WearOS and the Fitbit line can't even come close to touching it.
 
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Veinticinco said:
“Prototype Apple Watches”

“Sourced from e-waste facilities”

“Plan to sell for thousands”

Hmmm, good luck to the guy but he’ll need to prove legal ownership 🤔
Click to expand...

I'm guessing he just bought them from eBay - Paypal receipt? :p That's how I usually get mine. Whilst we are on rare samples, here's an unreleased S1 with LTE:

1586893903309.png
The ones in the main article are older and probably worth more TBH.
Here's one of the test boards that came with it - this board is for an S2 or S3, but missing the clamp in the middle to hold the chip in. These are used for SOC/Radio testing - the reflection on the packet is hiding the LEDs and FTDI/lightning connectors at the top
1586894982872.png
 
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Flow39 said:
I remember when all the haters were saying what a failure the Apple Watch was going to be and how terrible the design was...now look at the Apple Watch! It's got a heavy majority of the market share and it's without a doubt the best smartwatch on the planet. WearOS and the Fitbit line can't even come close to touching it.
Click to expand...

It wasn’t necessarily there was ‘a lot of haters’ with the Apple Watch, I think there were a lot people doubting why they would need a smart watch on their wrist, when essentially it was an extension of the iPhone back in 2015, (which it sort of was). But today, it’s far more advanced in terms of health features, it’s not what it once was in terms of being just a ’notification’ device.

When Apple first marketed the Apple Watch, it was primarily just a communication device with some basic health measurements. But in terms of ‘Fall detection’, EKG, wheelchair accessibility, you can see how it’s advanced to demographics of all ages, and how Apple transitioned to the focus on health measurements.
 
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mtneer said:
Interesting. Although I am not sure who will pay thousands for a piece of electronics that looks like it already went through the crusher??
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Hackers probably will. The unprotected software that is on development hardware is worth a great deal. Hardware is cheap.
 
Flow39 said:
I remember when all the haters were saying what a failure the Apple Watch was going to be and how terrible the design was...now look at the Apple Watch! It's got a heavy majority of the market share and it's without a doubt the best smartwatch on the planet. WearOS and the Fitbit line can't even come close to touching it.
Click to expand...
The same can be said of the iPad when it first launched.
 
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Relentless Power said:
It wasn’t necessarily there was ‘a lot of haters’ with the Apple Watch, I think there were a lot people doubting why they would need a smart watch on their wrist, when essentially it was an extension of the iPhone back in 2015, (which it sort of was). But today, it’s far more advanced in terms of health features, it’s not what it once was in terms of being just a ’notification’ device.

When Apple first marketed the Apple Watch, it was primarily just a communication device with some basic health measurements. But in terms of ‘Fall detection’, EKG, wheelchair accessibility, you can see how it’s advanced to demographics of all ages, and how Apple transitioned to the focus on health measurements.
Click to expand...
I simply doubted how much I would appreciate the notifications too. I figured it’s so easy to take my phone out of my pocket. But there are plenty of times when you’re able to take a look at your wrist when you wouldn’t pull your phone out of your pocket and I super appreciate having the watch now. I hate the odd days I happen to forget it.
 
Howyalikdemapls said:
I simply doubted how much I would appreciate the notifications too. I figured it’s so easy to take my phone out of my pocket. But there are plenty of times when you’re able to take a look at your wrist when you wouldn’t pull your phone out of your pocket and I super appreciate having the watch now. I hate the odd days I happen to forget it.
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LTE was a needed addition with the Series 3, simply because I don’t like toting Around my larger iPhone with me everywhere. I Think the Apple Watch has matured enough where it’s capable of being its ‘own device’, but I’m waiting for the day where it’s not relying on the iPhone at all, and that day will eventually be here.
 
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Jakexb said:
I got to see the lorem ipsum one in person before Series 0 was released (can't say how) and it cracked me up. They knew writing around the sensor looked cool, but they just hadn't decided what the writing should be yet.
Click to expand...

That or they knew they wanted to include the model specs but they hadn't decided what the configuration options would be yet? I have no idea, I'm just guessing.
 
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Relentless Power said:
LTE was a needed addition with the Series 3, simply because I don’t like toting Around my larger iPhone with me everywhere. I Think the Apple Watch has matured enough where it’s capable of being its ‘own device’, but I’m waiting for the day where it’s not relying on the iPhone at all, and that day will eventually be here.
Click to expand...
good luck typing in your login information on a watch.
 
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