Slick UI - but what about the learning curve

[OllyW]

Ariel Adams at aBlogtoWatch thinks the learning curve is a bit steeper than might be expected.

So what is it like to wear and use the Apple Watch? I haven't discussed that too much. As you probably know, the Apple watch has several types of input methods, including the touchscreen, crown, pusher, motion, and voice. Between talking to it, pushing it, swiping it, and moving it, there is a lot of potential in how you interact with it. Is the Apple Watch something which is as intuitive as an iPad? Not exactly. Given the size and features, the Apple Watch has a steeper learning curve than some people might like. That isn't to say the Apple Watch is complicated, but consumers will need some time to understand how it works. For example, tapping the screen is different than pressing the screen.

It's a good article and well worth a read. He asks a lot of questions about the Watch and offers his opinions as an expert in horology.

He also brings up this point, which I have managed to miss if it's already been posted elsewhere.

Each Apple Watch is paired to your iPhone (which is where you download apps and control some of its functions). Each iPhone can only be paired with one Apple Watch at a time - which means you can't have an Apple Watch Sport for exercise and an Apple Watch on a steel bracelet for more formal attire. Apple says people should just swap out straps, but I think they are missing the real value of having a diverse set of fashionable products. Anyone who loves watches doesn't just have one, and I truly hope that in due course, Apple makes it comfortable to own more than one Apple Watch without having to own more than one iPhone.

After Training People To Forget About Watches, How Will Apple Teach Them To Love The Apple Watch?

 

[samcraig]

Ariel Adams at aBlogtoWatch thinks the learning curve is a bit steeper than might be expected.

It's a good article and well worth a read. He asks a lot of questions about the Watch and offers his opinions as an expert in horology.

He also brings up this point, which I have managed to miss if it's already been posted elsewhere.

After Training People To Forget About Watches, How Will Apple Teach Them To Love The Apple Watch?

But I wonder if it's the same as Android Wear. - https://support.google.com/androidwear/answer/6058799?hl=en

With Android Wear - you can pair only one watch at a time - but you can have more than one watch. So you could have a day watch and a night watch - you would just have to unpair and pair.

Is Apple's method different in that it will really only allow ONE watch? Or just one watch paired at a time?

 

[Mascots]

Ariel Adams at aBlogtoWatch thinks the learning curve is a bit steeper than might be expected.

I suspect that the learning curve is mostly due to the familiarity with iOS interactions and how we've been interacting with our phones for the past eight years.

But alas, until I get my hands on it, I won't know.

 

[samcraig]

Ariel Adams at aBlogtoWatch thinks the learning curve is a bit steeper than might be expected.

BTW - this echos my original comment. I think there ARE a lot of ways to interact with the device and for some - this could cause frustrations until they can seamlessly interact with the device how they want.

 

[Rogifan]

I suspect that the learning curve is mostly due to the familiarity with iOS interactions and how we've been interacting with our phones for the past eight years.

But alas, until I get my hands on it, I won't know.

Agreed. I still think Apple can't let this "it's confusing" meme to percolate out there.

 

[samcraig]

Agreed. I still think Apple can't let this "it's confusing" meme to percolate out there.

What choice do they really have? Based on the # of ways you can interact with the device; and likely that the UI might get tweaked, but not overhauled, the watch people have played with is likely to be a fair representation.

Apple isn't know for instruction manuals in the box. They do offer training classes and I am sure they will offer them in stores when the product is released.

But the question I honestly have is - the patience level for the average person (and I know we overuse that phrase here) to use the watch (be comfortable with it) and how long that will take. Apple has the reputation (for better or worse) of having easy to use devices. And so far (I know early, Rogifan) this seems to be more involved. I am not saying it's uber hard to use. But those who own iPhones and iPads are used to a certain way of doing things - and the watch has it's own "rules."

What other Apple product has had (reportedly) this type of learning curve in the past?

 

[Mascots]

What choice do they really have? Based on the # of ways you can interact with the device; and likely that the UI might get tweaked, but not overhauled, the watch people have played with is likely to be a fair representation.

Apple isn't know for instruction manuals in the box. They do offer training classes and I am sure they will offer them in stores when the product is released.

But the question I honestly have is - the patience level for the average person (and I know we overuse that phrase here) to use the watch (be comfortable with it) and how long that will take. Apple has the reputation (for better or worse) of having easy to use devices. And so far (I know early, Rogifan) this seems to be more involved. I am not saying it's uber hard to use. But those who own iPhones and iPads are used to a certain way of doing things - and the watch has it's own "rules."

What other Apple product has had (reportedly) this type of learning curve in the past?

When I first got my iPhone, my friend couldn't even figure out how to unlock it. She didn't understand touchscreen could be used in that fashion because she had never had an interaction like that before. It took myself ages to adjust to a software "back" switch since prior to that, back buttons were a commonplace.

There will always be a learning curve, don't get me wrong; but I don't think the curve is roughly the same as iOS. While the ways you can interact with the software have expanded, the software itself still follows the same philosophy as iOS and OS X.

Like I said, I think the biggest hindrance is people learning a new way of interacting with a device that is very familiar, but seemingly foreign to them because they've been using an iPhone for the last half-decade.

 

[samcraig]

When I first got my iPhone, my friend couldn't even figure out how to unlock it. She didn't understand touchscreen could be used in that fashion because she had never had an interaction like that before. It took myself ages to adjust to a software "back" switch since prior to that, back buttons were a commonplace.

There will always be a learning curve, don't get me wrong; but I don't think the curve is roughly the same as iOS. While the ways you can interact with the software have expanded, the software itself still follows the same philosophy as iOS and OS X.

Like I said, I think the biggest hindrance is people learning a new way of interacting with a device that is very familiar, but seemingly foreign to them because they've been using an iPhone for the last half-decade.

I don't argue. But those on the Apple ecoystem since 2007 have grown to have expectations they never could have had in 2007.

Listen - I am not trying to be negative even though I realize my post(s) may appear that way. I am just having a dialogue.

 

[Mascots]

I don't argue. But those on the Apple ecoystem since 2007 have grown to have expectations they never could have had in 2007.

Listen - I am not trying to be negative even though I realize my post(s) may appear that way. I am just having a dialogue.

They don't and I don't think you are implying anything, friend! I'm just emphasizing a comparable situation

Generally, I agree that there is some sort of learning curve (watching people try to interact with demos was horrible), but I just think it's a minor adjustment comparable to using a smartphone pre-and-post iPhone.

 

[samcraig]

They don't and I don't think you are implying anything, friend! I'm just emphasizing a comparable situation

Generally, I agree that there is some sort of learning curve (watching people try to interact with demos was horrible), but I just think it's a minor adjustment comparable to using a smartphone pre-and-post iPhone.

Thanks. We shall see!