Smart watches, what's the point?

[tromboneaholic]

No, I'm not being entitled. This particular request has been discussed by many people who share the same opinion on MacRumors. If you scroll up to the second post (I think) I made in this thread you will see a listing of multiple threads about the topic.


Ah, but there's the rub. As I explained earlier in this thread, those features are ex post facto. In other words, they were not being asked for BEFORE Apple released the watch. It's only AFTER Apple released the watch that those features were recognized as valuable and thus became desirable.

You can't prove something true beforehand by using evidence that only came afterwards.


See here's the disconnect. You claim that an LED notification light is trivial. Why? Probably because you wouldn't use that feature, it's not important to you, etc.

The health data that the Apple Watch provides is NOT trivial to you though. I assume your defense of it means you take it seriously. Well, I don't. I recognize that it has value to others, but it's trivial to me because I don't need or want it. So, our definition of trivial is entirely different.

And I can blame Apple for offering an expensive solution to an inexpensive problem. Because that's what they have always done. I'm just pointing that out. I'm in this discussion now because people seem to want to deny that this is what Apple does, not because it's anything I get angry about. So, whether the result is beneficial to others or not, the fact is that many people asked for a simple solution and Apple responded by providing a more expensive one.


Well, this feature isn't a deal-breaker for me and never has been.

Aren't notifications on the lock screen Apple's answer to an LED light?

I find a disconnect between the Apple Watch that is always on my person versus an LED light that is always on the phone.

 

[eyoungren]

Aren't notifications on the lock screen Apple's answer to an LED light?

I find a disconnect between the Apple Watch that is always on my person versus an LED light that is always on the phone.

Here is the difference for me.

Most of the time my iPhone is placed on my desk in a manner that has the screen facing outward towards me. Most of the time I have to get up from my desk to attend to aspects of my job in other parts of the building. That places me out of both audible and visual range of the phone. The building I work in is large enough for that, but not so large that I am away from my desk so long it justifies the Apple Watch.

If a notification comes in while I am away from my desk then, I neither see it nor hear it. The argument that I often hear is "Just pick up your phone and turn on the screen, it will only take a moment". But if I'm busy away from my desk it means I have to walk back to it, pick up the phone, light the screen and check.

With an LED, I can see from a distance if I have received a notification or not. Based on my circumstance at the time I can either decide to go over there and look, or not, but I would know if I got something.

As it stands right now, I wouldn't. Because there is no external indicator that I got a notification - except to pick up the phone and look.

Now the Watch would let me know. But I don't think an additional $~300 is worth it for this and telling time, the only real uses I'd put a watch to. On top of that, I have become unused to wearing things on my wrist.

For my purposes then, this is an expensive solution.

 

[tromboneaholic]

Here is the difference for me.

Most of the time my iPhone is placed on my desk in a manner that has the screen facing outward towards me. Most of the time I have to get up from my desk to attend to aspects of my job in other parts of the building. That places me out of both audible and visual range of the phone. The building I work in is large enough for that, but not so large that I am away from my desk so long it justifies the Apple Watch.

If a notification comes in while I am away from my desk then, I neither see it nor hear it. The argument that I often hear is "Just pick up your phone and turn on the screen, it will only take a moment". But if I'm busy away from my desk it means I have to walk back to it, pick up the phone, light the screen and check.

With an LED, I can see from a distance if I have received a notification or not. Based on my circumstance at the time I can either decide to go over there and look, or not, but I would know if I got something.

As it stands right now, I wouldn't. Because there is no external indicator that I got a notification - except to pick up the phone and look.

Now the Watch would let me know. But I don't think an additional $~300 is worth it for this and telling time, the only real uses I'd put a watch to. On top of that, I have become unused to wearing things on my wrist.

For my purposes then, this is an expensive solution.

I can see your point to an extent, but I believe Apple decided not to add an LED light to the iPhone before they began working on the Apple Watch. Even if Apple had added an LED light to the phone, it wouldn't erase the value of an Apple Watch for notifications. In your own example, you have to be in eyeshot of your desk to see the phone LED. With the Apple Watch, you would be notified anywhere in the building, and you could deal with it or know that you have no missed calls, messages, or emails and not have to go back to your office to see if there an a lit LED on your phone.

Then there is the added benefit that you can act on the notification directly on the watch without having to go back to your office and grab the phone on the desk.

I really think a notification LED on the iPhone and an Apple Watch are answers to two different questions.

 

[eyoungren]

I can see your point to an extent, but I believe Apple decided not to add an LED light to the iPhone before they began working on the Apple Watch. Even if Apple had added an LED light to the phone, it wouldn't erase the value of an Apple Watch for notifications. In your own example, you have to be in eyeshot of your desk to see the phone LED. With the Apple Watch, you would be notified anywhere in the building, and you could deal with it or know that you have no missed calls, messages, or emails and not have to go back to your office to see if there an a lit LED on your phone.

Then there is the added benefit that you can act on the notification directly on the watch without having to go back to your office and grab the phone on the desk.

I really think a notification LED on the iPhone and an Apple Watch are answers to two different questions.

Lack of the LED and lack of any intent by Apple to add one was never a deal breaker for me (there are other things I want that are). While the Apple Watch does provide one solution, it just isn't one I am interested in for a number of reasons.

I would argue that I'd just get the watch and use that rather than buying it additional to an iPhone, but AFAIK you need an iPhone to even set up a Watch. And I am not going to lose my jailbreak on my current iPhone for this.

So, that means I stick with things the way they are (my iPhone).

 

[Knight3]

See here's the disconnect. You claim that an LED notification light is trivial. Why? Probably because you wouldn't use that feature, it's not important to you, etc.

The health data that the Apple Watch provides is NOT trivial to you though. I assume your defense of it means you take it seriously. Well, I don't. I recognize that it has value to others, but it's trivial to me because I don't need or want it. So, our definition of trivial is entirely different.

And I can blame Apple for offering an expensive solution to an inexpensive problem. Because that's what they have always done. I'm just pointing that out. I'm in this discussion now because people seem to want to deny that this is what Apple does, not because it's anything I get angry about. So, whether the result is beneficial to others or not, the fact is that many people asked for a simple solution and Apple responded by providing a more expensive one.

You're essentially saying that Apple spent millions of dollars in R&D just to avoid an LED light on an iPhone despite your repeated requests?

The health data is probably trivial to you but millions of Apple Watch and other fitness tracker owners would strongly disagree. You spending 99% of your time in front of a computer and want an LED just to know if you missed anything doesn't extrapolate to millions others who prefer to keep their iPhones in their pockets. Also, realize that the LED itself doesn't tell you what you missed exactly. While the Watch on the other hand always stays with you and you don't actually need to reach for your iPhone to see if you missed anything cuz you won't. And the kicker? You get to see exactly what you missed besides all the benefits to owning a smart watch.

EDIT: And YES, you're still acting like an ENTITLED human being. The health aspect seems trivial to you and you don't care while the LED might help just a handful of people and you're going ballistic about it. It's all about getting your way.
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If a notification comes in while I am away from my desk then, I neither see it nor hear it. The argument that I often hear is "Just pick up your phone and turn on the screen, it will only take a moment". But if I'm busy away from my desk it means I have to walk back to it, pick up the phone, light the screen and check.

The trouble you had to endure to see if you've missed anything. My deepest sympathies!

All jokes aside, you have two solutions:

1. Take your iPhone wherever you go
2. Buy a Mi band for $10.

 

[Fubar1977]

As a fan and collector of fine mechanical watches, I've said for years that their was no need to have a smartwatch. The reality is that I fear that I will like it if I get one and I'll neglect my mechanical watch hobby.

Now my wife wants us to get Apple Watches for xmas. She reminds me that I have spent more servicing my watches than we will spend on the Apple Watches.

I think that we will get them for all the reasons mentioned in this thread plus the biggest reason not mentioned: Dick Tracy!

Although not mechanical watches I have a substantial collection of G-Shocks and used to make a point of never wearing the same watch 2 days running. Since getting an Apple watch (Series 2 then Series 4) I haven't worn any of my G`s in months. Can't bring myself to sell them off but I'm not wearing them or buying any more... The Apple watch has a habit of making all other watches redundant if you like what it offers.

 

[Mac'nCheese]

99% of the time, my iPhone is sitting on my desk, a couch or chair arm, a table, or in a cup holder. If it's in my pocket, I don't have an issue taking it out.

I also don't normally play music on my phone, so using a watch to control that is not a factor for me. I have an iPhone 5, an iPhone 4, an iPhone 4s and a 6th Gen iPad I can use for that, but most often it's one of my Macs.

I sit in front of computers for 99% of my day. The watch doesn't really offer me anything because I'm never away from those or my iPhone.

The connection is that an LED light is what was asked for. Instead Apple provided a watch that you strap to your wrist that provides notifications, instead of an LED light.

As for glossing over all the other stuff…that isn't what I asked Apple for. I asked for an LED light. They gave me a watch with health stuff. I don't deny the health stuff is useful to those who need/want it. But that isn't what I asked them for.

Instead of an LED light, they made a watch? Huh? The original watch did a lot more stuff than just act as a notification device.

 

[eyoungren]

Instead of an LED light, they made a watch? Huh? The original watch did a lot more stuff than just act as a notification device.

But that's my point.

I didn't ask them for all that stuff. I don't want to pay for all that other stuff. I don't need all that other stuff. And I don't need it strapped to my wrist.

But if I want a device that does the equivalent, I get all that other stuff I don't want with it. And they want me to pay for all that other stuff I don't want by including it in the price. And it costs way more then what simply adding a LED notification light to the iPhone would cost.

Sometimes what you want is ALL that you want and nothing more (or less).

 

[Mac'nCheese]

But that's my point.

I didn't ask them for all that stuff. I don't want to pay for all that other stuff. I don't need all that other stuff. And I don't need it strapped to my wrist.

But if I want a device that does the equivalent, I get all that other stuff I don't want with it. And they want me to pay for all that other stuff I don't want by including it in the price. And it costs way more then what simply adding a LED notification light to the iPhone would cost.

Sometimes what you want is ALL that you want and nothing more (or less).

Right, you don't want a watch which is what they wanted to make. They could have added an LED light to your phone and still made a watch. The two things have nothing to do with each other.

 

[44267547]

Although not mechanical watches I have a substantial collection of G-Shocks and used to make a point of never wearing the same watch 2 days running. Since getting an Apple watch (Series 2 then Series 4) I haven't worn any of my G`s in months. Can't bring myself to sell them off but I'm not wearing them or buying any more... The Apple watch has a habit of making all other watches redundant if you like what it offers.

I have to admit, The Apple Watch is one of my favorite devices Apple has ever released, which would be right next to the AirPods as my second favorite device. But in retrospect, as much as I love the Apple Watch, I actually find myself even more intrigued to wear more mechanical watches again to mix things up. I like the Apple Watch when it serves it’s purpose for notifications/health related, but in the same respect, the Apple Watch has also provoked me to want to wear more mechanical watches, which I actually have a decent collection that I recently have been adding too.

 

[eyoungren]

Right, you don't want a watch which is what they wanted to make. They could have added an LED light to your phone and still made a watch. The two things have nothing to do with each other.

I disagree.

I'd give you the argument if the DID have an iPhone with an LED. Then it wouldn't be connected. But the didn't make a LED notification light. The watch was the answer to that, plus extra stuff.

So, it's connected. If I want notifications like that, I have to get a watch because that's Apple's answer to the requests for LED notifications lights.

 

[Mac'nCheese]

I disagree.

I'd give you the argument if the DID have an iPhone with an LED. Then it wouldn't be connected. But the didn't make a LED notification light. The watch was the answer to that, plus extra stuff.

So, it's connected. If I want notifications like that, I have to get a watch because that's Apple's answer to the requests for LED notifications lights.

You’re saying that they heard their customers saying they wanted a LED notification and instead came up with a watch? They built an entirely new device just for that? Ok. Agree to disagree

 

[tromboneaholic]

I disagree.

I'd give you the argument if the DID have an iPhone with an LED. Then it wouldn't be connected. But the didn't make a LED notification light. The watch was the answer to that, plus extra stuff.

So, it's connected. If I want notifications like that, I have to get a watch because that's Apple's answer to the requests for LED notifications lights.

I understand your point, but I don't agree with it.

I think Apple has sold more watches so far than the total number of people who wanted an LED light. I don't have anything to back that theory up, but my mom bought an Apple Watch, and she has no idea a phone could even have an LED light. If it did, my dad would just complain and tell her to turn it off.

 

[sean000]

I disagree.

I'd give you the argument if the DID have an iPhone with an LED. Then it wouldn't be connected. But the didn't make a LED notification light. The watch was the answer to that, plus extra stuff.

So, it's connected. If I want notifications like that, I have to get a watch because that's Apple's answer to the requests for LED notifications lights.

I get what you're saying, but personally I would blame Apple's refusal to add an LED light on Apple's minimalist design aesthetic. I can just picture Jony Ive looking over some design proposals for an LED notification light and dismissing them as being too ugly. We already have the camera bump and the notch, and Apple has a two-wart limit. That's why they never let us have a microSD slot and took away our headphone jacks.

Ive will do it only if they can make the Apple logo on the back glow like it does on a Macbook.

 

[Just Mark]

Go to Settings/ General/ Accessability and scroll down to LED flash for alerts. And now you have a notification LED.

 

[Mac'nCheese]

Go to Settings/ General/ Accessability and scroll down to LED flash for alerts. And now you have a notification LED.

Boom! They already have one. Case closed. Has nothing to do the watch.

 

[eyoungren]

Go to Settings/ General/ Accessability and scroll down to LED flash for alerts. And now you have a notification LED.

Boom! They already have one. Case closed. Has nothing to do the watch.

Yeah, you guys know what I mean.

Using Accessibility to light up the already existing camera flash is not what was asked for. Especially since it's on the back side and not the front. Most of you lay your phones face down for some reason (I'd prefer to scratch the back of my phone, not the glass so I lay it down on the back) so that works for you.

You can't see the camera LED flashing when the phone is on it's back.

I meant a dedicated LED notification light and you guys know it.

As far as ugly…well those of us who want it were all hoping Apple would put it's own twist on it. The OLED screen provides possibilities even. There's been talk of an always on clock and if Apple can make that happen they can also show notification indicators.

 

[Mac'nCheese]

Yeah, you guys know what I mean.

Using Accessibility to light up the already existing camera flash is not what was asked for. Especially since it's on the back side and not the front. Most of you lay your phones face down for some reason (I'd prefer to scratch the back of my phone, not the glass so I lay it down on the back) so that works for you.

You can't see the camera LED flashing when the phone is on it's back.

I meant a dedicated LED notification light and you guys know it.

As far as ugly…well those of us who want it were all hoping Apple would put it's own twist on it. The OLED screen provides possibilities even. There's been talk of an always on clock and if Apple can make that happen they can also show notification indicators.

Yes of course I was joking around. But you mean a LED light on the screen side of the phone? Does any phone have something like that now? Most people I know or work with have iPhones so I don’t even see a lot of other phones.

 

[Partridge]

Yeah, you guys know what I mean.

Using Accessibility to light up the already existing camera flash is not what was asked for. Especially since it's on the back side and not the front. Most of you lay your phones face down for some reason (I'd prefer to scratch the back of my phone, not the glass so I lay it down on the back) so that works for you.

You can't see the camera LED flashing when the phone is on it's back.

I meant a dedicated LED notification light and you guys know it.

As far as ugly…well those of us who want it were all hoping Apple would put it's own twist on it. The OLED screen provides possibilities even. There's been talk of an always on clock and if Apple can make that happen they can also show notification indicators.

You realize that in an alternate world we could easily be having this exact conversation with you except you would be complaining that Banana put the dedicated notification light on the FRONT of the phone instead of on the back which is completely unreasonable and stupid because you like to put your uPhone on your desk face down so people don’t see your notification screen and all you asked for was a notification light on the back and why is this so hard to understand why can’t they make my phone the way I want it.

 

[eyoungren]

Yes of course I was joking around. But you mean a LED light on the screen side of the phone? Does any phone have something like that now? Most people I know or work with have iPhones so I don’t even see a lot of other phones.

I used an HTC Touch Pro for 3.5 years (2009 to 2012 when I got my iPhone 5). HTC had the LED inside the home button (it lit up in a circular fashion around the ring edge). Some people thought this might have been what Apple was doing when the iPhone 5s was the new phone. Alas, it was not.

But HTC was doing this in 2008-2009. It can be done.

 

[sean000]

I used an HTC Touch Pro for 3.5 years (2009 to 2012 when I got my iPhone 5). HTC had the LED inside the home button (it lit up in a circular fashion around the ring edge). Some people thought this might have been what Apple was doing when the iPhone 5s was the new phone. Alas, it was not.

But HTC was doing this in 2008-2009. It can be done.

Of course now that iPhones have no home button, they missed an opportunity. Maybe the notch could light up! That would actually be kind of cool.

 

[44267547]

Of course now that iPhones have no home button, they missed an opportunity. Maybe the notch could light up! That would actually be kind of cool.

A flashing notch for notifications? I’m genuinely sold on your idea. Maybe you could even customize the colors like the Blackberry days for different colors, represent different notifications.

 

[Thejameslavis]

Welcome grinch. It saves me from getting my phone out for time, camera notifications and texts. That alone is why we have them.

 

[tromboneaholic]

I used an HTC Touch Pro for 3.5 years (2009 to 2012 when I got my iPhone 5). HTC had the LED inside the home button (it lit up in a circular fashion around the ring edge). Some people thought this might have been what Apple was doing when the iPhone 5s was the new phone. Alas, it was not.

But HTC was doing this in 2008-2009. It can be done.

The irony here is that Apple has panted LEDs in a watch band for notifications...

I know these are not the LEDs you were looking for...

 

[Hometeky]

It is just the point of view of someone.

For one, a smartwatch is a great piece of equipment that can assist in tracking the incoming calls, and messages, and further, it tracks the numerous health aspects too.

For some ordinary people, it is good for nothing.

But in today's world, the smartwatch really plays a big part in daily life routine.