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Swatch CEO Says iWatch Isn't the Next Revolution

The iWatch rumors have already accomplished some of Apple's mission for the iWatch.

They've diverted public attention away from the 5S which by all indications will be a very minor "upgrade" of the iPhone 5, thereby buying Apple time to decide what iPhone 6 will be about.

They've grabbed headlines with this new iWatch gizmo and that's what Apple prides itself in. They have a deep intrinsic need to be out front, being talked about and generating lots of headlines. Mission accomplished.

Whatever, and whenever the iWatch appears, it will just be icing on a cake that's already dripping with billion dollar bills.... sporting the Apple logo it will sell like water in the desert.
 
Dejavu... it feels like it atleast... like Balmer and palm laughed off the iPhone... Well lets wait and watch... Apple so far hasn't given us a bummer of a product in quite sometime...
 
I don't think iWatch is going to replace an iPhone. Now, even though I'm not interested in buying a watch (haven't worn one in years), I would immediately pull out my wallet if Apple were to provide a product that incorporates features of Jawbone UP and Nike Fuelband, in addition to whatever that iWatch is supposed to be doing. There appears to be a substantial opportunity in this market, where people want to monitor their activity, calories burnt, quality of sleep, heart rate, etc. In fact, I would immediately buy two of these devices, one for me and for my wife.
 
meboy said:
People like the idea of wearable computing but these watches aren't "it".
Check the Verge review of the Pebble. Something along the lines of "It's not as good as I dreamed it could have been."

I think some form of headset is the true wearable computing form but they can do a watch now with current tech so a few companies are trying because there is "some" money in it.
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And this is where Apple comes in, Pebble show the demand, but they don't have resources Apple has to pull it off right.
 
notabadname said:
I seem to recall similar remarks in regards to Apple entering the phone market.
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Two entirely different markets with totally different market opportunities/demands. Many of us totally saw the market for an iPhone(Phone with Data) years before 2007, but new Data Speeds is what would make or break it along with the App Store...

maxosx said:
The iWatch rumors have already accomplished some of Apple's mission for the iWatch.

They've diverted public attention away from the 5S which by all indications will be a very minor "upgrade" of the iPhone 5, thereby buying Apple time to decide what iPhone 6 will be about.

They've grabbed headlines with this new iWatch gizmo and that's what Apple prides itself in. They have a deep intrinsic need to be out front, being talked about and generating lots of headlines. Mission accomplished.

Whatever, and whenever the iWatch appears, it will just be icing on a cake that's already dripping with billion dollar bills.... sporting the Apple logo it will sell like water in the desert.
Click to expand...

You are spot on... the iWatch rumors are accomplishing exactly what Apple wants at the moment(even though their stock is down). The new iPad will be coming in a month or so, and will be selling like those waters in the desert you mention. Although, the iWatch is just a rumor, and that is all I truly believe it really is... sorry fanboys, the iWatch is just driven by speculation.
 
crackbookpro said:
You clarify my point even more... The watch they wear says so much about a person. I bet you/they get a new phone every couple years and maybe a computer 3,4, or 5, and a watch every blue moon. Market Research will tell you a watch is definitely a fashion statement as the target audience for each watch manufacturer is completely different... just like a clothing company.



And, I think you bring up some good points, but the one I think you are not wrong, but you certainly are not right is - about technology. I believe the only way this iWatch is a success is due to some huge leap in technology, and I believe it is not coming from the rumored "curved-glass", but more about the chips features inside the watch. I think their is a market opportunity, but I think the opportunity lies in technological upgrades more than anythings else. The way they market it is, of course, extremely important for the success of the product, but the opportunity will be due to technological advances, and the execution of how they market it is the actual success to be had.
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I'm 19. I upgrade my smartphone when my contract ends so I can get the subsidized price. I upgrade my computer every year.

How can wearing a watch be a fashion statement for all watch-wearers when the target audience for each watch manufacturer is completely different? I'm sure Casio's G-SHOCK watches are less for fashion and more for function than say Rolex, Omega, Cartier, TAG, Fossil, etc.

If what you say about ICs is correct, then let me remind you that the first iPhone did not have extremely impressive or specialized ICs inside. It did not even have 3G when other phones at the time did. Huge leap in technology? No. It was how it was presented. Touchscreens existed long before the iPhone. Yes, even the capacitive touchscreens with a glass cover layer. But the way the iPhone was presented WAS a huge leap. No one had ever released a phone with no buttons (save for home, power and volume). No one had made a touchscreen keyboard that was so easy to use and responsive and accurate. No one had made an interface JUST for touchscreen based input. No one had combined a phone, web browser, music player, email, camera, etc. in the way the iPhone did. It combined all of those things and made it simple to use and understand.
 
G51989 said:
Of course it can't replace a phone. Its a watch. Will never be able to do what a smartphone can.
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Yes and no. What I mean is that it can't (and would be silly if that's what its purpose was) replace a smartphone, but replacing a phone, that I think it could easily do at some point, even day 1. What is a phone, but a dialling apparatus, a speaker and a microphone? You could dial the number on the wrist device and all you would need would be a speaker and microphone (like a bluetooth headset, which lots of people already use). If this wrist device had full cellular capabilities, it could simply then tether to other devices which actually perform the "smart" in smartphone functions, like a tablet (of varying sizes depending on what you prefer - something in your pocket, or something in your bag which is larger - it's up to you). This wrist device doesn't have to do much, but it could be central to the functioning of lots of our other devices that we already have. The potential is exciting.
 
Faux Carnival said:
A watch is not a productivity tool. It is a prestige item for real men. An electronic device to replace a shiny, mechanical Rolex?
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"Real men"? What the **** is that supposed to mean? Are you saying that since I don't feel the need to blow large amounts of perfectly good money on a limited-function trinket for snobs I'm not a "real man"? Because last I checked I have a penis, and that's a rather major qualifier. (Not to mention, plenty of women I know wear watches, so you don't have to be a man, "real" or otherwise.)

Someone needs to tone back the snobbery.
 
lifeinhd said:
"Real men"? What the **** is that supposed to mean? Are you saying that since I don't feel the need to blow large amounts of perfectly good money on a limited-function trinket for snobs I'm not a "real man"? Because last I checked I have a penis, and that's a rather major qualifier. (Not to mention, plenty of women I know wear watches, so you don't have to be a man, "real" or otherwise.)

Someone needs to tone back the snobbery.
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No offence but the EXACT same thing can be said about people who buy Apple products.

----------
Carlanga said:
An iWatch won't replace an iPhone instead it will replace the Swatch watch. ;)
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Well no, because they will be in completely different price category's.

And yes, a watch IS a fashion item, it IS a piece of jewellery. That's why they are made from precious metals. As for stating a watch as a limited device, well seeing as time is never ending and limited I think they are pretty vital tools. Also I would much rather have a hand made watch that never needs a battery that's been skilfully crafted.
But I would also see the use of a smart watch but not one that stops working every 5 day's or less.
 
SnowLeopard2008 said:
I'm 19. I upgrade my smartphone when my contract ends so I can get the subsidized price. I upgrade my computer every year.

How can wearing a watch be a fashion statement for all watch-wearers when the target audience for each watch manufacturer is completely different? I'm sure Casio's G-SHOCK watches are less for fashion and more for function than say Rolex, Omega, Cartier, TAG, Fossil, etc.

If what you say about ICs is correct, then let me remind you that the first iPhone did not have extremely impressive or specialized ICs inside. It did not even have 3G when other phones at the time did. Huge leap in technology? No. It was how it was presented. Touchscreens existed long before the iPhone. Yes, even the capacitive touchscreens with a glass cover layer. But the way the iPhone was presented WAS a huge leap. No one had ever released a phone with no buttons (save for home, power and volume). No one had made a touchscreen keyboard that was so easy to use and responsive and accurate. No one had made an interface JUST for touchscreen based input. No one had combined a phone, web browser, music player, email, camera, etc. in the way the iPhone did. It combined all of those things and made it simple to use and understand.
Click to expand...

What is your last watch(or last 3)? And, why did you buy it(them)? (<<<These are just a couple universal market research ?'s)

Also, when you bring up technology(hardware) about the first iPhone. It is about technology & how you present it. You are not wrong, but you are not entirely right, because the iWatch needs new technology for it to be a success in the end(and the game changer Apple pines for). An initial reason why Apple develops apps with the syntax in Objective-C is due to low volume file size for reasonings of threshold demands/constraints from Data Speed, and also part of the reasoning of their WAR on the Flash Player in a WebBrowser.

It's all about Data Speed. Even when it comes to the home one day getting an iTV. Everyone will be streaming soon, and the cable co's(I mean just 'cable' in general) should go bye bye's if, and only if, Apple puts an Apple Ecosystem in front of your living room...

When they do that... they will have made Steve proud. This iWatch is just a rumor for now in my true opinion. I see the market opportunity developing sooner that later in years to come as technology upgrades happen with chips and data speed increases... till that time, Apple better release a 2nd(cheaper unfortunately) iPhone for their stock & future outlook.

I do believe, more than anything, this iWatch is just hype to steer away from the launch of the new-cased iPad coming out in a month or so...
 
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The wristwatch killed the pocket watch. History will repeat itself. (the iphone is the pocket watch)

I'm hoping apple does an iCar that drives itself. and iSlave or iRobot to cook my food and do my laundry.
 
apolloa said:
And yes, a watch IS a fashion item, it IS a piece of jewellery. That's why they are made from precious metals. As for stating a watch as a limited device, well seeing as time is never ending and limited I think they are pretty vital tools. Also I would much rather have a hand made watch that never needs a battery that's been skilfully crafted.
But I would also see the use of a smart watch but not one that stops working every 5 day's or less.
Click to expand...

don't bother with explanation, these people dont understand ***** about why people wear watches these days ;)
 
eyes wide shut

Mr Fusion said:
iWatch = iAmOutOfIdeas :rolleyes:

What's the next big thing Apple? A watch and a TV aren't it.
Click to expand...

wow, this guy has really nailed it! who would be stupid enough to think that an EXISTING CATEGORY can be revolutionized?

er, well, except for... the desktop computer (iMac), MP3 player (iPod), smart phone (iPhone), laptop (MacBook Air)...

ok, so maybe he didn't quite "nail it."
 
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WilliamLondon said:
Except for all the normal everyday people for whom it provides a basic and useful function.
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If all people cared about was that basic function, everyone would be wearing $2 bright orange plastic watches. Instead people are spending all the way up to tens of thousands of dollars for branded watches made of steel and gold.

Watches are like belts. You can thread a shoelace through your belt loops to hold your pants up but something gets lost in the process.
 
"Replacing an iPhone with an interactive terminal on your wrist is difficult. You can't have an immense display."

What tart. He shouldn't let his nightmares become the gibberish he spouts. ****.
 
ghettochris said:
The wristwatch killed the pocket watch. History will repeat itself. (the iphone is the pocket watch)

I'm hoping apple does an iCar that drives itself. and iSlave or iRobot to cook my food and do my laundry.
Click to expand...

Wow just wow ! An iSlave ? What is wrong with the world :(
 
Killer App?

apple_iBoy said:
Here's the problem with this guy's analysis. They tried it, probably with poor implementation and lack of the killer app (where's email?), cluttered with bs (horoscopes?!), and it didn't pan out. So therefore, Apple couldn't do any better.
Click to expand...

I just got my Pebble in the mail about a week ago. I have to say at first I was disappointed about the lack of a "killer" app immediately at launch. But, since then I found that the simple notification feature is seriously the killer app. Smartphones have become incredibly busy with features, the 2nd screen allows me to untether, for lack of better words, from the device while in meetings or at a show, etc. It is simple, but with high utility. These other devices have just replicated the busyness on a small less functional screen.
 
crackbookpro said:
Two entirely different markets with totally different market opportunities/demands. Many of us totally saw the market for an iPhone(Phone with Data) years before 2007, but new Data Speeds is what would make or break it along with the App Store...
Click to expand...

We could say the same for iPod, iPhone and iPad as well, so many were skeptical for the same reasons and didn't see the needs for a new Apple product in each of those industries when there were already incumbents serving well-established use cases.

For all we know this Apple watch might turn out to be a dud or may not even released, but I wouldn't dismiss it based on the current state of things in the watch industry.
 
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