It's a very interesting concept and I look forward to reading reviews. I wouldn't buy a 1st gen - but I will thankfully read reports of those that do.
BTW - that's why I said in another thread that Montblanc found a creative solution. Rather than affecting the watch, they put the "smarts" on the band. Now their execution isn't the best, but they at least took the "problem" from a different angle.
Apple's watch is going to sell well. But they came at their solution really no differently than those that came before in the market. Oh yes - I know there are differences and it comes down to software - but they didn't shake things up as much as this company is in terms of design and execution.
But again - it really comes down to whether or not Kairos has pulled this off...
It remains to be seen how Kairos will fare with their new product offering. I think they, like you said, approached the design from their point of view in solving certain problems. After all, it is the industrial design that requires thought and foresight in using form and function. I didn't study in that major but an old friend of mine did back in the day ( I was in the graphic design/illustration department )
I can tell Apple was holding back on a couple things with the watch but it disturbs me to see how people comment on thinking that they can use it independently without the iPhone which isn't the case.
I believe the farthest you can use the Apple Watch is about 30 feet from the phone. Any further out and it can't interact on its own. I think Pebble watch is the same way, or most of the smart watches out there.
Certain features such as feeling someone's heartbeat in the Apple Watch, I'm sorry, disturbs me. That needs to go. Or making little drawings to send to someone. What the?? I can see young kids doing that. If I were to buy a device like that, I would have no reason to use that feature. It doesn't do anything for me.
The only use I can get out of is notifications, messages ( handy if I'm driving and too busy to text. It's against the law the hold the phone while driving in my state ), GPS ( requires the phone ), and health related tracking apps. Or programming the watch to vibrate to wake me up from a nap if I turn the hearing aid off. And maybe Siri voice control for certain things only if I'm driving or working with my hands.
Things like Photos or playing music seem pointless for the watch since I have my phone for this reason. That's where all my photos go to and store my digital portfolio on the smart phone to communicate with clientele.
But I do see your point that since Kairos has been around for 1-2 years now ( apparently ) and is new to the market with a veteran crew, who knows how the market will look two years from now. I don't think the Apple Watch will dominate because the company is going to have a bigger challenge in convincing people to buy BOTH of these devices to succeed. I don't think customers are that foolish or blind not to see through the scheme.
It's the level of incentive they need to work on to make it very convincing.