I think they needed to make the shift in strategy because the current strategy sucked.
How have you come to this conclusion? Because it's sold more than 1st gen iPads and iPhones in a similar time frame? Dominated the smartwatch market? Something else?
I really can't believe they priced and positioned it as Jewelry.
Erm... they didn't? One of the models even has the word "Sport" in its title.
However, not everyone of us makes Tim's and Angela's salary... so we aren't buying 1000 dollar watch every year.
Neither do I. So it's a good job they don't cost $1000, and actually start at only $349, pretty average for a well made watch.
Sure they made the Sport version for us common folks,
Ah, so you do accept it exists and do not need a salary like Tim or Angela.
but i'm still not convinced the utility is there.
That's fine, no need to force it. Not every product is going to be for everyone. I have zero need for the Mac Pro, that doesn't mean nobody else does.
I wear my Apple Watch all the time except at formal events and sleep. No longer have to take my phone on my morning run, and it works well with my bluetooth headphones. It works fine as a watch. It makes a nice bed side alarm clock. The fitness side is intriguing, and I confess to being one of those that tries to close all the rings daily - I'm a pretty active and fit person, but this has pushed me even more. Walking directions are awesome (probably my fav underated feature - them little taps on the wrist, no longer have my face glued to a phone screen... dangerous). I'm also on my phone less, I don't need to check it as often - that's certainly a good thing. I could go on, and on.
They definitely have to work on 3rd party apps, hopefully once Watch OS 2 apps are out that will help the situation.
Overall it beats the usefulness of my analogue watch by a country mile and it is cheaper. It's only been out a few months too. Looking forward to where this product goes.
But it's all good, I'm sure Angela has earned her salary....
I'm sure she has targets and objectives just like every other worker. And if she doesn't meet them she'd be out of the door.