Teen Interest in Apple Watch Drops Ahead of Launch, iPhone Remains Popular

[thekeyring]

Fair enough. The Watch seems to be marketed as a fashionable Watch, not the cool, new, for-everyone gadget the iPod was marketed for. Or even that the iPhone seems to be.

Also, how many teenagers really purchase their own phones? When I was 15 it seemed like parents paid for everyone's phones.

 

[Ramchi]

If Apple Watch can kill iPhone, yes they would

I don't think teens are tied to too many gadgets and keep them charged all the time! May be teens would buy enmasse if Apple watch has calling facility, also it can replace iPhone to a greater extent.

 

[thekeyring]

A more appropriate question might be; why would a teen need an Apple Watch?

Phones were banned at my school, and are banned at my work.

An Apple Watch would be a really cool gadget to have at school. Tap your friend on the wrist, even though he's in a different classroom. Send a message or an emoticon. Use it like a walkie-talkie.

Dammit, now I want to go back to school.

 

[orioncrystalice]

wonderful, let us continue to reduce human beings to mere statistic

 

[alvindarkness]

Since when was 35 midlife...

Just recently. Its easy to identify too, basically you need someone who is >=35, then you look at his wrist and see if he is wearing an Apple watch.

 

[snaky69]

Personally, I purchased one for the following primary reasons [at 30 years old]:

1. I work in a manufacturing environment where I am constantly moving around the facility and I often cannot feel my phone vibrate or ring (its also very loud in here) having the watch "tap" me will prevent me from missing calls from my wife or other emergencies when someone needs to get ahold of me. [She has a few conditions which I need to know about when she tries to contact me]

2. I have started to get more into fitness mode. I like the idea of having the heart rate sensor to ensure I am going at it hard enough (but not going overboard) and I don't care about GPS at all, I run the same area just different amounts. So this should be great to give me feedback about my walk/run/jog & I don't mind taking my phone along for GPS if I do biking because I can store it on the bike instead of on me.

3. Homekit. I am extremely hopeful for homekit to eventually be a big success. I am waiting for Home Automation products utilizing homekit so I can leave my phone in the other room on the charger when I get home and I can just tell siri what I want to turn on and off or want information on. It should be pretty awesome to do that without having my phone out or to interrupt whatever I'm doing on my phone to talk to siri instead.

4... (somewhat) Mutitasking. I'm hoping that two screens are better than one... for example if I'm playing a game on my phone, perhaps I can answer calls on the watch instead of interrupting what im doing on the phone. Same thing for texts for if I want a quick answer from siri, I don't have to interrupt my phone session.

These are my primary watch purchase reasons. Of course everyone will have different reasons but for me these are very compelling.

I got the Apple Watch Sport 42mm Space Gray. I won't bother with a more expensive or "stylish" one until a later revision.

Different strokes for different folks. Your opinion is as good as mine.

1. I also work in a manufacturing environment, but as an engineer. The outside of the plant is steel sheeting, so it basically acts as a giant faraday cage. Cell phone reception drops to nearly zero unless you're near a window. So that point just can't apply to me. I'm unreachable regardless, one has to call the company's phone number and ask for me, there's an intercom system should I not be at my desk.

2. Been lifting and doing cardio for the last 10 years or so, you eventually develop a feel for "hard enough" and no longer need to check. I know most of my routes by heart and know their distance as well.

3. I guess it'd be fun, yes.

4. The ipod nano's older, square design was a PITA to use for me(my sister has one which I borrowed once or twice), too small. It's about as big as the watch.

 

[Chrjy]

Just recently. Its easy to identify too, basically you need someone who is >=35, then you look at his wrist and see if he is wearing an Apple watch.

Oh right...I didn't realise it was so simple.

 

[MacrumoursUser]

Apple watch doesn't offer any advanced fitness options r anything else for that matter while charging premium even for a sport version compared to competition like moto360 which in my opinion at least looks like watch on a wrist. I would take that design any day.

 

[alvindarkness]

Oh right...I didn't realise it was so simple.

Thats okay, I also didnt realise midlife crisis was 40-60 until you indirectly pointed it out. I figured I was in a midlife crisis as someone under 40 posting on this forum, ends up its just a few midlife stressors according to our friends at wiki

 

[Chrjy]

Thats okay, I also didnt realise midlife crisis was 40-60 until you indirectly pointed it out. I figured I was in a midlife crisis as someone under 40 posting on this forum, ends up its just a few midlife stressors according to our friends at wiki

I think there's a far easier way to determine a midlife crisis and that's when you buy a bright canary yellow Porsche with white go faster stripes on the bonnet...

 

[Keane16]

Yeah. Apple dropped the price by $400, or 66%. When the apple watch starts at $115, I'll by one too.

Wasn't it $200 or 33%? http://www.apple.com/pr/library/200...one-Price-at-399-for-this-Holiday-Season.html. Jaded you are.

Besides, the iPhone was crazy expensive compared to other handsets when released.

The Apple Watch Sport is about par when compared to watches with similar build quality.

Personally still not sold, but I am intrigued. Price for a watch of that quality is a non-issue.

 

[WinstonRumfoord]

Im holding out for Apple Watch 4 when they get rid of the weird Pierson's Puppeteer curve look and give that puppy some sleek crisp edges

 

[Wahlstrm]

So, a generation who grew up with out the need for a watch on their arm and for the most part still don't make any real money seems uninterested in a $500 watch..?

 

[Darrin Bell]

The watch will probably sell well the firsts couple weeks as the Apple fanatics buy it up, but after that it'll die out like all the other smart watches. Many people just don't wear watches like they used to since the smartphones make them redundant.

I'm not so sure about that. I've been saying the same thing ever since the rumors began, but lately whenever I have to pull out my phone to check the time, I think "this'd be faster if I had one of those Apple Watches" (especially when I'm biking and my phone's zipped away in my backpack, in which case I have to pull over, get off & take off my pack). It's the same feeling I used to have back when I thought smart phones were nonsense. I found myself using my flip phone but noticing people who were using their iPhone, and thinking "I guess it'd be nice not to have to wait till I got home to check my e-mail and go online."

These sorts of nagging thoughts eventually turn into desires. I still don't want an Apple Watch. I'm still ok with pulling my phone out to check the time, to see if I have any texts, etc. But if what happened with the iPhone 3G is any guide, by the time Apple Watch 2 comes out, I'll feel like I just *have* to have one (especially if the next version doesn't need to be tethered to the phone).

 

[ZCT]

To me, Apple devices seem popular with all age groups, from young children up to old age pensioners. Most teenagers have little or no experience wearing watches so the concept will take a bit of getting used to.

I agree, and I think there is going to have to be prioritization amongst all but the most spoiled teens.

When I was a teen I paid more attention to be able to afford a car and stopping the damn thing from falling apart! Oh and ensuring a kick ass stereo was in it!

I think today's teen is going to want transportation, a computer, a decent cell phone, maybe a tablet, a decent games system, I'd see a watch as way down the list unless it does something spectacular, and that remains to be seen on the Apple Watch.

 

[SHNXX]

Apple watch doesn't offer any advanced fitness options r anything else for that matter while charging premium even for a sport version compared to competition like moto360 which in my opinion at least looks like watch on a wrist. I would take that design any day.

Just curious. Have you tried the moto360 on your wrist?

 

[HappyMBAowner]

Adults also

I am under the impression that adults also are not that interested. I'd rather see improvements in iPod touch, iPod, MBA storage, etc... But only time will tell. When the MBA came out, most people laughed at the device. Same for the first iPad.

 

[kmil]

I have to agree with others here and say I would be shocked if teens even were even walking around with an AppleWatch that they paid for. Yes you will see teens with them, but as gifts.

In my opinion, it is the same reason why the AppleWatch has already outsold Android Wear devices. A higher percentage of Apple product users typically have more disposable income than the same percentage of Android users. Those that do not (teens & Android users), can only afford their phone.

 

[Popeye206]

Reading the comments, it's interesting how most people don't seem to be convinced yet there's a compelling need for the Apple Watch or a smart watch in general.

I too fall in this category but are also quickly reminded of two other technologies I didn't think we're all that useful until I had it.

One was the remote lock/unlock for a car. You never needed this before 1990 and seemed silly on my GrandPrix at the time — but now, stick a key in the car? How time consuming! And the other was a GPS... how could you not just use a map or know where you're going? Both I can't imagine not having one now.

So I keep an open mind until I try one.

 

[Arran]

Thats okay, I also didnt realise midlife crisis was 40-60 until you indirectly pointed it out. I figured I was in a midlife crisis as someone under 40 posting on this forum, ends up its just a few midlife stressors according to our friends at wiki

Look at it as training for your full-blown midlife crisis. No worries, it's on it's way.

 

[TallManNY]

I'm not so sure about that. I've been saying the same thing ever since the rumors began, but lately whenever I have to pull out my phone to check the time, I think "this'd be faster if I had one of those Apple Watches" (especially when I'm biking and my phone's zipped away in my backpack, in which case I have to pull over, get off & take off my pack). It's the same feeling I used to have back when I thought smart phones were nonsense. I found myself using my flip phone but noticing people who were using their iPhone, and thinking "I guess it'd be nice not to have to wait till I got home to check my e-mail and go online."

These sorts of nagging thoughts eventually turn into desires. I still don't want an Apple Watch. I'm still ok with pulling my phone out to check the time, to see if I have any texts, etc. But if what happened with the iPhone 3G is any guide, by the time Apple Watch 2 comes out, I'll feel like I just *have* to have one (especially if the next version doesn't need to be tethered to the phone).

Exactly. I'm really not sure that we should put much credence in the teens ability to predict their future interests. I don't know if folks will wear a smart watch. But I am quite sure that in general folks do not realize how useful it will be to have a small computer strapped to their wrist. It may not be worth the dork factor. Google Glass is probably super useful, but it clearly is NOT worth the dork factor to have that on your face.

But Apple tried hard to make the Watch look nice. I saw the SS yesterday and them and the gold were very attractive to me. (The 38mm is darn right tiny.)

Let's see what society's views are on these watches after a couple of million of them are running around. This might be like the iPhone where it just gives you a capability that everyone who doesn't have the smart watch doesn't get to have.

 

[b0nd18t]

I would imagine the two biggest deterrents for teens are cost and fashion. Teens take their dress quite seriously, and this product is pretty damn nerdy when you boil it down.

 

[SHNXX]

I would imagine the two biggest deterrents for teens are cost and fashion. Teens take their dress quite seriously, and this product is pretty damn nerdy when you boil it down.

Celeb endorsements should help with the nerdiness of smart watches.
Where's Justin bibber?

 

[flat five]

teens will be late to the party on the watch.. they aren't trendsetters.. unless it's a trend within their age group alone.

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I am under the impression that adults also are not that interested. I'd rather see improvements in iPod touch, iPod, MBA storage, etc... But only time will tell. When the MBA came out, most people laughed at the device. Same for the first iPad.

same for the watch?

 

[erinsarah]

I don't think the Apple Watch will ever be popular among teens. Do teens even wear accessories? When I was growing up, I don't remember anyone in high school wearing a watch...

You're obviously not in your 40's, remembering back to the days of the Casio calculator watch or the ubiquitous Swatch.

But otherwise, yeah, no chance my teens are getting these. I don't see a justification for my own purchase of one, never mind one for them. And I see a whole host of problems with it:

1. Parents having to deal with yet more tech support
2. Rules and regulations regarding testing in class and what digital devices can be on your person
3. Damage (kids have little understanding of the laws of gravity or motion)
4. Desperately not wanting to dress like their parents

Then again there will always be that subset of McMansion-living, Range Rover-driving families that insist their kids need one of these to keep up with the Joneses.