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They still have time to add a GSM radio.

I

iolinux333

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Feb 9, 2014
1,798
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And if they don't the aWatch is going to be a bust.

First Galaxy Gear S, and now this:

http://www.cnet.com/pictures/take-a-closer-look-at-the-puls-smartband-pictures/


There is zero reason to have a smartwatch if I have to carry a big phone too. If I ever buy a smartwatch, and looking at the above I just may, it will be so I can leave the phone behind.

I don't do jewelry, and neither do most men. Even most gay men don't do jewelry and that's how Apple is trying to position aWatch.
 
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matrix07 said:
So you're predicting that if 1st generation :apple:Watch doesn't has cellular connection it will be a failure? Are you standing by that?
Click to expand...

Yes. There is a reason iPod sales are dying. Calling the new iPod Nano a watch ain't gonna fly, even if it's made of gold.
 
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Not gonna happen

Maybe eventually, but 3G takes up a LOT of battery life. Gear S is huge, and that thing that Will.I.Am is peddling is even bigger.

Apple Watch as an accessory seems like the best way to go given the current state of technology.

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iolinux333 said:
Yes. There is a reason iPod sales are dying. Calling the new iPod Nano a watch ain't gonna fly, even if it's made of gold.
Click to expand...

The reason iPod sales are dying is that it was replaced by the phone. Apple knew it was going to happen, and so they developed the iPhone and iPad in response. With the Watch, they are trying to create a new accessory. It has a lot more functionality than the iPod Nano "watches" from a few years ago, albeit in a similar-sized package.

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iolinux333 said:
I don't do jewelry, and neither do most men. Even most gay men don't do jewelry and that's how Apple is trying to position aWatch.
Click to expand...

Did you ever think that maybe they aren't targeting men? It's not like they debuted it at a French fashion shop or had a Chinese model wear it on the cover of Vogue or anything like that.
 
iolinux333 said:
Yes. There is a reason iPod sales are dying. Calling the new iPod Nano a watch ain't gonna fly, even if it's made of gold.
Click to expand...

Interesting. So let's give it a figure so we can have a better idea in term of what kind of failure we're talking about. What about 5 millions units for a first year? or 10 millions? What is the threshold in term of sale you'll deem a failure for Apple?
 
I'd rather have gps and ability to cache a region of maps than dedicated cellular. Do hose other watches with gsm have their own data plans?
 
Not with todays radio and battery technology.

A battery big enough to power a cellular radio that can talk to a moderately distant cell tower and still last all day is too big to fit inside anything a lot smaller than an iPhone 4. There's also the antenna size issue. Look at all the reported antenna problems that the iPhone 4 had, and magnify that by strapping the antenna to your wrist.

Maybe there will be better battery and radio tech in 3 to 5 years to overcome the antenna problem. Or more local cell site and WIFI calling infrastructure.

Till then, a watch will depend on a mobile phone battery and antenna to talk to a cell tower. Or have a close to useless battery life.

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iolinux333 said:
I don't do jewelry, and neither do most men.
Click to expand...

Only enough men to make wrist watches a 30 Billion dollar a year business. About half of that non-cheap and nice looking ones.
 
iolinux333 said:
And if they don't the aWatch is going to be a bust.

First Galaxy Gear S, and now this:

http://www.cnet.com/pictures/take-a-closer-look-at-the-puls-smartband-pictures/


There is zero reason to have a smartwatch if I have to carry a big phone too. If I ever buy a smartwatch, and looking at the above I just may, it will be so I can leave the phone behind.

I don't do jewelry, and neither do most men. Even most gay men don't do jewelry and that's how Apple is trying to position aWatch.
Click to expand...

:rolleyes:

Well, I'll be getting a watch as soon as it proves itself as stable. I've been wanting a watch for years (looking at my phone to monitor the time while in appointments is extraordinarily rude as we all know notifications can be tacky), and showing me who's calling or texting means I can leave my phone in my bag or briefcase.

Also, I know plenty of men who "do" jewelry; gay, straight, and along all parts of the spectrum. Just because you don't know anyone who does doesn't mean that no one does.

Remember, just because a product doesn't fit your life doesn't mean it doesn't fit someone else's.
 
firewood said:
A battery big enough to power a cellular radio that can talk to a moderately distant cell tower and still last all day is too big to fit inside anything a lot smaller than an iPhone 4. There's also the antenna size issue. Look at all the reported antenna problems that the iPhone 4 had, and magnify that by strapping the antenna to your wrist.
Click to expand...

The specific antenna problem the iPhone 4 had, would not be shared by a device with an internal antenna.

The reviews I've read about the Samsung Gear S smartwatch with 3G voice+data have given it a two day battery life. Not sure if that includes leaving the phone radio on, though.

2014-samsung-gear-s.jpg

Granted, it is a half inch taller than the larger Apple Watch (the other dimensions are the same), with larger screen and more sensors, but possibly more room for a battery as well.
 
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iolinux333 said:
I don't do jewelry, and neither do most men. Even most gay men don't do jewelry and that's how Apple is trying to position aWatch.
Click to expand...
Aside from anything else about the possibility of whether a lack of GSM radio will be an issue or not, and for the record i think it wont be an issue, that part of your post is incredibly shortsighted. Watches are a massive industry and whilst some may class as "jewelry" its complete different to rings etc. You only have to read a few threads in this sub form to realise some folks have massive watch collections and spend a lot of money on watches.
 
iolinux333 said:
Yes. There is a reason iPod sales are dying. Calling the new iPod Nano a watch ain't gonna fly, even if it's made of gold.
Click to expand...

Haha, join the list of naysayers over the years who were proved wrong time and time again. iPhone, iPad etc the Apple watch will ship by the millions.
 
iolinux333 said:
Yes. See latest aWatch sales forecasts for details.
Click to expand...
I saw some of the latest sales forecasts from analysts reducing 2016 sales from 24mm to 21mm and this year from 12mm to 11.5

Would 21mm next year be a flop? Average profit per watch is $200 (minimum) would be a nice profit for Apple.

We have to wait... I love my watch but I think it is overpriced. Still not sure I would need GSM radio if it means larger size and I will never talk into my watch for phone calls and wi-fi is everywhere - including entire cities. Plus paying for another line - no way. So, if the watch can add to wi-fi's on its own, that is all I need. Keep the size small like it is now - maybe thinner with newer technology/hardware. Keep at least a full day of battery.

The watch you showed was so ugly, it wouldn't sell.
 
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