This Next Web review of the Apple watch nails it

[TEBnewyork]

No battery issues here but I use the AW pretty passively. Agree about the sport band. Horribly designed. Whoever did it should be taken out and flogged. What's wrong with a traditional buckle? Easy to one hand on in seconds.

As far as glancing at a smart watch during a conversation I fail to see the difference between that and looking at your phone when a text pops up in the same situation. Rude is rude.

Funny,
I love the sport band specifically because there is no big buckle at the back to bang on the desktop or laptop when I type.

It is so simple to get on. Just close it by the pin and hole first and then tuck away the strap. There is no need to try and put the strap into the slot before you close it.

 

[zmunkz]

As far as glancing at a smart watch during a conversation I fail to see the difference between that and looking at your phone when a text pops up in the same situation. Rude is rude.

I disagree... I think the difference is if you pull out your phone during a convo, it is probably because you got a text or a call -- could be work related or family -- and it is not really your fault it came in then. Sometimes you have to check to see if its important, and if not, carry on.

The watch is a little different. Traditionally watches don't alert you, so if you look at them it is because you are disengaged from the conversation. In the middle of a social setting, checking the time implies you have somewhere else to be, and that is a different sort of rude.

Obviously that line is blurred by the apple watch, but it is just a matter of time for people to understand the change.

 

[cmChimera]

I am really surprised how many people have issues putting in the sport band. It takes me less than 5 seconds while I'm still half asleep walking to the coffee maker.

I don't have mine yet, but I've watched my girlfriend put hers on and it was like nothing to her. So yeah, I'm not seeing the difficulty.

 

[Pinksteady]

Ahhh! Please read step three

"Unless you have enabled Background App Refresh"...

I would propose that quitting apps that are refreshing in the background will save more battery than is lost by loading/unloading from RAM.

Also, if people are finding that force-quitting the Watch app improves battery life, then that's the reality. Not closing it on principle doesn't fix the problem. Perhaps the Watch app is being overly-busy in the background and force quitting does help resolve the issue.

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My phone battery does seem significantly worse since I got the watch, if I compare my current battery life usage in my daily routine to what it was before I got the watch - there has been a clear reduction in battery life.

I'm not saying I know specifically what is causing this. Perhaps I've installed some additional apps since getting the watch that are refreshing in the background or using location services a lot - I am slowly trying to reduce this sort of usage to get my battery back to pre-watch levels.

At the end of the day, overnight my phone has had to start sending data back and forth between a brand new device, all day long. I don't see how this wouldn't affect battery life.

 

[Randizzledante]

Garmin 620 running watch with a classic buckle design (just like all of their sport watches. Easy to put on and remove with one hand, unlike Apple's convoluted "sport band." :

Different strokes for different folks, but after a few days of practice, I can now basically put the sport band on in my sleep. I was actually remarking just this morning how much easier and quicker it is to get on now.

I cannot think of a single design I would like more.

 

[AdonisSMU]

I don't really understand what you are trying to say.

A "jolt" is emitted when a text comes in on either the AW and iPhone. Why would one be less curious about reading incoming text on an AW vs a Phone?

So, as to my original point -- why is looking at a watch when you get a message more socially rude than looking at a phone when a message comes in? The author of the article implied looking a watch was less socially acceptable b/c looking at a watch during a conversation is rude. But the truth is in a formal situation not paying attention to the person speaking to you for ANY reason is rude.

I don't know either but I don't feel like I'm missing anything and its much less obv for me to look at my watch than it is to take out my phone TBQH. I quickly glance at my watch and my phone stays in my pocket. I would like the watch and phone to have the option for storing state/local identification cards. I know the tin foil brigade won't like that but I want more convenience.

 

[MasterRyu2011]

I don't think the sports band is hard to put on; it's just different and makes you approach it from different mindset. Once you remember which part goes under, it's smooth sailing. I still have to use my lap as leverage though.

 

[Knowimagination]

I don't think the sports band is hard to put on; it's just different and makes you approach it from different mindset. Once you remember which part goes under, it's smooth sailing. I still have to use my lap as leverage though.

To avoid the lap leverage method just place your middle finger in the slot that the excess strap goes through to hold the pin in place while you pull the other part of the strap with your thumb and index finger.

 

[mrboba1]

To avoid the lap leverage method just place your middle finger in the slot that the excess strap goes through to hold the pin in place while you pull the other part of the strap with your thumb and index finger.

The only way the sport band gets difficult is if you are trying to make the band too tight, and the one end rubs into your skin too much.

I much prefer it to the classic buckle. I always broke those flimsy band holders that hold the end of the long strap within weeks, which renders the band worthless.

 

[TEBnewyork]

To avoid the lap leverage method just place your middle finger in the slot that the excess strap goes through to hold the pin in place while you pull the other part of the strap with your thumb and index finger.

Its even simpler. Put pin in hole with thumb and index finger. Then tuck in the end.

 

[MasterRyu2011]

To avoid the lap leverage method just place your middle finger in the slot that the excess strap goes through to hold the pin in place while you pull the other part of the strap with your thumb and index finger.

Holy mother of trees! That works flawlessly. Thanks!

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I disagree... I think the difference is if you pull out your phone during a convo, it is probably because you got a text or a call -- could be work related or family -- and it is not really your fault it came in then. Sometimes you have to check to see if its important, and if not, carry on.

The watch is a little different. Traditionally watches don't alert you, so if you look at them it is because you are disengaged from the conversation. In the middle of a social setting, checking the time implies you have somewhere else to be, and that is a different sort of rude.

Obviously that line is blurred by the apple watch, but it is just a matter of time for people to understand the change.

You realize that makes zero sense logically, right?

The text you get on your phone is the same text you get on your AW. Receiving a message is not the user/wearers "fault" regardless. But reading it does require a conscious decision to do so either way, one that takes attention away from the other person in the conversation.

You can't honestly say it's OK read a text message on one device but not another unless you are willingly dissembling.

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Funny,
I love the sport band specifically because there is no big buckle at the back to bang on the desktop or laptop when I type.

It is so simple to get on. Just close it by the pin and hole first and then tuck away the strap. There is no need to try and put the strap into the slot before you close it.

Funny I've been typing with a watch for over 30 years. Never has a buckle gotten in my way. I suppose it's thanks to my mean typing teacher who would wack anyone caught typing improperly with their wrists at rest.

I find the SB over-engineered and the tuck-in clumsy. I can one hand any buckle strap on in two seconds. The SB takes considerable more time because the tuck in doesn't go in smoothly.

You can like the SB design, that's your right, but you can't disagree with the the fact the buckle and link snap are design classics because they are simple and efficient.

 

[mrboba1]

I find the SB over-engineered and the tuck-in clumsy. I can one hand any buckle strap on in two seconds. The SB takes considerable more time because the tuck in doesn't go in smoothly.

You can like the SB design, that's your right, but you can't disagree with the the fact the buckle and link snap are design classics because they are simple and efficient.

The bad part of the buckle is also the tuck-in, where the little holder either moves around or is sensitive to stretching and tearing/breaking, from either putting the watch on, or the end of the strap catching on something. I always hated that design for that specific reason.

That's what is good about the SB (which is meant to be worn when doing something more strenuous) - there is no end of the strap to catch on anything.

And, I don't find the SB tuck-in difficult at all, unless you are either sweaty or making it too tight (or both).

 

[seatton]

Agree 100% with this review. Very honest and real.

I'm scratching my head why Apple isn't allowing third parties to make watch faces??

Same with Dynamic Wallpaper on the iPhone. I do not get it

 

[Mr.C]

No battery issues here but I use the AW pretty passively. Agree about the sport band. Horribly designed. Whoever did it should be taken out and flogged. What's wrong with a traditional buckle? Easy to one hand on in seconds.

As far as glancing at a smart watch during a conversation I fail to see the difference between that and looking at your phone when a text pops up in the same situation. Rude is rude.

Right. The traditional watch strap with buckle is only for dressier events like, what, The Boston Marathon, whereas Apple's clumsy Sport Band design is for local town 5K fundraisers?

(Maybe you were confused about what I was saying and thought I meant Apple's leather "Classic Buckle," even though I stated "traditional band" but I meant a strap with a buckle design, not a leather band. I wouldn't want to exercise in a leather band.)

Garmin 620 running watch with a classic buckle design (just like all of their sport watches. Easy to put on and remove with one hand, unlike Apple's convoluted "sport band." :

Image​

I have to disagree on both points. There is nothing horrible or clumsy about the sport band. Yes it does take some getting use to putting on initially but afterwards its second nature. It's great that Apple used a different design from the bog standard buckle found on most watch straps.

As for looking at the watch being just as rude as looking at your phone. No it's not. In fact I've been complimented on several occasions for just quickly looking at my watch rather taking my phone out of my pocket and looking at that.

 

[mightyjabba]

I thought the sports band was difficult to put on and made me feel clumsy until I saw a review video where the reviewer put the band on my slipping it through (tucking it) first, and then fastening. I had been trying to fasten then tuck in, which is much harder.

I'm not sure I understand what this means. Do you have a link to that video? Just curious, though, since I have no problems fastening the band and love the design. It's seriously one of the most innovative parts of the whole watch experience, IMHO.

 

[Che Castro]

I am really surprised how many people have issues putting in the sport band. It takes me less than 5 seconds while I'm still half asleep walking to the coffee maker.

Yes

The first time I had trouble putting it on

After that I can put it on with my eyes closed

 

[zmunkz]

You realize that makes zero sense logically, right?

The text you get on your phone is the same text you get on your AW. Receiving a message is not the user/wearers "fault" regardless. But reading it does require a conscious decision to do so either way, one that takes attention away from the other person in the conversation.

You can't honestly say it's OK read a text message on one device but not another unless you are willingly dissembling.

Hopefully I wasn't so misunderstood by everyone... I am talking about the difference between a watch traditionally, e.g., before AW, and a phone. Most people are not accustomed to the fact that the watch is now a stand in for a phone, hence the apparent difference in perception.

Taking attention away from a conversation to respond to new stimulus is not inherently rude. If I walked up to you and tapped you on the shoulder mid sentence, it is perfectly reasonable to see who I am and why I need your attention.

It is rude if you simply lose interest and decide to check up on your next appointment by checking the time.

That is the only difference I was trying to express

 

[Armen]

Agree 100% with this review. Very honest and real.

I'm scratching my head why Apple isn't allowing third parties to make watch faces??

quality control? licensing?

 

[tylerdw89]

quality control? licensing?

Quality control probably. They don't want someone looking at the watch the first time to see an ugly watch face.

 

[Repelle]

Good article but...

I presume this is the reviewer's own watch, and can therefore do as he pleases. However, it absolutely astounds me how someone can pay several hundred dollars for a precision instrument, and then lay it face down on the concrete.

 

[AlanShutko]

Agree 100% with this review. Very honest and real.

I'm scratching my head why Apple isn't allowing third parties to make watch faces??

Right now, it would be a really terrible implementation. The SDK does not allow you to do any actual code on the device. You can use the standard UI controls or ship images over to the phone. You can't actually access the watch's clock, so the app extension on the phone would need to be polling the time and updating the time.

There is a UI control that can display the time. So if you want a minimally styled digital watch face that wouldn't be so bad.

But what if you want an analog face? You can display an image, and you can animate image sequences (one image per frame). You cannot composite multiple images together on the watch. You can either bundle the images in with the app (which makes them fast to display, but makes the app bigger) or generate them on the phone and ship them over via bluetooth.

If you create all the images in advance, you would need one for every combination of hand positions you want to display. So you need 60*12=720 images if you move the minute hand every minute. And then, your app needs to tell the watch to display the image every minute. Want a second hand? You need 43,200 images. YIKES!

That might mean you only want to create them on the fly. Great! But you need to ship each image over bluetooth as you create it. This is going to make your app slow to respond. (Fortunately, you can cache up to 5MB of images on the watch.) Shipping all that data over bluetooth will hurt battery life.

If you bring up your hand to look at the time and the screen displays, oops now the watch needs to ping the phone to get the current time. So the first time you see will be WRONG! That does not make for a good watch. (I don't think you can push image updates while the screen isn't displaying, but if you can, updating the app images while you aren't looking at it will kill battery life.)

 

[dacreativeguy]

I've seen a handful of people mention that the bands, specifically the sports bands, are hard to put on/take off. I've dealt with a few of the bands and have had no problem at all. The sports band is unique how it tucks under and I think that was a genius idea.

Agree. The Pebble caught on my shirt cuff and undid itself constantly. Also had a metal buckle that clicked on everything. Sport Band stays tucked and only has the rounded head of the metal pin exposed, so no clicking on hard surfaces.

 

[Armen]

Quality control probably. They don't want someone looking at the watch the first time to see an ugly watch face.

Those were my initial thoughts as well.

 

[cmichaelb]

It's impacted my phone battery life pretty significantly. My watch gets great battery, but something is some watch app is causing the phone to drain noticeably faster.