Tinfoil hat theory: Why Apple Store Won't Let Us Try On Working AW

[Domino8282]

Okay, I'm freely admitting this is a crackpot theory:

Reviews just came out and Apple may be keenly aware now that there is a software lag issue when raising the watch to look at it. One source (wish I could find it again) mentioned that Apple is aware of this and is working on a software fix.

Now IF Apple thought this was a hardware issue and un-fixable, they would have no reason to keep people from experiencing the issue first-hand; it would be better to let people get used to it.

However, IF Apple thought it was a software problem that they could conceivably rectify before the watch even made it into the general public's hands, it would make perfect sense to prevent everyone from seeing this lag first-hand.

Thoughts?

 

[shenfrey]

I hope so. Just sounds like typical first gen problems though and early adopters would already be aware of this.

 

[blackbear219]

I think it's just a planned presentation mode with no real motive behind it.

It is an iPhone companion device. They aren't going to let people sync their phones with the demo models so I think it just makes sense to put them in a demo mode.

The appointments are more for checking out the style and sizes than it is the functionality.

 

[Tsuchiya]

Perhaps despite all the training, Apple don't trust their Specialists to promote the Watch properly. This demo loop prevents awkward interactions where you'll have a skeptical potential customer who puts it on then says "now what?"

 

[vito]

I think it's just a planned presentation mode with no real motive behind it.

It is an iPhone companion device. They aren't going to let people sync their phones with the demo models so I think it just makes sense to put them in a demo mode.

The appointments are more for checking out the style and sizes than it is the functionality.

Yep, appointments are for picking which collection / watch you prefer in terms of size and style.

They had demo units where you could interact with the UI.

I think a full blown walkthrough would take longer than 15 (appointment slots) and we'll have folk running up and down the Apple store to see how it tracks movement!

 

[smiddlehurst]

Sorry but think this all boils down to logistics, specifically getting as many people through the doors as possible and avoiding any issues. Think about it for a second, a typical Watch table looks like it has around 30 to 40 models available. At the moment all Apple needs is a charging cable for each one and a stand, that's it.

Now make them 'live' models. Suddenly you need 30 to 40 iPhone's as well all of which need power and data connections. Worse you've got 30 to 40 *bluetooth* connections in a very small space with a lot of people around which will inevitably impact on connection quality. For that matter where do you put those 40 iPhone's, they're a lot bigger than a watch after all and if you hide them away under the wooden parts of the table not only are you likely making connection issues worse but troubleshooting is going to be an absolute pig.

And what benefit is there? It's a guided demo anyway for a maximum of 15 minutes where the emphasis for most is, I suspect, not what it'll do (there's enough videos available for that including Apple's own) but how it feels. Which strap do you want, what size of watch, what material... those are the big important questions for people trying it on and none of that needs a live phone connection to answer.

Basically it just seems to make an awful lot of sense to go this route for Apple Watch, no dark and sinister motives required.

I think a full blown walkthrough would take longer than 15 (appointment slots) and we'll have folk running up and down the Apple store to see how it tracks movement!

"Yep, it's tracking my movement well... all the way to the far end of the store... all the way back to table... through the door... down the stairs... across the carpark...."

Let's just say choice may get a tad limited around an hour after opening. Either that or you'd have some VERY fit Apple security guards making sure they filled up their movement wheels