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Watch owners: Buy now or wait
- Thread starter GaryNoine
- Start date
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I'd say buy now.
I've had a sport for months. If I lost it I would buy another now - no questions asked. I like it that much. And I was a complete cynic about the watch before I got my hands on one.
I also think the watch generations will be more than a year apart. By offloading the heavy lifting to the phone, the watch doesn't need a yearly upgrade. It'll likely be very capable until the battery dies in 4-5 years. Heck, I just replaced the original battery in a 1st gen shuffle from 2005. It's probably got another 10 years in it now.
The generic advice is always: if you need it, get it now. If you can wait, you'll get a better deal, a better product, or both if you wait.
In this case, the other pattern to consider is that generation 2 products are usually a big leap forward. At least a bigger leap than usual upgrades. So the reward is greater than usual for those who wait.
I believe Apple will update annually. This is a competitive space and the watch will look very dated next to competitors that had a chance to study the Apple product. Those competitors will release more polished stuff by the end of the year and early next year.
In this case, the other pattern to consider is that generation 2 products are usually a big leap forward. At least a bigger leap than usual upgrades. So the reward is greater than usual for those who wait.
I believe Apple will update annually. This is a competitive space and the watch will look very dated next to competitors that had a chance to study the Apple product. Those competitors will release more polished stuff by the end of the year and early next year.
If you prefer money, wait, and wait, and wait. Never buy.
If you prefer cool gadgets, buy now, whenever now is.
If you prefer cool gadgets, buy now, whenever now is.
I'm not sure the introduction of version 2 next year will be any different; it's been the same with the rollout of the 12" Macbook and the iPhone 6+.
I'd say buy now.
I've had a sport for months. If I lost it I would buy another now - no questions asked. I like it that much. And I was a complete cynic about the watch before I got my hands on one.
I also think the watch generations will be more than a year apart. By offloading the heavy lifting to the phone, the watch doesn't need a yearly upgrade. It'll likely be very capable until the battery dies in 4-5 years. Heck, I just replaced the original battery in a 1st gen shuffle from 2005. It's probably got another 10 years in it now.
iPhone, iPad, Mac... I still don't know why some people think apple won't update the apple watch yearly like they do for the other main products
- It's not a main product, yet.
- It's not a question of thinking, it's a matter of assuming.
- Airport express has a generational period of 4 years and its original form-factor lasted for eight years. 1st gen Apple TV lasted almost 4 years. The current ATV's form factor is five years old. So one year is not automatic in Apple world.
- Lastly, but by no means least, how will prospective gen 2 entrants feel about buying the ludicrously profitable $1000 models once Apple has demonstrated - by its actions - that it has a life expectancy of 1 year. Will they even buy with that track record.
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Your same logic can be used for the high capacity iPhone and LTE iPads
I think Apple will treat the Apple Watch as a main line product like the iPhone and iPad, that's the main reason I think it will have yearly updates
Of course Apple sees this as a main line. They're advertising it as such, and are putting a very large push behind this launch. This is clearly a category they want to be in, and in a big way.
I don't see any commercials for the Apple TV or Airport...
I was going to wait for the 2nd gen like most people are choosing to do but with WatchOS 2 coming out in just a few short months I decided to go out and finally buy one.
Yesterday I picked up a 42mm Space Grey Sport and I'm loving it. I'm glad I just went ahead and brought one.
It's a very useful companion for the iPhone and I'm loving the fitness features.
At least now I have the opportunity to skip the 2nd gen and invest in the 3rd gen (same way I choose to buy my iPhones, I mainly skip the S versions)
Yesterday I picked up a 42mm Space Grey Sport and I'm loving it. I'm glad I just went ahead and brought one.
It's a very useful companion for the iPhone and I'm loving the fitness features.
At least now I have the opportunity to skip the 2nd gen and invest in the 3rd gen (same way I choose to buy my iPhones, I mainly skip the S versions)
That's sort-of circular logic. You're saying:
- "Main line" products (an invented term that that you've defined as "iPhone and iPad") have yearly upgrade cycles. That's demonstrably true. No argument from me there.
- Therefore, since you think the Watch is a main line product, it follows that the watch will have a yearly upgrade cycle.
I'd say software or cosmetic are more likely. Annual electronics upgrades would damage the customer base and perceptions Apple is trying to nurture
The iPad and iPhone also don't NEED yearly updates, none of Apple's products really NEED yearly updates. Software update is a given with watchOS 2 releasing just months after the launch. The watch is good enough to go two years before an update, but that doesn't mean it's going to. CPU enhancements will make programs snappier, GPS built in will make fitness much more accurate as well as additional sensors for health. So there are many things apple can do to improve on a generation 1 product
Ultimately I feel apple watch owners who don't think there will be an update next year just don't want to not have the latest edition on their wrist
Why do you "feel" that?
I'm only in $350 for the cheapest Sport. If there are MAJOR hardware upgrades in 6 months that would benefit me then I'd have no problem re-buying.
If, OTOH, I don't regard them as beneficial to me then I really wouldn't be bothered.
Not sure what you're getting at.
I'm not calling you out in particular but it's common for people to buy the latest technology and not feel good about the next version being around the corner
You've definitely got a point.
But, the people buying the Edition at $10-17K would be the most upset by this. They are likely to be the sort of "Alpha" personalities who could really make things ugly for Apple if they feel they've been slighted. So I can't imagine Apple would want to piss off that crowd.
That's why I think a yearly hardware upgrade is unlikely.
iPod shuffle, nano... no software updates in the past ~4 years.
iPhone is the cash cow, shuffle/nano are not. Same with iWatch.
To me its more like a 3rd gen, I'm extremely happy with mine and I knew I would be way before it became available. OS2 and gen 2 will be a bonus for me and honestly I don't care how long they take.
Just about all the negative feedback does not effect me and most of it is garbage anyway. The Apple Watch tells the time and MUCH more, if anyone tells you it doesn't do enough they have rocks for brains and don't understand what its all about.
Go for it and enjoy the benefits of this functional watch that works well
Just about all the negative feedback does not effect me and most of it is garbage anyway. The Apple Watch tells the time and MUCH more, if anyone tells you it doesn't do enough they have rocks for brains and don't understand what its all about.
Go for it and enjoy the benefits of this functional watch that works well
Get it now as there is no way Apple will update the hardware for another year.
I don't know your budgetary constraints, but I would call for buy now. I really like mine even though there are obvious shortcomings. The key benefit has been a slight improvement in me doing more mobile stuff like standing up as my phone orders me to do. I have also done workouts a lot more since I got the watch. I'm not filling the rings or anything, but my mind is more inclined to even ride the bike for five minutes because I'm getting credit for it. It's basically what I was getting with my Fitbit but I steps aren't required.
The heart rate monitor also comes in handy. I may have overreacted but I stopped taking a certain medicine when I saw my heart rate up at 100 when I was sitting down. I didn't know if that was the cause or something else like stress, but I stopped until I could talk to my doctor about it. The monitor also does a good job of storing that data which it takes every now and then, more when in a workout, in my iPhone. My only complaint about that is it's only on my iPhone and I can't output it to my MacBook Air or iPad nor do I know of a good software method to see more analysis than what my phone does.
Apple Pay use is great -- if you can find places. Luckily my work just got card readers with NFC installed on the vending machines. So there, McDonald's and Firehouse are about the only places I regularly can use it. I also like using the barcodes from the Passbook/Wallet (I'm on iOS 9) cards at Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, Walgreens, etc.
The other thing it really does well is lets me see what that message was that came in on my phone. It makes marking semi-junk emails as read a quick process and thus not having to spend that few extra seconds each time finding my phone. I can also use my watch to control a few light bulbs in my house that are the Wink brand. I usually still use my phone, but I have the option if my phone is elsewhere in the house. "Hey Siri" was very hit and miss, usually requiring saying "Hey Siri" twice. So I turned it off for now.
The bad: Apps run slowly compared to the iPhone and iPad. If you have really fat fingers you may have trouble doing things like unlocking your phone by punching such tiny buttons. Hey Siri is buggy. The faces could be more adjustable (and allow for third parties) -- my main complaint on this is I love the Astronomy face but use Modular because it allows more complications. That whole "works in WiFi range" is suspect or my WiFi signal at home dies too easily.
So that's what I know. I totally recommend the stainless steel models because of the bands you'll want to get, and the Apple-made ones that aren't sport bands use stainless steel in the metal parts.
But whatever you do, TRY ONE ON FIRST. It's the only way you'll know what you like.
The heart rate monitor also comes in handy. I may have overreacted but I stopped taking a certain medicine when I saw my heart rate up at 100 when I was sitting down. I didn't know if that was the cause or something else like stress, but I stopped until I could talk to my doctor about it. The monitor also does a good job of storing that data which it takes every now and then, more when in a workout, in my iPhone. My only complaint about that is it's only on my iPhone and I can't output it to my MacBook Air or iPad nor do I know of a good software method to see more analysis than what my phone does.
Apple Pay use is great -- if you can find places. Luckily my work just got card readers with NFC installed on the vending machines. So there, McDonald's and Firehouse are about the only places I regularly can use it. I also like using the barcodes from the Passbook/Wallet (I'm on iOS 9) cards at Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, Walgreens, etc.
The other thing it really does well is lets me see what that message was that came in on my phone. It makes marking semi-junk emails as read a quick process and thus not having to spend that few extra seconds each time finding my phone. I can also use my watch to control a few light bulbs in my house that are the Wink brand. I usually still use my phone, but I have the option if my phone is elsewhere in the house. "Hey Siri" was very hit and miss, usually requiring saying "Hey Siri" twice. So I turned it off for now.
The bad: Apps run slowly compared to the iPhone and iPad. If you have really fat fingers you may have trouble doing things like unlocking your phone by punching such tiny buttons. Hey Siri is buggy. The faces could be more adjustable (and allow for third parties) -- my main complaint on this is I love the Astronomy face but use Modular because it allows more complications. That whole "works in WiFi range" is suspect or my WiFi signal at home dies too easily.
So that's what I know. I totally recommend the stainless steel models because of the bands you'll want to get, and the Apple-made ones that aren't sport bands use stainless steel in the metal parts.
But whatever you do, TRY ONE ON FIRST. It's the only way you'll know what you like.
I would say buy now, if you're able. The worst that can happen is they come out with a new version (of course) and your watch eventually becomes a classic. I wish I could find a mint condition original Iphone to put away..
Original iPhone is classic because it's Steve's. iWatch is Cook's, so it can't be classic. Cook is what destroyed Apple Steve built.
