watchOS 5 Not Available for Original Apple Watch

[Brien]

I’d already given using my 1st gen and gone back to my proper watches. I guess that’s any 2nd hand value wiped out then.

Yeah the SS has nearly the same resale value as the aluminum models which is odd.

I still have my S0 SS, may have to upgrade to a SS S4 later this year.

 

[technole]

There are people today that still use older iPads that don't even support iOS 11 just fine.

S0 on watchOS 4 will still be fine for many people. You already knew it was coming to an end last fall anyway. It doesn't even support continious resting heart rate monitoring. When you go into the heart app all you get is current. Compared to the current models.

 

[afd]

I had an iPhone 6 when I got my S0 Watch, my daughter has that phone now and its still getting updates. I'll be keeping watch 'till it breaks or battery completely dies.

 

[penx]

And who decides the 'expected lifetime'? I'm guessing Apple does. If so then who's to say they didn't give it three years?

I would expect anything reasonable given the product and the way it was marketed.

I would personally think it was reasonable to assume that a watch that was marketed as a fashion accessory and included a model that costed 15k should have at least a 10 year lifetime. That doesn’t mean new features, just minimal updates to keep it usable.

Also, when it comes to older technology such as browsers not connecting to web sites, it's probably not the browser, but more possibly due to older obsolete encryption protocols (such as SSL or TLS 1) or out of date certificate trusts.

Most company’s test on a limited number of devices. The iPad 1 was dropped by most testers many years ago. As new browser features get used by websites there’s always the risk of older devices not working.

My iPad 1 works ok as a web browser but is generally unreliable. If Apple updated Safari on iPad 1 or allowed Google to ship (real) Chrome, this wouldn’t be an issue.

 

[TiggrToo]

I would expect anything reasonable given the product and the way it was marketed.

I would personally think it was reasonable to assume that a watch that was marketed as a fashion accessory and included a model that costed 15k should have at least a 10 year lifetime. That doesn’t mean new features, just minimal updates to keep it usable.



Most company’s test on a limited number of devices. The iPad 1 was dropped by most testers many years ago. As new browser features get used by websites there’s always the risk of older devices not working.

My iPad 1 works ok as a web browser but is generally unreliable. If Apple updated Safari on iPad 1 or allowed Google to ship (real) Chrome, this wouldn’t be an issue.

10 years? Get outta here! Anyone who paid $15K for that first watch either did so because it was pocket change to them and almost an impulse purchase, or because they're a fool.

Either way, the price never ever guaranteed 10 years of support. Period. People paid $15k for the case and band - not for the electronics inside.

 

[penx]

10 years? Get outta here! Anyone who paid $15K for that first watch either did so because it was pocket change to them and almost an impulse purchase, or because they're a fool.

Either way, the price never ever guaranteed 10 years of support. Period. People paid $15k for the case and band - not for the electronics inside.

You don’t think it’s reasonable for someone who spent 15k on a watch to expect it to last more than 3 years?

Whether you think they are a fool for spending this money or not, it’s still a product Apple sold and they should stand by it with basic compatibility and security updates.

Personally I think the hardware in the normal series 0 is perfectly capable of having a 10 year life span, other than perhaps a battery replacement or 2. It’s Apple’s approach to OS updates that would prematurely EOL usable hardware.

If I could install Android on my iPad 1 I would still be using it (despite not liking Android much).

 

[TiggrToo]

You don’t think it’s reasonable for someone who spent 15k on a watch to expect it to last more than 3 years?

Whether you think they are a fool for spending this money or not, it’s still a product Apple sold and they should stand by it with basic compatibility and security updates.

Personally I think the hardware in the normal series 0 is perfectly capable of having a 10 year life span, other than perhaps a battery replacement or 2. It’s Apple’s approach to OS updates that would prematurely EOL usable hardware.

If I could install Android on my iPad 1 I would still be using it (despite not liking Android much).

I already told you exactly that.

Everyone who buys an Apple watch and uses it agrees to abide by the EULA. THAT'S what Apple agree to. Just because YOU personally have decided they should do more, doesn't make it so.

I said it before and I'll say it again, someone who dropped $15K on a Apple Watch was either richer than dog, or a total moron (sometimes both).

So, one one hand you chastise Apple for 'forcing' updates, and on the other you say that without updates it's got a 10 year life. Which is it?

And do you have any proof that Apple deliberately EoL watches with their updates? Aside from a hunch and perhaps a smattering of anecdotal.

This goes doubly so given that iOS 12 will run on the same hardware that iOS 11 runs on - and, by all reports, much better. What other hardware company does this? At least Apple provide update. How's Android Wear working out these days?

I brought a Motorola Xoom close to launch day. Got as far as Jelly Bean before Google dropped it, still used it for a couple of years. Now it won't even stay powered up for more than 2 hours. Shame, nice kit. Guess Google made it obsolete as well.

I can only assume you're not a programmer; if you were you'd know that there's a point where keeping old frameworks in play just to support older devices no longer pans out - which is why devices end up 'dropping off'. It's either that or make NEW users suffer just to keep the hangers-on happy. Now, how fair would that be?

 

[penx]

So, one one hand you chastise Apple for 'forcing' updates, and on the other you say that without updates it's got a 10 year life. Which is it?

And do you have any proof that Apple deliberately EoL watches with their updates? Aside from a hunch and perhaps a smattering of anecdotal.

...

I can only assume you're not a programmer; if you were you'd know that there's a point where keeping old frameworks in play just to support older devices no longer pans out - which is why devices end up 'dropping off'. It's either that or make NEW users suffer just to keep the hangers-on happy. Now, how fair would that be?

I’m saying watchos 4 should get continued security and compatibility updates, not that Apple can’t introduce new apis for newer products. Not providing these minimal updates would effectively eol it. Much like the ipad 1 is eol due apple blocking users from being able to install a recent browser on it.

I also don’t think it should be ok for Apple to shun customers who bought a 15k watch on the basis they are ‘rich or stupid’

 

[TiggrToo]

I also don’t think it should be ok for Apple to shun customers who bought a 15k watch on the basis they are ‘rich or stupid’

Well, sadly for you, they are, and you're one of the very few folk who I've seen shed a metaphorical tear for them.

At the office we have a developer who lives, breaths and eats Apple. He's almost every single current Apple device known to man (bad the new iMac Pro). That said, his watch his Aluminum because even he knows it's a limited life span and the tech's the thing, not the case\band.

 

[C DM]

You don’t think it’s reasonable for someone who spent 15k on a watch to expect it to last more than 3 years?

How is it not lasting more than 3 years? Is the watch being shut down and you can't make use of it?

 

[technole]

You are letting your emotions on price get in the way of reality. You have to remember the 17k watch is the same watch every other S0, it is just the high metal cost, band, and accessories given.

Look at AppleCare as a reasonable warranty period, you get two years with the higher priced models out of the box. A third with AppleCare.

 

[Radon87000]

How is it not lasting more than 3 years? Is the watch being shut down and you can't make use of it?

I spent 400 bucks on this Watch, more than an iPad 2018. I bought it in 2016 which means 400 bucks for lousy 2 year support. It should come with at least 5 years of support. It's a device which shows notifications and a fitness band. If they can support iPads for 5 years, the Watch sure as hell should be

Now I have to wait till September with this unsupported hardware as Series 3 likely has 2 years left at this point and we are 3 months away from Series 4. And I detest unsupported hardware.

 

[cowboy77]

My wife and I both brought Apple Watch series 1 and shortly after the warranty expired, both screens began to get dimmer and dimmer, until both were unusable. Apple offered to take $100 off the cost of a new watch, my wife loved hers, so we replaced it. Me, towards the end, I found that I only used the Apple Watch to record my exercise, and to unlock my MacBook Pro (great feature, I wish I they would also allow the iPhone to also unlock the MacBook Pro). I found that it was difficult to use for anything else because of the small screen and poor UI. I went back to using my two analog watches, one a 10 year old Fossil, the other a 40 year old Seiko LaSalle, its unlikely I would ever go back to paying for an Apple Watch.

 

[samuraiQ]

it better still work in combination with iOS 12 on the iPhone tho. ...?

I am also seeking answers to this question.
After someone installing iOS 12 beta, please try trying to run on first-gen's Watch OS 4.

And I would like to see a screenshot of software update after installing Watch's beta profile.

 

[Radon87000]

I am also seeking answers to this question.
After someone installing iOS 12 beta, please try trying to run on first-gen's Watch OS 4.

And I would like to see a screenshot of software update after installing Watch's beta profile.

It wasn't working for me yesterday but a iTines restore fixed it and the Watch is working fine with iOS 12.

 

[C DM]

I spent 400 bucks on this Watch, more than an iPad 2018. I bought it in 2016 which means 400 bucks for lousy 2 year support. It should come with at least 5 years of support. It's a device which shows notifications and a fitness band. If they can support iPads for 5 years, the Watch sure as hell should be

Now I have to wait till September with this unsupported hardware as Series 3 likely has 2 years left at this point and we are 3 months away from Series 4. And I detest unsupported hardware.

None of that seems to answer what I asked about. Not sure how that was in reply to my post.

So, again, is your watch being shut down and you can't make use of it any longer?

 

[Radon87000]

None of that seems to answer what I asked about. Not sure how that was in reply to my post.

So, again, is your watch being shut down and you can't make use of it any longer?

Pulling support is as good as a shutdown. Most apps will be updated dor WatchOS 5 and stop working.

 

[C DM]

Pulling support is as good as a shutdown. Most apps will be updated dor WatchOS 5 and stop working.

So you can't make use of it any longer? It doesn't tell you time? It doesn't show you your notifications? It doesn't track your activity like it did before?

As far as apps go, that's really more on the developers of those apps.

 

[itsmilo]

Pulling support is as good as a shutdown. Most apps will be updated dor WatchOS 5 and stop working.

I don’t use apps on my series 0 so that’s fine

 

[DukesNet]

I will NEVER buy another Apple watch because of this policy. When I pay an outrageous $700 for a stinking watch, I expect it to be supported for a long time to come. Apple has just become too greedy!

If your watch is still ticking along, then it should be fine. As long as Devs don't fully close off the updates, there shouldn't be an issue with the watch a few more years

 

[Deliro]

Only Apple Watch I'll ever purchase is the lowest priced one in 42MM.. Paying the premium dollar is silly considering it will be obsolete in a couple of years.

 

[Roller]

The article referenced in this thread says that the S0 won't run watchOS 5, which is understandable. But has Apple said that it won't provide security or other updates to prior watchOS versions? I've been happy with my S0, but it's never run apps very well, so I mostly use it for basic functions and notifications. I expected that when I bought it, which is one reason why I opted for the least expensive version. I plan to get a newer watch after I see what Apple introduces in the fall. However, I think that they should continue to offer updates for another two years for people who want to keep their original watch.

 

[sracer]

Apple put itself in a difficult position for the long-term viability of any generation of Apple Watch. Absent a generous trade-in program or a design that allowed for easy replacement of the internals, customers are going to be faced with a short effective lifespan.

My iWatch (iPod Nano 6th Gen w/stainless band) is still going strong 8 years later. Though I wish Apple had done a little more with it at the time to enhance its use as a watch. Just a few tweaks and it would be perfect for me.

 

[0947347]

I just wish I could get the walker talkie function on my 0s
It would be great for my family, as it is pain to constantly call because of 1 thing

Anybody would know if there is any alternative to this?
[doublepost=1528415832][/doublepost]

Apple put itself in a difficult position for the long-term viability of any generation of Apple Watch. Absent a generous trade-in program or a design that allowed for easy replacement of the internals, customers are going to be faced with a short effective lifespan.

My iWatch (iPod Nano 6th Gen w/stainless band) is still going strong 8 years later. Though I wish Apple had done a little more with it at the time to enhance its use as a watch. Just a few tweaks and it would be perfect for me.

View attachment 765180

Raise to see the clock would have been perfect. Had mine for years, gave it away, just last week

 

[lec0rsaire]

I knew this would happen. These are disposable watches which is why it just doesn’t make any sense to buy anything but the aluminum/Ion-X sport model.

As far as the 18k gold Edition models: It’s a common opinion that people who pay $10-$17k don’t care about the price or that they are wealthy enough that it’s nothing. This is simply not true!

In fact most wealthy watch fans would’ve never bought the 18k Apple Watch because it never made any sense. It wasn’t special and it wasn’t luxurious. They buy mainly Rolex, AP and Patek which will actually appreciate in the long run and immediately in the case of the most popular models in short supply. These are the heavy hitters in the watch game. A lot of watches cost as much but only those 3 have people going crazy for both new releases and vintage at auction. In fact SS is hotter than any of the precious metals at the moment. You have to wait a long time (6 months-10 years) if you don’t have connections to buy any popular/limited SS watch from the official boutiques. If you’ve never bought anything before you can pretty much forget about getting what you want even if you put $20k in cash on the counter.

A new SS Rolex Daytona is $12.5k retail but it’s market price is anywhere from $18.5-22k with pre-owned towards the lower end and unworn for the max. A blue dial Patek 5711 Nautilus retailed in the last couple of years for $24k and is now worth $50-60k on the market.

The people who did buy the Edition were either celebrities who are known for wasting money and middle class Apple fans who are not watch connoseurs but wanted one to show off.