What amuses me most about the Apple Watch debates

[rezwits]

I am going to read some more of this post but I have to post this because this so hit me as the real reason I need an Watch more than my own reasons.

I was watching a podcast, (twit), I realized something that the cell phone, watch, and smart phone did to all of us.

I remember back in the day, it's was like get a watch. So I had a watch for a little while. I got tired of wearing it tho so I took it off.

But eventually the Motorola Filp Phones came out and I got one of those. And put it in my pocket, and I was like cool I don't need a watch cause this has one.

It sat in my pocket quite a bit I didn't get very many phone calls, but I did have it on my person. HERE IS WHAT'S KEY, I didn't pull the FLIP out of my pocket 50 times a day.

When I had a watch I looked at my wrist 40-50 times no problem. The flip maybe 10 times to check the time.

When we got smart phones or the iPhone, we started doing this CRAP where we check our damn phones like 100 times a day! And you hear this crap on the news all the time, that cell phones are bad for you they distract you, they take away your free time etc. people get anxious etc

So here is my real, I came upon this realization that I am going to get MY LIFE or parts of it BACK. Where 50 times a day I won't be pulling out my damn iPhone and I'll just be using what I call the K-app I see a text and then hit K!

God it sucks, I mean honestly I have to pull out my phone at least 25-50 times a day just to flipping put a K. Cause some people won't turn on their READ tag for iMessage.

But in any case I am going to be so DAMN Happy when I can just look and my wrist, glance, and tap, and say K. Then just an email, buzz, I might be able to get like 10-20 emails backed up, cause I am an inbox Zero freak. I always have inbox zero, but if I get an email and feel a buzz, I'll just go MEH, and not pull out my damn iPhone and goto the Mail app and then hit delete, I'll let them stack up a little bit till I get an important one!

It's gonna be AWESOME!!! Yeah so people who are like this is gonna suck, "might" not use there Cell Phone that much, and in that case, I could agree. But god damn I use mine all over the place, I am try to migrate to where I leave my MacBook Air in the car and get a small BT keyboard for my iPhone 6 Plus.

See where this is all going?

Laters... have fun!

Smaller and Smaller down a hole...oh NOOOooo.......

 

[rjlawrencejr]

My voice is not audible on this website. I'm actually got a nice and pleasant calming voice in person.

Also, as it is a real thing and something you wll physically own, it obviously is not a complete waste of money and I never said it was. If you never use it, it would be a complete waste of money. How much of your spend is a waste of money depends on you. But a big chunk of it is as soon as you buy it, functionally speaking. Jewellery wise, it's a great looking watch.

You do realize writers have a "voice". And I never said mean. I just said you have a persuasive voice - or tone - to your writing.

Also, I'm not sure if you're checking yourself, but I think your tone has softened a bit - at least here. And I think we have found some common ground.

By the way, are you getting an Apple Watch?

 

[fitshaced]

You do realize writers have a "voice". And I never said mean. I just said you have a persuasive voice - or tone - to your writing.

Also, I'm not sure if you're checking yourself, but I think your tone has softened a bit - at least here. And I think we have found some common ground.

By the way, are you getting an Apple Watch?

Yes I'm getting the rose gold with modern buckle.

 

[saving107]

Yes I'm getting the rose gold with modern buckle.

What a waste of money

 

[Night Spring]

People don't care if you spend your money on things like this. If you say that this is going to change your life and that's why you're buying it, people will probably 'insert their opinion'.

Actually, I do think several generations down the line, wearable computing WILL change people's lives, the same way PCs changed our lives, then the Internet, then the smartphone. However, the earliest PCs were mostly useless hobby toys, Internet at its earliest stages was clumsy, slow, and only useful to geeks and nerds, smartphones I'm not sure about because I don't use phones, so that bit of technology evolution passed me by until the iPhone exploded.

But the point is that technology has to pass through this early experimentation stage before it grows into something truly useful for the masses. And I think wearable computing will get there sooner or later, but I'm not sure if Apple watch is there or not.

We already know what it can do. If you are creative you can probably make it incredibly useful to you. If you don't know what that use is yet, you are wasting your money. Maybe put some thought into it, check out reviews, check it out in store, then you might just justify it's use for the reason to buy one. You said it was more of a want than a need. Your words, not mine.

No, I don't think we know everything the Apple watch can do. Like, for instance, I don't know how taptic engine would feel against my wrist, and I don't know whether getting taps on my wrist is more or less distracting than having my phone vibrate in my pocket. I don't know if reading notifications on a small screen like the watch is comfortable, or if I'll be reaching for my phone because it's too hard to read the text on my wrist. I know that the watch has an app for remote controlling my Apple TV, but I don't know if it'll be more convenient than remote controlling from my phone. Most of all, I don't know if ApplePay will be accepted at enough places that using the watch for payment will be convenient. That is why I have to try it myself to find out. Reading other people's reviews only go so far.

And, btw, I was the one who said it's a want not need, but you seemed to attribute that to another poster.

 

[fitshaced]

What a waste of money

No other 10k watch counts my steps.

----------

Actually, I do think several generations down the line, wearable computing WILL change people's lives, the same way PCs changed our lives, then the Internet, then the smartphone. However, the earliest PCs were mostly useless hobby toys, Internet at its earliest stages was clumsy, slow, and only useful to geeks and nerds, smartphones I'm not sure about because I don't use phones, so that bit of technology evolution passed me by until the iPhone exploded.

But the point is that technology has to pass through this early experimentation stage before it grows into something truly useful for the masses. And I think wearable computing will get there sooner or later, but I'm not sure if Apple watch is there or not.



No, I don't think we know everything the Apple watch can do. Like, for instance, I don't know how taptic engine would feel against my wrist, and I don't know whether getting taps on my wrist is more or less distracting than having my phone vibrate in my pocket. I don't know if reading notifications on a small screen like the watch is comfortable, or if I'll be reaching for my phone because it's too hard to read the text on my wrist. I know that the watch has an app for remote controlling my Apple TV, but I don't know if it'll be more convenient than remote controlling from my phone. Most of all, I don't know if ApplePay will be accepted at enough places that using the watch for payment will be convenient. That is why I have to try it myself to find out. Reading other people's reviews only go so far.

And, btw, I was the one who said it's a want not need, but you seemed to attribute that to another poster.

Apple usually have several prototypes in line waiting for release. If they have another version of the Apple Watch waiting to come out, we don't need to pass this version before we get the technology we need. We could just have it. It's help up (another most tech companies do the same) for the purpose of milking profit on all the different features and functions incrementally. So, do we need to buy this version before we get the tech we really need?

As to your second paragraph, does that not make my point that you don't know how useful it will be for you? We know what it is being sold to do, if it does that in an inferior capacity to what you expect, wouldn't that definitely mean it was a waste of money?

 

[KauaiBruce]

Wow, this has been an interesting thread. I don't think I have advised anyone what choice to make for themselves. I say what I have chosen and why and occasionally ask a question. I am a true software geek. I am fascinated by the change of technology in my lifetime. I'm even a little scared to see what might happen in another 10 years.

I have worked with punch cards and helped implement a Fortran compiler using BINARY and machine language. I even programmed in PL/6 (an early Honeywell language that I personally believe inspired C++).

The computer that ran my entire college ran on 98K of RAM.

I professionally used a Lisa and the first Mac and watched Windows unfold from the earliest versions. I even spent a fortune on one of the first hard drives you could use with a Macintosh. I could not even imagine how I could use 10 Megabyte's up. Now half of my pictures are that big.

My point is that I know that eventually we WILL have smart watches that will do it all. It will be our identification and our wallet. That part we can even do now. I used to think it would have our files but that will probably be in the cloud. It will self charge with kinetic energy. When we need a bigger screen we can walk up to any generic screen and keyboard and our watch will be the driver for anything we do on it.

I want the watch because it will give me pleasure to have one. If you think that $350 is too much for what it can do then you really should not get one. We know the real issue is that you cannot afford it. If you did not want one you would not be reading this.

The same goes for the one that costs $17,000. If you like it and can afford it, then get it. You will love it like I will love my $999 SS one. Many do not realize just how much money there IS in this world. I know a lot of people who have $10,000 Rolexes. Apple gets it also. There are a lot of jewelry stores for a reason.

I'm excited that Apple has brought the publics focus to the smart watch. If it has half the impact that the iPhone did with competition trying to outdo them (with Apple desperately trying to stay ahead of the curve) we will see amazing watches in 5 years.

 

[Zxxv]

I feel the apple magic pull working on me. Before I said I couldn't see why I would want one. Now I just feel the I want one coming on. Apple how do you do this....

...must resist... don't need....

 

[Night Spring]

Apple usually have several prototypes in line waiting for release. If they have another version of the Apple Watch waiting to come out, we don't need to pass this version before we get the technology we need. We could just have it. It's help up (another most tech companies do the same) for the purpose of milking profit on all the different features and functions incrementally. So, do we need to buy this version before we get the tech we really need?

As to your second paragraph, does that not make my point that you don't know how useful it will be for you? We know what it is being sold to do, if it does that in an inferior capacity to what you expect, wouldn't that definitely mean it was a waste of money?

No, I don't buy into the argument that Apple (and other tech companies) withhold features to milk people of their money. If they waited until they could pack all the latest features into a product, they'll never release anything. Like, Apple buys CPUs for their Macs from Intel. Intel is always working on the next gen processor. So Apple just announced their new MacBook, with whatever processor they put in it, but if they waited until next year, they could put in an even better processor, and we consumers would only have to buy it once... No, it doesn't work that way.

Anyway, no, if I try the Apple watch and find that it's not useful for me, I haven't wasted my money. Well, I suppose I could wait out the first gen and let other people be the guinea pigs, and listening to their experience will give me a better idea if the watch will be useful to me or not. But ultimately, at some point, I have to dive in and try it for myself. Because no matter how many other people find it useful FOR THEM, that's never a guarantee that it will be useful FOR ME. And in this case, I'm willing to be the guinea pig, because I think wearable tech has a future, and I find it interesting. Now, this virtual reality stuff, no way, I'll let other people test that out until it's perfect.

 

[Vundu]

Then don't. I've already said I don't care if people waste their money on this or not. I also said i responded to posts where people were trying to justify their purchase. That's where my point is valid. It's the ******** that this is value for money that draws opinion. If people can actually justify this, they haven't so far.

Why do they need to justify it? If somebody gets enjoyment out of something which to them makes it worth the price tag how is that a waste?

I spend £1000s on mountain bikes. Might be a waste to many but I get hours and hours of fun and exercise out of that money.

 

[redheeler]

Spend your money however you like, I would much rather get a more capable device with a larger screen good for a variety of tasks than a less capable device with a smaller screen slightly more convenient for some tasks. I also don't care about fashion accessories, only functional tech.

Get over yourself. You think people care how you waste your money? I've responded to posts on here where people have tried to justify their need for one of these. Do yourself a favour and realise that you're in fact wasting your money and only you care (or don't care) about that.

This +1.

 

[papa8706]

No other 10k watch counts my steps.

----------



Apple usually have several prototypes in line waiting for release. If they have another version of the Apple Watch waiting to come out, we don't need to pass this version before we get the technology we need. We could just have it. It's help up (another most tech companies do the same) for the purpose of milking profit on all the different features and functions incrementally. So, do we need to buy this version before we get the tech we really need?

As to your second paragraph, does that not make my point that you don't know how useful it will be for you? We know what it is being sold to do, if it does that in an inferior capacity to what you expect, wouldn't that definitely mean it was a waste of money?

It's a luxury companion item that no one here has gotten their hands on yet. Surely you remember when they released the iPad. Everyone argued I have a macbook and an iPhone, why would I need a super-sized iPhone. It's not a necessity since your phone can do everything it can do in a more portable form factor.

"Apple usually have several prototypes in line waiting for release. If they have another version of the Apple Watch waiting to come out, we don't need to pass this version before we get the technology we need."

Tech companies always have new technology in the works and they incrementally release it. That's the way it't been and always will be. The Apple watch is no exception. If you want to wait for second generation then do it but don't expect everyone to boycott along with you.

What's coming on the second Gen. prototype that no one knows a thing about that makes you want to wait an undisclosed amount of time? There's always going to be something new and if you sit around waiting you'll be sadly disappointed when you see they release the next update soon there after.

 

[fitshaced]

Wow, this has been an interesting thread. I don't think I have advised anyone what choice to make for themselves. I say what I have chosen and why and occasionally ask a question. I am a true software geek. I am fascinated by the change of technology in my lifetime. I'm even a little scared to see what might happen in another 10 years.

I have worked with punch cards and helped implement a Fortran compiler using BINARY and machine language. I even programmed in PL/6 (an early Honeywell language that I personally believe inspired C++).

The computer that ran my entire college ran on 98K of RAM.

I professionally used a Lisa and the first Mac and watched Windows unfold from the earliest versions. I even spent a fortune on one of the first hard drives you could use with a Macintosh. I could not even imagine how I could use 10 Megabyte's up. Now half of my pictures are that big.

My point is that I know that eventually we WILL have smart watches that will do it all. It will be our identification and our wallet. That part we can even do now. I used to think it would have our files but that will probably be in the cloud. It will self charge with kinetic energy. When we need a bigger screen we can walk up to any generic screen and keyboard and our watch will be the driver for anything we do on it.

I want the watch because it will give me pleasure to have one. If you think that $350 is too much for what it can do then you really should not get one. We know the real issue is that you cannot afford it. If you did not want one you would not be reading this.

The same goes for the one that costs $17,000. If you like it and can afford it, then get it. You will love it like I will love my $999 SS one. Many do not realize just how much money there IS in this world. I know a lot of people who have $10,000 Rolexes. Apple gets it also. There are a lot of jewelry stores for a reason.

I'm excited that Apple has brought the publics focus to the smart watch. If it has half the impact that the iPhone did with competition trying to outdo them (with Apple desperately trying to stay ahead of the curve) we will see amazing watches in 5 years.

No mate. People discussing the value of the Apple watch and believing it isn't worth the money can probably afford to buy one.

 

[BvizioN]

Then don't. I've already said I don't care if people waste their money on this or not. I also said i responded to posts where people were trying to justify their purchase. That's where my point is valid. It's the ******** that this is value for money that draws opinion. If people can actually justify this, they haven't so far.

People can justify their purchase on any way they like. It's their money, and they can buy just about anything and have their own reasons. I could simply buy the Apple watch because I personally find it beautiful and that may be enough reason for me to buy it. Who are you or anyone else to say that I should do otherwise? I am adult enough to be responsible for the money I earn. I think it's absolutely pathetic to go around forums advising people to not waste a money on a product that haven't even been launched yet, and no one else except Apple and some journalist have played with.

 

[fitshaced]

Why do they need to justify it? If somebody gets enjoyment out of something which to them makes it worth the price tag how is that a waste?

I spend £1000s on mountain bikes. Might be a waste to many but I get hours and hours of fun and exercise out of that money.

They don't, I've said that already. But people are trying but can't. You want it? Fine. Will it be a nice watch purchase? I think it will.

 

[Michael CM1]

Full disclosure: I will be ordering a 38mm space grey Watch Sport come April 10 and nothing you can say will persuade me to consider otherwise. So don't even try.

I have not done a content analysis so I could very well be mistaken, but after reading hundreds and hundreds of posts, why does it seem as though a great number of those not interested in the Watch feel the need not only to tell us they have no interest in it but also feel compelled to tell us how big of a mistake we are making?

Am I imagining this or is it a legitimate trend? Am I hyper aware since I plan to buy one? Because I feel as though it is not so true the other way. I don't get the sense that those of us who want the watch have the same amount of zest to change minds.

I'd love to hear other's thoughts.

I saw an article on another site with this headline:
New survey results: 69 percent of Americans will say no to Apple Watch

After you've been properly clickbaited, you immediately realize that the survey indicates 31 of Americans might say yes to Apple Watch. So within the first week of its full unveiling and before it is even for sale, 100 million people might buy one. Pebble has sold 1 million without near the media attention.

So again, the "slam Apple because Steve Jobs is dead and this 'Apple can't innovate' narrative drives site traffic" thing continues despite the overflowing money bin in Cupertino.

 

[fitshaced]

No, I don't buy into the argument that Apple (and other tech companies) withhold features to milk people of their money. If they waited until they could pack all the latest features into a product, they'll never release anything. Like, Apple buys CPUs for their Macs from Intel. Intel is always working on the next gen processor. So Apple just announced their new MacBook, with whatever processor they put in it, but if they waited until next year, they could put in an even better processor, and we consumers would only have to buy it once... No, it doesn't work that way.

Anyway, no, if I try the Apple watch and find that it's not useful for me, I haven't wasted my money. Well, I suppose I could wait out the first gen and let other people be the guinea pigs, and listening to their experience will give me a better idea if the watch will be useful to me or not. But ultimately, at some point, I have to dive in and try it for myself. Because no matter how many other people find it useful FOR THEM, that's never a guarantee that it will be useful FOR ME. And in this case, I'm willing to be the guinea pig, because I think wearable tech has a future, and I find it interesting. Now, this virtual reality stuff, no way, I'll let other people test that out until it's perfect.

So you think that even though right now you don't know if it will be useful to you, you have to dive in now in order to get the device you need in the future which then qualifies this purchase as not wasted money? Bloody hell, you are an easy sell.

 

[Night Spring]

So again, the "slam Apple because Steve Jobs is dead and this 'Apple can't innovate' narrative drives site traffic" thing continues despite the overflowing money bin in Cupertino.

Talking about Steve Jobs, I do miss him. He had at least one memorable moment every keynote -- like pulling the MacBook Air out of the envelope, pulling iPod nano out of the tiny jeans pocket, prank calling Starbucks, and the way he was just so pleased with the magnets in the Smart Cover. I think the current executive team are doing an excellent job, but none of them has that flair. Every time I see an argument over what is Apple watch good for, I think Steve Jobs could have given the discussion a sharper focus. Some key moment for people to hang their discussion on. I think Apple is innovating as fast as ever, but they've lost their best spokesperson, the one who could convince the world that, yes, Apple is innovating.

 

[papa8706]

So you think that even though right now you don't know if it will be useful to you, you have to dive in now in order to get the device you need in the future which then qualifies this purchase as not wasted money? Bloody hell, you are an easy sell.

Seriously? Who are you to say if a product is a justified purchase. I used my pebble in EHS work since protective gear has to stay on during inspections. It makes my life easier and this watch will be a solid upgrade in form factor.

If it weren't for people supporting new tech there would never be a second generation for arrogant people like you

 

[Donoban]

I'm all for a fair argument and debate over product lines. The problem with that argument is it's the exact same product internally from the $350 to $17,000 price point unlike the Mac. I don't agree with Apple's approach to pushing it as a high end fashion product since it has a short expiration date.

While I personally think it's a waste of money/poor investment, to some it's nothing to their bankroll and they won't lose any sleep over it. In the end it's a status symbol IMO and if someone wants to buy it it doesn't affect anyone but them so I'll just let it be.

Why is Apple flogging it off as a fashion product? One can only assume it's a new direction set by Tim Cook. Could it be a way to un-geek the device and make it appear more main stream?

Can you imagine Google trying to sell the Google Glass as a fashion accessory? Many lolz.

I only see the watch appealing to Apple fans. If you own an Android or Windows phone, are you really going to move to an iPhone just to buy the watch?

Who knows. It's going to be an interesting time for Apple.

 

[papa8706]

Why is Apple flogging it off as a fashion product? One can only assume it's a new direction set by Tim Cook. Could it be a way to un-geek the device and make it appear more main stream?

Can you imagine Google trying to sell the Google Glass as a fashion accessory? Many lolz.

I only see the watch appealing to Apple fans. If you own an Android or Windows phone, are you really going to move to an iPhone just to buy the watch?

Who knows. It's going to be an interesting time for Apple.

I think you hit the nail on the head. They want to un-geek the device and make it mainstream. Whether or not they succeed is highly debatable.

I think it's far from perfect but if I walk into a store and see a pebble or an apple watch I think I'd have an easy decision. Price point is the main problem like I stated previously. Many people won't justify the purchase so it may remain a niche product. Time will tell

 

[fitshaced]

Seriously? Who are you to say if a product is a justified purchase. I used my pebble in EHS work since protective gear has to stay on during inspections. It makes my life easier and this watch will be a solid upgrade in form factor.

If it weren't for people supporting new tech there would never be a second generation for arrogant people like you

Hang on. The pebble suits your needs. The upgrade to Apple watch is for form factor? Not function? Right, point made. I would support the Apple watch if it was worth the money. I'm hardly arrogant for expecting products to be worth their price. It's probably more arrogant to upgrade because of 'form factor'. You have to money so why not eh?

 

[Night Spring]

So you think that even though right now you don't know if it will be useful to you, you have to dive in now in order to get the device you need in the future which then qualifies this purchase as not wasted money? Bloody hell, you are an easy sell.

No, I don't have to dive in now. Like I said, if I felt like waiting until I was sure it will be useful, I will. I'm diving in now because I think it'll be fun to try it, even though it might not be useful yet.

It's not a waste of money because it's for fun. It's like, if I bought bread and it was stale, then that'd be a waste of money. If I buy cake and it was really sweet and delicious, but it didn't have any nutritional value -- and if I knew it wasn't going to be nutritious, but I bought it anyway, because I just felt like indulging myself, then that's not wasting money.

 

[fitshaced]

No, I don't have to dive in now. Like I said, if I felt like waiting until I was sure it will be useful, I will. I'm diving in now because I think it'll be fun to try it, even though it might not be useful yet.

It's not a waste of money because it's for fun. It's like, if I bought bread and it was stale, then that'd be a waste of money. If I buy cake and it was really sweet and delicious, but it didn't have any nutritional value -- and if I knew it wasn't going to be nutritious, but I bought it anyway, because I just felt like indulging myself, then that's not wasting money.

I feel like I'm saying the same thing over and over. If you want it just because you want to splash the money on a new toy, that's your business. People have tried to justify their purchase for the devices function but really can't match it up for the money they spend. Buying a watch is more for want than need. I see nothing wrong with that. But that's what you are buying. A watch first, smart watch second.

 

[Night Spring]

Can you imagine Google trying to sell the Google Glass as a fashion accessory? Many lolz.

I think Google did make a half-hearted attempt to fashioning the Glass. Didn't they get a fashion designer to use Glass in a runway show? Said they were walking with designer glass manufacturers to make more fashionable versions? Not that it ever went anywhere, but yeah, they sort of tried.