What amuses me most about the Apple Watch debates

[HelloMikee]

I don't get it either. That would be like me, going to an android forum just to talk about how I dislike the OS. But then again, you'll never see me doing that because I like to think I'm pretty normal and don't have trolling issues and I genuinely like to read and post things about suff I actually like.

 

[sulpfiction]

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.

Obviously people do care..including urself. if u think its a waste of money, then just don't buy one. Simple. But no need to bash people who are buying it, and don't think it's a waste. Ironically, I believe it's u that's trying to convince urself it's a waste of money because u can't afford it.

 

[Rogifan]

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.

Yep nobody could sell things like Steve. Phil Schiller and Tim Cook just aren't the same. When Phil put up that image of the new MacBook I immediately thought of Steve. Most people are never going to see the inside of the MacBook but Apple still made it as beautiful as possible. These are the kind of things Steve could make you appreciate and care about that Tim and Phil can't. Hence why we still get Jony Ive videos.

 

[Night Spring]

Now, that was the "moment" in this keynote -- "What did we do with the empty space? We filled it up with batteries!"

 

[NeutralGeek]

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.

Word.

 

[fitshaced]

Obviously people do care..including urself. if u think its a waste of money, then just don't buy one. Simple. But no need to bash people who are buying it, and don't think it's a waste. Ironically, I believe it's u that's trying to convince urself it's a waste of money because u can't afford it.

Grow up mate. No-one is bashing anyone.

Here is a question for those who will be buyig this. If the Apple Watch was $300 dearer across all models but it was so because it included (along with everything it currently does) a mirrored hard drive of the same capacity and didn't add thickness or weight to it, would you still buy it at its new price?

 

[EightyTwenty]

I see this as an excuse to spend/waste money. Nothing more.

This product serves no purpose and won't improve your life in any meaningful way. I'm sorry, but smart watches are just a really dumb product category. Kinda like 3DTV. It's a product nobody really wants or needs.

 

[sixxmum]

I see this as an excuse to spend/waste money. Nothing more.

This product serves no purpose and won't improve your life in any meaningful way. I'm sorry, but smart watches are just a really dumb product category. Kinda like 3DTV. It's a product nobody really wants or needs.

Thanks. I'll make a list of all the other things that I think I might want and you can let me know whether I do!

 

[rjlawrencejr]

Grow up mate. No-one is bashing anyone.

Here is a question for those who will be buyig this. If the Apple Watch was $300 dearer across all models but it was so because it included (along with everything it currently does) a mirrored hard drive of the same capacity and didn't add thickness or weight to it, would you still buy it at its new price?

An extra $300 to make it $650 US would be a lot tougher to swallow and would give me more pause. However it is a hypothetical that fortunately is irrelevant.

What are you getting at?

 

[EightyTwenty]

Thanks. I'll make a list of all the other things that I think I might want and you can let me know whether I do!

Wanting it is fine. I take no issue with that. Deep down you know I'm right though.

It would be much better to use that money to buy some Apple stock.

 

[fitshaced]

An extra $300 to make it $650 US would be a lot tougher to swallow and would give me more pause. However it is a hypothetical that fortunately is irrelevant.

What are you getting at?

Well you can justify the cost of this price by factoring in its use and the value of the design that Apple tells you is fair. You accept that. You're obviously aware of the Apple tax you pay for their products. Buying a new iMac for example is more costly when you max out the ram at the time of purchase than buying the same quality of ram from a third party. And not just a little bit more expensive, a lot. Have Apple overpriced their watch? Based on their form, yes. So, if you're willing to pay the money that they are selling it for now, would you be likely to pay even more for it if that's what they priced it as? That might tell you whether you are buying for function or buying because it's a new Apple product.

 

[rjlawrencejr]

Well you can justify the cost of this price by factoring in its use and the value of the design that Apple tells you is fair. You accept that. You're obviously aware of the Apple tax you pay for their products. Buying a new iMac for example is more costly when you max out the ram at the time of purchase than buying the same quality of ram from a third party. And not just a little bit more expensive, a lot. Have Apple overpriced their watch? Based on their form, yes. So, if you're willing to pay the money that they are selling it for now, would you be likely to pay even more for it if that's what they priced it as? That might tell you whether you are buying for function or buying because it's a new Apple product.

I don't think you will get the answer you're seeking because really it's a combination of both. I am buying an Apple Watch for the function as well as the fact it's an Apple product. While you may strongly believe Apple customers are so loyal to the brand they'll buy anything the company offers, that simply is not true.

For instance, I love television, but Apple TV has yet to really draw me in. The shows I watch most are either classics (Seinfeld, I Love Lucy) or broadcast network programs currently in production (daytime and primetime) all of which are unavailable so the unit is useless to me. Therefore I don't own one. If the major American broadcast networks all made their shows available - I might consider it, but since I see no added value for the way I consume television, I'll stick to watching regular TV or possibly stream a few network shows I forgot to record.

Finally, there is no "Apple tax." A tax implies a burden. Just because something has a higher price than something else does not constitute a tax, it's that the seller and buyer have agreed the item is more desirable. If buyers no longer desire that product either its price will be adjusted or the product will be discontinued.

 

[rjlawrencejr]

Wanting it is fine. I take no issue with that. Deep down you know I'm right though.

It would be much better to use that money to buy some Apple stock.

That's a poor argument. You could say that with just about any product. So, instead of getting that new car, I should buy used, pocket the difference and purchase shares. No, I should just take public transportation and use the money I would pay for maintenance, gas, and insurance and fund my Options House account. But let's not stop at cars and personal electronics, how about books? I can go to the library and read for free. Movies. Vacations. Stay home. The money saved can be spent on airline and hotel stocks.

Actually that's not a bad idea. But I'm still getting my watch. 🙂

 

[KenAFSPC]

I see this as an excuse to spend/waste money. Nothing more.

This product serves no purpose and won't improve your life in any meaningful way. I'm sorry, but smart watches are just a really dumb product category. Kinda like 3DTV. It's a product nobody really wants or needs.

If notifications on the Apple Watch will help me avoid the occasional missed notifications for meetings, deadlines, and client and VIP calls/messages, then I can see how it would be worth its cost (in $ terms) several times over.

On the other hand, if I get the Watch, I know there will be occasions when I forget to charge it, leaving me with a device I can't use the following day.

 

[fitshaced]

I don't think you will get the answer you're seeking because really it's a combination of both. I am buying an Apple Watch for the function as well as the fact it's an Apple product. While you may strongly believe Apple customers are so loyal to the brand they'll buy anything the company offers, that simply is not true.

For instance, I love television, but Apple TV has yet to really draw me in. The shows I watch most are either classics (Seinfeld, I Love Lucy) or broadcast network programs currently in production (daytime and primetime) all of which are unavailable so the unit is useless to me. Therefore I don't own one. If the major American broadcast networks all made their shows available - I might consider it, but since I see no added value for the way I consume television, I'll stick to watching regular TV or possibly stream a few network shows I forgot to record.

Finally, there is no "Apple tax." A tax implies a burden. Just because something has a higher price than something else does not constitute a tax, it's that the seller and buyer have agreed the item is more desirable. If buyers no longer desire that product either its price will be adjusted or the product will be discontinued.

I think you've again taken what I've said too literally. Firstly, I'm not looking for a particular answer. That's a prejudice that doesn't help you to respond with balance.

Do Apple fanboys exist? Yes. Do millions of them exist? Certainly looks that way. Would you have held off buying a smart watch if Apple didn't release one? Would you have purchased and Apple watch if it did only what a Microsoft band can do?

I think you know what I mean by the term 'Apple tax'. You are paying more because it's Apple. It does exist and its included in the price of the watch.

 

[rjlawrencejr]

I think you've again taken what I've said too literally. Firstly, I'm not looking for a particular answer. That's a prejudice that doesn't help you to respond with balance.

Do Apple fanboys exist? Yes. Do millions of them exist? Certainly looks that way. Would you have held off buying a smart watch if Apple didn't release one? Would you have purchased and Apple watch if it did only what a Microsoft band can do?

I think you know what I mean by the term 'Apple tax'. You are paying more because it's Apple. It does exist and its included in the price of the watch.

Yes, I do know what you mean by Apple tax and I still think it's not germane. I don't know if you shop much for clothes, but I don't think you would use the term "Lacoste tax" or even "Gap tax" or "Nike tax" I could go on and on.

Now to the first of your questions. The answer is a qualified maybe. I had a very early smartwatch powered by Microsoft's SPOT technology. When the battery died, I left it alone because the charger no longer worked and I had other financial priorities that precluded me trying to get it fixed. However I really enjoyed it and even wore it while carrying my iPhone (1st and 2nd generations). I definitely looked at other offerings from Pebble and some of the lesser known brands. But once I was aware Apple's contender was imminent, I waited to see what it had. And I liked it.

As to whether I would buy it had the same aesthetic appeal of the MS band then it would be NO! Not only is the MS band uncomfortable to me, I find it unattractive, and it doesn't do the things I care about.

 

[KauaiBruce]

I don't get it either. That would be like me, going to an android forum just to talk about how I dislike the OS. But then again, you'll never see me doing that because I like to think I'm pretty normal and don't have trolling issues and I genuinely like to read and post things about suff I actually like.

Is there more than one apple watch detractor on the thread or it is just tough to see with the sheer volume? I cannot stand it when someone tries to tell me what holds value for ME. I've worked hard in Silicon Valley for over 30 years and now even work a simple job as a concierge just to keep myself busy and not be bored. Someone actually pays me money to talk about vacations all day.

I even have a Tungsten Carbide wedding ring because it was the heaviest thing I could find. I would probably lose a finger snagging a tungsten one because I cannot tell I have it on.

BUT, I love SS watches that are big and chunky with some heft to them. If I wanted only the interface but did not care to have a pretty watch, it would be the sport.

 

[rjlawrencejr]

I see this as an excuse to spend/waste money. Nothing more.

This product serves no purpose and won't improve your life in any meaningful way. I'm sorry, but smart watches are just a really dumb product category. Kinda like 3DTV. It's a product nobody really wants or needs.

Remember, part of the reason 3D TV failed is the lack of content in addition to having to wear the glasses. When 3D TV can be enjoyed without the use of special glasses, you will see it reintroduced.

 

[saving107]

It would be much better to use that money to buy some Apple stock.

Apple stock is useless if no one is buying their products that many deem overpriced or unnecessary.

 

[addictzz]

I see this as an excuse to spend/waste money. Nothing more.

This product serves no purpose and won't improve your life in any meaningful way. I'm sorry, but smart watches are just a really dumb product category. Kinda like 3DTV. It's a product nobody really wants or needs.

Most of Apple products are seen as useless initially. Something that nobody will ever want or need. It is bashed for its price, lack of features, and shallow spec.

But one day you'll wake up wanting the very same product you are bashing right now. Now that's the wonder of Apple.

 

[telefono]

I see this as an excuse to spend/waste money. Nothing more.

This product serves no purpose and won't improve your life in any meaningful way. I'm sorry, but smart watches are just a really dumb product category. Kinda like 3DTV. It's a product nobody really wants or needs.

Buzzlara goo gook

 

[EightyTwenty]

That's a poor argument. You could say that with just about any product. So, instead of getting that new car, I should buy used, pocket the difference and purchase shares. No, I should just take public transportation and use the money I would pay for maintenance, gas, and insurance and fund my Options House account. But let's not stop at cars and personal electronics, how about books? I can go to the library and read for free. Movies. Vacations. Stay home. The money saved can be spent on airline and hotel stocks.

Actually that's not a bad idea. But I'm still getting my watch. 🙂

All of those examples you used are of legitimate products with actual real world usability.

The Apple Watch? It doesn't actually do anything. It's a gimped iphone with a really tiny screen.

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Most of Apple products are seen as useless initially. Something that nobody will ever want or need. It is bashed for its price, lack of features, and shallow spec.

But one day you'll wake up wanting the very same product you are bashing right now. Now that's the wonder of Apple.

I completely disagree. A desktop computer isn't useless. A laptop isn't useless. A smartphone isn't useless. Tablets have limited use and we've seen sales of the ipad already start to tank.

Apple makes a lot of amazing products. The "smart watch" just isn't one of them, in my opinion.

 

[technosix]

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.

Is there a reason you're so emotionally invested?

 

[rjlawrencejr]

Is there a reason you're so emotionally invested?

You're a mature individual so I'm sure you've wondered why...

I don't think of it as emotionally invested, but I do find the phenomena curious. Reread what I asked. I even said I could be wrong. But I think Piggie's response earlier was a great summation.

I don't know how old you are but if you grew up in SoCal like me you might remember the good days of 80s when the Dodger Giant rivalry was very one sided. Dodger fans loved their team but didn't have same level of animosity toward the Giants as the Giant fans did toward the Dodgers.

There's some enmity, but it seems one-sided and I just wonder why.

Instead of asking a non-sequitur, what do you think?

 

[technosix]

You're a mature individual so I'm sure you've wondered why...

I don't think of it as emotionally invested, but I do find the phenomena curious. Reread what I asked. I even said I could be wrong. But I think Piggie's response earlier was a great summation.

I don't know how old you are but if you grew up in SoCal like me you might remember the good days of 80s when the Dodger Giant rivalry was very one sided. Dodger fans loved their team but didn't have same level of animosity toward the Giants as the Giant fans did toward the Dodgers.

There's some enmity, but it seems one-sided and I just wonder why.

Instead of asking a non-sequitur, what do you think?

Respectfully, I may have misread or misinterpreted the degree of your dislike regarding the comments from those who are not interested in the watch.

As we know Apple forums can be polarizing since brand loyalty and enjoyable Apple experiences play a big part, thus its no surprise that some of the so called haters can be bothersome.

As a long time Apple computer user, shareholder and enthusiast, I find the watch project fascinating even though I don't have a desire for any brand of smartwatch. Obviously a true departure from earlier products I'm following this with great interest...🙂