What to Expect at Apple's 'Spring Forward' Media Event

[Rogifan]

If Apple offered a watch that could be "serviced" , Id be more inclined to buy One. I guess we will know today.

Well the Gruber's of the world are approaching this product entirely from the luxury watch space, so let's go all the way then. Luxury watches have to be serviced. Certain Watch models will be 'serviced' too. For sure battery and possibly SiP. Or Apple will allow you to trade in just the watch component for a new on that will still work with your existing bands.

 

[CJM]

Well the Gruber's of the world are approaching this product entirely from the luxury watch space, so let's go all the way then. Luxury watches have to be serviced. Certain Watch models will be 'serviced' too. For sure battery and possibly SiP. Or Apple will allow you to trade in just the watch component for a new on that will still work with your existing bands.

That would be cool, but I just can't see it happening.

Of course, if it did, I really think I'd buy one in a flash.

 

[Keirasplace]

I'm not entirely sold on the digital crown. Turning a small dial requires some amount of dexterity. I imagine it will cause difficulties for those with older, arthritic fingers.

I think Samsung came up with a far more innovative alternative - a ring around the side of a circular watch that users turn clockwise or counter clockwise to perform the same function as the digital crown. The ring looks much, much easier to use than Apple's digital crown. The downside is that such a ring only works on a round watch.

Having the surrounding of the watch be an input is not really all that new on regular watches. An example.

http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u412/G7600/20140812_102810_zpsv6s970ns.jpg

Samsung probably patented their own implementation, since patenting the idea is out of the question.

The detection of the input is probably similar tough to the Apple Watch crown; a bit like an optic mouse with the outer rim, and the crown, acting as mousepads (that way the watch itself is sealed).

 

[phillipduran]

LOL, dial as 'paradigm.'

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They won't bore people to death with too much of an already announced product, hopefully they'll b e much more about the MBA's.

While Apple doesn't let you upgrade freaking 21.5" desktops? You sure are an optimistic guy.

It's not optimism, he makes perfect sense. I expect to see this.

 

[TallManNY]

I wonder how scratch resistant these watches are.

I've never seen a watch made out of aluminum. Aluminum is a very soft and I wonder how it will hold up to wear and tear...especially since it's billed as the sport edition.

Aluminum is also more expensive to work with than steel. It has the advantage of being a lot lighter, but besides that no reason to make a watch out of it.

If the stainless steal watch is the cheaper one than folks minds will be blown.

 

[mchoffa]

Best guesses I've heard. Although I'd have to disagree with the statement that apple won't charge more for the bigger version. If that were true, most everyone would like to get the larger version because why not?

I don't know many women that want a giant watch on their wrist, especially more petite women.

 

[samcraig]

But who says people are going to do that? We're finding out they're not doing that with iPads. And considering how much work Apple has put into the watch bands do you really think they expect those bands to become obsolete in a year or two? It could be Apple makes more money off 'servicing' the watch than expecting people to buy a new one every year or two. I'm not saying Apple would for sure do that. But no doubt they've had these conversations. Especially if the watch isn't something you'll pay off over time like most people do with their phones.

So you've actually used the product? Tell us more about it then.

Well the Gruber's of the world are approaching this product entirely from the luxury watch space, so let's go all the way then. Luxury watches have to be serviced. Certain Watch models will be 'serviced' too. For sure battery and possibly SiP. Or Apple will allow you to trade in just the watch component for a new on that will still work with your existing bands.

The irony here is that you seem to think it's ok for you to have the leeway to speculate or insist on what Apple will or won't do and yet you seem to try and discredit anyone else whose opinions don't agree with you.

We'll know more in about 5 hours. But I don't think we'll have all the answers because until time will tell what Apple's plan is over the long run. Things like upgrade paths, etc may not be spoken about.

 

[musika]

I'm quite excited.

 

[Rogifan]

That would be cool, but I just can't see it happening.

Of course, if it did, I really think I'd buy one in a flash.

I'm not saying I'm right but if Gruber is right in Apple is treating this equivalent to a luxury watch, well luxury watches have to be serviced so why wouldn't an Watch get serviced?

On an unrelated note Philip Elmer Dewit posted a survey of 1000 from Adobe Analytics. It showed that 27% are likely to buy a smartwatch and of those 67% are likely or very likely to buy an Watch. One of the reasons cited is with phones getting bigger people are warming up to having a smaller extension of that on their wrist. I've said before I think Apple missed an opportunity to tie in the bigger phones and the watch. But maybe the launch event for the new phones wasn't the time to do it. Hopefully they'll do it at this event.

http://fortune.com/2015/03/08/adobe-analytics-interest-in-apple-watch-way-higher-than-expected/

 

[MH01]

Well the Gruber's of the world are approaching this product entirely from the luxury watch space, so let's go all the way then. Luxury watches have to be serviced. Certain Watch models will be 'serviced' too. For sure battery and possibly SiP. Or Apple will allow you to trade in just the watch component for a new on that will still work with your existing bands.

There is a big difference between servicing a mechanical watch and upgrading a motherboard/battery.

I'm not convinced apple will have an upgrade program for these watches. With the info so far, for me its an iPhone accessory. Though after tonight's announcement, maybe I will be convinced its a luxury watch. Only a few hours to go. Part of me really hopes they offer more than an accessory for my iphone, and I really wish it is upgradable, but the other part thinks it will be just like any other apple product and replaceable after 12 months.

 

[Rogifan]

The irony here is that you seem to think it's ok for you to have the leeway to speculate or insist on what Apple will or won't do and yet you seem to try and discredit anyone else whose opinions don't agree with you.

We'll know more in about 5 hours. But I don't think we'll have all the answers because until time will tell what Apple's plan is over the long run. Things like upgrade paths, etc may not be spoken about.

I hope you know I'm being a bit facetious. I have no clue what Apple is going to do.

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There is a big difference between servicing a mechanical watch and upgrading a motherboard/battery.

I'm not convinced apple will have an upgrade program for these watches. With the info so far, for me its an iPhone accessory. Though after tonight's announcement, maybe I will be convinced its a luxury watch. Only a few hours to go. Part of me really hopes they offer more than an accessory for my iphone, and I really wish it is upgradable, but the other part thinks it will be just like any other apple product and replaceable after 12 months.

My sister is still rocking an iPad 2. Works perfectly fine.

 

[atlatnesiti]

I don't know many women that want a giant watch on their wrist, especially more petite women.

thats exactly my question...I have relatively small wrist, but its not exactly women size... Should I go for 3.8 or 4.2 that is my question...
Haven't seen comparison between the two on the same wrist yet...
PS; Buying one for sure regardless (Steel)

 

[racer1441]

Well the entire PC market, including Apple, can increase their battery life simply by including larger batteries in their laptops. They seem to be weighing the value of slimness and weight and cost compared to battery life.

I guess the current laptops are insufficient for the folks who compile code while on safari. But I can't really imagine being somewhere were I would jam on a laptop for 12 hours and also not have access to an outlet, with the sole exception being a really long flight. And personally, I'd also have an iPad in my bag in that scenario. So between the two devices, current technology will last.

More of anything is better. But I'd rather a retina screen for the Air, or make the laptop lighter for the Macbook Pro, over increased battery life for either. But the new CPUs should result in better battery life anyway. So I think you will be happy.

I won't be happy till I can get 24 hours on a single charge. I'd love a iPhone the thickness of the original iPhone if the extra space was just battery.

 

[Recognition]

Just adding my thoughts...

With the digital crown, how would left hand users (watch worn on the right wrist) operate it comfortably? They would by covering the screen with their left hand and it would be an awkward angle for your hand, or will the watch be able to be worn upside down?

Also just noticed the Apple Store is being updated! Maybe pre-orders will start today?!
Looking forward to seeing what the price will be in the UK, usually Apples prices are a direct conversion of 1$ = 1£...

 

[Neodym]

If they could build Mac Mini that allow a pluggable sealed circuit board (looking like a cartridge) to be swapped each year by users for half the price of the new device (thus greatly shortening upgrade cycles), they would.

Interesting concept. With the Software market already shifting more and more towards rent instead of buy, the step to extend this concept to hardware seems not that big.

considering how much work Apple has put into the watch bands do you really think they expect those bands to become obsolete in a year or two?

Good point! Perhaps the idea is not to swap internals, but instead the whole watch body. Apple products have a good reputation when it comes to 2nd hand value, but only a small fraction would probably be interested to wear a band (esp. leather) with all the sweat from the previous owner in it.

So keep the band until it needs replacement (perhaps every 3-4 years) and sell/trade only the body (every 1-2 years), while getting the newest body revision from Apple.

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will the watch be able to be worn upside down?

Yes.

 

[bobob]

Just adding my thoughts...

With the digital crown, how would left hand users (watch worn on the right wrist) operate it comfortably? They would by covering the screen with their left hand and it would be an awkward angle for your hand, or will the watch be able to be worn upside down?

That was answered by Apple at the hands-on back in September.

 

[Neodym]

With all the people speculating that the Applewatch Sport will be the cheap entry model, there's an interesting sidenote I didn't pay attention to before:

On Apple's website, the sequence (from left to right) is:

1. Apple Watch (the steel one)
2. Apple Watch Sport
3. Apple Watch Edition

It might just come from habit (being used to read and write from left to right), but somehow I expect such a sequence to be ordered from "lower" to "higher" (quality, price - whatever).

If the Sport would indeed be the most affordable one, I would expect it to be on the far left in the abovementioned sequence - not in the middle.

As one of Apple's product marketing points is lightweightness, perhaps the Sport variant is considered more "premium" than the rather heavy stainless steel one.

 

[zhenya]

With all the people speculating that the Applewatch Sport will be the cheap entry model, there's an interesting sidenote I didn't pay attention to before:

On Apple's website, the sequence (from left to right) is:

1. Apple Watch (the steel one)
2. Apple Watch Sport
3. Apple Watch Edition

It might just come from habit (being used to read and write from left to right), but somehow I expect such a sequence to be ordered from "lower" to "higher" (quality, price - whatever).

If the Sport would indeed be the most affordable one, I would expect it to be on the far left in the abovementioned sequence - not in the middle.

As one of Apple's product marketing points is lightweightness, perhaps the Sport variant is considered more "premium" than the rather heavy stainless steel one.

In watches, lightweight is not generally considered a virtue. Further, aluminum is extremely soft and will almost certainly get dinged up rather easily. Also, I think the steel model has the sapphire front and ceramic back.

 

[tresmith]

Well, maybe it depends how your Iphone is faring. I never put anything protection on it and it fares very well. Some people though seemingly wreck them in weeks. The glass should be as durable as the latest Iphone's are.

unless you keep your phone in your pocket with your keys, your watch will see a lot more abuse.

i wear a watch at times and I bang it against stuff all the time. my phone on the other hand stays in the soft confines of my pocket.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

Complain about prices that are purely speculation. Smart.

 

[zhenya]

unless you keep your phone in your pocket with your keys, your watch will see a lot more abuse.

i wear a watch at times and I bang it against stuff all the time. my phone on the other hand stays in the soft confines of my pocket.

I have to agree with this. Especially for larger, bulkier watches like these are, you will be surprised how much it catches on during your daily life. I'm good about keeping my phones pretty flawless with a minimal bumper or even no case, but my Nike sportswatch takes a beating when I wear it regularly.

 

[Vincent Pride]

Pricing is nothing to care about, the primary market for apple watch are white rich girls, san-fran gadget geeks and fashionistas. Girls will be buying them in droves, and most of the time not on their own dime.

 

[shandyman]

As I mentioned I prefer mechanical watches, as a true watch.

You missed your hypocrisy then.....

 

[tresmith]

I just read an article on 9to5 mac and it says...

http://9to5mac.com/2015/03/09/platinum-apple-watch/?pushup=1


"18-karat gold isn’t pure gold, it is defined as being 75% gold by weight. The remaining 25% of the mix is usually made up of one or more other metals, with silver and copper popular choices. The Apple patent describes mixing gold with low-density ceramic particles instead of metal.

Because weight, not volume, is what defines the karat gold standards, Apple’s watch could use less than a third the gold of a conventional alloy while still qualifying as 18-karat gold … "

if that's the case then the edition watch, as I've predicted, won't be anywhere near 5 grand. you can't justify using a third of the gold and sell a watch for 5 grand.

 

[zedsdead]

My predictions:

(1) iOS 8.2 released, 8.3 Public Beta
(2) OS X 10.10.3 - Photos APP discussion
(3) Macbook Air Updates (no retina model yet, just Broadwell)
(4) Watch: General (like how its being received in fashion, etc...)
(5) Watch: App Demos...this will take forever!
(6) Watch: Retail Store Remodel w/ Angel Ahrendts
(7) Watch: Pricing (be prepared to be stunned by Stainless Steel)
(8) Watch: Release Date / Order Process

Definitely Not: Apple TV, iPad Pro, iPad Mini 4

Most likely not: rMBA, Beats Music

Unsure: Macbook Pro 13"...possible, but it seems like it would take away from the Air update.