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

[laurim]

Bearing in mind Apple state this on their website I hate to think how much the steel bracelet will cost....9 hours to cut the links for a single band!!

Might take 9 hours for a single band but if you can do a thousand bands at the same time, it's not so bad

 

[Rogifan]

He is saying the entry-level Apple Watch will not just be $400 more, but more than double the price of the Sport with the same band. Really? And again, a $500 premium for a leather band? Really?

I don't see any reason to believe that Apple will charge more for colors (at least outside of the Edition, where all bets are off). In all of Apple's product history we find only one example of them ever doing that, and that time they also boosted a tech spec for the model. Why would they now deviate from years of marketing method to turn color into a cost item? The logic is absent.

Product pricing is about more than costs of production, it's about creating a ladder of pricing steps that induce buyers to talk themselves into spending a little more. Apple doesn't pay anywhere close to $100 to install 32GB in an iPad over 16GB, but they know a certain percentage of buyers will find that $100 to be well-spent. So again, why would they deviate from a strategy they know well and has been so successful for them over the years? Gruber seems to think so but he makes no case for it.

The one thing missing from his (and others) reasoning is the $349 watch. Are luxury watch makers selling a $349 watch? I doubt it. It makes zero sense to go from $349 to $749. Especially if the stainless steel bands are going to be expensive in their own right. I don't think many will say stainless steel, saaphire and ceramic back are worth a $400 premium. Charge a reasonable upsell price for the stainless steel with fluroelastemer band and make the higher end bands the object of desire and impulse purchase.

 

[Carlanga]

I'm excited to hopefully see Gruber fail by a lot on his pricing predictions.

 

[thekeyring]

I didn't know they had a rubber strap for that one. I figured Apple would have stricter demands on what kind of band you can wear with their highest end watch.

This will hopefully be cleared up tomorrow, but I was under the impression every band worked with every watch. You could, if you wanted, get a red Modern Buckle with an Apple Watch Sport. After all, you can get the Sport Band with the Apple Watch Edition.

If this is the case, I might save myself a bit of money and get an Apple Watch Sport but with an Apple Watch band.

 

[littyboy]

Said it before and i'll say it again... wish the face was flat instead of curved on the edges

 

[ravenvii]

This will hopefully be cleared up tomorrow, but I was under the impression every band worked with every watch. You could, if you wanted, get a red Modern Buckle with an Apple Watch Sport. After all, you can get the Sport Band with the Apple Watch Edition.

If this is the case, I might save myself a bit of money and get an Apple Watch Sport but with an Apple Watch band.

This is my impression as well. I can't imagine it being the contrary.

 

[Carlanga]

The one thing missing from his (and others) reasoning is the $349 watch. Are luxury watch makers selling a $349 watch? I doubt it. It makes zero sense to go from $349 to $749. Especially if the stainless steel bands are going to be expensive in their own right. I don't think many will say stainless steel, saaphire and ceramic back are worth a $400 premium. Charge a reasonable upsell price for the stainless steel with fluroelastemer band and make the higher end bands the object of desire and impulse purchase.

True, but remember that apple has no issues selling $100 extra for a few extra gb. So while I agree it will prob be less I don't think it's going to be a reasonable price. Instead 1.5-2x a reasonable price.

My prediction off the top of my head just to throw my hat into the ring:
Cheap $349
Mid 549
High 749 and or 949

 

[Gameboy70]

I want new iPods, but I know it won't happen ;-;

The Watch is the new iPod Nano.

 

[Rogifan]

True, but remember that apple has no issues selling $100 extra for a few extra gb. So while I agree it will prob be less I don't think it's going to be a reasonable price. Instead 1.5-2x a reasonable price.

My precautions off the top of my head just to throw my hat into the ring:
Cheap $349
Mid 549
High 749 and or 949

Well $549 isn't $749 which is what Gruber is predicting. I think Apple could move SS models at starting $549. If they start at $749 then my guess is the majority of sales will com from the Sport collection and it could hurt overall sales if some people don't consider the Sport dressy enough for work settings.

 

[bobob]

Bearing in mind Apple state this on their website I hate to think how much the steel bracelet will cost....9 hours to cut the links for a single band!!

Might take 9 hours for a single band but if you can do a thousand bands at the same time, it's not so bad

Have a look at the official Steel Link Bracelet for the Moto 360.

I haven't see the Apple steel link yet, but based on the build quality of the Moto 360's, I'm guessing there's going to be an order of magnitude of difference in quality.

 

[macs4nw]

I don't think the Apple Watch will be a hit, which should be expected as other watches had the same fate. The watch is just for fashion, that's it.

I can understand its use if it had health capabilities but there aren't any. And it takes way too long to do one simple thing on the watch where you can just easily take your phone out of your pocket.

...and how does one update that thing anyways? And its dependent on your phone too, so you can't just leave your phone at home or something. Watches like these just aren't ready for primetime.

Trollin' right?...... I'll shoot you a message on your AppleWatch six months from now.

 

[Mtmspa]

I don't think the Apple Watch will be a hit, which should be expected as other watches had the same fate. The watch is just for fashion, that's it.

I can understand its use if it had health capabilities but there aren't any. And it takes way too long to do one simple thing on the watch where you can just easily take your phone out of your pocket.

...and how does one update that thing anyways? And its dependent on your phone too, so you can't just leave your phone at home or something. Watches like these just aren't ready for primetime.

And your qualifications for this comment are what? Designer, engineer, CEO? Please tell.

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Said it before and i'll say it again... wish the face was flat instead of curved on the edges

Once was enough.

 

[mactactic]

Still not sold

IMOA , I can see this being Apple's first flop , stainless steel model will be 1000 $ I just don't see what this watch can do over a Fitbit or moto watch .
Throw in FaceTime camera then you might have something. Makes more sense for Apple to have made a bracelet or necklace to monitor heart beat or blood pressure .

 

[mroffbeat]

Apple Pay

Apple will try to push this device so apple pay can have a massive launch.
I do not think prices like 500 euro's will make people eager to buy it.

 

[d4rkc4sm]

seeing that live video demo just confirms to me that the apple watch is a dud.

 

[imola.zhp]

I was thinking the same after checking the original sealed iPod sales on eBay. Two sold - $3800 and $5100.
BUT, there were not many of them sold in the first place. MUCH smaller audience for the iPod in 2001/early 2002 than the Apple Watch now.
I'm doubtful a unopened watch will see that much price appreciation in such a short period.

I'm ok with tucking it away for 10-15 years.

 

[Mtmspa]

I am buying one for two reasons, I can keep my 5S for at least another year and I don't have to buy a fitbit. Apple pay, fitness, notifications etc are worth 350 for me.

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IMOA , I can see this being Apple's first flop , stainless steel model will be 1000 $ I just don't see what this watch can do over a Fitbit or moto watch .
Throw in FaceTime camera then you might have something. Makes more sense for Apple to have made a bracelet or necklace to monitor heart beat or blood pressure .

Necklace? LMAO. How much is a comparable Fitbit? Oh there isn't one.

 

[laurim]

IMOA , I can see this being Apple's first flop , stainless steel model will be 1000 $ I just don't see what this watch can do over a Fitbit or moto watch .
Throw in FaceTime camera then you might have something. Makes more sense for Apple to have made a bracelet or necklace to monitor heart beat or blood pressure .

Short answer, a Moto doesn't work with an iPhone. Or an AppleTV.

And judging by how the iPhone went, there will be a ton more GOOD apps developed for the Apple Watch, including home automation apps. Sure the apps will probably eventually be on other watches but the Apple Watch will get them first.

The health monitoring features are low priority for me. The features that help me while I'm traveling and working are what interest me. Not to mention the fact that I miss phone calls simply because I'm in the basement and my iPhone is upstairs. I used to have a bluetooth device that allowed a landline phone system to use my cell service but it was flaky and had an annoying habit where the landline phones would continue to ring after I answered the cell phone. This watch will allow me to see who's calling and whether I need to drop what I'm doing to call them back. I can even be in the backyard mowing or at work I can be at the front of the ballroom while my phone is backstage. As long as the bluetooth can still reach, I can be away from my iPhone. Women don't usually put a big phone in their pocket, if their pants even HAVE pockets which most of my dress pants don't.

I also like the Maps feature. I travel to other cities for my work and use Maps to find a place to eat, the venue I'm working at, etc. Now, I have to keep looking at my phone while I'm walking, trying not to bump into people or trip on uneven sidewalks and wondering if someone is going to snatch it out of my hands, lol. With the watch tapping my wrist, people won't know I'm a lost visitor and as a solo woman, that's a good thing.

 

[IJ Reilly]

Gruber's posts are often well thought out, but with the watch industry he's out of his element, and he wants to imply that the pricing norms of the consumer electronics don't constrain Apple's attempts to position the Watch as haute horology.

I think Apple's just spent the last six months letting the internet speculate itself into a tizzy over Watch pricing, only to announce fairly reasonable prices tomorrow.

Apple is unmoved by speculation, always has been. Gruber just misses the boat. As far as haute horology is concerned, this is where the Edition (read: "limited") comes in, for the people who like to wear hunks of gold on their arms. The meat of the market they hope to reach is $600 and under. Much above that and resistance kicks in big time.

 

[macs4nw]

I don't think the Apple Watch will be a hit, which should be expected as other watches had the same fate. The watch is just for fashion, that's it.

I can understand its use if it had health capabilities but there aren't any. And it takes way too long to do one simple thing on the watch where you can just easily take your phone out of your pocket.

...and how does one update that thing anyways? And its dependent on your phone too, so you can't just leave your phone at home or something. Watches like these just aren't ready for primetime.

Yes, the Apple Watch cannot do anything on its own, well except showing the time I guess. You need push service from an iPhone so that it gets pushed to the Apple Watch. No iPhone nearby, no communication to the outside world.

Apple can innovate my a**. Right back at Phil Schiller lol But seriously they did not take the opportunity to differentiate themselves in that. That's just sad.

According to some info ('Five Facts' video, starting at around 1:09), there will be fully-native Watch apps coming that will run completely independent from the iPhone.

 

[IJ Reilly]

The one thing missing from his (and others) reasoning is the $349 watch. Are luxury watch makers selling a $349 watch? I doubt it. It makes zero sense to go from $349 to $749. Especially if the stainless steel bands are going to be expensive in their own right. I don't think many will say stainless steel, saaphire and ceramic back are worth a $400 premium. Charge a reasonable upsell price for the stainless steel with fluroelastemer band and make the higher end bands the object of desire and impulse purchase.

Yes, and the entry-level models of Apple Watch with the plastic band are the key here. They are pretty clearly the in-between price, with the up-sell being the dressier bands. If $400 is a ridiculous premium for Apple Watch (it is) then $500 for a leather band is off the charts.

 

[nj-mac-user]

IMOA , I can see this being Apple's first flop , stainless steel model will be 1000 $ I just don't see what this watch can do over a Fitbit or moto watch .
Throw in FaceTime camera then you might have something. Makes more sense for Apple to have made a bracelet or necklace to monitor heart beat or blood pressure .

You can't see it because you're looking at it completely wrong. Don't think function, think fashion and you'll get it. You may not be one who pays $$ for Beats headphones or $$ for designer clothing, but there are PLENTY of people who will.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

The link might well be more expensive than many expect, but remember that Gruber is also pricing the leather loop as a $500 premium over the plastic band. Where, even on Planet Ultimate Luxury, do leather watch bands sell for $500?

I actually think the one for my Omega Speedmaster is close to 500$.

 

[brianvictor7]

Whenever a "new" Apple product comes out, I begin to see the waters get muddier. Problems on existing devices will have almost no chances of being fixed with so many devices/products to look after. Shame. Everything will be iWatch now, ZERO chance of getting my iTunes match issues resolved at this point or even continuity problems!

Please keep sending feedback about problems you want fixed at Apple's website http://www.apple.com/feedback/. If enough of us complain, they'll be more likely to take notice.

I send them something every month or so, often repeating requests.

 

[IJ Reilly]

I actually think the one for my Omega Speedmaster is close to 500$.

That would be a $3,500 watch, would it not?