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

[laurim]

I just don't get why anyone would pay a premium for Gold or even Stainless steel for a watch that will obviously evolve with each new generation. The size will decrease. The internals will improve. And you will be stuck with an outdated overpriced piece of bling that has lost it's appeal. If it was a small difference in price I'd consider the sapphire and steel, but not for double the price.

How much do people pay for nice shoes? How long do they last, especially considering the fashion aspect? Many women, not myself, think nothing of paying $300 for a single pair of shoes (or men and athletic shoes) or a new purse, which is appalling to me but that's just me and I have no right to tell them what to do with their hard-earned money. Apparently, it's important to THEM.

 

[IJ Reilly]

True. Just saying...

Point taken, but I'd be shocked if Apple went full-on luxury with this product. It would limit the reach substantially right out of the box, something Apple does not want to do. This is the mistake made by Gruber. He thinks the Apple Watch will be marketed to watch snobs and will be priced accordingly. We already know that the watch snobs hate Apple Watch seemingly without exception, so why would Apple make them their primary audience?

 

[Mtmspa]

I hear and read all the predictions. Some seem to be the same and some not. Most are speculative at best since there is no source for the predictions making it just guesses. With that spirit in mind, my predictions for tomorrow:

1. Tim will go through the numbers of how great Apple is, with a bazillion iphone sales, and a tramillion given to developers.

2. An update on the mothership and that tours will be available with ticket pre-sales begining at midnight.

3. The watch - lots of color/material bands, three watch levels - expensive, really expensive, and ridculously expensive. Expect a few videos of comercials and models strutting down runways.

4. a new itunes with beats integration that you can listen to on the fancy watch.

5. updated apple tv. Cable cutters around the world go into a frenzy as Apple finally gives us the ability to watch tv without first having to have a cable subscription. (30 days later we are all depressed as we realize the a la cart method is more expensive).

6. A ipad pro is announce. true multi-tasking will replace your laptop, even comes with a keyboard cover, thunderbolt port.

7. In case you really prefer a laptop, they will announce some minor tweeks.

8. The new line of carplay integration will be announced and several car companies will come on-stage.

9. iVehicles will be announced. the iBike and iCar. later in 2016 the iplane. iboat delayed to 2017.

10. /s

Two models of iPlanes. The larger uses an Airport and the smaller an Airport Express.

 

[laurim]

I was looking at the reviews on Amazon for the Moto 360 for evidence on how valuable people think having a smart watch is and ran across an interesting review. They said their Moto was stolen and there was no way to track it. Has there been a discussion on whether there will be theft tracking with the watch like on most Apple devices?

 

[Cayden]

I just wanted to point out something that is still being overlooked (though maybe for a good reason: the Apple Watch is still listed before the Sport on the website. Who says that the $350 won't be for the regular Apple Watch? Although it seems to be made from cheaper material, it is lighter and will possibly have benefits compared to the regular Watch

 

[g-7]

It's good to live in Europe, I'll be watching the event live in the evening

 

[laurim]

I just wanted to point out something that is still being overlooked (though maybe for a good reason: the Apple Watch is still listed before the Sport on the website. Who says that the $350 won't be for the regular Apple Watch? Although it seems to be made from cheaper material, it is lighter and will possibly have benefits compared to the regular Watch

Doesn't make sense to put your cheapest version first, right? You highlight the one most people will buy and offer options on either side.

 

[zhenya]

Point taken, but I'd be shocked if Apple went full-on luxury with this product. It would limit the reach substantially right out of the box, something Apple does not want to do. This is the mistake made by Gruber. He thinks the Apple Watch will be marketed to watch snobs and will be priced accordingly. We already know that the watch snobs hate Apple Watch seemingly without exception, so why would Apple make them their primary audience?

Placing some of the models high end doesn't limit the reach so long as they still provide a model that is substantially similar at a lower price. Marketing to the high end may be necessary to overcome the geek appeal that current smart-watches suffer from.

 

[MacDarcy]

ive been an apple fan since before it was all the rage...and this is the first product i dont know how i feel about. i was never a watch guy. so maybe thats part of it. i dunno. But i just dont feel the typical tech lust i usually get when apple releases a new product.

i carry my iphone with me everywhere. its replaced my point & shoot camera, and if i was a watch guy, it would have replaced my watch too. Its beautifully designed, i just dont see the wow must have factor. Will sending people taptic pulses and hearbeats really catch on? i dont think so. Cool as it is initially, i could see that getting old real fast.

i just think that the iwatch basically does everything your iphone already does.

will people pay $749 and more for an apple watch that does what their expensive iphone already does? especially when you have to charge it every night along with your iphone? i have no doubt many will. but i dont think itll be the next iphone or ipod.

i just think people want one mobile device to do all their stuff with. given the choice between the two, id bet a majority if not all would choose their iphone over their apple watch. so ultimately, i dont think its gonna be a must have for most people.

i love apple, and i will watch<no pun inteneded> what happens with this launch. im curious to see it in person and what it can really do. but my gut is telling me im right.

 

[rowspaxe]

It's a new Apple product, it will be a hit initially. There will be a shortage, you won't be able to buy the cheaper one for months, etc, etc. The marketing is already in place and has been carefully orchestrated for several months now. The artificial must have desire is there. People will buy it sight unseen just because it's Apple.

Perhaps.

I am going to go out on a limb and say the watch bombs in a way no one thought possible. Firstly, no women are buying this: it is too big and women already have their phones out constantly to text. Second, the watch will be the most returned product in the history of retail. People are primed for a purchase orgasm are going to massively disappointed by the watch experience and that means returns.

 

[laurim]

Perhaps.

I am going to go out on a limb and say the watch bombs in a way no one thought possible. Firstly, no women are buying this: it is too big and women already have their phones out constantly to text. Second, the watch will be the most returned product in the history of retail. People are primed for a purchase orgasm are going to massively disappointed by the watch experience and that means returns.

I'm a woman. And I don't have my phone out constantly to text. Maybe your circle of young women isn't representative of ALL women My current watch is round and is 32mm in diameter so 38mm and a rectangle isn't that much bigger.

 

[rowspaxe]

I'm a woman. And I don't have my phone out constantly to text. Maybe your circle of young women isn't representative of ALL women

perhaps your an outlier. do you commute on a train or bus? perhaps you've noticed what 80% of the women are doing?

 

[zhenya]

I don't see this being anything like the success of the iPhone, or even the iPad, but I do expect that it will be a nice niche for Apple for some time. Overall I agree that it's just a bit too much for yet another device that is outdated every couple of years yet provides only a fraction of the utility of those other devices. Still, the watch market, between fitness and jewelry, is nothing to turn your nose up at. I just don't see it becoming a blockbuster where absolutely everyone has one the way the iPhone was.

 

[wetcanvas]

Im so excited for the event.. Wait no i'm not. I don't care about the event at all. seriously though. I twitched a little. but I might have gas..

 

[laurim]

perhaps your an outlier. do you commute on a train or bus? perhaps you've noticed what 80% of the women are doing?

Really young women, maybe. But even so, we aren't on a bus all day long. Do you really think women text all day long and never put their phone in their purse? How do these women you speak of make money?

 

[SMIDG3T]

Ironically I think I'm experiencing the GMT bug or similar because the official Apple calendar event says it will start at 6pm UK time

If you're not sure of the start time, find a countdown somewhere, then you'll know for certain.

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Ironically I think I'm experiencing the GMT bug or similar because the official Apple calendar event says it will start at 6pm UK time

Here. http://arstechnica.com/apple/2015/03/liveblog-apples-spring-forward-event-starts-march-9-at-10am-pt/

 

[bizack]

Apple watch price: my predictions

$349 sport 38mm. (Space gray $400)
$379 sport 42mm (space gray $429)
$599 apple watch 38 mm w/ the sport band
$699 apple watch 42 mm w/ the sport band


Gold starting at $5,999

My attempt at pricing/gauging the market (variation of Gruber's):

Apple Watch Sport (all colors, with Sport Band): $349/399
Apple Watch, steel, Sport Band: $549/599
Apple Watch, steel, Classic Buckle: $649/699
Apple Watch, steel, Milanese Loop: $849/899
Apple Watch, steel, Modern Buckle (38mm only): $949
Apple Watch, steel, Leather Loop (42mm only): $1199
Apple Watch, steel, Link Bracelet: $1449/1499
Apple Watch, space black steel, Link Bracelet: $1549/1599

 

[rowspaxe]

Really young women, maybe. But even so, we aren't on a bus all day long. Do you really think women text all day long and never put their phone in their purse?

Essentially. When I go to the gym, most women texting. Bars? Texting and socializing. Elevators? texting. Its pervasive.

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Well, that's constructive. Of course, many thought the iPad was silly and unnecessary when it first came out ("I have a laptop, that's all anyone needs", "What a stupid name!", "It requires a data plan to do X!") and we all know how that turned out...

please, enough with the revisionist history. the ipad was an instant hit, if only because of its price--which was far less than anticipated

 

[laurim]

Essentially. When I go to the gym, most women texting. Bars? Texting and socializing. Elevators? texting. Its pervasive.

LOL. and many young men do the same. That's just a testament to the silly ways some people spend their time. Those of us with more important things to do than hanging out and yacking with friends have a reason to have a watch that does more than tell time. Don't make a blanket statement like "all women do X" when what you really mean is "people who already have their iPhone out constantly won't think this iPhone ACCESSORY is valuable to THEM".

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please, enough with the revisionist history. the ipad was an instant hit, if only because of its price--which was far less than anticipated

How old were you when the iPad first came out and shortly before when the comments I repeated were being said?

Let's go back to 2010 MacRumors and read what people were saying about whether they need an iPad when it comes out:

https://forums.macrumors.com/search/?searchid=51492535&pp=25&page=31

Wonder if "Palm Pimp" remembers posting "iPad = iFail = iPass"

 

[b0nd18t]

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.

You're so so wrong on this. You gravely underestimate the size of their customer base and how loyal fans they are.

 

[Rogifan]

Point taken, but I'd be shocked if Apple went full-on luxury with this product. It would limit the reach substantially right out of the box, something Apple does not want to do. This is the mistake made by Gruber. He thinks the Apple Watch will be marketed to watch snobs and will be priced accordingly. We already know that the watch snobs hate Apple Watch seemingly without exception, so why would Apple make them their primary audience?

Because they took out a 12 page ad in Vogue? I don't think that qualifies but some might. The minute I see Apple ads in The Robb Report then I know they've jumped the shark.

 

[GizmoDVD]

I just don't get why anyone would pay a premium for Gold or even Stainless steel for a watch that will obviously evolve with each new generation. The size will decrease. The internals will improve. And you will be stuck with an outdated overpriced piece of bling that has lost it's appeal. If it was a small difference in price I'd consider the sapphire and steel, but not for double the price.

Stuck with? There is no resell market?

 

[kemal]

The Sport is priced like a tech gadget. The Apple and Edition will be priced like watches. Keep that market in mind when the prices are revealed.

But what I really want is a Quad core mini Server with four front 2.5" bays on a 2Ux1/2.

 

[iPadCary]

Alright, already. I'll get one! 42mm Sport, please.
Now leave me alone ....

 

[xaqt93]

You're so so wrong on this. You gravely underestimate the size of their customer base and how loyal fans they are.

I don't think he is wrong on this one...Apple has a huge fan base and I am also one of their hugest fans, the only problem is, people with the base knowledge for Apple products aren't going to want to pay that much money for a watch. We don't even know the life span of these things yet...if they last 5+ years, then maybe the price Apple is asking for the Apple Watch will be worth it, but with such a high price point that we have been hearing, I don't see it taking off. But We will see tomorrow!