most screens are generally "square shape", its called a rectangle (2 sides longer than the other two but of equal length value) and in the past ALL screens were square unless you go back to the TV's when they were first introduced. Your post, while I agree that apple watch will remain "square shape" for some time, was rather short minded. A circle apple watch could easily be done while maintaining the same band attachment. Picture a normal mid to high scale round watch, they have basically what the click and many other adaptors. I think that even if they release a round AW (I don't think they will) the bands will still fit. I make a guesstimate that the current bands will be used in the AW for at least 2 more generations which seems that to would be 3-4 years.
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Will Apple ever make a round-face AW?
- Thread starter pika2000
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most screens are generally "square shape", its called a rectangle (2 sides longer than the other two but of equal length value) and in the past ALL screens were square unless you go back to the TV's when they were first introduced. Your post, while I agree that apple watch will remain "square shape" for some time, was rather short minded. A circle apple watch could easily be done while maintaining the same band attachment. Picture a normal mid to high scale round watch, they have basically what the click and many other adaptors. I think that even if they release a round AW (I don't think they will) the bands will still fit. I make a guesstimate that the current bands will be used in the AW for at least 2 more generations which seems that to would be 3-4 years.
The discussion is about the Apple Watch and anyway, I don't wear my iPhone on my wrist.
People still buy the 38mm Watch and 4" iPhone SE even though they have smaller fonts than the bigger Watch and iPhones. I'm not asking for the rectangular watch to be scrapped, just the option for a better looking round watch.
Design is more how it works than how it looks... it is function over form (and not the other way around....aor at least it should).The discussion is about the Apple Watch and anyway, I don't wear my iPhone on my wrist.
People still buy the 38mm Watch and 4" iPhone SE even though they have smaller fonts than the bigger Watch and iPhones. I'm not asking for the rectangular watch to be scrapped, just the option for a better looking round watch.
Would a round watch look better?? it is debatable, as taste is subjective, would it work better? Experience shows that round display are not as efficent (as in space) as square or rectangular one.
Yes you can make them work, as Androidwear did but that it works does not mean it is the best option.
At the end of the day a device has to be as transparent as possible, and as much as I personally prefere round watches, the AW did marvel to make it "forget" it is squared, simpli because everything is very well designed and works better on a square display.
Just look at text formatting... it is "caged" in a square ...because that's how fonts look better... and all the wasted white space.
Also part of it is there but unreadable (hence useless) because cut out....
It is subjective I give you that, but to me it does the job... the info are there and well readable, wich I would not trade for a round watch (and mind you I prefere round watches!!!)
I'd like to see what could be done before dismissing it out of hand.
It would also make the Apple Watch an option to many potential customers who really don't like the current design.
I hope they go round. I have a round Garmin and a rectangular AW. The AW screen is off most of the time, and it reminds me of an 80s era calculator watch from Casio. The Garmin, by stark contrast, is always on, and has some pretty attractive analog faces that compliment the round case.
This is the look that I hope Apple can someday move toward. I do not have a Fenix, but my 735 shares the same faces, and they look great in their always-on mode.
Having used both, the round vs. square arguments about rectangular presenting information better fall pretty flat. The round screen really does not give up much in function, but it gains a crapton in looks.
This is the look that I hope Apple can someday move toward. I do not have a Fenix, but my 735 shares the same faces, and they look great in their always-on mode.
Having used both, the round vs. square arguments about rectangular presenting information better fall pretty flat. The round screen really does not give up much in function, but it gains a crapton in looks.
That must be why the round Android Wear watches sell in the millions … not.
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Apple will never make a smartwatch looking like this, as this thing is almost the exact opposite of Jony Ive's design ethos.
Well, one day Jony will retire and maybe then Apple design goes down the drain and you'll get a round Apple Watch, who knows.
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So, you are suggesting that the AW outsold Android Wear watches simply because of the rectangular screen?
What is ives's "design ethos?" Could you clarify and elaborate why that explicitly opposes a round watch?
May be not only, but a nicer and more useful design (again as how it works) would definetly have helped selling a "more useful" device.
No, that's certainly not the only reason. But I think the number of people who didn't buy an Apple Watch because it isn't round is probably very small.
Or put another way: being square-ish didn't really hurt Apple Watch sales and being round certainly didn't really help Android Wear sales.
I'm thinking of the iPhone owners who are unlikely to go for an Android Wear watch.
Irrelevant....and would you buy a round iPhone or iMac screen since it 'can' be done?
I believe we are talking about watches here, and round-face watches are not something out of the ordinary, even for digital watches.
All we know is that Apple Watch (square) sells, Android Wear (many round options) doesn't. And you think there are many sales lost for Apple because there is no round model while I doubt that; I guess neither of us can prove our differing hunches.
It's moot, anyway. Apple's design process is super deliberate, not "see what sticks" like Samsung et al. There won't be a round Apple Watch for many years, if ever.
My take is that it's obviously possible but Apple obviously made a decision to make it not so. We can talk about this in circles. It can be something as simple as designers preferring square to something more complex.
Apple tried to sell the Watch as a possible luxury brand and that failed. This year they've moved in to providing greater value to sports. I don't wear a Watch for fashion so I honestly don't really care. It's replacing a Fitbit for me and it has done a decent job of it whilst improving overall functionality.
Apple tried to sell the Watch as a possible luxury brand and that failed. This year they've moved in to providing greater value to sports. I don't wear a Watch for fashion so I honestly don't really care. It's replacing a Fitbit for me and it has done a decent job of it whilst improving overall functionality.
Even if they don't go round they will have to shake up the design next time. As the product matures and the improvements are likely to get more incremental the 'looks exactly the same as the last one but a little bit better' approach will soon start to wear thin.
I hope they will never go round! There is absolutly no reason, why a smartwatch should be round. Even the design is laughable with this wannabe chronograph watchfaces, which try to mimic realworld counterpieces, but fail on almost every level. Apple did the right with the Apple Watch by creating simple and good watch faces for a smartwatch.
Uhmm no.....
Puck Mouse
Mac Pro Cylinder
iMac
iMac G4
Mighty mouse (was very rounded)
iBook Clamshell (was definetly ....rounder than a square
TAM (was a good mix of square and circles)
iSight
eMate
iPod nanos (they were very oval)
The airport base (the first....)
I mean there is no trend that suggest they prefere one or the other, of course someproduct are more "square" or "rectangle" because of the function, buit they always added a "roundness" to it see iphones, they are rectangles, but even they had very round edges.
Enven in the Jobs era, we had rounded and non rounded things
But none of them has a round display.
There is no functional reason for a round display. A round display creates problems. A rectangular display makes sense because it is the most logical shape for displaying information. Apple haven't got to this point by going against the blatantly obvious and trying to force a square peg into a round hole. Their designs have always been about simplicity "the best design is as little design as possible" and to an extent with the phone they have designed themselves into a corner. They can refine and work with new materials but the rounded rectangular slab that is every smartphone is essentially the industrial design equivalent to the evolution of the shark. (Apologies to any creationists).
I'm not saying the Apple Watch is perfect but a move to a round design would be a step backwards and a decision based purely on aesthetics and not function - which goes against most commonly accepted rules of "good design".
I disagree with this as well. The Apple Watch design is a) iconic already and b) so transparent that it is immensely malleable by the use of different bands and also different body colours and materials.
Of course the design will be refined, just like the iPod and iPhone before it. I guess Jony Ive would like to make the Watch significantly thinner. The display size(s) I don't see changing soon or maybe ever; 38 or 42 mm suit just about every wrist, size-wise.
So, I absolutely do not think Apple needs to or will actually "shake up" the design. If and when the technical improvements get more incremental, I would rather guess that the upgrade cycle becomes longer, maybe a new series only every two years.
PERSONAL OPINION, and yes we are still allowed those arent we??? Traditional watches which I love and still wear I definately prefer ROUND.
New tech like AW I much prefer the Rectangle screen for its efficient use of space and ease of reading. The round smartwatches I have looked at just seem awkward at presenting the info. The watch faces are better but that only 1 dimension of what these are designed for.
Hence I am currently waiting on delivery of my first AW. SS 42mm. I waited for a better option to appear on the market but.....
New tech like AW I much prefer the Rectangle screen for its efficient use of space and ease of reading. The round smartwatches I have looked at just seem awkward at presenting the info. The watch faces are better but that only 1 dimension of what these are designed for.
Hence I am currently waiting on delivery of my first AW. SS 42mm. I waited for a better option to appear on the market but.....